Palm Beach Hotel Dili

The staff were really great, and they even arranged to have a moped rental brought right to the door. The rooms are huge, with separate sleeping and living areas, strong air conditioning, and all the amenities. There’s a nice pool and good Wi-Fi too. Maybe it doesn’t quite earn the full five stars, but it’s an outstanding place to stay in Dili. I doubt there’s much better in town.

I spent more than a year here and had a great stay. I still miss my fourth-floor room, especially the clear blue water and mountain views from the balcony. The compound felt very secure, with guards rotating through shifts, and all the staff were friendly, particularly former manager Eriz. Most of the longer-term residents were Japanese or worked for international organizations.

The airport transfer made things easy, and the staff were very helpful. It’s also handy for getting around, with the beach and Avenue de Portugal within walking distance for catching a microlet. The accommodation was comfortable, breakfast was good, and the air conditioning was amazing when I needed it.

The location is handy for the US Embassy and Plaza Market, and it’s right by the ocean. My room had a kitchen stocked with cookware and dishes, a washer and dryer, universal outlets, and a daily bottle of fresh water. It was large, had comfortable beds and a nice view, and the staff did an excellent job cleaning it. The pool was clean too. Good value, and I’d suggest booking directly instead of through an app. A few things could be better: the gym needs more middle-weight dumbbells, the towels sometimes smelled after they came back, and every other week the water would go off for 3 hours or more. The TV in my room was small. Breakfast was delicious with a good variety, and the staff were professional, helpful, and punctual.