Booking Palau Accommodation

I have our flights booked for mid February and am now in the process of booking accommodation. I plan to book an inexpensive place for the first night as we arrive in the early morning and have already booked at the Carolines Resort for the next 3 nights. We are now looking for a less expensive place to stay for our next 6 nights, preferably with a kitchenette and up to $100Cdn a night. With the help of Papa Mike's book I have narrowed down my choices and am wondering if I really need to pre book or if I can expect to find a place after we arrive. Would February be a busy time in Koror? Has anybody had experience with just showing up at that time of year and finding a decent place to stay? Thanks for any help you can give.

I was in Palau in February of 2005 and it was not crowded at all. That being said,I would pre-book the Carolines Resort. I did not pre-book, but had a couple of places in mind.prior to arrival. Do you plan on visiting any oher islands? If you get a chance North Beach Cottages is really nice over in Northern Babeldaob. Thanks for picking up the only guidebook exclusively dedicated to Palau.

Papa Mike

Thanks Mike. I have already booked the Carolines Resort. I have also e-mailed North Beach Cottages for accommodation for our last 2 nights. I have not heard back from them - it has only been 2 days so I don't know if I should be concerned. Any idea if they are usually slow to return e-mails? One of the places I was interested in is the H.K. Motel and I would try to book them but they do not have an e-mail contact - hence my inquiry about pre-booking. I would also consider Lehn's Motel, Tree-D Hotel and Apartments or West Plaza By The Sea - any comments on the suitability of these for a couple in their mid 60's who are into snorkeling and exploring - we are fit and enjoy walking. We have enjoyed your book and have earmarked a number of places and things we are interested in that we were not aware of before. We may do a day trip to one of the other islands and I would love to visit the Kayangel Atoll but it looks like it's just the main area for now. It is amazing though how the prices have gone up in just 3 years. Unfortunately for us the Cdn Dollar has gone on a skid so we are having to be a bit more frugal with our spending. I am so looking forward to this trip - we have been trying to swing it since 2000.

Thanks again,
Doreen

Sounds like you have done the right stuff so far. E-mail responses are slow to non existent at budget lodgings. Lehn's, H.K. Tree-D and D.W. are all suitable. I stayed at DW, which is close to the main part of Koror, yet off the main road and relatively quiet. Rooms are upstairs. Sorry about the prices going up, you may want to try and negotiate if you are staying somewhere for over a week. Contact the tourism board by E-Mail if your lodgings do not respond in a week, they can get a hold of them and help with reservations. Dive shops will pick you up at your place and taxi's are reasonable if you want to go somewhere for dinner. Glad the book helped, have a great trip.

Papa Mike
[http://www.mikehollywood.com]

Hi, I just got back from Palau (I got home about 7 hrs ago). I'm not sure if I'm too late but I stayed at the Carolines for 6 days followed by Lehns's Motel for 4 and half days. We paid $70 a night at Lehn's for a two bedroom with a kitchen with a full fridge. Vicky the manager only charged us $35 for our last night since we had to check out at 11:30PM for a 2:30AM flight to Guam. Lehn's is about 10 minutes walk to the main road in Koror but that wasn't bad at all. While at Carolines remember to stock up on extra water from a local grocery store when you are out. Carolines will give you one large bottle a day but since you can't drink the tap water that will go fast. By the way Carolines charges $4 for shuttle to PPR round trip and $6 to downtown Korror. If you take a cab from town to or from Carolines most cab drivers will charge you $6.

kmiyashita - thanks so much for the updates on Palau accommodation. It looks like Lehn's might be a good fit for us - we don't mind the walk into town. As for the Carolines Resort, I read a recent review on Trip Advisor that also talked about the changes there. It appears they are using their popularity to add to their bottom line. They used to offer complimentary breakfast and free shuttle rides. It is not a lot of money but it is irritating that it will cost us every time we want to use the facilities at PPR - not what I thought when I booked there. Thanks again for posting this information.