20 BEST Family Resorts & Accommodations in Tonga 👪 [2024]

Where to Find Family-Friendly Accommodation in Tonga

Your own private apartment in the capital or a snug family fale on an uninhabited island: whatever your preferred family stay, there’s an accommodation to suit in Tonga. Below, we’ve listed a range of the top family resorts and accommodations in Tonga featuring all types of stays across several island groups. Start planning your Tonga family getaway, right here, (or right after you have also bookmarked The Travel Guide to Tonga for Families)!

Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country, especially when it comes to accommodation. With that in mind, some of the services accommodations provide are known to change without notice. If there is any information needing an update in the listings below, feel free to reach out!

1. Matafonua Lodge (Ha’apai)

The kids will hardly get bored at this stunning resort in the Ha’apai islands. Snorkelling just off the shore, whale watching, horse riding, reef walks… It can all be done here at the Matafonua Lodge atop the sandy tip of Foa Island. Stay in one of the free-standing elevated “Family Fales” (bungalows) on the beach, which includes a continental breakfast each day and free use of kayaks and bicycles. There is a shared shower and bathroom block kitted out with luxurious rainfall showers. See more accommodations like this in Where to Stay in Ha’apai: The Best Accommodations.

Check Matafonua Lodge out:

2. Tongan Beach Resort (Vava’u)

A relaxing beachfront retreat that doesn’t involve the hassle and expense of overwater travel, Tongan Beach Resort is an easy choice for families. The resort is easy to access from Neiafu, located on the causeway-connected ‘Utungake Island in Vava’u with its own stretch of sandy paradise and a private jetty. Relax in the open-air restaurant with an a la carte menu and a wealth of cocktails, or lounge in the day beds soaking in the Tongan sun. There’s an amazing snorkelling spot just off the beach where you might meet the resident turtle, while complimentary use of kayaks is also available. The Tongan Beach Resort caters to couples, families and groups with double and family rooms available – all metres away from the water’s edge. Check out more places to stay in the island group in our guide, Where to Stay in Vava’u: The Best Accommodations.

Check Tongan Beach Resort out:

3. Blue Water Retreat (‘Eua)

With the sandy Tufuvai Beach on its doorstep, Blue Water Retreat presents a dreamy location for a family getaway. The closest thing to a resort on ‘Eua offers a small selection of ocean-view ensuite bungalows; three of which are family bungalows sleeping three to four people across two queen beds or one queen and two singles. The bungalows are recently renovated and feature a private deck where you can watch the sunset and see whales on the horizon during the whale season. Ferry/airport transfers are included in the accommodation rates, while whale watching, spearfishing and island tours, as well as creative buffet-style meals at the onsite restaurant, can all be organised with the resort for an effortless stay. For more about accommodations on the same island, check out Where to Stay on ‘Eua: The Best ‘Eua Accommodations.

4. Tanoa International Dateline Hotel (Tongatapu)

Enjoy the comfort and luxury of a 4-star hotel at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel. One of the largest hotels in Tonga, this hotel on the waterfront of Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu has plenty to keep families entertained. Enjoy a splash in the outdoor swimming pool, indulge in poolside meals and be reassured knowing you have in-room TVs and WiFi available. Hotel rooms are versatile with layouts suitable for families sharing one room. Choose from “Superior Rooms” for something more affordable or upgrade to a balcony, an “Ocean View Room”, “Ocean View Suite” or the spacious “Presidential Suite”. For more accommodations on Tongatapu, check out Where to Stay on Tongatapu: The Best Accommodations.

Check Tanoa International Dateline Hotel out:

5. Boathouse Apartments (Vava’u)

Conveniently (and ideally) located in an elevated position in Neiafu, the Boathouse Apartments are a top choice for families seeking a self-sufficient holiday to Vava’u. The apartments boast spectacular views of the yachts in the harbour and sit adjacent to a variety of boating and diving operators. Enjoy a home-away-from-home experience in either a one- or two-bedroom apartment or one of the two studios with a modern kitchen and designer bathrooms with walk-in showers. See more stays like this in the 10 Best Apartments in Tonga.

Check Boathouse Apartments out:

6. Serenity Beaches Resort (Ha’apai)

Located on the uninhabited Ha’apai island of Uoleva, Serenity Beaches Resort is a place to get away from it all. Stay in one of their open-air fales (bungalows) nestled in beachfront bush where parents sleep in the queen bed on the ground floor, while kids love the loft room above! Alternatively, stay in one of the larger fully enclosed fales with sleeping arrangements for families of three or four. Whatever you choose, kids will enjoy the novelty of an open-air garden shower, while parents will appreciate that meals can be taken care of in the homely communal fale. As for experiences, there’s whale watching/swimming in the whale season (July-October), snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding with free use of gear.

Check Serenity Beaches Resort out:

7. The Harbourview (Vava’u)

Far enough away from the hustle and bustle yet close enough for convenience, The Harbourview is well worth considering for families visiting Vava’u. The quiet location in the village of Toula provides a retreat in tropical gardens with glorious views of the Port of Refuge and access to the water with SUP and snorkelling gear available to make the most of it. The accommodation has a self-contained two-bedroom family bungalow and a bungalow with interconnecting rooms and a kitchenette. There’s free WiFi in the communal area where you can also play pool and darts or order food at their very popular restaurant. A light breakfast is included in your stay. Otherwise, there are plenty of meals to entice on the menu, as listed in the 10 Best Restaurants in Vava’u.

Check The Harbourview out:

The Harbourview on Booking.com

8. Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses (Tongatapu)

Looking for a family holiday that the kids will never forget? Check out the lodges suspended in the trees at Tukulolo Grounds & Treehouses. This handbuilt wonderland among the forests of Tongatapu‘s eastern side consists of two queen ensuite treehouses and one family treehouse, each distinctive and artistically finished. The property is a joy to explore between the communal lodge, fire pit, carved sculptures and suspended bridges leading to your fairy-light-lit abode. Watch the forest come to life at night with a fire show! While a light breakfast is included in the rate, breakfast and dinner are available to purchase should you not want to venture the 35 minutes it takes to get into Nuku’alofa. See more stays like (or more “unlike”) this in the 10 Most Unique Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Tukulolo Treehouses out:

Tukulolo Treehouses on Booking.com

9. Little Italy Hotel & Restaurant (Tongatapu)

The family-friendly Little Italy Hotel on the waterfront of Nuku’alofa is an excellent choice for families. Children under the age of 11 years sharing accommodation with a parent in a room’s existing bedding stay for free, while cots for infants are also free of charge. There are “Standard Rooms” and “Ocean View Rooms” available, with interconnecting rooms available for the latter. Continental breakfast is included, while we also recommend the child-friendly pizzas served at the Little Italy Restaurant, as recommended in the 20 Best Restaurants in Tonga.

Check Little Italy Hotel out:

10. Mystic Sands (Vava’u)

A boutique resort also on the waterfront of ‘Utungake Island in Vava’u, Mystic Sands is easy to get to from Neiafu yet provides a tranquil retreat. Stay in one of the modernly-furnished family rooms with ocean views and the beach just steps away. Each room has kitchenette facilities for self-catering (including a coffee plunger – woohoo!) but you might just feel that the included breakfast is enough, while you may also want to take the opportunity to order the meals available or even try an umu. The hosts can also organise a number of activities around the island for you or you can just make do with the complimentary use of the kayaks, swimming pool and beach games. Check out more resort-style stays in The Top 30 Resorts in Tonga.

Check Mystic Sands out:

11. Kitesurf Tonga (Ha’apai)

Kitesurfing might be the focus of the isolated resort in Ha’apai, but it also provides an island escape for families looking to do other things. The all-inclusive Kitesurf Tonga on Uoleva Island includes all meals as part of a compulsory meal plan, accommodation with solar warm showers, paddleboards, kayaks, friendly dogs and more. The “Family Fale” has a pretty awesome layout for kids who don’t mind sharing a room in the bunk bed blending into the timber walls. Note that the resort is open from April to November. For more off-the-grid experiences, check out the 10 Best Eco-Resorts in Tonga.

12. Katea Retreat (Tongatapu)

A boutique beach resort on the southern corner of Tongatapu, Katea Retreat offers a blissful beachside stay for families – that is, until it’s Wednesday or Friday night or Sunday afternoon when its restaurant comes to life with cultural dancing and a traditional Tongan umu – see the 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga. But back to the accommodation, one of the five bungalows has two double beds suitable for families of three or four. It also features a kitchenette with a gas stove, an ensuite bathroom and a balcony overlooking the breathtaking beach and reef below. The latter you’ll love to explore with its golden sands and arching rock formations – as featured in the 20 Best Beaches in Tonga. Free airport shuttles are available, while cultural medicine walks are also on offer.

13. Billfish Holiday Apartments (Vava’u)

Two modern apartments await on the foreshore of the Port of Refuge at Billfish Holiday Apartments. The downstairs self-contained units in Vava’u are close enough to Neiafu for convenience (a 3-minute drive or taxi), yet far enough away to feel like you’re in a world of your own, especially with the breathtaking views enjoyed from the elevated garden and walkway leading to a private jetty. Each apartment has a king-sized bed and a full kitchen/dining area in an attractive open-plan layout leading to a shared deck outside. There’s also room to add two single beds into the apartment. Families enjoy their time here relaxing in the outdoor area with a barbecue or taking your hosts up on the offer of their fishing charter, as listed in the 10 Best Fishing Charters in Tonga.

14. JeZAmi Hotel (Tongatapu)

Less than a 10-minute walk from Nuku’alofa city centre, the JeZAmi Hotel provides another excellent hotel for families. The locally-owned hotel offers rooms with twin double beds, plus an in-room TV with 28 channels and free WiFi to keep the little ones entertained. Rooms include a TV, free WiFi and air-conditioning. And just a heads up, the hotel owners also run a whale swimming tour, Tuna Moana. Check out more stays like this in Where to Stay in Nuku’alofa: The Best Accommodations.

Check JeZAmi Hotel out:

15. Fale Tonga Guesthouse (Tongatapu)

Holiday homes with a difference, Fale Tonga Guesthouse is a collection of two traditionally inspired fales set on a peaceful plantation just outside of Nuku’alofa. The design is the most impressive feature of these self-contained two-bedroom houses, each with exposed beams and high ceilings yet tastefully furnished with some contemporary touches. Enjoy the ease of a fully equipped kitchen complete with a dishwasher and washing machine, a spacious design-driven bathroom, and each bedroom with a double bed. There’s plenty of room for kids to roam in your fully fenced-off garden with no direct neighbours, yet you’re only a four-minute drive from town. See more stays like this in the 20 Best Holiday Homes in Tonga.

Check Fale Tonga Guesthouse out:

Fale Tonga Guesthouse on Booking.com

16. Diana Beach Resort (Ha’apai)

A locally-run resort in Ha’apai, Diana Beach Resort (formerly Taiana’s Resort) is the true Tongan experience. The resort is located on Uoleva Island and offers three traditional-style fales on the beach and a more contemporary “Family Fale”. Guests share a shower and toilet in a separate block, while there’s also a communal kitchen and dining room building where you can also charge your devices. As for entertainment, well, you better enjoy snorkelling, lazying on the beach and whale swimming during the whale season! Breakfast and dinner are also available to order, so give your hosts notice. Airport/ferry transfers to the island are also offered (and mandatory to get to the resort) for a fee. See how Diana compares to the 20 Best Budget Accommodations in Tonga.

17. Blue Lagoon Resort (Vava’u)

Retreat to the remote Foeata Island in the heart of the whale swimming areas at the Blue Lagoon Resort. Whales can be seen breaching from the resort in Vava’u, which also offers its own reputable whale swimming tours. As for accommodation, the Blue Lagoon Resort offers four types of beach huts elevated above the water – one of the very few overwater bungalows in Tonga! The “Reef” fale is the best option for families with a split-level design and two separate bedrooms. There’s ample room to enjoy between the indoor lounge and the outdoor deck overlooking the lagoon.

18. Vaimalo Fales (Vava’u)

Stay in one of three beautiful fales (bungalows) on the shores of a traditional Vava’uan village, Vaimalo. Vaimalo Fales offers two fully self-contained overwater fales with a kitchen; one facing the sunset and the other facing the sunrise. It’s the ultimate destination to relax and make use of the kayaks and snorkelling gear provided to explore the sheltered waters. There’s also a traditional fale at the back of the property with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Although out of town, Vaimalo offers rental vehicles for a very reasonable price and can arrange a taxi for airport and town transfers. Laundry facilities are also available for a fair fee.

19. Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Tongatapu)

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. Families of three can stay in colonial-inspired guest rooms with various grades to choose from. 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 10 Best Luxury Accommodations in Tonga.

Check Seaview Lodge out:

20. Hakula Lodge (Vava’u)

Enjoy your own piece of paradise overlooking the Port of Refuge at Hakula Lodge. The lodge in Vava’u has two self-contained units available with a master bedroom and a fold-out sofabed that can sleep one or two kids. What’s more, children under 12 years old stay for free! Enjoy family time from your balcony with a barbecue and cook meals with the kitchen facilities. Hakula Lodge offers their own sports fishing and boat cruises, while other features of the lodge include free kayak hire and snorkelling gear. See more accommodation like this in the 10 Best Lodges in Tonga.

More About Family Resorts and Accommodations in Tonga

That’s it for the best family resorts and accommodations in Tonga. For more advice on planning the perfect family getaway, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, see more amazing stays in The Top 30 Resorts in Tonga and Where to Stay in Tonga: The Best Accommodations. Plus, get even more trip-planning tips in The Travel Guide to Tonga for Families.

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