Where to Stay in Solomon Islands

Where to Stay in Solomon Islands

A regional guide to accommodation across the country

Accommodation in Solomon Islands is refreshingly low-key and scattered across more than 900 islands, ranging from simple village stays to small eco-resorts and a handful of international-standard hotels. Most inventory clusters around the capital, Honiara, on Guadalcanal, and in the Western Province town of Gizo, gateway to excellent diving and solomon islands beaches. Outside these hubs, expect family-run guesthouses, mission-style lodges and coral-reef eco-camps reachable by boat or domestic flight; Wi-Fi and air-con are bonuses rather than guarantees. Wherever you roam, the Solomons’ communal culture means hosts often include meals, airport pick-ups or village tours in the nightly rate, so always ask what’s covered before you compare solomon islands hotels online. Regional variation is pronounced: Guadalcanal and Malaita offer the widest choice of mid-range business hotels, while Choiseul, Isabel and the remote Temotu provinces specialise in grass-roots homestays ideal for surfers, bird-watchers and travellers tracking WWII relics. The New Georgia group (Munda, Gizo, Seghe) has the country’s only true over-water bungalows and dive resorts, filling up with serious divers between May and October. Accommodation is almost entirely owner-operated; global chains are absent, so expect personalised service, flexible meal times and, frequently, generator-powered electricity that switches off after midnight. Because supply is limited, advance planning is essential— if you want one of the boutique dive lodges or a bungalow within paddling distance of uncrowded surf breaks. On the other hand, spontaneous backpackers can usually find a clean church guesthouse for under USD 40, and camping on village land is culturally acceptable if you ask the chief first. Whether you’re here for the coral gardens, war history or things to do in solomon islands, your choice of base will dictate both budget and experience style more than in most South-Pacific destinations.
Budget
USD 30–60 per night for village guesthouse or church lodge room, usually shared facilities
Mid-Range
USD 90–180 per night for air-conditioned hotel room or eco-bungalow with private bathroom
Luxury
USD 220–450 per night for over-water or beachfront suite, full-board packages common

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Regions of Solomon Islands

Each region has a distinct character and accommodation scene. Find the one that matches your travel plans.

Greater Honiara & Guadalcanal
Mid-range

The political and commercial heart holds half the nation’s rooms—everything from backpacker dorms to harbour-view business hotels—plus the best restaurants, museums and WWII sites.

Accommodation: Small 20-80-room hotels, mostly locally owned with restaurants and conference halls
Gateway Cities
Where to stay in this region
First-time visitors Business travellers WWII history buffs
Western Province – Gizo & Surrounds
Mixed

Coral atolls, WWII wrecks and excellent dive sites make Gizo the country’s tourism engine, lined with over-water bungalows and eco-lodges.

Accommodation: Over-water and beach-front bungalows run by dive operators
Gateway Cities
Gizo Munda Seghe
Where to stay in this region
Scuba divers Surfers Island-hoppers
New Georgia – Munda & Noro
Mid-range

Munda’s coral walls and skull-island culture are drawing increasing numbers of divers and adventure flyers arriving on the new airstrip.

Accommodation: Eco-lodges attached to dive shops
Gateway Cities
Munda Noro
Where to stay in this region
Dive ensoiasts Cultural explorers
Malaita Island
Budget

Traditional shell-money culture and lush highlands attract culture-seekers, with most beds in Auki town and along the lagoon.

Accommodation: Simple guesthouses and provincial lodge
Gateway Cities
Auki
Where to stay in this region
Culture & tradition Adventure trekkers
Central Islands – Tulagi & Savo
Budget

Tulagi’s deep-water harbour and Savo’s steaming volcano offer off-the-grid stays popular with yachties and history divers.

Accommodation: Colonial-era guesthouses and village homestays
Gateway Cities
Tulagi Savo
Where to stay in this region
Budget Tulagi Waterfront Guesthouse

Former 1930s administrator’s house with sea-view veranda and shared self-cook kitchen.

Mid Range Tulagi Island Resort

Dive-centre combo with air-con rooms and fast boat to nearby WWII fleet wrecks.

Luxury Savo Eco-Lodge

Three solar bungalows tucked inside the volcanic crater rim with guided night-time turtle tagging.

Yacht crews Volcano hikers
Isabel & Shortland Islands
Budget

Pristine reefs and dugong havens draw live-aboard divers; land stays are limited to mission stations and eco-camps.

Accommodation: Mission guesthouses and conservation eco-camps
Gateway Cities
Buala Samasodu
Where to stay in this region
Budget Buala Mission Resthouse

Basic rooms beside the 1902 Anglican cathedral and free canoe use to the mangrove boardwalk.

Mid Range Tiraa Eco-Lodge

Community-run solar units on stilts over the lagoon, meals cooked with village-grown vegetables.

Luxury Kakasa Private Island Villa

Single clifftop villa leased from the tribe, with chef, dive guide and 270-degree reef view.

Marine conservationists Dive live-aboard add-ons
Makira-Ulawa Province
Budget

Makira’s highland rainforests and unique birdlife attract researchers and hikers; expect village stays with kastom guides.

Accommodation: Village homestays and research station bunks
Gateway Cities
Kirakira
Where to stay in this region
Budget Hada River Village Stay

Mats on the floor, three home-cooked meals and guided night walks to see the endemic kingfisher.

Mid Range Makira Research Lodge

Solar power and lab space for visiting scientists, open to tourists when rooms free.

Luxury Rawaki Reef Safari Camp

Five safari tents on a private motu, reached by 4×4 and boat, with chef and marine biologist host.

Bird-watchers Trekkers
Rennell & Bellona
Budget

UNESCO-listed Rennell’s raised coral atoll offers the South Pacific’s largest lake and unique Polynesian culture, with only a handful of guesthouses.

Accommodation: Family guesthouses beside Lake Tegano
Gateway Cities
Tigoa
Where to stay in this region
Budget Tetea Village Stay

Sleep in a thatched hut, paddle dug-out canoes and eat freshwater prawns from the lake.

Mid Range Tegano Eco-Lodge

Five lake-view bungalows with 24-hour solar and free airport transfers across the coral runway.

Luxury Migeto Private Beach Villa

Clifftop coral-stone house with satellite Wi-Fi and private chef flown in from Honiara.

World Heritage hikers Culture researchers
Temotu – Santa Cruz & Reef Islands
Budget

The country’s easternmost province feels closer to Vanuatu, famed for red-feather money and excellent surf; accommodation is ultra-limited.

Accommodation: Government rest house and village stays
Gateway Cities
Lata
Where to stay in this region
Budget Lata Provincial Guesthouse

Clean government rooms, cold showers and the only restaurant serving fresh tuna curry nightly.

Mid Range Nendö Surf & Stay

Two timber bungalows run by the island’s best surf guide who provides boat access to 6-ft reef breaks.

Luxury Mota Reef Eco-Villa

Solar-powered coral-lime villa on its own motu, reached by outboard and staffed by village chefs.

Hard-core surfers Anthropology buffs
Choiseul Bay Area
Budget

Choiseul’s dense rainforest and dugong-filled bays remain well off the visitor map, with homestays linked to conservation projects.

Accommodation: Community homestays and ranger stations
Gateway Cities
Taro
Where to stay in this region
Budget Taro Village Stay

Mat floors, shared facilities and nightly string-band performances under the mango tree.

Mid Range Poroporo Dugong Homestay

Solar-lit bungalows beside a calm bay where dugongs feed at dawn—kayaks and guide included.

Luxury Choiseul Ridge Wilderness Lodge

Four-suite ridge lodge with 360-degree jungle views and helicopter pad for private charters.

Conservation volunteers Off-grid explorers

Accommodation Landscape

What to expect from accommodation options across Solomon Islands

International Chains

Solomon Islands has no international chains; all properties are locally or regionally owned, giving visitors authentic Pacific hospitality but limited loyalty-program perks.

Local Options

Village guesthouses and church missions dominate outer islands—expect shared bathrooms, set meals and inclusion of cultural activities such as shell-money making or lagoon fishing.

Unique Stays

Over-water bungalows (Fatboys, Sanbis), WWII relic dive lodges, lake-front eco-camps on Rennell, and kastom homestays where guests sleep in leaf houses and pay via traditional shell money.

Booking Tips for Solomon Islands

Country-specific advice for finding the best accommodation

Reserve Early for Dive Lodges

Properties in Munda, Gizo and Uepi have fewer than 30 beds combined; book six months ahead for July–September and always reconfirm flights because cancellations ripple through island supply.

Ask What’s Included

Meals, airport boat transfers and sometimes dive tanks are bundled; clarify before you compare nightly rates, in Western Province where fuel surcharges can double the bill.

Carry Cash for Outer Islands

ATMs exist only in Honiara, Gizo and Noro; guesthouses elsewhere accept cash (SBD) or sometimes Australian dollars—cards won’t work, and village stays rarely invoice electronically.

When to Book

Timing matters for both price and availability across Solomon Islands

High Season

Secure rooms at least four months ahead for June–August and the Christmas window; over-water bungalows sell out first.

Shoulder Season

April–May and September–October offer decent weather and lower crowds; two–three weeks advance booking is usually sufficient.

Low Season

November–March sees cyclone risk and heavy rain; many resorts close for maintenance—confirm operations and book flexible rates one–two weeks out.

For anywhere outside Honiara, reconfirm your reservation 48 hours before domestic flights, as irregular schedules often force lodge owners to shuffle bookings.

Good to Know

Local customs and practical information for Solomon Islands

Check-in / Check-out
Reception desks close 7–9 pm on outer islands; advise property of late domestic flights or arrange boat pick-up in advance.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary, but leaving SBD 10–20 per night for village cooks or dive guides is appreciated; high-end resorts add 10% service charge.
Payment
Cash (Solomon Islands Dollar) dominates; Visa/MasterCard accepted only in Honiara’s larger hotels—carry small notes for village stays.
Safety
Crime is low, but lock doors in Honiara; on outer islands secure valuables in provided lockers and respect reef taboos indicated by village chiefs.

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