Photo: official website
Your stay — DW Motel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Koror.
The Property — DW Motel
The DW Motel is basic but clean, aimed squarely at budget-conscious divers and backpackers. Lobby feels like a functional check-in point — tile floors, a small seating area, a noticeboard plastered with dive-boat schedules. It has no restaurant or frills, but is a short walk to the waterfront and offers free Wi-Fi and a simple breakfast. Suits travellers who see the room as a place to sleep between dives, not a destination itself.
Chronicles of Koror
Koror was the Japanese administrative centre during the South Seas Mandate (1914–1945), leaving a legacy of concrete piers and maritime infrastructure. After World War II, it became the capital of the US Trust Territory and, later, of the Republic of Palau until 2006, when the capital shifted to Ngerulmud. The town still wears its past lightly: a mix of rusting Japanese wrecks, a handful of museums, and a busy commercial strip serving tourists and locals. Today it's the nerve centre for Palau's tourism, with dive shops, restaurants, and bars clustered along the main road. Architecturally, it’s functional rather than striking — low-rise concrete buildings, palms, and the ever-present ocean.
Best Time to Visit
Full Koror guide →Best months
February–April: driest period with calm seas, excellent visibility for diving, and slightly fewer visitors than peak winter holidays.
Peak / festival surge
December–January and July–August: Christmas holidays and northern summer bring families and big dive groups. Hotel prices can spike 20–40%, and reef-fishing closures occur in July–August for spawning. The Palau International Dive Festival (usually April) and Belau Modekngei festival (October) also drive demand.
Budget shoulder season
May–June and September–November: lower hotel rates, still good weather (some rain but manageable), quieter dive sites, and easier flight bookings.
Weather & packing
Koror has a tropical rainforest climate with little seasonal temperature variation — expect 27–30°C and high humidity year-round. Pack a quick-dry rash guard for diving, a light rain jacket, and reef-safe sunscreen (Palau bans non-reef-safe sunscreens).
Live City Briefing — Koror
- The Palau Pledge immigration program remains active: all visitors must sign a pledge to act responsibly toward the environment upon entry.
- Koror's main road (Route 1) is undergoing resurfacing works in 2026 — expect short delays near the DW Motel area.
- A new direct flight from Tokyo Narita to Babeldaob's new airport terminal is expected to launch in mid-2026, increasing flight availability.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to DW Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from the main road — these will have less street noise and better airflow from the ocean breeze.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or parking area, tend to pick up foot traffic and vehicle noise from the frontage on the main road.
Best views
Rooms facing the back or side will overlook the tropical vegetation common in Koror; no sea view from a roadside motel, but you might catch a glimpse of the lagoon from upper floors if the building is elevated.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors — no lift means less mechanical hum, and being elevated cuts street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road into Koror town — expect traffic noise from 6am to 9pm, plus early-morning tour pickups. No lift means no lift motor noise, but stairwell noise can carry on concrete floors.
Insider tips
Parking is limited to the forecourt — arrive early afternoon to grab a spot. Check-in is at reception on the ground floor; they often offer a free airport drop if you ask at check-in.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — DW Motel
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms, sufficient for email and browsing, no login required
No lift; all rooms on ground floor or via 1-2 steps
Complimentary digital newspaper via a QR code link (Palau Horizon); no physical papers
Standard check-in 14:00-22:00; early bag drop available on request; late check-out until 12:00 for $30
Free storage before check-in and after check-out, but no secure locked room (left by reception desk)
Rooms are step-free from parking; one accessible room with roll-in shower on request
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars; no EV charging; nearest public lot at Koror Market ($2 for 24 hours)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: $15 per person per night green fee (mandatory, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full room rate charged at booking; $100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Palau Seventh-day Adventist Church (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
WCTC Shopping Center — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Ngaremeduu Bay Conservation Area — 690 m · ~9 min walk
Belau National Museum — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bank of Hawaii — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Budget Mart 3 — 635 m · ~8 min walk
Koror Port — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
ATMs at the airport and in Koror give US dollars directly from your home account; avoid the poor-rate exchange desks at the airport and tourist bureaux.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, dive shops and larger restaurants; smaller eateries and market stalls prefer cash – carry at least $50–100 in small bills.
Not expected, but appreciated – 10% at restaurants if service is good, round up taxi fares, $1–2 per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local bakery or convenience store – about $2.
Plate lunch with fish and rice at a local takeaway – about $6–8.
Stir-fried noodles or a burger at a casual diner – main around $10–12.
No real street food scene; try the small bento-style stalls near the wharf or the public market on Saturday mornings for cheap grilled fish and produce.
Surangel’s Supersaver or WCTC Shopping Centre in central Koror for basics.
Limited high-street shopping for clothes; local markets sell T-shirts and sarongs, but most travellers bring their own gear.
Shared minibus (route taxi) – 50¢ to $1 per ride within Koror; from the airport, a budget option is the public bus ($2) or a shared shuttle if pre-booked.
Eat at local takeaway counters (bentō-style) instead of sit-down restaurants; buy drinking water in bulk from a grocery store; dive packages often give discounts for multi-day bookings – book direct with dive shops.
Emergency Contacts
KororFor all emergencies in Koror, dial 911. For non-urgent police matters, contact the Koror Police Station at +680 488-2323. The Belau National Hospital switchboard is +680 488-2552. Calls to 911 work from any landline or mobile, but reception varies on outer islands.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Koror, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at DW Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bank of Hawaii — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Palau Royal Resort bus stop (on main road) → Koror Downtown
💡 No fixed route numbers – tell the driver you want to go to WCTC supermarket or the museum. Buses stop running at dusk. Carry small bills.
Palau Royal Resort → Palau Rock Islands tour pickup
💡 Ask the concierge to call a taxi for dive tour departures. Most dive shops include pickup from the resort – check before booking extra transport.
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) → Palau Royal Resort, Koror
💡 Fixed rate from airport to the resort, no haggling needed. Pay in US dollars – no local currency.
Palau Royal Resort → Koror downtown
💡 Flag one down on the main road outside the resort. Short hops within town are cheap; longer trips to Melekeok cost around 30 USD.
About Koror
Wikipedia ↗
Koror (English: , KAW-rawr;) is the largest city and the commercial centre of Palau, located on Koror Island (also called Oreor Island). With a population of 12,676 as of 2024, it is home to about half of the country's population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at DW Motel?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from the main road — these will have less street noise and better airflow from the ocean breeze.
Which rooms should I avoid at DW Motel?
Rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or parking area, tend to pick up foot traffic and vehicle noise from the frontage on the main road.
Is DW Motel noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road into Koror town — expect traffic noise from 6am to 9pm, plus early-morning tour pickups. No lift means no lift motor noise, but stairwell noise can carry on concrete floors.
Which rooms have the best views at DW Motel?
Rooms facing the back or side will overlook the tropical vegetation common in Koror; no sea view from a roadside motel, but you might catch a glimpse of the lagoon from upper floors if the building is elevated.
What are insider tips for staying at DW Motel?
Parking is limited to the forecourt — arrive early afternoon to grab a spot. Check-in is at reception on the ground floor; they often offer a free airport drop if you ask at check-in.
What time is check-in at DW Motel?
Check-in at DW Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does DW Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms, sufficient for email and browsing, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at DW Motel?
$15 per person per night green fee (mandatory, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near DW Motel?
Plate lunch with fish and rice at a local takeaway – about $6–8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from DW Motel?
Shared minibus (route taxi) – 50¢ to $1 per ride within Koror; from the airport, a budget option is the public bus ($2) or a shared shuttle if pre-booked.
When is the best time to visit Koror?
February–April: driest period with calm seas, excellent visibility for diving, and slightly fewer visitors than peak winter holidays.
Top Attractions in Koror
💡 Best on Saturday mornings when farmers arrive from Babeldaob. Bring small cash; no card. Try the fried banana fritters from the stall near the entrance.
💡 Go at low tide for clear water. Bring your own food and sunscreen—no shops nearby. Watch kids on the reef edge. Free entry, parking is tight.
💡 Visit early morning for the best light and fewer crowds. No security check, but act respectfully. Combine with a walk down to the coast.
💡 Entry is $7 for adults, free on Fridays after 4pm. Allow 1 hour, and skip the overpriced gift shop.
💡 Entry is $10, but worth it for the detailed audio guide included. Allow 45 minutes. Look for the rare Palauan stone money on display.