Description: The Palau Pacific Resort is, for me, clearly the premier resort in Palau. It is situated adjacent to its own white sandy beach just 10 minutes from downtown Koror. The 160 airconditioned rooms and suites are scattered through gardens in two-storey buildings. Each has a balcony which looks to the beach, a large salt-water lagoon or the jungle.
The resort has a wonderful sense of isolation because it is removed from general island activities but the town is still accessible via a shuttle bus or taxi. You can lounge on 1000 feet of beautiful white sand beach or by the beachfront freshwater pool and Jacuzzi. There is reasonable snorkelling right off the beach in an area now declared a conservation zone. Masks, fins, snorkels, kayaks, surfskis and an aquabike are available from the Poolside centre for those who want to explore or exercise.
Clearly, different people go to resorts for different reasons. I go to get away from the normal daily routine and to relax. I’m happy to read a book, have a long drink, eat and snooze. Others go for activities. The Palau Pacific Resort has a PADI Five Star Dive Centre called Splash which will teach and organise tours. There is also an activities centre with facilities for all exercise needs. Two outdoor tennis courts are equipped for night play. You can take a guided walk on the resorts botanical nature trail or participate in fish feeding at the saltwater fish pool.
Many will be attracted by the Mandara Spa. When the resort is full there is probably plenty of custom but when I was there in the low tourist season, things were quiet. The staff from the spa regularly trawled the beach and pool area for customers and I was surprised at how successful this seemed to be. Now I’m all for massage and spa treatments but frankly I balk at paying $90 for a one-hour massage and $160 for other treatments no matter how much Bali spin is put on it. The attractive-looking spa is set at the secluded end of the resort and is said to offer "an exotic range of body treatments combining wisdom and allure of ancient health and beauty traditions." Guests who cannot live without shopping will find a duty-free shop, a boutique, a photo video centre and a beauty salon.
The Coconut Terrace restaurant is located in a great position overlooking the beach. It offers alfresco dinning with a breakfast buffet, a la carte lunch and a la carte or theme night buffet dinners with local entertainment most nights. Prices are higher than most downtown restaurants but the ambience is great and the food high-class. A step up is the small Meduu Ribtal Seafood restaurant where you can enjoy local seafood, U.S. prime rib and other island specialties in airconditioned comfort. There is an extensive menu of international wines to complement the food.
I should mention the rooms but there are no surprises here. They contain what you would expect from an international resort. There are balconies for lounging, overhead ceiling fan, IDD telephone, TV, mini-bar, in-room safe, hairdryer, electric kettle and a complete selection of bath accessories. The decor has a tropical theme and there is enough space so you don’t feel crowded.
Expect to pay around $250 during the season and two-thirds of this in the off-season.
Close