When it comes to hotels in Goroka, the situation is bleak, very very bleak. And this only gets worse during the Goroka Show. Of the budget options though, Diwai Hut Lodge, while very simple, is at least the most reliable and consistent.
Here’s why it is my top tip for Goroka and indeed some other place you should Fing avoid.
Table of Contents
The Hotels in Goroka Scene
The hotel and indeed nightlife scene of Goroka is, to put it mildly, a bit shit compared even to Mount Hagen! And let’s be fair, Hagen is not exactly Vegas either. On the top end you have Bird of Paradise, which is owned by Coral Sea Resorts, and the Pacific Hotel. These cost a fortune during festivals and are not that special.
On the 2nd tier side we used to stay at the Phoenix Hotel, which has somehow managed to also be listed as the second-best restaurant in Goroka. Once upon a time it was OK, but has since really gone downhill. The swimming pool rarely has water, and if it does it is stagnant, the rooms are not cleaned and basically they are crooks. For two years now I have paid for rooms they have subsequently sold. Not gonna lie, I hate the place and will do a shit-talking blog at some point.
Tier 3 is where things get messy and you can expect dirty sheets and roaches. I won’t name any, but I have honestly seen some hell-like conditions. Still, some of the smaller ones are still better than the Phoenix Hotel in Goroka.
Facilities at Diwai Hut Lodge
No pool, no games, no anything. At Diwai Hut Lodge they have rooms, parking and a restaurant. But what they do, they do properly and they do well. I’ll delve into the rooms later, but let’s do the Diwai Hut Lodge Menu. It’s simple and consists of stuff like steaks and chicken and chips, as well as stuff like stir fry. There’s also a breakfast and lunch menu. Previously it was zero booze as they are Christian until they saw my group and realised they could make extra money.
Now you can get bottles of wine, bottles of SP Beer and even get some Ginger Smash AKA Groan Firewater in. And at the end they let you pay with card. I have also been able to arrange them to do a buffet breakfast for my guests at about $7.50 a head. This is pretty good by PNG standards.
The menu includes steaks, chicken and chips, stir fry and other basic meals. Dinner is listed at K47, which is approximately US$10.60. Breakfast and lunch are also available, while I have been able to arrange buffet breakfasts for groups at about K33 a head, or approximately US$7.50.
The rooms at Diwai Hut Lodge
OK, so the main point! The rooms here are simple and not all equal. One side is slightly better than the other and cleanliness depends on who is working at the time. How it’s perceived also depends greatly on the guests.
Well-travelled folk with positive attitudes do well, while ones with attitudes do not. These are usually the kind of self-important people that should really be holidaying in Portugal, not Papua New Guinea. They should also be doing the 5k, or 10k tours rather than the cheapest one on the market. Yeah, I feel strongly about this.
Where is Diwai Hut Lodge?
Diwai Hut Lodge
Ide Street
Goroka
Eastern Highlands Province
Papua New Guinea
PO Box 642
Goroka 441
Eastern Highlands Province
Papua New Guinea
Phone: +675 532 3840
Fax: +675 532 3850
Centrally located in that everywhere in Goroka aside from the Mudmen place is central. Near enough the showground for Goroka Show, as well as the Pacific Hotel, or Aero Club if you need a beer. Five minutes’ drive to the airport. And pound for pound, Kina for kina, the best budget hotel and value accommodation in Goroka.
Did I mention it is better than The Phoenix?
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