Heilala Holiday Lodge
Kanokupolu Kanokupolu, Tongatapu Island TBU Tonga
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Room & Suite (35)
About
#1 of 33 B&Bs / Inns in Tongatapu Island
Location
4.4
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.6
Value
4.6
Malo e lelei from the Kingdom of Tonga! If you are looking for a relaxed, friendly, homestyle "beach garden getaway" in the Kingdom of Tonga, the Heilala Holiday Lodge on Ha'atafu Beach at Kanokupolu may just be the place you have been looking for. Over 1km of sandy beach, wave surfing, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in your hammock. All the best and we hope to welcome you in our little peace of paradise soon.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Restaurant
Beach
Airport transportation
Laundry service
Shuttle bus service
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Room features
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
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Kanokupolu Kanokupolu, Tongatapu Island TBU Tonga
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The location was beautiful, the vibe was relaxed (very much island time) and we had most of the beach to ourselves. We also enjoyed the outdoor huts. If this is what you are after in an accomodation, then come here. We were underwhelmed by the service and hospitality. The 'free' breakfast was minimal, the restaurant had a very simple menu and had to be ordered hours in advance and there is no way I would say that Heilala has a bar. The fale was simple and basic. The shower had to be running for around 10min before a small amount of hot water came through. What is indicated in the fale photos, is what you get. Remember that it is Tonga and resources are low. Also a heads up that the roosters will wake you up every morning. A key thing to note is that this accomodation is quite a long way from the town/city and airport. There are other 'resorts' around but there are times when their restaurants are closed too. We were worried at times around where we would get food from next. I would recommend renting one of Heilala's vehicles and going into town to stock up on food and water, then use Heilala's communal kitchen (adequate) to cook. Heilala advertises the use of their kayaks, snorkel gear and bikes (at the time, all free when I booked). We had to have a conversation with the manager to let us use the kayaks because initially he wanted to charge us. Additionally there was no snorkel gear and the bikes were broken. When swimming or kayaking on the beaches of Haʻatafu and Kanokupolu - BE CAREFUL. I suffered a reasonable cut due to a mixture of the coral reef, shallow water and waves. Make sure you pack your own first aid kit to treat these sort of wounds as Heilala had nothing to help me.…
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Date of stay: July 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
This is potentially good location but gone down hill. New Chinese owners do not look after their guests. They way they run this business is an insult to the beautiful Tongan people and their values and culture
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Date of stay: October 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Heilala, Manager at Heilala Holiday Lodge
Responded Nov 6, 2019
We are very sorry to receive your racist remarks. The experience in a hotel should not be related to the nationality and race of the hotel owner. Heilala Holiday Lodge's general manager, senior management and customer service staff are Tongans who did their best to serve you. At the same time, contrary to your comments, since the new owner take over the Heialal Holiday Lodge, investment has been increased and a green eco-tourism model was established by cooperating with Tongans, which is also managed by Tongans. In addition, the owner has extensively renovated the environment of the Heilala Holiday Lodge, while retaining the traditional accommodation style while adding many modern facilities. However, if you can't see the positive side, view Heilala instead with colored spectacles, stir up local ethnic antagonism, sorry, we do not welcome a guest with such a racist remarks. We will appeal to Tripadvisor and reserve the right to pursue legal action.
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Heilala holiday lodge is amazing place to spend holiday, it is away from city rush. You have a lot of space around beach about 1 min walk from your bed, there are many fish in a sea even we saw every day from beach Humback Whales !! Thank you so much especially Linda without her it will be 50% less, she helped us a lot. Totaly recomend
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Date of stay: September 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: We have chossen standard category and we get medium for a same price !
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Helpful
A great location but what was apparently a great value holiday resort is being ruined by the new Chinese leaseholders.They walked past us and our fale several times a day but not once acknowledged us or any of the other few guests. At peak season we were 2 of only 4 guests staying there 1 night! The fales are comfortable although basic but are showing a lack of maintenance. The menu has been changed to largely asian offerings and the breakfasts (included with the rate) are minimal and almost the same each day (on 2 days out of 5 we received a fried egg with the bread and fruit). The advertised BBQ nights didnt take place, of the 4 push bikes available only 2 were useable (the other 2 had punctures). The bar is almost non-existant -when we ordered a cocktail we were advised there was no-one onsite that could make drinks. We ate in for dinner 1 evening and the meal was not enjoyble (fish cooked like a well done steak) -for the other 4 nights we ate at neighbouring resorts. I feel sorry for the few staff left from the previous operator -working under impossible conditions. When we were sitting in the van for our departure transfer, one of the managers leant in through the window -not to thank or farewell us, but to take a photo of the dashboard & speedo -obviously didnt trust his staff member to only use the van for delivering us into town. As mentioned -a lovely location and we had great views (every day) from the beach of whales swimming past. However there are several adjacent resorts that have to be better options.…
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Date of stay: August 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Overall the Lodge has character but is needing some maintenance. The grounds are nicely maintained and the beach front is a lovely sandy beach with shaded platforms to enjoy the whale watching. We were upgraded to the new accommodation block. We had a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine, a bathroom and a verandah. The unit had a fan and air conditioning. Although the bed was new it had an incredibly thin and rock hard mattress. It was impossible to sleep on. Maybe it is a desired Chinese style of mattress? The Tongan staff did their best to find a bit of extra padding for a more comfortable sleep. The shower outlet was blocked and caused flooding through the bathroom, after 2 attempts this was fixed. We were given new linen every couple of days.This unit is very new but I suspect the kitset building from China will not last the distance in Tonga. We made use of the old rusted bikes which were great to use but take a stick to keep some of the dogs on the road away. Breakfasts were adequate and nicely presented. There was Chinese food available in the evening but this had to be ordered at breakfast time when you didn't know what you felt like eating and if you were even going to be there at meal time. The staff were friendly and did their best to help us enjoy our stay. Although there were some challenges we enjoyed our week.…
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Date of stay: August 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Low key, traditional fales, very helpful Tongan staff and a lovely beach but recent change of ownership is adversely impacting. Poor quality Chinese food dominates menu, the range of drinks available is poor, activity equipment is old and not well maintained, nor are some of the fridges/toilets in the fales. Tongan staff are struggling to be allowed to be their usual hospitable selves. We ate elsewhere most nights and heard from others who had visited previously that they would not be returning. We wouldn't either. It is very sad to see the deterioration. One does not come to Tonga to experience Chinese cultural values and food.
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Date of stay: August 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The fales are potentially lovely but need maintenance. Amenities in new 2 storied house are not...
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2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Fantastic beach for snorkelling and swimming. However the lodge is a backpackers. The rooms do not get serviced. Food needs to be pre-ordered (including ice creams), you have to ask to get new towels and loo roll. Breakfast is basic and you are not allowed more than two slices of bread and whatever else is on your tray. The locals are fantastic and very friendly.
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Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Response from Heilala, General Manager at Heilala Holiday Lodge
Responded Jul 18, 2019
Malo e leilei Curiosity, Thank you so much for writing a review and pointing out some of the glitches you noticed.Since Heilala is far away from the town, so it is unlike a hotel in the downtown, please understand there is no full time restaurant. The reason why we ask the customers to pre order the lunch and dinner is that we need to prepare the food in advance. For our breakfast, we offer all the customers with same standard size, and we have varied the kinds, in Monday there is island fruit with bread, in Tuesday, there is pancake with island fruit, in Wednesday there is fried sausages and bread…we are always trying best to offer best service to customers.For the towels and loo roll you have to ask I think our staff have helped you once you made the ask. Please note that Room serves three times a week (normally Monday, Wednesday and Friday, may vary depends on weather and other factors), and If the customer need anything done on non-serves days, please talk to the reception.A great big thank you for your kind feedback and praise of our employees! Heilala is indeed blessed by a very motivated Team! We also hope to welcome you back again soon and wish you all the best until then! Ofa atu
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Just stayed 5 nights 18/23 Oct our family of 6 in two fales; Premium & standard - the only difference is the mini fridge and tea & coffee jug. Hot water continues to be an on again/off luck - but really you're in the tropics a cold shower is refreshing after a swim or balmy night. What is really nice is having breakfast (toast and tropical fruit) with other guests and sharing stories - as there are only 10 fales it is likely there will be only 10-15 guests and so we all got to know each other. We love snorkelling and have snorkelled all over pacific - so can say that the snorkelling is not great here; coral is dead but the fish life is still OK, good for beginners. We swam out over the reef on an incoming tide and saw better coral gardens. This is still the best beach on Tongatapu and was glad in our choice after travelling by car right round the island. Definitely need a car. The bus was fun but took over an hour to get into town for TOP$2. We self catered, bought vacuum packed meat & cheese from NZ, along with pasta packets and rice risotto and cereal, muesli bars etc. Local bread, fruit and veg are good. The kitchen is OK, but lacks lots of utensils (Take your own knife!) only one small fruit knife and maybe get plastic plates as our fam of 6 used every plate and bowl which meant others had to wait for us to wash up. Latu was a lovely host, helpful and friendly.…
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Fale 1 (Premium) is closest to restaurant and beach. Fale 9 & 10 furtherest away.
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2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Heilala, Manager at Heilala Holiday Lodge
Responded Oct 31, 2018
Malo e lelei karenbr0wne, A great big thank you for your kind feedback and praise of our employees! We also thank you so much for pointing out some of the glitches you noticed; we have put in place some upgrades to our existing facilities, and the problems are all fixed. We are very glad to hear that you think you made the right choice by choosing Heilala, and we hope you will return some day soon.
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+1
A simple and humble holiday lodge. A far distance from town but based in probably the most scenic location on the island. Watch the waled or dolphins swim past as the sun goes down. Pat panda the dog. Go swim with the whales, take an island tour, go to a cultural night. All bookable from Heilala reception. Awesome people and an nice location for the family. Worth the stay.
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Heilala, Manager at Heilala Holiday Lodge
Responded Oct 30, 2018
Malo e lelei BobbyK940, Thanks so much for taking the time to write some feedback. So glad also to hear you had a good time and you were happy with the efforts by the management team!!! Hope you will return soon! Ofa atu
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Stayed for 5days from 1st Sept. Very basic accommodation, even our luxury false. We had a nice meal on our first night and then the chef went off sick and we had to eat elsewhere the rest of our stay. The communal kitchen is pretty awful. The beach was stunning and we found a lovely snorkelling spot to the right just behind the moored boats. The staff were very nice and did there best. This place needs money spent on fixtures and fittings, some luxury false had no hot water and tap sinks were broken.
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Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Go for upgrade.
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3 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Heilala, Manager at Heilala Holiday Lodge
Responded Sep 26, 2018
Malo e lelei GerryJ97, A great big thank you for your kind feedback and praise of our employees! Heilala is indeed blessed by a very motivated Team! We have made improvements to our facilities based on your valuable feedback. We also hope to welcome you back again soon and wish you all the best until then! Ofa atu
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ALSO KNOWN AS
heilala holiday hotel tongatapu island
LOCATION
TongaTongatapu Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Heilala Holiday Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Heilala Holiday Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Blue Banana Beach Studios (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Heilala Holiday Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Heilala Holiday Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Heilala Holiday Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Heilala Holiday Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Vakaloa Beach Resort, Holty's Hideaway, and Liku'alofa Beach Resort Restaurant.
Does Heilala Holiday Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Heilala Holiday Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Heilala Holiday Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Heilala Holiday Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.