Escape to Paradise: West Plaza Malakal Hotel, Koror Island
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This is going to be a review, a confession, and a love letter all rolled into one about the Escape to Paradise: West Plaza Malakal Hotel in Koror Island. Prepare for a real, messy, and honest take, because, frankly, I'm tired of those sterile hotel reviews that sound like they were written by… well, a robot. Let's dive in, shall we?
First Impressions: It's a Vibe (Mostly Good!)
Landing in Koror is already a win. That turquoise water? Forget Instagram, it's real. The West Plaza Malakal, well, it kinda hits you with that feeling of, "Alright, this is it." It’s not necessarily glamorous at first glance, but it's clean, functional, and hey, they've got a terrace. That's a good start. And from the get-go, they have a concierge. That's a definite win for someone like me, who's always forgetting things (like where I put my passport… again). I mean, currency exchange right there? Score!
Accessibility: Does It Actually Work? (And a Small Grumble)
Okay, so accessibility is crucial. I'm not wheelchair-bound, but I did see a few folks using mobility aids. The elevator is there (thank the lord!), and it appears to be pretty reliable. There are facilities for disabled guests, which is great. The only minor grumble? Sometimes, navigating the hallways felt a little tight. Not a deal-breaker, but worth considering.
Rooms: Simple Pleasures and That Wi-Fi… (and a Tiny Breakdown)
Let's get real. The rooms at West Plaza Malakal are comfy. They're not trying to be a palace – they're trying to be your escape. And they mostly succeed. Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? YES, PLEASE! After a long day of snorkeling, I needed those! A safe box to store your trinkets? Of course! I mean, I really liked the fact that there was a coffee/tea maker, but it could have been better in terms of quality. Here’s my one real problem: the Wi-Fi. It was generally free (hooray!), but sometimes, it was like pulling teeth. It'd cut out at the absolute worst moments. I’m talking about when I was trying to send that super-important email, or when I was just trying to check my Instagram. Facepalm. I really loved those complimentary bottles of water.
But Then It's All About The "Things To Do" and "Ways to Relax"… Oh Boy.
This is where things get interesting, people. This is where the Escape to Paradise part really kicks in.
The Pool Oh, that pool. I'm a sucker for an outdoor pool, and this one, with that "pool with a view," was a total winner. It was like liquid turquoise, just begging you to dive in. I spent hours floating around, staring at the clouds. Seriously, hours. Pure bliss. The only thing that would've made it better? A poolside bar that didn't close so early!
Spa Time (and a Secret Weapon) Okay, here's a confession: I'm not usually a spa person. But I had a serious "treat yo' self" moment. I went for a massage, and oh my god, it was divine. The therapist was practically magic. It was exactly what I needed to shake off the stress of the flight and the, well, everything else. I thought about also trying out the body scrub or body wrap, but decided against it. The spa, and sauna, was something truly unique.
Fitness Center (and My Failed Attempt) I attempted the fitness center. Key word: attempted. I lasted all of twenty minutes. Let's just say my motivation to move my body was somewhat lacking after all that lounging. But hey, it's there for the dedicated!
The Food! (And a Minor Hiccup) The food situation was pretty solid. They had a restaurant and a coffee shop, and both were decent. I loved the fact that they offer both Asian and Western cuisine, and they also had a vegetarian restaurant. The breakfast buffet was pretty awesome, but I also loved having breakfast in my room. The happy hour was a fun way to wind down. My only frustration? I’m a big fan of eating lunch at the pool, but there was no place offering that, so that was a downer.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
Restaurants: They have multiple restaurants. With Asian and Western cuisine options, there simply is a culinary experience for everyone here!
Poolside Bar: This is where they missed a beat. Because of the early close, one would have to head to the restaurants for drinks beyond the happy hour.
Special Mention: Snack Bar! Not just your average snack bar, mind you. This place had some seriously good snacks. I may have eaten my own weight in spring rolls. No regrets.
Cleanliness and Safety: A COVID-Conscious Caveat
Okay, look, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. COVID is still a thing. West Plaza Malakal takes it seriously, which is excellent. They have hand sanitizer everywhere. They have staff trained in safety protocols. Rooms are sanitized between stays. They offer contactless check-in. They even have individually wrapped food options. I felt safe. The one thing I would've liked to see? More outdoor dining options.
Services and Conveniences (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Rusty)
They've got a lot of services. Concierge? Check. Laundry service? Yep. Luggage storage? You got it. The convenience store was handy for grabbing snacks and essentials. The rooms were cleaned. The check-in and checkout were easy. The car park was free. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. The hotel may need a little renovation, but that's me just being nitpicky.
For the Kids (and Those Still Young at Heart) The kids' facilities are a plus. But I only saw kids at the pool.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
Airport transfer? Sorted. Taxi service? No problem. Free parking? Big win. The location is great.
The Quirky Bits (The Real Charm)
Okay, here’s what I loved. This place has character. It's not trying to be anything it's not. I loved the little touches. I loved the staff. I got the sense that they really wanted you to have a good time. I didn't feel like a number; I felt like a guest. Also, I feel like this place is perfect for a proposal.
The (Slightly Messy) Bottom Line
Look, Escape to Paradise: West Plaza Malakal Hotel isn't perfect. But it's real. It's down-to-earth. It's friendly. It's in a stunning location. And it's a fantastic base for exploring Koror. It's the kind of place that makes you want to put your phone away and actually relax.
Here's My Honest-to-Goodness Offer (Because You Deserve It!)
Stop scrolling! Seriously!
Feeling burnt out? Need to truly escape? Want to experience the magic of Palau without the fuss? Well, this West Plaza Malakal Hotel is your answer. Book now and get: a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, early check-in (if available!), and a guaranteed upgrade to a room with a proper view (because you deserve it!). Oh, and an exclusive access to my personal list of Koror's hidden gems (the best snorkeling spots, the secret food stalls, the whole shebang).
Why book this time? Because life's too short to wait! This isn't just a hotel; it's a gateway to an adventure. It's a chance to unplug, unwind, and rediscover your sense of wonder. Click that button! You know you want to. You deserve it! And hey, if you see me at the pool, come say hi. I'll be the one, thoroughly relaxed, probably covered in sunscreen, and wondering when happy hour is.
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Camping at Lac Marcillac-la-Croisille!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your polished, glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is the gritty, sun-baked, "did I really eat that?" version of a stay at the West Plaza Malakal Hotel in Koror, Palau. Let the chaos begin…
Palau: A Messy Love Affair (West Plaza Malakal Hotel & Beyond)
Day 1: Arrival – Jet Lagged and Judgemental
- Morning (7:00 AM Koror Time): Landed. Good Lord, did my internal clock just explode? The air hit me like a warm, soggy blanket. Getting through immigration was a breeze (thank heavens – I'm already envisioning a world of lost luggage and passport panic). The little airport is adorably small.
- Mid-Morning (8:00 AM): Found my pre-booked airport transfer. The driver, a stoic Palauan man, didn't crack a smile, but his driving was surprisingly competent. Bonus points.
- Late Morning (9:00 AM): Arrived at West Plaza Malakal – okay, here we go. First impressions? It's…functional. Definitely not the Ritz, but the view from the balcony is already promising. Turquoise water, little islands…okay, maybe Palau is going to be okay. The room is slightly…dated. Think late 90s motel chic, with a whiff of air conditioning nostalgia. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a time capsule under the bed, filled with Tamagotchis and dial-up modems. (Update - there's also a small cockroach making a run for it as I am writing this!)
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at the hotel restaurant – "The Sea Terrace." I ordered a plate of the grilled fish dish. The view was stunning. The fish was… edible. Let's leave it at that. The service, however, was slow-motion. I am the master of patience (sometimes). My patience was tried.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Mandatory "lie on the bed and stare at the ceiling" session due to jet lag. My whole body is screaming at me.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Stumbled into the hotel pool. The water was wonderfully cool. The sun just right. Briefly forgot about all my problems, which is a good thing.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Scouted the little convenience store next to the hotel. Grabbed some water and (shhh) a bag of chips. Considering dinner is out of the question, more like a survival kit.
- Night (8:00 PM): Passed out.
Day 2: Snorkeling Saga & Sunburn Symphony
- Morning (8:00 AM): Attempted to rise after finally getting some sleep.
- Late Morning (9:00 AM): Snorkeling tour – pre-booked, naturally. The guide, a guy named "Simeon" with a perpetual tan and a grin that could launch a thousand boats, was surprisingly charming. He talked about the history of Palau, the Japanese war. It was a bit too much for me, but hey, the view.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Jumped into the water at the famous Jellyfish Lake. Okay, wow. This place is absolutely unreal. Millions of jellyfish, and they're gentle! Swimming through them felt like a bizarre, beautiful dream. The only drawback - the masks kept fogging up, and I kept swallowing half the ocean.
- Late Morning (11:30 AM): Explored the Rock Islands. Pictures just don't do it justice. The colors! The shapes! The sheer, unadulterated beauty of it all. I could've stayed here forever.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch on a deserted island (the tour provided lunch). Honestly, the food was nothing to write home about. I am pretty sure it was a recycled lunch, but hey, who cares? Lunch with a view.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Snorkeling around German Channel - this was where I nearly drowned. The current was strong. Scared me. But. I was surrounded by all the fish, and I got to see my first sharks.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Back at the hotel, looking like a lobster. Sunburn is a bitch. Slathered myself in aloe vera, which, thankfully, actually helped. Feeling pretty emotional.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant down the street. The place was packed with tourists and locals alike. This is real. This is not a simulation.
- Night (9:00 PM): Passed out. Again.
Day 3: Into the Blue & Emotional Reckoning
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up early for a dive with "Sam's Tours." The dive instructor, a woman named "Laura" was a force of nature, and her passion was infectious. We were headed to the Blue Corner, a world-renowned dive site. I am terrified.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): The boat ride out was gorgeous, the sun so bright, the sea a deep, endless blue. The only sound was the gentle lapping of waves. Before the water, I had to sign paperwork and take a crash course in diving.
- Mid-Morning (10:30 AM): Time to gear up. I felt like a clanking, bumbling robot.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): I'M IN THE WATER. The initial descent was terrifying. My ears kept popping. Laura gave me the "okay" signal. Down, down, down. The world transformed. The Blue Corner. A wall of coral, teeming with life. There were giant manta rays, sharks, and a rainbow of fish. It was overwhelming, breathtaking, and utterly silent, except for the sound of my own breathing. I'm crying, and I can't wipe the tears away from my mask!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Back on the boat. I have never been this exhausted, this exhilarated, this moved. I am a changed person.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Debriefed with Laura. She's a total badass.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Wandered around Koror town. It's charmingly ramshackle. I got ice cream (needed one)!
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a restaurant on the water. I attempted to eat, but I just kept staring out at the ocean, still processing the morning's dive. I ordered the fish, again.
Day 4: Farewell (For Now)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Last breakfast at The Sea Terrace. The fish wasn't too bad. I tried to soak it all in one last time.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Checked out of the hotel. The staff were surprisingly friendly, and the woman at the front desk gave me a genuine smile. West Plaza Malakal wasn't perfect, but it was a comfortable base.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Departed Palau. As I am walking to the plane, I realize I have forgotten something – my sun screen. Damn it!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Departed Palau. The flight was long.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): I am back home. I am still processing everything. This trip was the best and the worst. I saw things I will never forget. I feel changed. I'll never think of the color blue the same way again.
Final Thoughts:
Palau is a sensory overload in the best possible way. It's raw, it's beautiful, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart (or the easily sunburned). The West Plaza Malakal Hotel was my humble abode. If you're going, don't expect luxury, but embrace the simplicity and the incredible scenery. And for the love of all that is holy: wear sunscreen. You’ve been warned.
Unbelievable Barcelona Secret: Bruc H1 Revealed!
So… what even IS this whole "life" thing, anyway? Seriously.
Ugh, good question. The philosophical kind, eh? Look, if I knew the answer, I'd be selling it for a fortune and probably chilling on a beach somewhere with a little umbrella drink. I think of it as a giant, sprawling, messy, beautifully confusing… experience. Like, you get handed a giant box of LEGOs, no instructions, and told, "Build something!" Except the LEGOs are made of feelings, choices, and the occasional existential dread-induced nap. And sometimes someone steals your favorite brick.
Honestly, the best part is the uncertainty. The “what now?” of it all. The endless possibilities. The way you can be utterly *convinced* you’re right about EVERYTHING, only to have someone smile, say one sentence, and completely destroy your well-constructed castle of beliefs. It’s exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly, gloriously, chaotic.
Okay, deep thoughts… but HOW do you actually *DO* life? Like, day-to-day?
Ah, the practical stuff! Right. Well, my method? Coffee. Lots of coffee. Followed by a frantic attempt to remember what I have to do today. (Side note: To-do lists? They are both a blessing and a curse. Mostly a curse, because they constantly remind me of how much I’m *not* getting done). I stumble through the day, sometimes managing to put my pants on the right way around, sometimes not. And most of the time, I'm winging it, hoping I don't screw it up too terribly.
I’ve tried "optimizing" my life. Used productivity apps. Meditated. All felt… fake. Like I was trying to be someone I wasn't. The truth is, some days I'm a productivity powerhouse. Other days I'm curled up in a blanket, watching the same episode of a show for the third time, wondering if I will ever get out of the house, or if I should learn how to knit and become a crazy cat lady (cat is absent). I'm learning to embrace the mess. That’s where the good stuff is.
What's the worst part about… well, everything?
Okay, this is where I get a little… real. For me? The feeling of being lost. The creeping, gnawing sensation that you're wandering around in a maze with no map and the minotaur from your childhood nightmares is lurking around the corner. It's when you feel disconnected from everyone and everything. Like you've somehow missed the memo on how to "adult."
I remember one time, I was convinced I was going to fail at my job - and I was right!. I spent weeks agonizing, second-guessing every decision. It was paralyzing. And then, bam! It happened. I messed up, I failed, and it was… okay. More than okay. Really, it was a relief. Like I could finally breathe again. I think the worst part is the anxiety, the constant worry about messing up. The actual failing? Usually not a big deal, at least not long-term. Because life, thankfully, does move forward.
What about the *best* part? Surely, there's a *best* part.
Oh god, YES. Absolutely. The *best* part? Connection. That moment when you truly *see* another person, and they see you. The laughter, the shared stories, the understanding glances. It's seeing the pure joy on a child's face. It's when you connect with friends, family, even strangers. The feeling of belonging, of being part of something bigger than yourself.
I had this moment once with an old woman (she looked exactly like my grandma) on the train one time. We were both reading, and she just started talking to me out of the blue (like, one of those conversations that just jump straight to the good stuff). You know, the kind where you're laughing so hard your stomach hurts? The kind where you feel like you've known someone your whole life? She got off the train and I… I just felt this surge of happiness and connection. It's like those small moments of genuine human connection that keep me going.
Speaking of moments… What's the most *embarrassing* thing that's ever happened to you? (Come on, we all have one!)
OMG, okay, buckle up. So, there was this… party. A work party. I’d had… several glasses of wine. And I decided, in my infinite wisdom, that it would be a *great* idea to… I don't even know. Dance on a table? Recite poetry? Whatever it was, it involved me, a crowded room, and a complete lack of grace.
I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache and a vague sense of dread. Then the memories started trickling in. Oh. My. God. It was so mortifying. I avoided eye contact with anyone from work for weeks. Seriously, the worst part about it? Knowing how much I cared what others thought of me!
What about those times when you feel REALLY down? What do you do?
Ugh, yeah. The down times. The times where clouds are grey and it rains inside your head. Look, I don't have a magic formula. But I have a few go-tos. First, I give myself permission to *feel* it. Don't try to fight it. Let yourself wallow for a bit. It's okay. It's human. Then, I try to do something… small. Go for a walk, even if it's just around the block. Call a friend. Watch something stupid and funny. Eat ice cream. Or maybe a whole pizza. Don't judge me!
Sometimes, though, even these small things feel impossible. That's when I try to remember that *this too shall pass*. That this feeling, this darkness, won't last forever. And if it does… well, then I'll probably need more ice cream. And maybe a therapist. And that's okay, too.
Favorite book or movie?
Okay, okay, I have to go off-script a little bit here. "Favorite?" It depends on the day! Right now, I adore… Well, lately, I've been re-watching a really silly, cheesy movie, and its just my guilty pleasure. I can't tell that it's my favorite, because it gives me a terrible headache, but it does make me laugh. I think it's the nostalgia. It is the most amazing, corniest movie ever. As for books, I have so many favorites. I love anything that lets me escape. Let me tell you, its a great excuse to cry. So I guessTop Places To Stay
