Sea Passion Hotel

The little beach is stunning, with crystal-clear water and loads of fish to see while snorkeling. Long Island Park is also worth a visit, about a five-minute walk over the bridge, with beautiful snorkeling. Pool towels are available on request, parking is free if you rent a car, and the hotel can arrange most tours and car hire. We stayed eight nights in a spacious mountain-view twin room with air conditioning, TV, mini fridge, hair dryer, tea and coffee facilities, and bathroom amenities. All the staff were friendly and helpful, and worked so hard. Nothing seemed too much trouble. Breakfast changed daily, and the egg station was great. The minute mart next door sells cigarettes, drinks, inexpensive hot meals to go, and delicious salted caramel coffee you have to try. My only suggestion is to improve the Wi-Fi. We loved our stay, would recommend it, and would stay again.

The souvenir shop at Sea Passion is the reason this gets three stars. It had nicely updated, tasteful items, which was a relief after struggling to find worthwhile souvenirs around Palau. The country could use more small, quality keepsakes, since most malls, markets, independent shops, and hotels have very little to offer. I later spotted some good items at the airport before boarding, so you can skip this shop if you’re short on time. We didn’t stay at the hotel. One day we saw a beautiful view from the other side of the property but couldn’t find parking, so we briefly pulled into the five-minute check-in area to take a few photos and leave. Staff yelled, “Hey, what are you doing? Get out!” instead of asking politely. What a first impression. I guess they have enough guests that they don’t need to impress anyone. Without the souvenir shop, I’d give it zero stars overall.

The sea-view room felt welcoming and recently updated, with plenty of space, a comfortable big bed, ceiling fan, AC, and a smart TV with apps, though it couldn’t connect to local stations. The bathroom was roomy, the hot shower was excellent, and fresh towels came daily. The pillows were too flat, and there wasn’t enough storage for a week, so we couldn’t unpack both suitcases. The hotel is quiet and never felt crowded at four stories high. Even though it’s on the main road, our third-floor room at the back had no traffic noise, just heaps of birdsong each morning. The private beach was immaculate, with staff regularly clearing debris, and the locals’ care for the ocean was commendable. There’s clear water and plenty of coral just offshore. The hotel’s aesthetics are lovely, too. Breakfast was included and changed daily, but it was hit and miss, with nothing exceptional. The egg station made everything fresh, and there was good bread, including my favorite, purple yam and cheese. Most of the fruit was oranges, so I had to ask for bananas. There was just one domestic toaster, and only one side worked properly. The front coffee shop had delicious cakes and gifts. It takes about 20 minutes to walk into town, and being a little way out helps keep the place quiet. The local bus runs about hourly for a flat $1, with the last one around 3 pm. The front desk can arrange a taxi. Staff were mostly very helpful and willing to organize transport and tours, though they sometimes struggled with my Aussie accent. They could promote tours better, as there were no brochures out unless you asked. The pool area could use some tidying, and a few more deck chairs would help around both the pool and beach. The hotel also misses a chance to promote its in-house dive shop, including snorkel gear hire. Guests from the US, Canada, NZ, and Australia were directed to other operators like Fish and Fins, Neco, and Sams Tours, while Chinese guests regularly used the in-house shop. That seemed an inconvenience for guests and a missed source of revenue.

We had a wonderful five-night stay, and the place looks even better in person than in the photos. The room was huge and clean, and the staff were super nice. The egg guy, restaurant girls, and receptionist were flawless. Breakfast’s homemade chili jam from the head chef was so good. The house reef was great, with so many things to see. Explore both left and right, as well as the front, because the coral shapes are all different. The location worked perfectly for us, close to the main tour providers, nice restaurants, a cafe, and a minimart. Long John Park is nearby too, with surprisingly good snorkeling and a jungle trail. I left two of my underwater cameras on the outdoor shower after a long day tour. No judgment, haha. The next day they were waiting at reception. The garden staff must have found them, and I was really grateful and touched.