Port Moresby Crowne Plaza advice needed

[Virgin Bart]

I need to learn how to tag someone in a post, @Reise lives in the Holiday Inn POM

Great, thank you. Might PM him and ask some questions! Cheers

 

[Reise]

Great, thank you. Might PM him and ask some questions! Cheers

Been somewhat off the grid being Christmas and all and have just reviewed the postings above. In general I can only agree with the observations regarding security, attractions and prices. It really depends on what you want to get out of the place. In the last few years there have been a number of additional hotels open - e.g. the Holiday Inn complex now includes the two additional hotels the Holiday Inn Suites and the Holiday Inn Express (the latter includes breakfast in the tariff). In addition you have the Grand Papua (supposedly more upmarket but it all depends on what you want out of a hotel) and also the Laguna (apparently a really nice pool but I haven't dipped there). Tariffs are very high by Australian and Asian standards and there is no real way around that unless you have points to use on booking a night at an IHG hotel or know someone in town. I have lived in a three hotels and know people that live in a number of others, in terms of recommendation your key driver should probably be proximity to what you want to do and factoring in your trips to and from the airport. All reasonable hotels will provide shuttle transfers to/from the airport and it is just a matter of letting them know in advance (there are a number that meet every flight but some don't).

If I recall your in for about 2 days which isn't really enough time to familiarise and really get out and about, and of course it also depends on where you are in transit to on your stopover - are you heading into the highlands/northcoast/islands etc. or off to Japan/Singapore/Manilla. A couple of tips I would offer in regards to staying in POM are:
- getting around: for anything less than a week I wouldn't even entertain driving myself, it will take you that long to get your feet on the ground, street signs are in short supply and road rules are often ignored which is all compounded by the condition of roads and vehicles not to mention the other drivers on the roads. The last time I went to hire a car from Hertz as unbelievable as it might sound it was cheaper to get a car with a driver than to get one and self-drive. This was because of the treatment of insurance for company drivers. The convenience factor is great in terms of just getting dropped and picked up at whim;
- comms: you can get SIM cards from the two main suppliers at the airport. Global roaming into PNG is horrendously expensive although it is coming down. Best tricks for calling home are: 1) become an IHG rewards member which means you can call on Skype or Viber using the complimentary internet service; 2) buy a data pack - however in relation to 1 and 2 calling over data has proven to be less than satisfactory on many occassions; 3) Don't get people to call you from Oz as the rate into PNG is about twice the rate out; 4) the most economic calling approach is to buy a voice bundle for the equivalent of about $8 and you can call Oz for 50mins. In general terms in POM there isn't now that much difference between the two networks in terms of coverage but if you are going further afield it pays to find out who is providing coverage where you are going.
- entertainment: in general terms nightclubbing can be a risky undertaking but there are some exceptions e.g. if you are staying at Lamana Hotel it has the "Gold Club" as a complex it also includes three restaurants of which 2 have opening in the last couple of weeks.
- eating out: There are a number of good dining establishments around town although you need to know where to look for them - give me a yell closer to the time and I might be able to give you some pointers, there are currently some great indian and chinese establishments. I will say that even stand-alone restaurants are not immune from the "raskals" (bandits/thieves/muggers etc.) and one particularly good restaurant never recovered from its armed robbery and the rip-off of patrons in the process. However, there are a number that are pretty well immune from these risks due to being located in hotels and/or shopping centres.
- culture: again it depends on which days for the week you are in town for and duration. Most Saturday's there are craft markets somewhere in town and these are relatively safe. The list includes: Holiday Inn, Moresby Arts Theatre, Ela Murray School and a couple of others. General markets are to be avoided unless you are accompanied by a local who 'really' knows what is going on. If you plan on bringing artifacts back that's a topic for another posting;
- activities: subject to day of the week options that fall into the safe category are: Wednessday Afternoon Gentlepersons Sailing (WAGS) the yachties are always looking for crew and an opportunity to see the harbour from a different perspective; weekend diving/snorkelling trips are often on; you could possibly even tie in a trip to Loloata which is a local resort (think 3 stars) but on a Friday or Saturday night an opportunity to see a local dance group; again it all depends on your interests and there are some escorted walking groups that do get into the countryside around POM.

Cautions: Refrain from displays of wealth i.e. wallets should be accessed discreetly and preferably have the right amount of currency available; keep your phone in your pocket until you are in a 'safe' locale (the distraction can adversely effect your awareness of you environment); as others have said walking is largely to be avoided along with taxis and PMVs. If you do have to use the latter instruct the hotel that they must get you one with a meter (should be mandatory but there are a lot of illegal operators), must have an unbroken windscreen, be registered, and have reasonable rubber - when the taxi arrives check that it meets these specs - chances are that it won't and you should turn it away and tell them to hunt up another one - accordingly allow plenty of time to get from A to B if not using a hire car with a driver.

Anyhow it turned into a bit of a tome but feel free to drop a line and I will respond.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Been somewhat .... I will respond.

Wow Reise that is some brilliant information. Thanks so much.

We've now locked in a 48 hour stay and at this stage plan to stay at Holiday Inn Express. We are flying in from Cairns and out to Cairns (on that, do you know if there is a lounge for us (QFF Gold) at POM?).

Whilst no doubt it won't be enough time to get a good idea about PNG it will still satisfy a little thirst I've had to pop overseas on a Dash 8 and have a quick look around. When Qantas had their 15% off award booking sale the other day I bit the bullet, especially because I was heading to Cairns around that time any way.

Not planning on heading out to drink (pubs or clubs) at all, nor will I need any comms since it's only two days, I can always use the hotel WiFi if need be. Food is an important one for me though! Will certainly get in touch closer to the time (October) to sort something out. If you're around would love to catch up and maybe even shamelessly as you to show us around for the day! Again given the short stay I doubt we'll be looking for any activities.

Thanks so much again for all your advice, will come in very handy.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

There is only one lounge in POM (Int)...the PX Paradise lounge which unless I'm mistaken, QF status doesn't gain you entry.

If you do stay at HI (or HIX), it's safe enough to wander out the main gate where there is an impromptu art and craft display hanging on the fence opposite. I bought a great painting from there (see photo below). From memory K200 but it pays to haggle. I bought the crocodile in the pic from Loloata Island......which may even be a better choice for a two day trip than any of the POM hotels. Loloata is an easy drive/boat from POM and they do airport pickups. It has snorkelling, friendly locals, nice settings, birds and animals and a small gift shop. Worth thinking about.

 

[snabbu]

Admittedly I haven't visited POM for a couple of years now but I learnt the hard way after my first trip not to eat salad anywhere, even on the hotel dinner buffet. After being told this I thought yea right, then the very next day came down with a chronic stomach bug after eating salad with dinner.

Was told the ingredients are washed in tap water (which shouldn't be consumed). After that episode I've not touched anything uncooked in numerous subsequent visits.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Admittedly I haven't visited POM for a couple of years now but I learnt the hard way after my first trip not to eat salad anywhere, even on the hotel dinner buffet. After being told this I thought yea right, then the very next day came down with a chronic stomach bug after eating salad with dinner.

Was told the ingredients are washed in tap water (which shouldn't be consumed). After that episode I've not touched anything uncooked in numerous subsequent visits.

This place is sounding great!! Haha

 

[DC3]

Many years ago I wanted to holiday in Port Moresby. However, there were a lot of negative reports about crime, and with hotels having razor wire around their compounds, which put me off.

I guess Port Moresby would be a base to travel elsewhere in PNG or is it mainly business travel these days?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Many years ago I wanted to holiday in Port Moresby. However, there were a lot of negative reports about crime, and with hotels having razor wire around their compounds, which put me off.

I guess Port Moresby would be a base to travel elsewhere in PNG or is it mainly business travel these days?

Plenty of razor wire around. Security is one of POMs growth industries. There are plenty of nice areas in PNG, in fact I'm currently planning a trip for my family to Nusa Island Resort off Kavieng, a place where a few of my PNG friends hail from. I'd also love to visit the Louisiades, Milne Bay, East and West New Britain and Sepik. My wife says she'll be happy never to step foot into PNG..........a common concept, except the place really is spectacular and it's right on our doorstep.

POM is Ok. It just needs a wary traveller, but there's not much in POM to attract. The highlands are a different story to POM. Very unpredictable. But everywhere I've travelled in PNG, I predominantly find PNG nationals are friendly, but very astute when it comes to their best interests and theft is an acceptable part of life for them. It's also often excused as "their culture", which is a cop out of course. They have many great cultural claims, but excusing theft by way of culture is just a convenience rather than reality.

If I talk my +1 into Kavieng, I'll be sure to write a TR.

 

[puppysparkes]

My ex was QP PS and regularly accessed (every three weeks) what was then the paradise lounge in 2012, without any problems. It might be worth asking when you check in for your return leg.

The benefit was listed on the QF website back then. I remember emailing QF customer care who told me no access. I later replied with a cut and paste from their own website and linked them, suggesting they remind staff of the benefit. I've had a quick look on my mobile and can't find any reference to it anymore. I'll have a better look when I get on a laptop. IIRC it wasn't easy to find. At least you'll get outbound lounge access.

The executive lounge is much improved on what it used to be:http://www.businessadvantagepng.com...ise-lounge-at-jacksons-international-airport/

 

[Reise]

Wow Reise that is some brilliant information. Thanks so much.

We've now locked in a 48 hour stay and at this stage plan to stay at Holiday Inn Express. We are flying in from Cairns and out to Cairns (on that, do you know if there is a lounge for us (QFF Gold) at POM?).

Whilst no doubt it won't be enough time to get a good idea about PNG it will still satisfy a little thirst I've had to pop overseas on a Dash 8 and have a quick look around. When Qantas had their 15% off award booking sale the other day I bit the bullet, especially because I was heading to Cairns around that time any way.

Not planning on heading out to drink (pubs or clubs) at all, nor will I need any comms since it's only two days, I can always use the hotel WiFi if need be. Food is an important one for me though! Will certainly get in touch closer to the time (October) to sort something out. If you're around would love to catch up and maybe even shamelessly as you to show us around for the day! Again given the short stay I doubt we'll be looking for any activities.

Thanks so much again for all your advice, will come in very handy.

Give me a bell closer to the time and we'll see what day it is and where I am up to in terms of hosting etc.

In terms of lounges Air Niugini (PX) operates lounges and code shares a lot of international flights with QF. However it is my understanding that because QF and PX operate in direct competition on the CNS-POM-CNS run that (and I believe it is still the case) they don't lounge share on these flights. The lounge in POM is PX and I think the lounge in CNS is QF. Again, I'm not up on this as I don't have QF or PX status. (As I recall PX access can only be bought with their Gold Executive Club membership or a Business Class ticket).

 

[Reise]

There is only one lounge in POM (Int)...the PX Paradise lounge which unless I'm mistaken, QF status doesn't gain you entry.

If you do stay at HI (or HIX), it's safe enough to wander out the main gate where there is an impromptu art and craft display hanging on the fence opposite. I bought a great painting from there (see photo below). From memory K200 but it pays to haggle. I bought the crocodile in the pic from Loloata Island......which may even be a better choice for a two day trip than any of the POM hotels. Loloata is an easy drive/boat from POM and they do airport pickups. It has snorkelling, friendly locals, nice settings, birds and animals and a small gift shop. Worth thinking about.

You're right about the haggling Swanning_it - the price outside the gate is about the same as inside the main hotel foyer but if you approach it the right way you can get from 30% to 50% off.

Virgin Bart - Be careful about buying woven goods outside the gate as you need to take the time to put them into a garbag and give them a good going over with insecticide and even then there is a loss risk on return to Oz.

 

[Reise]

Admittedly I haven't visited POM for a couple of years now but I learnt the hard way after my first trip not to eat salad anywhere, even on the hotel dinner buffet. After being told this I thought yea right, then the very next day came down with a chronic stomach bug after eating salad with dinner.

Was told the ingredients are washed in tap water (which shouldn't be consumed). After that episode I've not touched anything uncooked in numerous subsequent visits.

Snabbu - in the hotel the filtration system tends to be pretty good these days and I do eat salads etc. without problems - but as a matter of course only do so at the better hotels, the principle being cooked food kills it . I also only tend to drink bottled water and as a general rule adopt the same sort of rules as you would in most developing countries.

 

[Reise]

Many years ago I wanted to holiday in Port Moresby. However, there were a lot of negative reports about crime, and with hotels having razor wire around their compounds, which put me off.

I guess Port Moresby would be a base to travel elsewhere in PNG or is it mainly business travel these days?

Most people staying in POM hotels do so on business. Other than that it is a transit point for people going to business/work (mining etc.) elsewhere in the country. The exceptions are: Kokoda Track and similar hiking enthusiasts which form a significant contingent; occasionally there are flights that come through from the five star catered air tour groups which jump their 737s and commute up to the highlands is something smaller to locations where there are a couple of exclusive resorts. There are also diving enthusiasts (the country has some of the best apparently). The downside it that internal air travel/accommodation is so expensive that most people take of to CNS rather than commuting internally.

Having said that I can highly recommend Rabaul/Kokopo for a visit. The area is the site of the first Australian casualty in WWI and some amazing WWII history around the area such as barge tunnels, japanese bunkers, plane wrecks etc and the bonus is that you might also get lucky and catch an eruption - although if the wind is blowing the wrong way you can get cancelled flights



As far as razor wire goes, it's still there in abundance, although there was a bit of a push to reduce its presence on the main roads to provide a better image for the Pacific Games and this will probably be pushed harder over the next two years as APEC preparations ramp up. Most of the major hotels don't tend to have razor wire on their main frontage but cast your eye around the back and it's still there.

 

[Reise]

Plenty of razor wire around. Security is one of POMs growth industries. ....

Never a truer word spoken swanning-it. There was a report in the local rag a couple of weeks back and PNG has something like 25,000 security guards. A coupel of people have suggested that with that amount of employment related to the industry there isn't a lot of incentive to fix the security situation

 

[puppysparkes]

Nostalgia thread here

 

[Deleted member 29185]

A coupel of people have suggested that with that amount of employment related to the industry there isn't a lot of incentive to fix the security situation

Ha ha...I was going to type that but decided not to! I often get a laugh when you pass a guard house and see an old guy between 50 and 150 years old as the only guard, perched precariously on a chair with mouth agape, snoring loudly.......or the fact electric gate openers are fairly cheap these days, but most businesses employ someone to stand at the gate all day long, sliding it open and closed.....but I actually see nothing wrong with this concept (except the lack of quality employment), as at least it's giving an income where none would be earned otherwise.

I like the Rabaul pic. I'm not sure I want to go to Rabaul (because of that volcano), but I do want to go to further down the island to the east and west New Britain regions (around Kimbe I think there is a nice little resort with good snorkelling from memory).

Nostalgia thread here

Where? Is there a link missing?

 

[puppysparkes]

Ha ha...I was going to type that but decided not to! I often get a laugh when you pass a guard house and see an old guy between 50 and 150 years old as the only guard, perched precariously on a chair with mouth agape, snoring loudly.......or the fact electric gate openers are fairly cheap these days, but most businesses employ someone to stand at the gate all day long, sliding it open and closed.....but I actually see nothing wrong with this concept (except the lack of quality employment), as at least it's giving an income where none would be earned otherwise.

I like the Rabaul pic. I'm not sure I want to go to Rabaul (because of that volcano), but I do want to go to further down the island to the east and west New Britain regions (around Kimbe I think there is a nice little resort with good snorkelling from memory).



Where? Is there a link missing?

You could head up the north coast of Madang and climb Manum volcano. Did this with the local hash house harriers years ago. It is much less active than Mount Tavurvur. http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/manam.html

 

[Deleted member 29185]

You could head up the north coast of Madang and climb Manum volcano.

Hmm, I think I'll give that one a miss, given it erupted in 2015! My sense of adventure has been stymied by sense of common!

 

[snabbu]

Snabbu - in the hotel the filtration system tends to be pretty good these days and I do eat salads etc. without problems - but as a matter of course only do so at the better hotels, the principle being cooked food kills it . I also only tend to drink bottled water and as a general rule adopt the same sort of rules as you would in most developing countries.

My episode was back in 2006 at the Holiday Inn. I'm sure since then things have improved drastically however that memory will not ever allow me to eat anything uncooked again in PNG!

 

[Geoffm]

Snabbu - in the hotel the filtration system tends to be pretty good these days and I do eat salads etc. without problems - but as a matter of course only do so at the better hotels, the principle being cooked food kills it . I also only tend to drink bottled water and as a general rule adopt the same sort of rules as you would in most developing countries.

Give me a bell closer to the time and we'll see what day it is and where I am up to in terms of hosting etc.

In terms of lounges Air Niugini (PX) operates lounges and code shares a lot of international flights with QF. However it is my understanding that because QF and PX operate in direct competition on the CNS-POM-CNS run that (and I believe it is still the case) they don't lounge share on these flights. The lounge in POM is PX and I think the lounge in CNS is QF. Again, I'm not up on this as I don't have QF or PX status. (As I recall PX access can only be bought with their Gold Executive Club membership or a Business Class ticket).

You are unable to get into the paradise lounge POM with QF status unless you are on a PX coded ticket, and the inverse on the way out I.e you have to be on a QF ticket to access the QF lounges.