Port Moresby Crowne Plaza advice needed

[Virgin Bart]

Hi all! I need to book into this hotel in late October 2016 for a couple of nights (or any other hotel in this area for that matter)...

But I cannot believe the prices! I did a total of zero research about PNG hotel pricing and assumed much less. Anyway, any tips of securing cheaper rates for this hotel? Likely promos? I have a government ID FWIW.

Thanks in advance and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

[eric2011]

Hi all! I need to book into this hotel in late October 2016 for a couple of nights (or any other hotel in this area for that matter)...

But I cannot believe the prices! I did a total of zero research about PNG hotel pricing and assumed much less. Anyway, any tips of securing cheaper rates for this hotel? Likely promos? I have a government ID FWIW.

Thanks in advance and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Xmas back to you Virgin. I usually book it now @ a best available rate, and then keep checking every week or so for lower prices. A lower price will generally come up and then I just do another booking and cancel the previous one. This may happen 3 or 4 times in the lead up to my stay as the hotel adjusts there rates inline with inventory changes

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Hi all! I need to book into this hotel in late October 2016 for a couple of nights (or any other hotel in this area for that matter)...

But I cannot believe the prices! I did a total of zero research about PNG hotel pricing and assumed much less. Anyway, any tips of securing cheaper rates for this hotel? Likely promos? I have a government ID FWIW.

Thanks in advance and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hi VB.....Merry Christmas to you too!

You've just learnt your first lesson about POM! Nothing is cheap.

I don't know of any way of getting cheaper rates (maybe I'm not trying hard enough) but CP is one of the better accommodation houses in POM along with Holiday Inn, Ela Beach Hotel, Grand Papua, Gateway and Airways.

Airways and Grand Papua are the best and Ela Beach Hotel is the bottom of that ladder but certainly still an OK place. Airways is my pick of the bunch (it's actually very enjoyable) but a lot depends upon how you are getting around and where in the city you'll be spending most time. If you have a hire car (or a driver) I'd recommend Airways.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I should have also mentioned that if you are there for any embassy/ Gov't business, then Holiday Inn is very well positioned.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Hi VB.....Merry Christmas to you too!

You've just learnt your first lesson about POM! Nothing is cheap.

I don't know of any way of getting cheaper rates (maybe I'm not trying hard enough) but CP is one of the better accommodation houses in POM along with Holiday Inn, Ela Beach Hotel, Grand Papua, Gateway and Airways.

Airways and Grand Papua are the best and Ela Beach Hotel is the bottom of that ladder but certainly still an OK place. Airways is my pick of the bunch (it's actually very enjoyable) but a lot depends upon how you are getting around and where in the city you'll be spending most time. If you have a hire car (or a driver) I'd recommend Airways.

Really surprised by the prices.. And that's before arriving!

Planning on being on foot for 48 hours. Any tips? Likely staying at airways or CP.

 

[Virgin Bart]

I should have also mentioned that if you are there for any embassy/ Gov't business, then Holiday Inn is very well positioned.

Have access to [Vic] govt ID, but not on govt business for this trip. Merely curiosity.

 

[Mick1969]

Really surprised by the prices.. And that's before arriving!

Planning on being on foot for 48 hours. Any tips? Likely staying at airways or CP.

if you are not familiar with POM or PNG, going on foot is not recommended.

 

[snabbu]

if you are not familiar with POM or PNG, going on foot is not recommended.

Even if you are familiar somewhat, it's still not recommended.

Out of all the properties listed above I'd stick with the CP.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Hrmm, thanks for the advice, everyone.

So if on-foot is out, what should we do? To just get around and get a short general idea of what POM is like

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Really surprised by the prices.. And that's before arriving!

Planning on being on foot for 48 hours. Any tips? Likely staying at airways or CP.

Any idea of which area? Walking around is not recommended except within gated and secure areas. Taxis and PMVs are also best avoided unless you are comfortable (and aware) with 3rd world communities. Having said all that, I've never had a concern nor trouble, even in settlements.

My best advice is to hire a car and take time to familiarise yourself with the driving style in PNG. If you do hire, ensure the windows are always up and doors locked. Carjackings can and do from time to time, happen. If you wish to discuss any particular area privately, feel free to PM me.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Any idea of which area? Walking around is not recommended except within gated and secure areas. Taxis and PMVs are also best avoided unless you are comfortable (and aware) with 3rd world communities. Having said all that, I've never had a concern nor trouble, even in settlements.

My best advice is to hire a car and take time to familiarise yourself with the driving style in PNG. If you do hire, ensure the windows are always up and doors locked. Carjackings can and do from time to time, happen. If you wish to discuss any particular area privately, feel free to PM me.

No idea actually. Spur of the moment booking. Open to advice though. I had 40 hours from landing to departure..

(Currently, at times this place sounds.... interesting...)

 

[get me outta here]

Just a thought, check DFAT/Smart Traveler (and your travel insurance). I have no idea what it says but just thought it might be good idea to check.

No idea actually. Spur of the moment booking. Open to advice though. I had 40 hours from landing to departure..

(Currently, at times this place sounds.... interesting...)

 

[Virgin Bart]

Just a thought, check DFAT/Smart Traveler (and your travel insurance). I have no idea what it says but just thought it might be good idea to check.

Good advice, thanks for that.

"Papua New Guinea overall, exercise a high degree of caution.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks."

 

[get me outta here]

So does any of that negate your travel insurance?

Good advice, thanks for that.

"Papua New Guinea overall, exercise a high degree of caution.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks."

 

[Virgin Bart]

So does any of that negate your travel insurance?

No, as long as it's not "do not travel" I am covered.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

No idea actually. Spur of the moment booking. Open to advice though. I had 40 hours from landing to departure..

(Currently, at times this place sounds.... interesting...)

hmmmm. PNG is definitely interesting. IMHO however, POM is not what you'd call a tourist town. There is little to do and to do the things that are on offer, you need a car.

I'm guessing that you are there for other pursuits (diving, Black Cat, Kokoda, surfing) and you just have a delay in POM? There is no real "centre" to explore by foot. Airways and Gateway are near the airport. There is the aero club near Airways and it serves the best ice cold beer in POM, but if a guard on the entrance with as shotgun bothers you, I' d give it a miss! Gateway is actually a thought as they do a private shuttle bus, but I'm not sure where that bus goes (perhaps just the airport, but worth asking about). For downtown things, Ela beach markets are great for touristy things (great carvings) and also Ela Beach is fairly safe to walk along, just not too far down toward Badily. Botanical gardens and the war cemetery are a definite drive,so too is the start of Kokoda. Aviat is good as is the yacht club. There are cinemas at Vision City. All in all, nothing you can't get elsewhere!

 

[Foreigner]

Good advice, thanks for that.

"Papua New Guinea overall, exercise a high degree of caution.
Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks."

I would suggest rely on advice of hotel senior staff on issues of safety.

My only visit to PNG was to Madang and Moresby, in 1996. I plan to stay away.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Airways is a fantastic hotel, probably way too good for POM but I thoroughly recommend their evening Martini bar on the 2nd floor that serves complimentary champagne and martinis only from about 5.30pm onwards. The upstairs bar and restaurant is also very good and has a great view of POM's runway.
The guard at the front door of Airways with the polished silver shotgun is rather reassuring and as noted above, this is not a town where wandering the streets unescorted is a good idea. Traffic is crazy and the roads are hopelessly clogged as the number of cars has increased year on year. Even Vision city had armed guards on the front doors when I was there in 2013.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Hi all

Thank you to everyone for their advice. Given it seems I will be largely hotel-bound for the 48 hour trip I am now looking into whether maybe Holiday Inn/HI Express may be the better option? Any advice on this?

 

[feezable]

Hi all

Thank you to everyone for their advice. Given it seems I will be largely hotel-bound for the 48 hour trip I am now looking into whether maybe Holiday Inn/HI Express may be the better option? Any advice on this?

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