A trip to the Solomon Islands gives you an easy escape to paradise.

Just four hours from Sydney, this Pacific neighbour is brimming with natural beauty and is a haven for holidaymakers seeking a little R&R.

And what is one of the most important things about an island escape? Where you rest your head of course!

We’ve rounded up three stunning properties that will tempt you to stay a little longer in the glorious Solomons.

Heritage Park Hotel

Honiara’s Heritage Park Hotel is one of the capital’s premier hotels. A mere 12 km drive from the international airport, it is a boon for weary travellers wishing to kick off their Solomon Islands getaway with as little hassle as possible.

Its centrality is also a plus, allowing travellers to adjust to the Islander lifestyle and acquaint themselves with its history. Indeed, the National Museum & Cultural Centre is just a few minutes away on foot, as is the National Gallery of the Solomon Islands, which features work from local artists and a highly informative exhibition on blackbirding.

The hotel itself overlooks the scenic Ironbottom Sound, a strip of sea at the bottom of which some 42 WWII ships lie, and its décor can only be described as a fusion of luxury and Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian culture.

Undoubtedly, guests will appreciate the hospitality of the staff, as well as the hotel’s quality serviced apartments, which, decked out with a kitchen, lounge area, bedroom and en suite bathroom, are clean and comfortable.

The blue-green-white colour scheme of the Executive One-Bedroom Suite in particular exudes a summery vibe, and the adjustable French shutters separating the bedroom and lounge area give guests the power to make their abode open plan or more private. The strong air-con, in view of the intense humidity of the Solomon Islands, is a godsend.

For those seeking a reprieve from shopping and sightseeing, the hotel swimming pool, as well as the spacious outdoor terrace adjacent to the restaurant, are superb relaxation spots. Here the free Wi-Fi connection is strongest, and casual all-day dining is conveniently available if you’re feeling a bit peckish.

For fancier fare, sample the eclectic mix of European and pan-Asian dishes at the elegant on-site restaurant.

Prices vary.

Tavanipupu Private Island Resort

For those in need of some serious R&R, look no further than the island of Tavanipupu. Located in Marau Sound, just 30 mins from Honiara by plane, it is tranquility incarnate, a real escape from the cacophony of city life.

Indeed, even a languid stroll about the resort’s lush grounds is enough to make you painfully aware of how noisy humans are, and the lack of phone and Internet reception means you have no choice but to switch off. In light of this, it isn’t hard to see why the island appealed to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who visited on their last tour of the Asia-Pacific.

Naturally, however, you needn’t be a royal to reap the benefits of Tavanipupu. In addition to a breathtaking lookout spot and startlingly blue waters, its four bungalows are capable of putting even the antsiest traveller at ease.

Positioned parallel to the beach, each is equipped with a porch and queen-sized bed (thankfully enfolded in a gossamer mosquito net), as well as a beautifully crafted set of wooden shutters. The high ceiling and exposed rafters give each bungalow a rustic feel and the bathroom, fitted with two double vanities, a toilet and shower, is exquisite.

Although there is no air-conditioning, the floor and ceiling fans more than make up for it come nighttime. For those feeling slightly adventurous, the open-air bamboo-framed shower next to each bungalow is a must-try.

Guests partial to pampering will delight in knowing that breakfast is tailored to their preferences and brought to their bungalow at a time that suits them. Lunch and dinner, on the other hand, are taken in a palm-thatched building at the heart of the resort.

A drum summons guests to these meals, which are seafood-based and very fresh. Given Tavanipupu’s maximum capacity of four guests (and their partners and/or families), these meals tend to be quite intimate, allowing travellers to mingle with one another and with the hospitable staff.

Nonetheless, if you wish to spend time on your own, nobody will stand in your way. Swimming and snorkelling are immensely popular activities on Tavanipupu thanks to the clarity of the sea and the rainbow corals within, and diving expeditions for the SCUBA-trained are easily organised.

If so inclined, guests can also embark on day trips to nearby islands – the uninhabited Sandy Island and its stark white beach are not to be missed. In essence, the resort at Tavanipupu is ideal for those seeking a laidback, luxury stay at the Solomon Islands.

Prices vary.

Fatboys Resort

As its Dickens-inspired name suggests, Fatboys Resort is the ultimate indulgence for holidaymakers, advocating rest, relaxation and the consumption of good fresh food. Its main building (100m out at sea) is home to a reception, bar, dining/lounge area and pool table, and sits atop the sparkling turquoise waters of Mbabanga Island.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that these very waters are teeming with fish and corals of all textures and colours – from apricot orange to magenta tipped with iridescent purple – and you can actually get up close and personal with this underwater playground by snorkelling around the hotel.

Be sure to check out the giant clam and sassy clownfish, but leave the small reef sharks to their own devices – they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them.

A rail-less jetty connects Fatboys’s main building to four beachfront bungalows. Although each one is unique – a testament to the resort’s ability to accommodate couples and families equally – they are all made of traditional leaf and local hardwoods and come with a bedroom, bathroom and large balcony overlooking the pristine seascape.

Admittedly, the lack of air-con can make the humidity stifling at times, but the ceiling fan and cool ocean breeze offer much relief. Indeed, it is a real treat to be lulled to sleep by the rhythmic lapping of waves on the shore.

No keys are given to guests – which says a lot about the remoteness of the location and the level of trust people have in each other here – but if you’re really anxious about valuables the staff are more than willing to store them in the office under lock and key.

Meals are prepared using local produce and the freshest seafood and served in the in-house restaurant. If, however, nothing on the menu is to your taste, the chef is happy to discuss other options.

To reach Fatboys, travellers must catch a plane to Gizo, the capital of the Western Province, and then hop on a boat to the resort itself. The flight is about an hour and a half and the boat ride 15 minutes.

Prices vary, but guests also have the option of several ‘escape’ packages designed to simplify the booking process and give them value for money.