How to Choose the Best Guesthouse in Tonga for You

Advice on Choosing a Guesthouse in Tonga

Travelling to a new country, even if you’re an experienced traveller, means figuring out the new styles of accommodations. Guesthouses are one of the most common types of accommodation in Tonga, which is a good way to stay in the main towns of the islands on a budget. While there are often many guesthouses in the same area, how do you choose the right one for your needs? We go over how to choose a guesthouse in Tonga in the guide below.

And what do guesthouses in Tonga look like? Take a look at the 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga to get a good idea.

5 Things You Need to Know About Staying in a Guesthouse in Tonga

Guesthouses are the cheapest type of accommodation in Tonga
Guesthouses have a communal kitchen, lounge and bathrooms, although there are sometimes ensuite guest rooms available
Tonga’s guesthouses are known for changing some of their services without updating listings online, in brochures, etc. With that in mind, be aware that some facilities, like air-conditioning, breakfast and sometimes even hot water, are not always available even if stated that they are
Guesthouses in Tonga are only located in the main towns, such as Nuku’alofa (Tongatapu), Neiafu (Vava’u) and Pangai (Ha’apai). On ‘Eua, guesthouses are the main type of accommodation scattered across its central villages
Most guesthouses in Tonga only accept cash as payment.

How to Pick the Best Guesthouse in Tonga for You

What is a Guesthouse in Tonga?

While terms like “guesthouses” are used all around the world, they typically mean something different between countries. In Tonga, a guesthouse is usually a large former family home where different guests stay in private guest rooms and share communal bathrooms, a kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities. Some guesthouses may also have separate self-contained units with an ensuite and cooking facilities.

Guesthouses tend to have a “homely” feel, much like a bed & breakfast (but not all of them include breakfast). Most guesthouses (not all) are owned and run by locals.

As the cheapest type of accommodation found in Tonga, guesthouses are favoured by backpackers, as well as local and international travellers on a budget.

Room types typically consist of double rooms with a queen bed. Some guesthouses have “family rooms”, which almost always means one double bed and one single. Some guesthouses also have single rooms for solo travellers, while some guesthouses in Nuku’alofa and Neiafu also have shared dorms.

While most guest rooms will have a shared bathroom, there are many options for guest rooms with an ensuite shower room.

Accommodation Standards in Tonga

It’s important to set a few expectations straight before checking into your accommodation in Tonga. Tonga is a developing country with a younger tourism industry and, in turn, less expertise than some of the more developed tourist hubs of the South Pacific. Some guesthouses are very basic, and not all of your usual facilities are provided, such as towels, toiletries, tea/coffee or even hot water. Tonga is more basic, so it is best to keep an open mind (and bring a travel towel).

Location, How to Get There and What is Nearby?

Tonga has guesthouses in the main towns of each island group, i.e. in:

Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu
Pangai in Ha’apai
Neiafu in Vava’u
The central villages of ‘Eua.

Towns like Nuku’alofa, Pangai and Neiafu have multiple guesthouses, while the island of ‘Eua mainly consists of guesthouses scattered across the island but particularly within the central villages.

When choosing a guesthouse, you need to start exploring options in the island group that you intend to visit. Don’t know which island group you want to visit yet? Compare island groups in The Best Islands to Visit in Tonga or the following guides:

How to Get There

Once you’ve established the island group (or groups) you want to visit and you’re comparing guesthouses, it’s a good idea to compare how to get to your chosen guesthouse. The easiest way is through the guesthouse’s airport transfer, which most guesthouses offer. If not, taxis are available from the airport in Tongatapu and Vava’u. For more information about getting around, see the following articles for advice:

What’s Nearby?

As established, all guesthouses are in the main towns of each island group. However, if you won’t have a car while in Tonga, then it’s a good idea to check out what is within walking distance of your chosen guesthouses. Especially for Nuku’alofa, some guesthouses are quite a long walk from the city centre. Check out the links below on where are accommodations are located and what’s nearby, as well as a compilation of guesthouses based on location:

Where to Stay on Tongatapu and 10 Best Guesthouses on Tongatapu
Where to Stay on ‘Eua and 5 Best Guesthouses on ‘Eua
Where to Stay in Ha’apai and 5 Best Guesthouses in Ha’apai
Where to Stay in Vava’u and 10 Best Guesthouses in Vava’u.

And if that’s too specific, start from scratch using Where to Stay in Tonga and the 20 Best Guesthouses in Tonga.

What’s Included in Your Stay?

Inclusions at your guesthouse stay can turn a good holiday into a great one, as the little extras might just make your holiday much easier and therefore, enjoyable. When comparing guesthouses in Tonga, make sure you check what facilities are available, as well as what extra services are included. As for typical rates, check out Tonga Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Tonga Cost? for up-to-date rates.

Typical Facilities at a Guesthouse

What is the normal standard for facilities in a Tonga guesthouse? Here are some typical facilities:

Kitchen with stovetop, microwave, fridge, cooking pots, crockery and utensils, toaster and kettle
Car parking
Fans
Shared bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet
Insect-screened windows or mosquito nets
Garden.

Facilities and Services that Only Some Guesthouses Have

Free daily breakfast
Additional kitchen facilities, such as an oven, tea and coffee, toastie grill, rice cooker, etc.
In-room fridge
In-room kettle
Meals (extra fee)
WiFi (usually paid)
Car rental (extra fee)
Airport transfers (either paid or included)
Washing machine
Air conditioning
Outside deck or verandah
Hot water
Towels
Soap
In-house tours or cultural activities for guests.

Robin (Lopini) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page