The Phoenix Hotel is the worst hotel in Goroka and I have been screwed over so many times by them I would rather stay anywhere else in Goroka.
This includes Diwai Lodge, as well as pretty much anywhere else that is not a crack den. Yes, there are worse digs in Goroka, but at least they are honest.
Table of Contents
What the Phoenix Hotel Goroka?
The Phoenix Hotel is a long-established hotel in Goroka, located on Airport Drive right opposite Goroka Airport. It has traditionally catered to business travellers, tourists, groups and conferences, with accommodation, a restaurant, “swimming pool” and function facilities.
The hotel has 29 rooms and is attached to the long-established Steak House Restaurant, making it one of the better-known hotel and restaurant establishments in Goroka. Better known does not mean good.
It is “locally owned” – as in long-term expat and has been around for years. Again I am sure that it was once wonderful, but time and tide wait for no man.
Back in the day it was OK, the pool was full, they had a decent breakfast and the rooms were maintained. None of that is the case now. Now it is a shit hole.
The Facilities at the Phoenix Hotel
Technically there’s a reception and internet, but neither work. There’s also a pool, but in years it has had water 3 times and only once was it swimmable. If there is water now it is like a stagnant pond. Don’t play in it kids.
There used to be a buffet breakfast. This is on a whim now, with the a la carte being slow and shit. The rooms are rarely cleaned, but I will get to issues later. Rooms also are not even that cheap.
Room Prices at the Phoenix Hotel
Standard Double Room – K350 (around US$80)
Twin Share Room – K350 (around US$80)
Premier Room – price on request
Suite with Kitchen – price on request
The Phoenix Hotel Restaurant AKA The Steak House Restaurant
ChatGPT lies a lot and this includes about the restaurant at the Phoenix Hotel. They suggest it is the second best in the city. This might have one day been the case, but it is not even in the top 5 now. And this is in a place that basically has six restaurants.
Food is standard and OK, Aussie PNG style, but super slow and with shit service. It was once popular for events, but that is now clearly not the case. I was recently with a group during the Goroka Show and because town was so busy we could barely find a restaurant. Starving was better than coming here. The judgemental pricks also don’t allow alcohol. FOR SHAME.
Menu Items at The Steak House Restaurant Goroka
Graziers Rump 250g – K26 (US$6)
Graziers Eye Fillet 200g – K32 (US$7)
Graziers Rump 400g – K34 (US$8)
Graziers Rib Fillet 300g – K42 (US$10)
T-bone 450g – K45 (US$10)
Rib on the Bone 450g – K49 (US$11)
Salt & Pepper Calamari – K24 (US$6)
Fish and Chips – K25 (US$6)
Chicken Neptune – K28 (US$7)
Pork Ribs – K30 half / K38 full (US$7 / US$9)
Chicken Wings – K24 (US$6)
Phoenix Cheese Burger – K20 (US$5)
Crispy Chicken Burger – K21 (US$5)
Graziers Steak Sandwich – K23 (US$5)
Margherita Pizza – K19 (US$4)
Hawaiian Pizza – K22 (US$5)
Italiano Pizza – K23 (US$5)
Meat Lovers Pizza – K26 (US$6)
The problems with the Phoenix Hotel Goroka
Where to start with why the Phoenix Hotel in Goroka is so bad? Fairly, it used to be really good, but has just declined massively. OK, so it was never the Hilton, but they seemed to have just given up. And by dirty I mean super dirty, floating turds, cockroaches and the like.
They have also been really dishonest. On at least 3 occasions they have resold my rooms after I have paid for them. And yeah they admitted it and just shrugged their shoulders. On the last time I stayed there and I mean the very last time ever there was a power cut. OK so this happens but they couldn’t even be bothered to fix their generator, which I basically had to do. Worse still they just hid from my staff like snakes. Too dramatic? I really don’t think so.
I could go on, but I won’t. Instead I will talk shit, but also more importantly legit never use their hotel or restaurant again.
Address of Phoenix Hotel
Hotel Phoenix
Airport Drive
Goroka
Eastern Highlands Province
Papua New Guinea
Telephone: +675 532 3455
Restaurant: +675 532 3980
So, yeah. Really do not stay at the Phoenix Hotel in Goroka.
Click to see my Papua New Guinea Tours with YPT.