Lamana Hotel

Rooms and decor

Ask anyone in Port Moresby which hotel has been part of the city longest, and many will say Lamana Hotel without thinking twice. It sits on Famagusta Road in the heart of Waigani, the government and business district of Papua New Guinea's capital. The building doesn't reach for flashy shapes — it's a solid, square, functional block that has done its job honestly for decades. Inside it opens into a bright lobby in warm earth tones, dressed with green tropical plants that give it the feel of a city resort. The central courtyard holds a pool ringed by palms and pale canvas chairs, ideal for a cold drink on a hot afternoon. Walk through the lobby and you catch coffee drifting over from the lounge bar. Most of the staff are long-serving locals who know the regular expats and business guests well, greeting them with a smile and a "Welcome back" that feels like a second home. The roughly 60 rooms and suites are done in a simple modern style, in easy browns and creams, with a soft king bed, plenty of pillows, and a sofa by the window for morning coffee.

Food and amenities

The air-con is properly cold, which is no small thing — in a city as hot and humid as Port Moresby year-round, that's something you won't find in a budget hotel. Rooms come with a minibar, a safe, free Wi-Fi, and a clean bathroom with strong hot water. Rooms facing the inner garden look onto the pool and palms and run quieter than those on the street side. The heart of Lamana is its everything-in-one-building set of facilities, which no other hotel in the city can match. There are three restaurants: an international buffet for breakfast and dinner, a seafood room serving fresh fish and prawns from the Papuan sea, and an Asian room known for its stir-fries and soups. There's a lounge bar for a glass of wine or the local SP Lager, a 24-hour gym, an outdoor pool, in-house bowling that's rare in the Asia-Pacific, and the best-known of all, The Gold Club, a basement nightclub that's the Friday and Saturday gathering point for expats and locals alike. You can quite literally take the lift down to the party.

Location and getting there

The Waigani location is another strong card — a government and business district close to everything a traveler needs. A few minutes' walk brings you to Parliament House, the city landmark designed in the style of a Sepik haus, and nearby sit the National Museum and Art Gallery, which displays the art and antiquities of Papua New Guinea's tribes, and Vision City Mega Mall, the biggest mall in the country, with a supermarket, restaurants, and a cinema — all under a 10 minute drive. Jacksons International Airport (POM) is about a 15-20 minute drive depending on traffic, and the best part is the free 24-hour airport shuttle — just send your flight number ahead by email or phone, with no risk of haggling over a taxi fare at the airport. In a city where safety is something you keep an eye on, that service is exactly why business travelers praise Lamana unanimously in reviews. For getting around town, the hotel can arrange a private car with a driver, far safer and easier than a regular taxi.

Things to know before booking

Plainly, to help you decide — the thing reviews mention most is the noise from The Gold Club on Friday and Saturday nights. The club runs until 3 or 4am, and the bass drifts into some room zones, especially rooms near the club entrance and on lower floors. If you sleep lightly or you're here to work and need a full night, state clearly when booking that you want "a room as far from the club zone and as high up as possible." Weeknights are quiet and fine. The other thing to understand is that you can barely walk anywhere from the hotel — Port Moresby isn't a safe city for strolling, especially for foreign visitors, so you'll rely on a taxi or the hotel car every time. Anyone used to checking in and wandering out on foot may find that restrictive. Finally, the rooms and common areas are functional and plain, not the luxury, photo-ready look of a boutique hotel. If you're expecting an Instagram-worthy experience, this isn't the answer — but if you value convenience, safety, and a full set of in-house facilities, you'll find it well worth it.

Our take

From reading through real reviews on Agoda, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor, Lamana Hotel is the choice that fits best in Port Moresby for business travelers and anyone who wants every convenience in one place. Three restaurants, bowling, a gym, the city's most famous club, and a free 24-hour airport shuttle, from about $100 a night, is strong value for a 4-star in this city. If your trip looks like landing late with a free car waiting, checking in for a good meal and a comfortable sleep, waking to a full breakfast buffet, and walking to a meeting at the government buildings a few minutes away — Lamana scores a perfect ten for that. But if you're a light sleeper arriving on a weekend, brace for the club noise and request a room far from that zone, or choose a weeknight instead. Overall we give it 8.0/10, best for business guests, couples who don't mind late-night sound, and travelers who want a safe base in the heart of the city without the hassle of going out.