The thought of spending five or six days on a deserted beach living in a thatched roof hut (Fijian ‘bure’ or Samoan ‘fale’), surprisingly, isn’t everyone’s idea of a holiday. Some people prefer the creature comforts, service and trappings of a five star hotel and others again warm to the idea of communal backpacking in a dormitory.

To each his own. And here in the South Pacific you’ll find a range and style of accommodation to cater for all tastes.

If five star is your idea of living then countries like Fiji Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu and New Caledonia provide alternatives that include intimate island resorts, big name hotel chains and exotic, exclusive hideaways often frequented by movie stars and celebrities who want to get away from it all.

But perhaps it is the small and mid-range properties where the region offers the best value-for-money. From very private three room guest houses on Niue, Kiribati and Tuvalu to the unique bungalow-style island resorts found in Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa which offer the chance to live like a beachcomber, the emphasis is on personalised, friendly service and genuine hospitality.