There are some hotels that whilst not very good make up for it by being an absolute institution, the Honiara Hotel is such a place. With its weird decor, eccentric owner and royal connections this is an absolute must when visiting the Solomon Islands.
And visit we have, with us staying at the Honiara Hotel on every singly incarnation of YPT’s world renowned Least Visited Countries Tour.
What the Honiara?
Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, is located on the island of Guadalcanal and has a population of around 85,000. Known for its pivotal role in World War II, it was the site of the Battle of Guadalcanal, a turning point in the Pacific theater. Today, visitors can explore war memorials, including the American War Memorial and Japanese Peace Park.
The bustling Central Market offers a glimpse into local life, with fresh produce, seafood, and handicrafts. While Honiara serves as the country’s political and economic hub, its rugged surroundings and rich history make it a fascinating destination for adventurous travelers.
What the Honiara Hotel
The iconic Honiara Hotel, perched on a hill overlooking the capital of the Solomon Islands, is a landmark blending colonial charm with local flavor. Established in 1969, the hotel has a storied history, hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and adventurous travelers alike.
With 56 rooms ranging from standard accommodations to luxury suites, it caters to a variety of budgets. The hotel features a pool, a vibrant bar, and stunning views of the harbor. Known for its quirky décor and the charm of its long-time owner, Sir Thomas Chan, the Honiara Hotel offers a unique stay steeped in local culture and history.
A Tim Burton Movie Set?
The main stand out part of this hotel though is the many animal sculptures that litter the place, mostly of the fishy variety. One gets the impression that they were initially put there perhaps in the 1970’s when they would have been cutting edge and have simply not moved since.
And this in some ways sums up the hotel, a hotel that has had Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate Middleton as its alumni. This is clearly a hotel that at its peak was the shit, but as time has gone by others have surpassed it as it has stayed in what can only be described as limbo. Ir is this though that for us at least just adds to the charm of the joint.
And Mr Chan
Sir Thomas Chan is a legendary figure in the Solomon Islands, best known as the charismatic owner of the iconic Honiara Hotel. Born into a Chinese-Solomon Islander family, Chan built a legacy of hospitality and business acumen that has made him a household name.
Beyond his hotel empire, he’s been a prominent community leader, fostering ties between the local and Chinese communities. Knighted for his contributions to the nation, Sir Thomas embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of the Pacific. His larger-than-life personality and dedication to the islands’ development make him a true Solomon Islands icon.
And while he is now certainly getting on a bit you will still see him hanging around the hotel always pleased to share a drink, or chat with the guests in his hotel.
Honiara Hotel Facilities
The rooms here, at least at the cheaper end are extremely basic and have a not so great retro feel to them. Generally they are twins with two small single beds at either side of the room. There is a desk, AC, a fridge, but alas little to no Wi-Fi in pretty much the whole hotel.
The nexus of the hotel though is gotten to by walking up what feels like endless stairs and that is the hotel pool, again with animal figurines looking down at you from every angle. This is also where the restaurant and bar are located, both of which seemingly still popular haunts with the Honiara locals.
The main restaurant in the Honiara Hotel is excellent and will garner its own article from me at some point. The bar is also pretty ace and was where we rang in 2025, complete with a midnight jump into the pool fully clothed. Some people even managed to befriend locals here, so overall a great success.
Aside from this there is randomly a chocolate and gift shop at reception, a Chinese restaurant out the front, a “Cuban” eatery ran by a Frenchman and a nightclub that was closed on New Years Eve – to call the Honiara Hotel eclectic would be a grave understatement.
Why stay at the Honiara Hotel?
Despite being the 15th least visited country in the world the Solomon Islands, much like Bougainville is very expensive. This means that there are extremely expensive resorts that are lovely and have casinos, but are just too much if you are here to travel.
At the bottom end there are local places that are frankly just not very safe. This laves the Honiara Hotel at around $100 a night as being positioned as what can best be described as the sweet spot.
There is though much much more to things than just that though! The Honiara Hotel, much like the Aist in Transnistria, the Menem in Nauru, or even the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang is quite simply an institution. Yes it has seen better days, but that is all just part of the much broader and wider charm of the place.
Honiara Hotel Address
Honiara Hotel
Address: Chinatown,
Mendana Avenue,
Honiara,
Solomon Islands
Phone Number: +677 21122
Generally speaking you will not find the hotel on many booking.com type sites, so it is best to get in touch with them directly.