The heading "Solomon Kitiano Mendana offers 96 international standard rooms" attracted my attention.

Even the glowing advertisement in the Solomon Islands Air magazine was enticing but....
clearly the Japanese ??owners/managers have never left the island to compare it with anything resembling international ... it was appalling.... 1* rating at best.

The staff were very courteous and helpful, the welcoming foyer very comfortable and welcoming but the standard of the room was abysmal.

Essentially the room was dirty, beds were tatty, bed linen not changed in 6 days despite hot humid weather. Blanket on one bed was little more than a cot blanket and was tatty with frayed edges .... bedspreads were fine but hid many shortcomings.

Bathroom ... wnat can I say ... water pressure was great ... take bleach to spray shower cubicle before use.

Will be looking elsewhere for future visits scheduled in May and September.

Upon arriving a few hours late due to airline delays, we found our 2 night pre-paid booking for a superior room had been canceled and given to another customer. The desk clerk said they had only one standard room available but it wasn't recommended (we found out what that meant!). We said we'd take it because we were tired, the hotel was sold out except for this one room, and we didn't want to get in a taxi and drive around looking for a room. The desk clerk said they could not help us find a room.

Oh my GAWD!!! It was the most disgusting room I have stayed in EVER, and that includes rooms with dirt floors, outdoor bathrooms, and no electricity. The room had been flooded and the floor tiles were not fastened down. I could see the line of mildew on the wall all the way around the room. The ripped and filthy drapes were held up by just 2 hooks. The closet had been used as a urinal. There were old food wrappers and a broom under the bed. The water in the bathroom sink could not be turned off. The shower was so filthy that we kept our shoes on. This was the first place I had ever stayed at where I did my business in the bathroom, opened the door, turned off the light, THEN went back in and washed my hands. I cannot even begin to describe the filth and crud all over every surface. Absolutely disgusting. I don't know if it's related or not, but my husband and I were very ill 2 days later.

I realize that we chose to stay here rather than search for another room. But we were in a tight spot.

People we had met elsewhere had stayed here and had a very nice experience. I will say the restaurant was excellent.

To add insult to injury, the hotel refused to refund our two nights for the superior room and charged us extra for the night is this dump!!!!

This was a very, very bad experience that ended an otherwise fabulous trip to the Solomons.

On this trip I stayed at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel which is set amongst tropical gardens right on the beach. The hotel is about two minutes from Honiara's government and business offices, and next door to the Point Cruz Yacht Club. I had a beach room complete with balcony and a glorious view of Point Cruz, Iron Bottom Sound, and the Florida Islands on the horizon. All rooms are air-conditioned, come with full tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, direct dial telephones and TV. My room had a queen-size bed and a single bed.

Wednesday is the day when a local group perform traditional island dancing in the courtyard after dinner. On these nights, the Mendana puts on a seafood buffet in the large air-conditioned Capitana Restaurant. Since the hotel is Japanese-owned, the delicacies included sushi and sashimi. I enjoyed a drink in the afternoon at the Raratana Terrace Cafe with stunning sea views and cooling sea breezes. The hotel also has a tour desk, gift shop, cashier, safe deposit facilities, large car park and a guest laundry. There is a swimming pool near the Raratana Terrace Cafe with outdoor lounges and umbrellas, and a panoramic view of Iron Bottom Sound.