Looking for basic lodging

I'll be staying in Palau in the Koror area from 5-16 December. The first 6 nights we'll be staying in the Carolines Resort but we would like something inexpensive for the remaining days. There will be 4 of us: The wife, five year daughter and 1 yr old boy. I know some information on many of the lodgings but I would like your personal experiences and recommendations. Something where my family can find things to do and dine on days I'm out diving. Maybe a few minutes walk from the beach or the aquarium or perhaps near central Koror for restaurants and shopping?

Edited by: kmiyashita

The only beaches in Koror are the man-made ones at the Palau Pacific Resort ($25 for a day pass) and the Palau Royal Resort ($20 for a day pass).

There's Ice Box Park which is not walking distance for someone with two small children from anywhere and Long Island where I did see locals picnicing and swimming but I've heard about water pollution there (sorry, don't recall the source) and there may be construction going on very close by. (Plus there is a stretch going from town with no sidewalks and cars driving way too close to you including a blind curve.)

When I was in Palau in June Koror was a dusty nightmare of construction and traffic. They were putting in sidewalks along the main road. Even if the construction has abated it's not a place I would want to spend my vacation. (Stuck in Koror I mean.) The Rock Islands are beautiful, haven't been to Carolines but I'm sure you will have stunning views up there on the hill.

In choosing your accomodation (unless you rent a car) you really will need to select a place where your family can enjoy themselves. I didn't find any nice public space to enjoy the outdoors in Koror.

Well, I'm thinking we'll end up spending a lot of time at the PPR while we are staying at the Carolines Resort since the guests of that resort have access to PRR. I'm thinking what may be best is I get my diving mostly while we are staying at the Carolines and my family can enjoy that resort and the PRR and when we stay elsewhere we can go on tours, aquarium, etc.

I'd get there and then try to strike a bargain at the Carolinas for a better price since you are staying for quite a while.And with the world wide financial crisis I would think that tourism mght be down. Koror is not a good "town" to hang out in. You might want to go over to Peliliu, which is great for hanging out but there isn't a lot to do there. Or go up to North Beach in Balbedaob, although you can't go diving from there. From the resort you can take a free bus into town.