In 2005, my then-four-year-old son and I stopped in Palau "en route" from a business trip to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. We arrived at the Palau Airport with no reservations whatsoever, and found out about this HK Motel by asking "where would a local stay?"

The value ($50 double) was more than adequate, because we did NOT want a resort atmosphere. Besides, visiting the nearby beach of the Palau Pacific Resort was free. The HK owner drove us to, and picked us up at the Peleliu/Malakal fisheries dock for the public boat to ($5!!) and the speedboat return from ($$$) an overnight Peleliu extension.

The HK is within walking distance of all of Koror, especially the superb and multi-frequented Rock Island Cafe; the Palau Visitor's Authority is just across the street from the HK.

If you have money to burn and prefer a luxury approach, this is clearly not your choice. But if you want an inexpensive base to tour a superb destination, this is a... more