Does The Friendly Islander have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is The Friendly Islander pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Friendly Islander?

This property doesn't offer parking.

Does The Friendly Islander provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs 7 AM–midnight on request. A fee of USD 20 per vehicle applies.

Where is The Friendly Islander located?

Situated by the ocean, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Ancient Tonga, St Mary's Cathedral, and Interisland Ferry Terminal. Talamahu Market and Basilica of St Anthony of Padua are also within 3 mi (5 km).

The Friendly Islander - Latest Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Aug 26, 2019

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Dec 29, 2018

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great for families

Nice to have the pool to cool down in after a day out sight seeing

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Sep 10, 2018

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Jul 18, 2018

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

とｎとんとんｇトンガ

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Loni, California

Jul 18, 2018

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

The beds were to low and too soft and the hot hot water off and on...

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

May 15, 2018

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Friendly and Accomadating

My adult daughter and I made a great decision in picking The Friendly Islander for our accommodation on Tongatapu. From the very start Papiloa’s team aimed to make your stay the very best possible. When we arrived over two hours early for check-in it was not a problem. When we wanted a really late check-out was not a problem. When we couldn’t get on tours, due to very short notice, it was not a problem – Papiloa took us on private tours to see tourist sights, many other places of interest and even the back streets, all while informatively answering our questions. All front-of-house staff are fluent in English and able to guide you in your selection of activities. Our up-graded accommodation was clean, air-conditioned, and comfortable. We felt safe thanks to the solid mosquito screening, on all windows and doors, plus the on-site security. Like everywhere, that is not home, a few things had us a bit out of our comfort zone, in particular trying different foods and wearing clothing that covered from upper-arms to below-knees when in public places, away from the resort. Honestly though, even if this made us a bit hotter it was appropriate to respect the people of Tonga. Also, as The Friendly Islander is self-catering accommodation, and there is a small supermarket just down the road, you don’t have to be too adventurous with food useless you want to be. Plus, you can always get a free ride to places you want to go to in the town.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Mi Kyung

May 2, 2018

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

바로 앞 바다가 보이는 발코니 방을 사용했습니다 전용 욕실과 주방이 완비되어있어서 너무 좋았습니다 직원 도 친절했고 특히 주인인 파빌로아 덕분에 편하게 시내투어및 공항까지 적은 비용으로 여행을 했습니다 다음에 다시 가고 싶은 곳입니다

6/10 Okay

Andrea , Nürnberg

Jan 8, 2018

Liked: Room comfort

Schöne kleine Bungalows

Leider etwas außerhalb der Stadt, dafür ein Meerwasserpool in der Nähe. Nur über die Straße.

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2017

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Jan 2, 2018

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

I would never go back to this dump!

I spoke to a woman maybe the manager...she comes across as rude blunt zero people skills and poor customer service. I didnt like her manner.She also made a point of telling me i was upgraded. (she didnt tell me it was to squalor) on the surface our fale looked ok...old and run down i can deal with to a point. I couldn't afford to check out and pay for another place and shouldn't have had to. Our verandah had a bee hive swarming with bees ( unless they were wasps) we couldn't use it. Take a few minutes to check the place out...it was bloody filthy. I wasnt told that hot water only happens sometimes as i never would have booked. Im a a very very easy give or take traveller but this place (our fale) doesnt leave much to be positive about. I took many pics but hard tp upload from airport. I was on holiday love Tonga and wasnt there to complain or cause issues so i sucked it up...even after paying extra for an upgrade that i made prior. Anyway my bad. I chose to stay to be nice. Im an idiot. the microwave was 100 yrs old it turned but didnt heat. The sheets were stained and worn the mattress was disgustingly filthy old and extremely uncomfortable ( my partner kept sleeping on the floor or at his mums) not acceptable! Fly screens were old worn and filthy. Fridge covered in a4 paper didnt close. Much more to write but run out space. The lady who serviced the room was lovely and the iron worked. I checked out a day early due to being bitten by ants and bugs in my bed all night.

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Sep 8, 2017

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Comfortable and affordable

Friendly staff with airport pickup. Accomodation was average but suited to the price. Would stay there again. One of the perks is cheaper car rental.

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Vaha, Sydney

Aug 15, 2017

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Close to town

Thank you Papiloa and staff for your hospitality. Home away from home. Close to town but still a quiet and private place.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

Patrick

Jul 15, 2017

Liked: Staff & service

Happy Tongan hospitality.

The staff were friendly, smiling and very ready to please. The owner, herself, Papiloa, saw me walking off and she was going to town, stopped and gave me a lift and good Tongan philosophy. Asked for an extra blanket when they asked if there was anything that I needed, and it was supplied immediately. Good Tongan family values extended to their guests. Happy and thankful.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

dianne, Aotearoa NZ

Jun 2, 2017

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Close to the waterfront in a leafy green garden

I always stay with locally owned business and this place is a perfect example of why that's a great idea. The staff are lovely and the owner takes time to share her culture and knowledge with you. Papiloa's is a little walk from town but they always offer to drop me off (its really a pleasant walk and no big deal to walk it) you can also get a taxi back for a few Tongan dollars. Lovely quiet serene setting.

Stayed 1 night in May 2017

6/10 Okay

anonymous, australia

Apr 21, 2017

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Basic, aged, but comfortable and convenient. Pool was handy on a Sunday when other stuff is closed.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Apr 18, 2017

Liked: Staff & service

Very Tongan experience

This is our first trip to Tonga and we wanted to stay in a Tongan hotel not a multinational.

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The Friendly Islander

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