Pacific Travel
King Solomon: The Hotel with a View
A fascinating place with a history
By Ethel, her brown curly hair in a bun, smiles as she introduces herself. Ethel is working the day shift today at the King Solomon Hotels thatched and open-aired Leaf Haus Restaurant. Like Ethel, Mary, Bently and Helen make King Solomon Hotel a pleasant stay, always game for a chat on just about anything, which is lovely after a long, hot day out in the harsh Solomon Islands sun. But it's the Hapi Isles' and, to some extent, it shows. King Solomon is a medium-priced establishment conveniently located five minutes out of Honiara¹s central business district.
It currently caters for business clientele with a sprinkling of regular visitors, including transit guests such as divers on their way to the Western Province.
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Hotel manager Mark Day considers it a fascinating place with regard to its history. King Solomon was formerly the old Hibiscus Hotel, which was bought by Islands Hotels Limited in 1994. The company's regional portfolio includes: Gizo Explorer Hotel in the Western Province; and Granville Motel in Papua New Guinea.
King Solomon may be within the central business district area, but there's a good amount of greenery around to pacify even the most temperamental of moods.
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Getting to and from your room can either be part of a stimulating exercise regime walking or a brief run up/down a moderate to steep flight of stairs or a scenic ride, not in an elevator but in a pretty nifty red cable car. King Solomon Hotel is a four-level lodging. The 60 rooms (four self-contained and 56 balcony-style) are elevated by stilt-like wooden pillars permitting scenic views and located on a moderate uphill slope. Press button four and you¹re off on a slow, slightly bumpy ride up with the view of Iron Bottom Sound stretching before you.
Iron Bottom Sound is ideal for divers. It¹s a priceless underwater museum of sunken World War II vessels. The hotel pool, with water gently cascading down a rock face, makes for a refreshingly cool dip.
Day's core markets are mainly Australians and New Zealanders. Internet services aren't a problem. A Business Centre, alongside the hotel, features Internet facilities, boutique, salon and legal services. A short brisk walk from the hotel brings you to the ground floor of the Anthony Saru Building, where Internet facilities are also available.
