Vanuatu's Grand is getting grander

The Grand Hotel Vanuatu in Port Vila is set to officially re-open its doors and welcome guests back on March 6 after a journey of renewal. 

Following the re-opening of its casino late last year, the hotel’s re-launch will showcase refreshed rooms and suites, upgraded facilities, and a new coral-coloured exterior. 

The re-opening follows the completion of an extensive restoration program prompted by the December 2024 earthquake that affected Port Vila’s waterfront. 

In the aftermath of the event, the hotel undertook one of the most ambitious refurbishment efforts in its history. 

Think strengthened internal framing, modern lightweight structural materials, and a full re‑engineering of its core systems. 

“After a period of rebuilding and strengthening, the Grand is back and better than ever,” says Bettina Mahieu, managing director of the Grand Hotel & Casino Vanuatu. 

“This reopening celebrates resilience, pride, and hospitality. We’re thrilled to invite our guests, patrons, team, and the community back to enjoy the experiences they know and love, now refreshed and strengthened for the future.”

Perched on the edge of picturesque Port Vila harbour, the Grand is Port Vila's only waterfront four-star hotel that is central to the city, while also just 15 minutes from the airport.

The re-launched hotel will feature 74 rooms and suites, some including harbour views, private balconies, marble bathrooms, and modern amenities.

To celebrate the reopening, the hotel is offering a re-opening package for three nights starting from $1,190 in Australian dollars. 

It includes accommodation in a deluxe harbour view room, midday checkout, daily breakfast, a welcome glass of Taittinger Champagne, a VT 10,000 hotel credit per room, per stay, redeemable at the Grand Dining Room, Pool Bar, or Lobby Bar, free wifi and complimentary return airport transfers. 

The deal is available for stays from March 6 to May 30, subject to availability. 

Bookings can be made directly at www.grandvanuatu.com 

Cruise line pitches in to aid earthquake victims

Here's a good news story from the travel industry with cruise operator the MSC Group and the MSC Foundation pitching in to aid earthquake relief initiatives in Turkiye and Syria.

The MSC Aurelia left Naples on February 16 en route to the port of Iskenderun with 60 pallets of basic medical supplies, warm clothing and blankets, and food and beverages.

After offloading its cargo, the MSC Aurelia will remain docked in port in Türkiye, at the authorities’ disposal, to provide accommodation for those impacted by the earthquake.

MSC is also arranging for the provision of thousands of empty containers for the provinces that have been hit the hardest by the earthquake to accommodate families who have been displaced.

MSC Aurelia is normally used as a passenger and vehicle ferry. It will provide impacted communities with over 1,000 beds and leisure spaces including a restaurant and cinema.

In addition, thanks to the collaboration between the MSC Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a further 100 containers carrying first aid supplies (including blankets, mattresses, sleeping bags, kitchen sets, jerry cans and lamps will depart from Jordan via Haifa, the headquarters of the UN Refugee Agency’s warehouses.

The containers are destined for Gaziantep and other cities hit hardest by the earthquake and will be at the disposal of the relief workers already onsite caring for survivors.

MSC Türkiye has also set up temporary accommodation at Iskenderun port using empty containers for 300 MSC Group employees and their families who lost their homes in the earthquake.

“We feel a strong sense of obligation to act promptly in order to support the people most in need," said Daniela Picco, executive director of the MSC Foundation.

"We are a part of a global organization that can set in motion a large-scale operation by involving foundations and associations that we collaborate with all around the world.

"As soon as the terrible earthquake in Türkiye and Syria struck, we immediately took action to collect funds, supplies and food, which we can deliver on our ships within a short period of time."