Oa Oa Lodge

Tom was especially helpful, and the staff were all very friendly. The location is good, about 15 minutes from town, with a nice pool, a good bungalow layout, and a great view of sea life from over the water. With a few small improvements, this could be a really nice place. Our bungalow felt tired and worn, though. The towels were frayed, and the bath towel was about the size of a tea towel. The old bed linen felt poor quality. The bathroom, shower, and toilet were tatty and need updating. The air conditioning didn't work, and the faulty fan only ran on high, so getting a good night's sleep was difficult. The electrical switches were dirty and old. There was a kettle and two mugs, but no tea, coffee, milk, or sponge for washing up. Missing pool tiles made it look shabby, and no one cleaned the room beyond sweeping the floor. We also heard a lot of road noise. We've stayed in over 50 hotels and motels on our extended holiday, and this was the worst of them all.

The toilet smelled of urine the whole time, and it didn't look as if it had been cleaned after the previous guest. Even the public restrooms were much cleaner. This was the most disgusting hotel room I've ever stayed in, and the experience traumatized us. My family and I are from the islands, so we're familiar with outdoor island living and humidity. I wish I had more positive things to say, because this place has so much potential, but it needs a hygiene, health, and safety inspection. I'd rather pee in a bush than use those facilities again.

Tom went out of his way to make our visit enjoyable, and we couldn't have been happier there. We stayed in a bungalow over the water with a magnificent view. There was no air conditioning, but the cool breeze off the water kept it comfortable. The pool and restaurant were great, and so were the grounds, with lush plants and access to the water. It's also convenient for getting around on foot: grocery stores and the main part of town are about a 10-minute walk away.

The receptionist took the time to explain everything to me and was really helpful. I enjoyed my stay and hope to come back. The bungalow-style rooms are spacious, and the continental breakfast had a good variety of fresh fruit. Free WiFi is available, though it lagged at times. I stayed here while visiting BB.