Supply and demand is the cornerstone of Market ethics. So why shouldn't Visa Lodge get in on the 200%+ profiteering that is endemic with the post Earthquake economy. Well, the more it costs for one to meet basic travel, housing and food needs, the lees "discretionary" cash one has to spread to the rest of the business economy in Haiti. This concentrates resources to a select group. If the higher prices translated in higher standards it might be easier to digest. Unfortunately, the rate is 200% increase in cost with a 35% decrease in valuation.

The most tangible evidence of the impact is the relative dearth of good dining away from the hotel. Many lively and enjoyable restaurants and hotel choices in the area are still in drought conditions over a year after the Quake. All this time the Visa Lodge has profiteered mightily and has shared little in reinvestment in its own amenities and improvements or with the surrounding economy.

It's "nickel & dime" ( in USA parlance ) for every last little thing, like internet access, for instance. With the dearth of decent restaurants many from the NGO Nation drop by the Visa Lodge to drop $15 US on a mediocre lunch buffet. A lions share of that money is what well-meaning donors back in the US thought was going towards "earthquake relief." A small example of the typical greed of Haiti's "stakeholders.

My recommendation is to work a little harder trying to find a way to get your money in the hands of those who are active participants in the local economy that are not so parasitic.

The room was very poorly maintained. The carpet, bedding, furniture was shabby. The room was not particularly clean. There was a gap around the entry door sides and bottom and bugs were able to enter the room unhindered. The door frame was seriously damaged by someone breaking into the room for what appeared to be more than one time. As a result the exterior door barely closed and locked. I had to block the door with a chair and my suitcase for “security”. I had food sent to my room from the hotel restaurant twice, it was OK. Much of the food listed on the menu was not available. The hotel front desk staff was fine. The restaurant wait-staff was very nice and tried to accommodate me when I ordered something from the menu that was not available. Accommodations in Port-au-Prince are still very limited, but I cannot recommend this hotel for more than and emergency stay-over.

I have been traveling to Haiti several times a year for the past 13-14 years (over 75 trips in all) and have stayed at many hotels in Haiti. The past several years we have focused on Visa Lodge and made it our base of operation. Visa Lodge is good hotel and dollar for dollar a good value. I find the staff friendly and willing to help. Food in the restaurant is well prepared and authentically Haitian. I find a good tip, a few well placed compliments, use of a few Haitian Creole greetings and salutations go a LONG - LONG way for a more plesant stay. There is no Ritz Carlton in Haiti, or Hilton or Best Western so if you are looking for an "American" stay forget it. This is as close and you get to an American Style hotel. It is convenient to downtown, the industrial district and the airport.

I stayed at this hotel for one night in June 2011. I was with 5 others on a business trip. I work in the IT field and we rely on Internet connectivity to perform our work while in Haiti. The person at the desk made it seem as though it was a major inconvenience asking for the wireless access code. When I finally did get it, the connection was hit or miss.

Later on, we decided to eat in the restaurant at the hotel. Bad move. After waiting 90 minutes until a waiter came by for our order, I had enough.

To top the night off, I could not secure my room because the sliding patio door did not lock. After one night, I had enough to convince the others we needed to move.