How to Pick the Right Guesthouse in Niue for You

© NiuePocketGuide.com

What are the Types of Guesthouses in Niue?

The first thing you need to determine when comparing guesthouses in Niue is what type of guesthouse it is. Although many of the accommodations have “guesthouse” in their name, they could be either budget accommodations made up of private rooms with shared facilities or an entire holiday home.

Guesthouses with Private Guest Rooms

Guesthouses with private guest rooms are perhaps your closest thing to backpacker or bed & breakfast accommodation in Niue. They are the cheapest type of accommodation on the island. Typically, these guesthouses have three or four guest rooms, as well as shared communal facilities. Guest rooms have all the linen provided, usually towels and are changed according to the guesthouse’s policy.

The standard type of room in a guesthouse is a double room, i.e. a room with a double bed. It’s usually safe to assume all bathroom facilities are shared with other guests, but some guesthouses also have ensuite bathrooms, so look out for “ensuite” explicitly stated if this is important to you.

Other rooms that are likely to be available are triple rooms, i.e. three beds or a queen and a single bed, as well as quad rooms which could be two queens or one queen and two singles to make a family room.

As for communal facilities, you’ll have access to facilities that you would typically find in a home, such as a kitchen, lounge and dining area, bathrooms and laundry facilities.

For a list of accommodations in this style, see the 5 Best Backpacker Accommodations in Niue.

Holiday Home Guesthouses

The term “guesthouse” is sometimes used in Niue to refer to holiday homes. This is essentially hiring out a whole house for your stay. These are typically one or two-bedroom houses with a kitchen, bathroom, lounge/dining area and laundry facilities – just for you and your group. For this style of accommodation, see the 10 Best Holiday Homes in Niue.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

Location, How to Get There and What is Nearby?

Once you know what style of guesthouse you want to stay in, we next recommend determining the location of the guesthouse and seeing if it’s right for you.

Where is the Guesthouse Located?

While most guesthouses in Niue are in Alofi, some are located in some of the west coast villages. As Niue is a small island, wherever you stay you will be no more than 20 minutes drive from Niue’s airport. However, if staying at any guesthouse, it’s recommended to hire a car, especially if staying outside of Alofi. Check out the villages, where they are located and what there is to do nearby in A Guide to the Villages in Niue. Plus, check out Where to Stay in Niue for tips on location.

How to Get There

Niue has no public transport, so it’s often recommended to hire a car or a bike/e-bike for your stay on the island. This especially applies if staying outside of Alofi, as you will unlikely have access to restaurants/supermarkets otherwise. Some guesthouses offer free airport transfers or car rentals (sometimes included in the rate), so consider those accommodations if you haven’t already organised transport. Learn more about getting around the island in our Niue Transport Guide: 11 Ways to Get Around Niue.

What’s Nearby?

Almost all of the island’s services, shops and restaurants are in the capital, Alofi. If you are hiring a bike or intend on getting around on foot, it’s advised that you stay in or around Alofi so that you have access to everything you need.

For staying elsewhere in Niue, you might want to consider if there are any snorkelling spots nearby, any sea tracks to attractions, or any other restaurants (such as the Hio Cafe & Bar in Tuapa) that you can make use of during your stay.

(c) Michelle Hight

What’s Included in Your Stay?

Inclusions in 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 Niue, make sure you check what facilities are available, as well as what extra services are included.

Typical Facilities at a Guesthouse

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

• Kitchen with stovetop, microwave, fridge, cooking pots, crockery and utensils, toaster and kettle
• Washing machine
• Car parking
• Fans
• Hot water (usually solar-heated)
• Shared bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet
• Insect screened windows
• Gardens.

Facilities and Services that Only Some Guesthouses Have

• Additional kitchen facilities, such as an oven, tea and coffee, toastie grill, rice cooker, etc.
• WiFi (either paid or included)
• Bicycle hire (either paid or included)
• Car rental (either paid or included)
• Airport transfers (either paid or included)
• Air conditioning
• Outside deck or verandah
• Toiletries
• Iron
• Portacot
• In-room safes
• Fresh seasonal fruit
• In-house tours or cultural activities for guests.