Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

“Pack up your troubles now, take all you can carry” – Mark Morris (Solomon Bites The Worm).

From a radio room in weight puncher Belfast (The Northern Irish capital city) to a bar in worm biter Honiara (Solomon Islands capital city), and a gap of 22 years…I should explain how Willy Wonka, The Bluetones and backpacking in Honiara go hand in hand…

Staying at the Quirky Randomic "Willy Wonka" Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

“It’s an everlasting gobstopper” – Willy Wonka.

When I started studying Journalism at Belvoir Tech in Belfast all those years ago (1997), two things had just happened. Princess Diana died; and the Verve were number one. Drugs don’t work, they just make you worse but I know I’ll see your face again. Candle in the wind. The Royals of London certainly weren’t a big part of the intervening decade brace. At least in my life.

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, not in the Solomon Islands

But arrival in Honiara changed all that and warped my memory back to those halcyon days in Belfast. The reason? A hotel with so many quirks, you’d swear that Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka) was about to do a forward roll before welcoming Augustus Gloop into his magnificent chocolate factory. I was 17 again. The Royal reference, the Wonka appeal, the use of the word Solomon in the country’s name. There was no candybar or Oompa Loompas, replaced by fake mermaids and a free coconut…

Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket

In my last week as a teenager I had bought a The Bluetones single called “Solomon Bites The Worm”. I played the song aged 17 in that radio room. Now I was backpacking in The Solomon Islands. The worm biter. Ahem.

The Bluetones 1998 single – SOLOMON Bites The Worm

Back to The Solomon Bites The Worm Islands! Our group were picked up at Honiara International Airport by the hotel minibus and we were whisked to the city’s “China Town” district, which in diplomatic irony was full of Taiwanese references. A dream inspired us all on arrival at the quirky Honiara Hotel. This was an unexpected surprise in a country which never really screamed “visit me” to my weary backpack.

Arrival in The Solomon Bites The Worm Islands

So we arrive into the Honiara Hotel and straight away this looks like a chocolate-less version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Gimmicks, quirks, statues, peculiarities that only an eccentric host could dream up. That, was spot on and largely the reason for such oddities. Our host here at Hotel Honiara was Sir Thomas Chan, Solomon Islands real life answer to Willy Wonka, a character invented by writer Roald Dahl.

Sir Thomas Chan meets the Queen of England.

You see, Sir Thomas Chan is knighted by the British Empire. He’s a larger than life host, and…I get to meet him. As the man himself professes, “I’ve met Queen Elizabeth II four times”. We exchange business cards and the perky Chan drops by for a chat. We share something in common – we are both SIRS I was knighted by the Empire of Adammia in 2015 after becoming the first tourist to backpack through the country.

Sir Thomas Chan meets Sir Jonny Blair, Northern Irishman in Poland

Sir Thomas Chan meets Sir Jonny Blair, Northern Irishman in Poland

It is now obvious that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England has stayed here. Her photos adorn the walls, her references are everywhere and her custom invite, welcoming Sir Thomas Chan to Buck House in London is on proud display in the hotel’s we lobby.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England has stayed here.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England has stayed here.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England has stayed here.

The lobby itself an art gallery of large fish statues and a cosy shell in the corner to suck strawberries in.

The lobby at the Honiara Hotel

The lobby at the Honiara Hotel

The welcome seems Royal and flambouyant. A hat-trick of unexpected surprises are in store for us all on arrival. All of these are included in our room price. First up…

A Welcome Drink – Coconut Juice
We are all handed a fresh coconut on arrival. After a day of travelling on a double flight, it’s a perfect start to life in Honiara. Slaínte! Delicious!

A Welcome Drink – Coconut Juice

A Welcome Drink – Coconut Juice

A Solomonese Massage
We are each given a voucher for a free Solomonese Massage. All we need to do is book our time in the parlour, which is up the stairs.

A Solomonese Massage

A Solomonese Massage

A Free Wi-fi Password

A Free Wi-fi Password
Internet and Wi-fi has been either shit or non existent on this trip. Finally, here in the Honiara Hotel the WiFi works and is free.

After that it’s time to head to our rooms. I share with Douglas in 812. We have a balcony and hot showers. it acts as a bit of a Godsend.

Dander till our room

Room 812, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Bites The Worm

Room 812, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Bites The Worm

Room 812, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Bites The Worm

Room 812, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Bites The Worm

Room 812, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Bites The Worm

My stay in this hotel also casts my mind back to some of these wacky and cool accommodations from my journey:
A night in Madonna’s Island, La Isla Bonita, Belize
The Eclectic Hotel, Vank, Nagorno Karabakh
A night in Europe’s most bombed hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland
5 nights on Yanggakdo Island, Pyongyang, North Korea
Sleeping in the southern most hotel in the former Soviet Union

Staying at the Hotel Sorxan Atlantic in Termiz, southernmost hotel in the former USSR

Next up I explore the nooks and crannies of the Willy Wonka complex. This involves a visit to all 4 bars, the huge swimming pool zone, the multiple corridors, obscure statues, random objects and all sorts of other absurdities straight out of a Veruca Salt tour to Wonkaland.

Exploring the nooks and crannies of the Honiara Hotel

Exploring the nooks and crannies of the Honiara Hotel

Exploring the nooks and crannies of the Honiara Hotel

Exploring the nooks and crannies of the Honiara Hotel

Exploring the nooks and crannies of the Honiara Hotel

The only thing that’s missing is the chocolate and the everlasting gobstopper. Sir Thomas Chan makes a more than worthy substitute for Gene Wilder. There’s also a wild dinner buffet, albeit overpriced at 200 Solomonese Dollars.

One of many bars at the Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

One of many bars at the Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

One of many bars at the Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

One of many bars at the Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

Plus we find out that not only the Queen of England stayed here but Prince William and Kate Middleton also stayed here, and more recently too. 2012. Again such Royals are pictured on the walls of the Margarita Bar.

William and Kate were here too, in 2012

Our barman on arrival is Mike. Solomonese, friendly and knowledgeable. He served me up a SolBrew, my first local beer in The Solomon Islands.

On the rip in the Margarita Bar, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Solomon Islanders Dancing
Later in the evening we witness Solomonese dancing. A live performance takes place on the stage by the pool. The bar nearby stocked with ample beers and spirits, plus plenty of decent food is available. The Solomonese dancing is Sir Thomas Chan’s impersonation of Willy Wonka’s wacky Oompa Loompa dance. Except this seems more real than fantasy…

Local Dancing, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

Local Dancing, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

Local Dancing, Honiara Hotel, Solomon Islands

For whatever reason, The Solomon Islands are still the 15th least visited country in the world.

Late Evening Drinks
Late evening I hang out with the lads to play pool and sip cold beers. We meet a hot lady from Kyrgyzstan, prompting good travel chat.

Late evening drinks at Honiara Hotel, The Solomon Islands

Late evening drinks at Honiara Hotel, The Solomon Islands

Late evening drinks at Honiara Hotel, The Solomon Islands

As well as playing pool, I decide to try all THREE Solomon Island beer types they sell here – SolBrew (the best in my opinion), Canoe Blue and Canoe Brown. They’re small cans for about $2.20 US each.

Late evening drinks at Honiara Hotel, The Solomon Islands

Late evening drinks at Honiara Hotel, The Solomon Islands

Next Morning – Breakfast
Breakfast is as expected. The usual mix of fruit and a choice of eggs and meats. No Wonka Bars…

Next Morning – Breakfast

Next Morning – Breakfast

Next Morning – Breakfast

The Swimming Pool

The swimming pool complex is also huge. No flumes, but a jacuzzi and many a statue next to it.

Twisting by the Pool

Twisting by the Pool

Twisting by the Pool

Twisting by the Pool

Twisting by the Pool

Twisting by the Pool

Mermaid Grabs My Northern Ireland Flag
I pose with my travelling Northern Ireland flag and the Mermaid grabs a corner of it. While it might look like a real person in the photo, it’s not!

The Mermaid Grabs My Northern Ireland Flag

Overall, I rank this as one of the craziest places I have ever stayed. When in Honiara, go stay here at the Honiara Hotel! Here are some more photos…

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Here are the details for booking the Honiara Hotel in Honiara, Guadalcanal, The Solomon Islands:

Chinatown
677 Honiara, Solomon Islands
+677 21737
Book the Honiara Hotel (www.honiarahotel.com.sb)

I was whackpacking in the Solomon Islands as part of the Young Pioneer Tours Least visited countries tour.

Backpacking in the Solomon Islands – Honiara War Memorial

Here are some quirky videos from my time staying at the Hotel Honiara in Honiara, Guadalcanal, The Solomon Islands:

And here is Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka’s) grand entrance back in 1971:

2 thoughts on “Staying at the Quirky Randomic “Willy Wonka” Honiara Hotel in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

  • It’s interesting that because you see lots of pictures of the Queen and Prince William and Princess Kate (as is common in most countries of the Commonwealth) you immediately assume that they stayed there. The Queen would have stayed at the British High Commissioner’s residence and Kate and Wills stayed at Tavanipupu Island Resort off the island of Guadalcanal at Marau Sound.

  • Hi Uma, thanks for the comment. Yes the Queen stayed here and has met the owner Thomas Chan a few times. I wasn’t sure about Kate and Wills though – I didn’t ask about that – maybe in their era with photographers they stayed somewhere else. Stay safe. Jonny

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