20 BEST Hotels in Nuku'alofa 🌺 [2024]

The Top Hotel Accommodations in Nuku’alofa

As the capital of Tonga, Nuku’alofa has the widest range of hotels across the Kingdom. Stay in international-style hotels with restaurants or try something classically Tongan, like a boutique hotel on the waterfront. There are hotels to suit a range of traveller types and budgets, so find the ideal hotel for you in this list of the best hotels in Nuku’alofa!

Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country and its hotels are no different. Services can change with little notice, so always be sure to inquire about any essential services you may need before you book! If you have an update to the listings below, feel free to reach out.

1. Tanoa International Dateline Hotel

Tonga’s largest hotel is a safe bet for something familiar. The Tanoa International Dateline Hotel has a number of room types available, from the well-appointed entry-level “Superior Room” to the lavish “Ocean View Suite” with a private balcony. Layouts are versatile, making the hotel an ideal stay for couples, families and groups of friends. Facilities at the hotel include a large outdoor swimming pool and poolside cafe/bar, as well as an on-site gym, airport transfers and check-in, laundry service, WiFi, TV entertainment in each room and a buffet breakfast with hot and cold options served each morning.

Check Tanoa International Dateline Hotel out:

2. Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant

The Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant brings all of the charms of Italy to the shores of Nuku’alofa, even the luxurious standard of the rooms. “Standard” and “Ocean View Rooms” are available, with the options for a private balcony and interconnecting rooms. Stays include a continental buffet breakfast, while rooms have all of your expected hotel amenities including free WiFi. As for dinner, roll out of bed and go downstairs to the ever-popular Little Italy Restaurant which serves irresistible pizzas. See more like this in the 10 Most Romantic Honeymoon Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.

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3. Seaview Lodge & Restaurant

One of the more upscale boutique hotels in Nuku’alofa, Seaview Lodge boasts an idyllic spot right on the waterfront. The lodge offers a small range of well-appointed rooms, as well as a fabulous restaurant. Stay in colonial-inspired guest rooms with various grades of room, from the luxurious “King Suite” to either a sea or garden view room, with or without a balcony. In a separate house from the main lodge is the “Family Suite” which is a fully self-contained two-bedroom apartment. A continental breakfast and WiFi are included in the stay, while airport transfers are available for a fee. See more accommodations like this in the 5 Best Luxury Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.

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4. House of Tonga Hotel

Boasting modern guest rooms with tasteful Tongan decor, House of Tonga strikes a nice balance. Stay in one of the boutique hotel’s double rooms with a queen bed, air-conditioning, free WiFi, an ensuite shower and access to an outside deck. Children under 11 years can also squeeze into the rooms thanks to the sofa beds. Breakfast is available to purchase and there’s also an on-site cafe, Maleitaha Cafe which specialises in Tongan cuisine. Other conveniences include on-site parking, airport transfers, luggage storage, hot drink-making facilities and a personal refrigerator.

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5. JeZAmi Hotel

Less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre, the JeZAmi Hotel provides another excellent boutique hotel in Nuku’alofa. The locally-owned hotel offers modern rooms with tasteful Tongan touches. All have a twin double bed set-up, ideal for families, couples, friends and corporate travellers. Rooms include a TV, free WiFi and air-conditioning. What’s more, the hotel includes complimentary breakfast! The hotel owners also run a whale swimming tour, Tuna Moana.

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6. Paradise First Hotel

A small local family-run hotel, Paradise First Hotel boasts a homely ambience in its friendliness and decor. Each of the eight very spacious rooms is unique but all feature ensuites. Better yet, the four rooms on the top floor walk out onto a balcony. Your hosts also provide a complimentary breakfast from the kitchen, which is also available for guests should you want to do some self-catering. Other features include on-site secure parking and free WiFi. Find this hotel in the Bay of Manumataongo, five minutes’ drive from the city centre. A rental car is recommended, as listed in The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu.

Check Paradise First Hotel out:

Paradise First Hotel on Expedia

7. ‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast

Wedged between Tui Mata Moana Market, the waterfront restaurants and St Mary’s Cathedral, ‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast offers an alternative yet convenient location on Vuna Road. Although labelled “B&B”, rooms are reminiscent of a hotel with king beds, an ensuite bathroom with a hair dryer, hot drink-making facilities, a fridge, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, plus all toiletries and towels are included. In short, they have everything you need and then some with free WiFi and breakfast served in the dining room by friendly local staff. There’s a communal kitchen if needed, as well as a restaurant on-site, Mi-Chefs, while there are a couple of “Standard Rooms” with shared bathroom facilities should you be on a tighter budget.

Check ‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast out:

‘Utu’one Bed & Breakfast on Expedia

8. Simon’s Place

Set out like a Western-style motel, Simon’s Place provides 12 spacious rooms with ensuites suitable for solo travellers, couples and corporate travellers, while an extra bed can be added to the room for small families. Each room has a queen bed, a modern bathroom, a patio, air-conditioning and a writing desk with hot drink-making facilities. A continental breakfast is included, while those wishing to stick around for lunch can do so at the on-site Hakau Horse Cafe, which features vibrant Tongan artwork and tropical plants to set the vibe. What’s more, you’re just a short stroll away from the city centre.

Check Simon’s Place out:

Simon’s Place on Expedia

9. Villa Ishadora

A three-star yet very well-presented guesthouse-style accommodation in Nuku’alofa, Villa Ishadora is a popular choice for couples, families and groups of friends. Your hosts offer a superb complimentary breakfast each morning, while there is a bar/kitchen with drink facilities to help yourself to. Half of the rooms have ocean views, while you can also enjoy views with your breakfast from the upstairs terrace. Rooms come as king ensuites, queen rooms with separate private bathrooms, and twin queen ensuite rooms, some of which can be interconnected. Guests have access to free WiFi, as well as complimentary kayak hire – the only one available in Nuku’alofa! Check out more accommodation like this in the 10 Best Bed & Breakfasts in Tonga.

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10. Waterfront Lodge

Another upscale lodge on the waterfront of Nuku’alofa, Waterfront Lodge is a colonial-style lodge above a reputable restaurant. The lodge is located directly opposite Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf where many boat tours and the interisland ferries depart. Choose between a sea view or a garden view room, each with a king bed, Fijian mahogany furniture an ensuite and other amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Breakfast is also included in your stay.

Check Waterfront Lodge out:

11. Winnie’s B&B

Stay a little out of town near the hospital at Winnie’s B&B, accessible via rental car or taxi. The long-established yet modernly renovated guesthouse features six units with sliding doors spilling onto a shared wraparound deck and out to an attractive garden. Choose from king or twin configurations with an ensuite. Some rooms have breakfast-making facilities, while others have full kitchenettes with continental breakfast included. What’s more, they are very well priced; offering better standards than your average guesthouse but more affordable than your average hotel. The common areas include a garden and barbecue area, while paid services include WiFi, TV and laundry.

Check Winnie’s B&B out:

Winnie’s B&B on Expedia

12. NOA Guesthouse

One of the larger guesthouses in town and a viable option if looking for a hotel in Nuku’alofa, NOA Guesthouse has something for every type of traveller on a budget. Choose from single/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities and “Family Rooms” which have one double and a single bed with an ensuite. Guests have access to a large communal kitchen and dining room, which makes self-catering a breeze. Paid services include breakfast, laundry, WiFi and airport transfers. You can also rent vehicles with the guesthouse, which works with Me Rentals, as featured in The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu.

Check NOA Guesthouse out:

NOA Guesthouse on Trip.com

13. Sunrise Hotel

Aptly named for its waterfront location, Sunrise Hotel is located along Vuna Road approximately a 30-minute walk from town. The Chinese-owned hotel has 16 rooms with family rooms, single rooms with a double bed, queen rooms and king rooms, the latter featuring a balcony. All have similar layouts and facilities, except the beds get bigger (and more expensive). The hotel is popular with corporate travellers and features free WiFi and a computer for guest use. Breakfast is also included and served in the downstairs restaurant overlooking the tranquil pond, while room service is also an option. Learn more about their conference services in the 5 Best Hotels for Conferences in Tonga.

14. Tungi Colonnade Hotel

Located in downtown Nuku’alofa, just a few minutes walk from the city centre shops, restaurants and attractions, Tungi Colonnade Hotel is a convenient choice for travellers. The boutique hotel has 14 well-appointed rooms with a small kitchenette and an ensuite bathroom, as well as tiled floors and air-conditioning keeping your stay cool and comfortable. Queen and family rooms are available, some with their own balcony to enjoy watching the city life. Breakfast is included and served in a small conference-style room, while airport transfers are available for a fee. See more recommendations like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.

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15. Emerald Hotel & Restaurant

A well-established hotel that has been taking in guests for more than 25 years, the Emerald Hotel is a popular choice on the waterfront with a primarily Chinese clientele. The hotel has a choice of twin and king rooms with a garden or ocean view – some with oversized balconies with sea views. Each room has all the amenities expected in an international-style hotel, from cable TV to air conditioning to tea/coffee-making facilities. On top of that, the Emerald Hotel boasts a popular Chinese restaurant. Note that cleanliness is not a priority of this hotel.

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16. Dayspring Lodge

With free breakfast, free WiFi and super affordable guest rooms, you can hardly do wrong with Dayspring Lodge if you’re on a budget. Dayspring is located in Tofoa village on the southern outskirts of Nuku’alofa, which makes for a good central base for exploring Tongatapu. Definitely more B&B vibes than hotel vibes, the lodge offers double and single rooms (six in total), sharing three bathrooms between guests. The lodge has a beautiful garden with fruit trees galore, many of which are used to produce your breakfast each morning. Check out more accommodations like this in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.

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17. Tonga Holiday Villa, Tonga Cottage, Siale Tonga & Paea’s Guesthouse

A guesthouse ensemble in Nuku’alofa, all within the same estate in Popua on the eastern side of town, Tonga Cottages offers a variety of private rooms with shared facilities across three colonial-style houses (or you can rent out entire villas).

Tonga Cottage is your hotel-style double/triple suite with simplistically modern decor and basic ensuite bathrooms (at least with hot water). Also in the same building is Siale Tonga, a private suite with an in-room sofa. Next up is the fabulous colonial villa with a striking red roof and manicured gardens, Tonga Holiday Villa. Choose from double/twin rooms with shared bathrooms and a double ensuite, while small families can squeeze into the “Family Room” with a double and single bed.

Finally, Paea’s Guesthouse is your most basic but homely room, set in the house of your hosts with a private entrance. All guests have access to shared kitchens. Prepay WiFi and airport/wharf transfers are available. What’s more, they offer two island tours – as listed in The Best Guided Tours of Tongatapu.

Check Tonga Cottage & Holiday Villa out:

18. Backpackers Townhouse (Kapeta Backpackers)

A homely guesthouse for backpackers and travellers on a budget, Backpackers Townhouse (signposted at “Kapeta Backpackers” on the corner of Mateialona and Vahaakolo Roads) offers a couple of two-bed dorm rooms and four private single, twin/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities between two rooms. The guesthouse is an interesting place to stay with papaya and banana trees that you can help yourself to, while it’s also the site of True Vava’u where you can learn more about how your host makes tuitui (candlenut) oil. What’s more, the guesthouse is conveniently a short walk from the city centre. Full kitchen facilities, hot showers, electric fans and laundry services are all available. For more backpacker-style stays, check out 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Nuku’alofa.

19. Toni’s Guesthouses & Apartments

Toni has a few guesthouses across Nuku’alofa, which can be very confusing to find/make sure you’re going to correct one – so we’ll make this listing a long one to make it as clear as possible. What’s more, the guesthouses are not the most central (rent a car). Nevertheless, travellers looking for an ultra-affordable stay will certainly find a place to call home at one of Toni’s Guesthouses or Apartments, starting with welcome refreshments.

The “Green House” has 2-3-bed backpacker dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and the “Yellow House” has double and twin rooms with some ensuite options. What’s known as the “Family House” is actually two self-contained units within. All of the above are located on the same estate in Tofoa. Meanwhile, “Toni’s Apartments” on Hihifo Road, Puke are two more guesthouses with four guest rooms each.

Unless otherwise stated, all houses are on a shared basis and are well equipped with a kitchen, a cool lounge and a seating area under a verandah – all kept to a clean and presentable standard. Although a little out of town, Toni and Leni offer island day tours.

Check Toni’s Guesthouses out:

Toni’s Guesthouses on HostelWorld

20. Lose Lodge

Enjoy a stay with true Tongan hospitality at Lose Lodge “lose” being the Tongan pronunciation of “rose”. Most guests have their own space of either single/twin or double rooms with an ensuite, although two rooms have shared bathrooms. Alternatively, “Family” rooms are available which are fully self-contained studios with one double and single bed, plus a kitchen and bathroom. Rooms surround a shared patio and a picturesque city-centre garden to enjoy. Facilities at the lodge include modems should you want to sort out your own internet, activity bookings, free lifts into town (although you are surrounded by some good eateries, which your hosts are happy to recommend) and a liquor store on-site. Find Lose Lodge on Fatafehi Road, just a short stroll from the city centre. For more stays with kitchen facilities, check out the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.

More About Hotels in Nuku’alofa

That’s it for our list of the best hotels in Nuku’alofa. For more accommodation options for your time in the capital, check out the following:

And if you’re still looking for the perfect place to stay, start from scratch with Where to Stay in Nuku’alofa: The Best Accommodations and the 25 Best Hotels in Tonga.

Author

Laura (Lola) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page

20 BEST Hotels in Nuku’alofa 🌺 [2024]