Madang Resort

Not exactly as photos

Booked deluxe room, is a noise hell. There's a conference taking place right now and the hotel parking lot is packed with SUVs. The Deluxe Rooms are located opposite the reception around the car park. On average every ten minutes the extremely loud alarm system of one of the cars goes off, either from the driver's remote control or from birds, I have no idea. This goes on all day and until late in the evening, sometimes at night too. Sleep is a problem even with ear plugs. I intervene on the first day and want another room further away from the parking lot. Reception is reluctant, at first I was promised a smaller bungalow by the sea (rocky shore, no beach), but then the receptionist in the afternoon wanted a high surcharge. This goes on for three days. I was always promised a conversation with management but it never happened. On the last day I meet the managers by chance at breakfast: a German couple. Their office would be right next to the reception, they would have looked for me too, I would have been given another room. I just don't believe that because I was easy to find and all the receptionists said that the managers weren't available. There are supposed to be three restaurants, but only one is open outdoors because an earthquake caused some damage, including in the large pool. Nobody knows why the small pool next to it full of water, clean and attractive, is not allowed to be used. There is no room service, and I'm not allowed to take my food to my room, which means I have to eat outside in the evening, surrounded by crowds of people and mosquitoes. The food is bad anyway for such an expensive hotel, basically junk food. Seasoning is unknown. Service is zero, except for the laundry, which works quickly and well.

The views over the water, the islands, the ocean are amazing.... paradise. The resort is showing its age. But the grounds, the plants, the statues, wildlife (birds) are amazing. It is a laid-back location. The staff are amazing, friendly, welcoming, as are all the people of PNG I have met on this trip. Just do not expect a western city botel experience. For a somewhat remote city (Madang), this is a great experience.