Guam hotels / motels / advice

[Scuby Dooby]

Does anyone have any tips on a decent place to stay in Guam? It is private stuff that I’m there for so, unfortunately, work is not picking up the tab! With that in mind, I’m looking for a comfortable, cheerful place (in other words cheap and hopefully with personality!) to stay for a few days while there. My 12 year old son, also a diver, is coming along and we are hoping to be close enough to the dive spots / shops but not so far away that it is difficult to attend to business in Agana.

A search of the board shows that Micronesian Divers Association MDA, seems to be a good dive shop to go with though I am open to input from others knowledgeable about the current local scene. We will probably be free for a full days diving on a Sunday and then either a couple of half days or a midweek full day. I thought MDA would be a good choice because they have boat dives going out everyday according to their web page.

How is the diving in mid November?

So, any other tips / info / advice is also appreciated. Except please don’t tell me to jump off to Chuuk, Palau, etc. I’m already drooling but I just don’t have the time to fit it in!

Many Thanks!

 

[chickdiver]

Guam has some fantastic diving. MDA runs a high quality operation, and they are about 10 minutes from downtown Agana. Most of the diving is shore diving- and I would highly recommend the Piti Bomb Holes, Gab Gab Beach, the Japanese Fuel Piers, the Sea Planes, American Tanker, and the VAL Bomber. Guam's premier dives (these 3 are boat dives) are the Blue Hole, the Crevasse and the Tokia Maru/ Cormoran. THese threee are also deeper, the other dives are for the most part shallower than 100'. They will be able to give you directions and info on the sites, charters, etc. at MDA. I can't make any recommendations on places to stay.....

THe diving in mid- Novembe should be good, as it is the rest of the year. Guam has average water temps in the mid 80's, and vis in the 80- 100' range on a daily basis.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

The nice hotels are down by the bay. Decent housing for less, however, can be found up by the Agana Naval Air Station.

For restaurants, etc. you likely would prefer to stay in/around Agana. Your best bet might be to work with a travel agent who may be able to ferret out off season prices for lodging either on the bay (more expensive) or closer to the Air Station (less expensive).

Guam diving is prime. Loads to see. You'll enjoy diving some of the invasion beaches more if you take the time to read about the invasion of Guam during WW II. In some cases tanks and other armored vehicles that didn't make the beach are still down there. Check with MDA, they're not hard to find.

Have fun.

Doc

 

[chickdiver]

Doc Intrepid once bubbled...
The nice hotels are down by the bay. Decent housing for less, however, can be found up by the Agana Naval Air Station.

For restaurants, etc. you likely would prefer to stay in/around Agana. Your best bet might be to work with a travel agent who may be able to ferret out off season prices for lodging either on the bay (more expensive) or closer to the Air Station (less expensive).

Guam diving is prime. Loads to see. You'll enjoy diving some of the invasion beaches more if you take the time to read about the invasion of Guam during WW II. In some cases tanks and other armored vehicles that didn't make the beach are still down there. Check with MDA, they're not hard to find.

Have fun.

Doc

Hey Doc- there is no more NAS Agana- it closed about 10 years ago....

 

[Doc Intrepid]

showing my age!

Hate it when that happens!

Still good diving there?

(I'll bet the nicer hotels are still by the bay, and decent lodging at reasonable rates still isn't!!)

 

[chickdiver]

LOL- yea- the diving is still real good! When I was last there- Tuman Bay had turned into a mini version of Waikiki, so I'm not sure how inexpensive it is,but it is nice. There might be some less expensive stuff down Piti way, near Naval Station, or up in Dededo near Anderson AFB.

 

[Universal Diver]

Scuby Dooby,

I gotta get in this thread. I just moved from Guam but I'm going to go back this week to work for a couple of weeks.

There are several large dive shops, MDA which you read about and GTDS(Guam Tropical Dive Station). It really doesn't matter where you stay, if you book diving through them, they'll do a hotel pick up. http://www.gtds.com/

If you want to just pick up some tanks and run over to the Piti Bomb Holes, you'll need a car. You'll pass both shops on your way to the Piti Bomb Holes.

My advice on diving, do the boat dives. The Piti Bomb Holes is where all the discover scuba courses and open water courses are. You'll probably run into other divers while in the water.

The boat diving with the main companies are about filling up the boats. Many dive shops use the big boats. You'll see sometimes 8 different dive shops or more with their customers.

Accomodations....

Here is my advice: Stay on the hill in Tumon. The secondary hotels can be pretty cheap but you are still near the "tourist" area. If you don't have a rental car, no problem, buy a one week pass on the Shopping Bus. This will get you to the Guam Premium Outlets, K-Mart, Micronesia Mall and back to Tumon. There are many buses and they are constantly going in circles. Very easy transportation.

The reason I say get a one week pass is, it cost only $8. If you stay in Guam for 3 or 4 days, it will be well worth it. I think a one way fare is $2. But think about it. RT is $4. But, if you go to GPO then to Micronesia mall and back to Tumon, $6. You'll save money in the long run.

Some hotels to check out, Capital Hotel (there is a dive shop inside, Scuba Dive Micronesia). They usually cater to Japanese but the owners are excellent English speakers. Jimmy is fluent in both English and Japanese and is an excellent Macro photograper.
http://www.guamcapitalhotel.com/ and of course http://www.interq.or.jp/cool/sdmweb/ but it's in Japanese.

Also, there is the Guam Plaza Hotel. This is connected to a Duty Free shop and usually has low rates. Here is there website but I would suggest try to bargain the price down. http://www.guamplaza.com/frames.htm

Down the road there is Grand Plaza Hotel. I stayed there once but will probably never go back. It's kind of a walk to the center of the "touristy" area and they only have a Chinese restaurant inside. But, there is a cool cigar, jazz bar next door called, "Mac and Marty's". A lot of divers hang out there.

Way down the road, there is the Tamuning Plaza Hotel. Double rooms at $54 a night. Check out this url, http://www.ase.net/servlet/DisplayHotel/5160046

Across the street is Alupang Beach Club. It's fun for a day. Jet ski, parasailing, water activities, etc. But, nothing else around except soaplands and a Blockbuster Video.


I can't imagine staying in Agana. Where would you stay? There are some shady looking motels in the area but not much else I can remember. Nothing is very far away though. I used to live at Leo Palace Resort in the middle of Guam in Yona. It took me 25 minutes to get to Tumon Bay or to the boat pier. I was lovin' it!

When will you be there? Only one day for diving, too bad. There are many good sites. Any hoo, good luck. If you think I missed anything please PM me.

Sorry this is so long. I kind of consider myself a local of Guam but yet, I'm far from being a Chamorro.

Chris

 

[Jennefer]

I am going to spend a vacation on Guam and Palau in this coming January. I was on Guam before but most of my connections are long gone as time passes. I have 35 dives logged in after being o/w certified in California.

My purpose to visit Guam again is of diving, and I do not want to dive together with tourists who mostly are beginners and have to pay a lot of money. Can I have anyone tell me how to find or join a local diver’s group or club for both beach and boat dive on Guam. I checked Pacific Diver’s Club website but it posts very old information and its access of joining is not working.

I appreciate for your help.

 

[chrpai]

I can absolutely reccomend Harmon Loop Hotel WITHOUT HESITATION.

Very long story from when I was there in 1997 but they are a very good, cheap hotel.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/harmon1900/

 

[h3o]

You're posting in the wrong region, topics about Guam are in the Australia and Pacific Islands section of this website... Guam is not a part of Asia. =)