The Palau Paradise was one of the few left with rooms available when we got around to booking and as it looked the cleanest out of what was on offer at the time, we went ahead and booked it.
Not disappointed. The hotel is literally bang in the centre of Koror with all the shops, restaurants, gift shops and department stores only stones throw away.
ROOMS
We were on the top floor and located at the back of the hotel. On arrival I felt slightly disappointed we were not at the front but that turns out to be a blessing.
Rooms facing the road are going to be a little more noisy at night. There are restaurants below on the 2nd and 1st floors and in Palau, it almost always rains at night so the traffic on the road will make it even a little more noisier.
Rooms at the back have an ocean view - perfect for waking up in the morning to see what the weather is going to be like for your boat trip out to wherever you're heading.
There is a fridge and kettle in your room and that's about it. We bought coffee and bread from the grocery shops so we could have breakfast in our rooms - dive tour pick up time is typically 8am and there are few choices for breakfast.
Rooms are large, airy, immaculate, clean and the housekeeping faultless. We had some noisy neighbours that liked their TV really, really loud. One call to reception and we never heard the TV again!
There is no elevator so if you find it difficult climbing stairs make sure to look for a room on a lower level.
STAFF
Brilliant staff, always friendly and helpful.
LOCATION
As mentioned it's as central as you can get. There are quieter places on the island but as a dive base with options for eating out and doing some shopping while off-gasing, you can't beat it.
For breakfast, on the main road about a 3 minute walk is Coffee Berry that has great food and coffee but doesn't open until 7am and service can be a little slow so you need to be already packed and ready to go if you want to have breakfast there. Finish up and head back to the hotel for your pick up.
Alternatively there is a bakery behind the hotel and even closer that opens for breakfast at 6:30 which is perfect.
For lunch and evening meals, the 2nd floor has one restaurant, 'Mogu Mogu', a Japanese themed restaurant with some of the most expensive beer and seafood on the entire island. Yes, it's convenient if you're just too tired to walk even a few minutes (which can happen with 3 dives day) but, no it's not worth it!
A San Miguel will cost you $8. The most expensive I saw on the island. You can buy them for $1.60 at the WCTC food market literally next door so why not keep a few in your fridge?!
If you see a bunch of bananas hanging in the stairway ripening, they are there for the guests to take freely so grab one of your way out in the morning!
Cameras are everywhere, night staff always outside the hotel so you can feel very secure here. I'd book again in a heartbeat.