Review
Hotel Morobe, Lae
WHO STAYS? PNG government officials and expatriate businessmen are frequent guests.
HOW BIG? 38 keys.
COST Superior: PGK399, executive: PGK499, deluxe suite: 599. Price includes breakfast and Wi-Fi.
CHECK IN and out 3pm/midday
NEAR BY Lae Toptown supermarkets, banks, police and petrol stations. Eriku supermarkets and department stores. Lae War Cemetery and Lae Botanic Garden.
Wi-Fi in rooms/public areas: Fee for Wi-Fi: TV: Air conditioning in room: Ceiling fan in room: Business centre: Gym: Room service: Swimming pool: Airport transfers*: Hotel arranges tours: Breakfast included in room charge: *At guest expense
WHAT GUES TS LIKE
My first visit to this hotel and everything was very good. Helpful staff, a nice room and a secure, central location. The cafe is being upgraded which will be a further improvement. – TripAdvisor The superior room I had was nice and clean with the most comfortable bed. For those who have not been to Lae before, please note there is no taxi. For safety, either drive or travel by security service (Guard Dog Security). The hotel staff will arrange. – TripAdvisor
LOCATION
Hotel Morobe is in Lae, the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is a 10-minute walk from the CBD ( Toptown).
THE PLACE
The three-storey hotel was completed in 2014 and is the newest boutique hotel in Morobe. It has 38 rooms in various configurations: 24 are superior rooms, six are executive, and eight are deluxe suites. A breakfast lounge accommodates up to 20 people. A shuttle service is provided for guests wishing to dine at The City Cafe, in the restaurant of the sister hotel, Lae City Hotel. Laundry service and room service are also available. There’s 24-hour security.
IN THE ROOMS
Tea and coffee-making facilities and complimentary bottled water are provided. A mini fridge, flat-screen cable TV with 60 channels, safe deposit box, shower room, and free Wi-Fi are also among the amenities. Superior and executive rooms have one queensized bed, while the deluxe suites have two queen-sized beds and separate living room.
FOOD AND DRIN KS
The hotel is currently using Lae City Hotel’s restaurant. Construction is under way on a building at Morobe Hotel that will include two restaurants when it opens later this year. Room service is available.
HIGHLIGHTS
The hotel prides itself on its ‘rough luxe’ ambience. Guests are treated to a feast of colour, starting in the coral-pink lobby and the hallways, which feature vibrant and engaging animal art prints. “We have layered multiple styles and textures together to create a hospitable environment for our travel-worn guests,” the hotel says. “While spontaneous and extroverted in its public spaces, we lower the color volume in the private quarters, offering rooms that shimmer softly in intimate Oriental tones, deep comfort, and charm.” The ‘rough luxe’ comes in the form of a handdistressed wooden reception counter, rustic Provencal-style chandelier, Asian-inspired blue-and-white porcelain lamp bases in the main lobby and weathered wood benches and countertops in the breakfast lounge.