Planning a stay in Palau often starts with choosing where to base yourself in Koror. Palau Central Hotel, a 54-room boutique property on Main Street, offers free Wi‑Fi, a complimentary breakfast buffet, and a garden pool—features confirmed by the hotel’s official website. This review digs into its amenities, location, and guest feedback to help you decide if it fits your travel style.

Last checked: 2026-09-06

Hotel name: Palau Central Hotel · Location: Downtown Koror, Palau · Nearby landmarks: WCTC Shopping Center, Etpison Museum · Key amenities: Pool, restaurant, spa, gift shop, conference center, free breakfast buffet

Palau Central Hotel at a glance

1 Hotel name

• Palau Central Hotel (Official site)

2 Location

• Downtown Koror, Palau – 1724 Main Street (Trip.com)

3 Nearby landmarks

• WCTC Shopping Center, Etpison Museum (Trip.com)

4 Key amenities

• Pool, restaurant (Canoe House), spa (Central Spa), gift shop, conference center, free breakfast buffet (Official site)

Feature	Details
Number of rooms	54 fully renovated, state-of-the-art rooms
Pool	Yes – garden pool on-site
Breakfast	Free buffet included
On-site dining	Canoe restaurant
Spa	Yes, attached spa
Tripadvisor rating	Highly recommended (small, modern, clean)

Where is it best to stay in Palau?

Koror is the commercial and tourism hub of Palau, and accommodation choices range from downtown hotels to coastal resorts. Palau Central Hotel sits right on Main Street, steps from the WCTC Shopping Center and a short walk to the Etpison Museum, according to Trip.com. That central location means guests can walk to restaurants, shops, and tour operators without needing a car.

Downtown Koror vs coastal resorts

Coastal resorts like Palau Pacific Resort offer beachfront settings and larger grounds, but they require transportation to reach Koror’s dining and shopping. Palau Central Hotel, marketed as a 3.5-star property on Travelocity, puts you in the thick of the action. Its 54 rooms are fully renovated, and the hotel provides a free airport shuttle for a surcharge, available on request (Travelocity).

Palau Central Hotel’s central location

Proximity to cultural attractions and natural wonders is a key advantage. The Etpison Museum, which showcases Palauan history and artifacts, is within walking distance. For scuba divers and snorkelers, many tour companies operate from the downtown area. The hotel itself can arrange activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and diving, as noted on Booking.com. What this means: If you prefer to be in the middle of Koror’s daily life rather than isolated at a beach resort, this hotel offers convenience you can’t beat.

Palau Central Hotel specifications

Specification	Details
Star rating (marketed)	3.5-star – confirmed by Travelocity and other booking platforms
Room count	Approximately 50–54 rooms (Expedia and official site vary slightly)
Wi‑Fi	Free throughout the hotel – official site
Breakfast	Complimentary Western buffet – Travelocity
Pool	Outdoor garden pool with shaded lounge area – TripAdvisor
Spa	Central Spa offering massages – HRS
On-site restaurant	The Canoe House – American-style dishes, local favorites, live entertainment – HRS
In-room coffee	Keurig coffee makers with quality coffee – official site
Bedding	GhostBed mattresses, hypoallergenic pillows – official site
Sustainability	Wall-mounted toiletries dispensers (Ginger Lily Botanicals), reusable glass water bottles – official site

What are some of the best luxury hotels in Palau?

When travelers search for luxury in Palau, three names consistently appear: Palau Central Hotel, Palau Pacific Resort, and Palau Royal Resort. Each has a distinct character. Palau Central Hotel is a modern boutique option with 54 renovated rooms, a pool, and a spa. Palau Pacific Resort is a larger beachfront property. Palau Royal Resort positions itself as a top-end alternative.

Palau Central Hotel: modern boutique option

With its downtown location and contemporary amenities—GhostBed mattresses, Smart TVs, USB ports—Palau Central Hotel appeals to travelers who want comfort without the resort price tag. Guest reviews on Trip.com give it an overall rating of 9.3 out of 10 for amenities, service, and cleanliness as of March 2025.

Palau Pacific Resort: beachfront resort

Palau Pacific Resort sits on a private beach and offers extensive grounds, multiple dining venues, and a dedicated dive center. It is widely considered the island’s premier resort. However, it is located outside central Koror, requiring a shuttle or taxi for dining and shopping.

Palau Royal Resort: luxury alternative

Palau Royal Resort is an upscale property also located near the water, with a spa, multiple restaurants, and a design that emphasizes relaxation. Its room count and price point position it above mid-range hotels like Palau Central Hotel.

Comparison of top Palau hotels

Hotel name	Room count	Pool	Restaurant	Spa	Free breakfast	Price band
Palau Central Hotel	~54	Yes	Yes (Canoe House)	Yes	Yes	Mid-range
Palau Pacific Resort	~160	Yes	Multiple	Yes	Not always	Premium
Palau Royal Resort	~80	Yes	Yes	Yes	Not standard	Luxury
Palau Hotel	~50	No	Limited	No	Sometimes	Budget

Pricing note: Palau Central Hotel occupies the mid-range band. Exact nightly rates vary by season and are not static; booking platforms show dynamic pricing. The property does not publish fixed rates, so travelers should compare on Expedia, Booking.com, or directly with the hotel.

“Palau Central Hotel offers newly renovated state of the art rooms located in the center of shopping, restaurants and activities.”

The bottom line: “Palau Central Hotel offers newly renovated state of the art rooms located in the center of shopping, restaurants and activities.”

— Palau Central Hotel marketing description, sourced from TripAdvisor

What is the difference between a hotel and a resort?

This question matters when choosing accommodation in Palau. Resorts typically offer more on-site activities, multiple dining options, and all-inclusive packages. Hotels like Palau Central Hotel focus on room comfort, convenience, and personalized service.

Key features: pool, restaurant, spa, activities

Palau Central Hotel includes all three: a garden pool, the Canoe House restaurant, and a full-service spa. But it does not have a private beach or extensive grounds. Activities like snorkeling and diving are arranged off-site. Booking.com lists hiking, kayaking, and fishing as bookable activities.

How Palau Central Hotel fits the hotel category

With its central location, 54 rooms, and a la carte amenities, it fits squarely in the boutique hotel segment. It lacks the “all-inclusive” feel of a resort, but compensates with modern fittings such as GhostBed mattresses, Keurig coffee makers, and USB charging ports (official site). The trade-off: You trade beachfront acreage for walkable access to Koror’s restaurants and shops—perfect for travelers who plan to spend most of their days exploring.

Does the Palau Hotel have a pool?

Yes. Palau Central Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool set in a garden area with hammocks and shaded loungers, according to TripAdvisor. The pool area includes a massage table, adding a spa-like touch.

Palau Central Hotel’s pool and garden

Guest reviews frequently mention the pool as a pleasant spot to unwind after a day of diving. The garden setting provides shade and privacy, and the hotel supplies towels. The pool is not a lap pool but is adequate for cooling off.

Other Palau hotels with pools

Palau Pacific Resort has a large free-form pool, and Palau Royal Resort has a pool as well. Among mid-range options, Palau Hotel does not have a pool, making Palau Central Hotel a better choice for guests who want on-site swimming.

Pros and cons of Palau Central Hotel

• Pros:
  • Central downtown location – walk to shops and restaurants
  • Free breakfast buffet included – saves time and money
  • Modern rooms with GhostBed mattresses and Keurig coffee makers
  • Garden pool and full-service spa on-site
  • Free Wi‑Fi throughout
  • Sustainability efforts: no single-use plastic toiletries, glass water bottles
  • High guest ratings on Trip.com (9.3) and positive TripAdvisor feedback
• Cons:
  • Not a beachfront property – no direct beach access
  • Pets are not allowed (Trip.com policy)
  • Airport shuttle incurs a surcharge (Travelocity)
  • No all-inclusive packages – dining and activities are separate costs
  • Limited on-site entertainment beyond the Canoe House’s live music

“Start your morning with the highest quality coffee made in-room with Keurig coffee makers.”

— Palau Central Hotel official site, Amenities page

Our recommendation: Palau Central Hotel for central convenience

Frequently asked questions about Palau Central Hotel

Does Palau Central Hotel have a pool?

Yes, it has a garden pool with shaded lounge area, hammocks, and a massage table (TripAdvisor).

Is breakfast included?

Yes, a free Western-style buffet breakfast is provided daily (Travelocity).

What dining options are available?

The on-site Canoe House restaurant offers American-style dishes and local favorites, plus live entertainment (HRS).

How many rooms does Palau Central Hotel have?

Approximately 54 fully renovated rooms, with some booking platforms listing 50 (Expedia, official site).

Is there a spa at Palau Central Hotel?

Yes, Central Spa offers massages and other treatments (HRS).

Where is Palau Central Hotel located?

1724 Main Street, downtown Koror, near WCTC Shopping Center and Etpison Museum (Trip.com).

What are the nearby attractions?

Etpison Museum, WCTC Shopping Center, and various restaurants and dive shops are within walking distance.

The bottom line: Etpison Museum, WCTC Shopping Center, and various restaurants and dive shops are within walking distance.