The Guide to Planning a One-Week Luxury Trip to Niue
Looking for an alternative South Pacific escape? How about the island of Niue? Admittedly, the tropical country isn’t packed with five-star resorts, but some may argue that the low visitor count mixed with its charming villas and quiet snorkelling spots is a different kind of luxury. If that sounds like the dream then it’s time to plan a one-week luxury vacation in Niue.
Whether you’re travelling for a special occasion or “just because”, this guide will assist with a luxury itinerary (or two), as well as recommendations on where to stay, how to get around, what to do and where to dine.
One Week in Niue (A Relaxed Itinerary)
Below is an overview of a relaxed luxury itinerary for Niue. For ultimate convenience and the fact that you are near to everything in Niue, you will be staying in the same accommodation for the whole week. Note, there is an extra day added to this itinerary due to the irregular flight schedule.
- Day 1 – Arrive in Niue, check-in at your luxury accommodation and ease the flight aches with a spa treatment or yoga session
- Day 2 – Do a guided orientation tour of the island
- Day 3 – Enjoy a resort/accommodation day
- Day 4 – Swim with whales and/or dolphins
- Day 5 – Join a scuba diving trip or try swimming with whales again if your first swim was unsuccessful
- Day 6 – Try your luck on a fishing charter
- Day 7 – Treat yourself to Niuean souvenirs at the Niue Market, Kauhi Krafts and more
- Departure day – Get prepared for departure on an iconic Niue plane day.
One Week in Niue (An Alternative Itinerary)
If the above itinerary doesn’t quite work for you, then check out our more detailed alternative itinerary below.
See the full itinerary: Niue Luxury Itinerary: 7 Days
Where to Stay
No matter where you stay, you’ll be able to drive, cycle or taxi to just about anywhere in Niue. With that in mind, we recommend choosing an accommodation in Niue that simply appeals the most. While the island isn’t home to five-star luxury, it certainly has some high-quality stays, including:
Lau’s Getaway – Two lavish villas with attractive timber interiors and private balconies with a fitted bathtub. Guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine, a breakfast hamper, an espresso machine, binoculars for whale watching and more.
Scenic Matavai Resort – Niue’s only resort provides commanding views, modern well-appointed guest rooms, two outdoor pools, a pool bar and a restaurant. Different room upgrades are available, the most luxurious being the Deluxe Clifftop Rooms.
Stone Villas – Conveniently located in Alofi yet nestled away in tropical forest surroundings, these Niuean limestone-constructed villas provide a tranquil retreat. The stay includes car rental, airport transfers and a phone to make local calls for free.
Namukulu Cottages – Five self-contained cottages with private decks and steps away from an outdoor swimming pool. You’re welcomed to the cottages with “Plane Day Pizzas”, as well as freshly-baked bread each day during your stay.
Find out more about these accommodations and more in the 10 Best Luxury Accommodation in Niue.
How to Get Around
Admittedly, Niue doesn’t have the largest of transport offerings. However, the island’s quiet roads are extremely easy to drive around or even cycle with plenty of rentals available. Choose between the following transport options:
Car rental – The ultra-convenient way to travel around Niue, car rental is a popular way to navigate the island’s 123km (76 miles) of paved roads. Car rental companies offer pick-up/drop-off anywhere on the island. Find out more in The Guide to Car Hire in Niue.
The Taxi – If you’re not a fan of driving yourself, the next best option is “The Taxi”. Yes, pay attention to the “The” as there is only one. Find out more in The Guide to Taxis in Niue.
Bike rental – Getting around the entire island by bike isn’t a comfortable option for most, taking 4 to 5 hours! Instead, bicycle or e-bike rental is worth considering for exploring the west coast where most attractions and tours are or making your way into Alofi if you’re staying on the outskirts. See The Guide to Mountain Biking in Niue for more details.
For a more in-depth look at Niue’s transport options, take a look at How to Get Around Niue.
What to Do
For such a small island, Niue offers an almost overwhelming array of experiences. Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, Niue can serve. Some top recommendations include:
Swimming with whales – Niue is one of the rare places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales. Combined with water visibility that can reach 80m and you have a vividly memorable experience. Note that the whale season is between July and September/October. Learn more in The Guide to Swimming with Whales in Niue.
Scuba diving – Get more out of Niue’s crystal clear tropical waters by scuba diving through dramatic underwater chasms and caves to see astonishing marine life. Find out more in The Guide to Scuba Diving in Niue.
Massage – There is a range of healing massages, body scrubs and yoga sessions available in Niue. Either have a massage in the privacy of your own accommodation or in a clifftop studio nestled in forest with Maulu Spa. Discover more in The Best Spas in Niue.
Fishing – Start your morning with a half-day fishing charter or head out for the whole day to try your luck in catching challenging game fish like mahimahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and more! There’s a wide range of charters to choose from, so browse your options in the 10 Best Fishing Charters in Niue.
Check out the 10 Luxury Activities in Niue to explore more things to do.
Where to Eat and Drink
Be sure to book a table for each of Niue’s hugely popular eateries, each with only a few tables available. You’ll find flavours from all over the world made with a South Pacific twist. Our dining recommendations include:
Dolphin Restaurant – Dine at the Scenic Matavai Resort‘s restaurant for beautifully presented plates on their a la carte menu. In true resort style, they also offer entertainment evenings and cultural buffets.
Kaiika Restaurant – Premium sushi platters prepared by a Tokyo chef are the main reason to call in, while New York-style pizzas, Morrocan rotisserie chicken and ice cream desserts give you a good reason to come back.
Vaiolama Cafe – Perched atop a 30m cliff with its own mini golf course, this cafe offers more than just crowd-pleasing dining. Join them for Thursday drinks where Happy Hour is between 4pm and 6pm.
All Relativf – Begin or end your evening with fresh-fruit cocktails, smoothies and more at this cocktail bar in Niue’s main shopping complex.
Check out more recommendations on where to dine in The Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Niue.
More on Planning a One-Week Luxury Vacation in Niue
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Niue 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 Niue. She knows the island inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Niue’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.