Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby — Hotel in New Guinea

I seldom have the need to use a hotel for lodging in Port Moresby though I am a regular customer of IHG hotels around the world when I travel for work and business, because I live in Port Moresby. But on this occasion, I had recourse to need a room for a few days in Port Moresby, whilst my normal lodgings were otherwise being attended to. The Holiday Inn Express in Port Moresby is a new build, purposeful block in what used to be the car park of the Holiday Inn; there is also another new block of residential suites in the same compound. This all represents the boom times that Papua New Guinea has experienced in recent years and the making of Port Moresby as a true Capital City.

My first impressions were good: attentive staff on check-in and a nice new room designed to get the best out of he relative small floor area, but immensely practical room. In fact amongst the IHG Holiday Inn Express venues that I have stayed before, it seem as relaxed and comfortable as any. There is no room service and laundry is returned only through the front desk (as I found out only after chasing up what I thought was lost laundry). This minimises staff presence on the guest levels to only those essential for housekeeping and maintenance, which may be a good thing in a city that is as notorious for its incidences of criminal (aka rascal) activity. I was surprised to find out that only five girls were serving as chamber maids when they finally made up my room one day as late as 5 p.m. in the evening - albeit they were somewhat tired, but ever cheerful. Oddly, they took away my teaspoons and my bathroom glasses.

I had to call the maintenance man to help me with TV when I was confusing the various controls and could, not get the TV working, but again the service was very friendly and prompt. However, the TV was not properly set on its stand and kept drifting down on one side. This was an installation problem, but it was not a singular one. After four days, I discovered many small room installation defects: a wobbly water facet in the bathroom, shower water flowing around the grouting of the bath and out towards the bathroom necessitating the use of towels to prevent the carpet getting wet door; counter sunk screws on the wardrobe door handles not properly installed and countersunk; curtains that covered the area of the window only with no overlap of the adjacent wall allowing oblique bright security lights to glow into the room all night; a very wide bath/shower sidewall making it a large and awkward step into the shower and potentially dangerous situation. It seems that a little bit of after-commissioning care and maintenance is required Indeed, such might alleviate future unnecessary repairs that might be required it things go left unattended. It is a nice HIE, but I suggest that it is kept that way by some walk through by management with maintenance staff and the other supervisors to maintain standard. I look forward to returning when next I need some alternaitve place to stay in...

Hotel Room: From the moment I arrived, the check-in process was seamless, with friendly staff who made me feel welcomed. The hotel lobby had a contemporary design,

The room was spacious and well-appointed, offering all the comforts I needed for a pleasant stay. The bed was incredibly comfortable, with soft, fresh linens that ensured a restful night's sleep. The room had a modern, clean aesthetic, and everything from the bathroom to the furniture was in great condition.

The bathroom had a rain shower with fantastic water pressure, and I was impressed by the high-quality toiletries provided. The free Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, which is always a plus for business travelers or anyone who needs to stay connected.

Food: One of the highlights of my stay was the food. The hotel’s restaurant served delicious meals throughout my stay. I started each day with a hearty breakfast buffet that offered a wide variety of options, from fresh fruits and pastries to hot dishes like scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. The quality of the food was superb, and it was clear that fresh ingredients were used.

I also dined at the hotel’s restaurant for dinner, and the experience was top-notch. The menu offered a range of local and international dishes, and everything I tried was flavorful and expertly prepared. I highly recommend the Faya Haus grilled meat platter—it was fresh and cooked to perfection. The staff was attentive and offered excellent service, making each meal feel like a special occasion.

Overall Experience: The combination of a comfortable, well-maintained room and exceptional food made my stay unforgettable. The hotel's location was also great, with easy access to nearby attractions, shopping, and transport. it was comfortable staying in.

In conclusion, this hotel offers excellent value for both accommodation and dining, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. I’ll definitely be back for...

Newer of two Holiday Inn establishments directly across from one another. Some of the photos are of the other establishment.

Check-in is easy (with advance reservations). Able to accommodate early & late check-in requests depending on availability. IHG status-holders are recognized and amenity points are given. Upgrades based on availability as per usual.

They offer a complimentary breakfast buffet if you're staying at the hotel, or if you'd like to pay roughly $15 USD for it. Eggs, toast, sausage or bacon, hash browns. Tea, coffee, juice, fresh fruit & yoghurt. Weekends it's extra busy and they sometimes have a hard time keeping up with the demand for plates, cups, silverware, as well as various food items. Quality can vary widely from acceptable to a bit sketchy. Specialty coffee drinks and a limited selection of baked sweets and/or sandwiches are also available for purchase separately.

Rooms are comfortable and fairly representative of the Holiday Inn brand internationally, if a bit dated. Clean and comfortable. Beds are comfortable. In-room safe provided as well as an iron and ironing board. Television had no service that I could figure out, so plan on bringing your own entertainment to watch.

Bathroom is clean and comfortable. Basic toiletries are provided. Western-style toilet & shower.

Blackout curtains, places to sit other than the bed and a small desk/work area. Wi-fi was overall good but audio/video conferencing may suffer from dropped connection occasionally.

I found the carpeting a bit disconcerting (after living in Asia for several years I prefer hard flooring for cleanliness) in such a humid environment. Room service food can be ordered from the in-house restaurant in the Holiday Inn & Suites across the way.

If you're familiar with the Holiday Inn experience elsewhere you'll be very comfortable here. Clean & comfortable without...