The Menen Hotel is a sprawling complex stretching along the eastern shoreline of Nauru, and certainly looks as if it has had (much) better days. The hotel is incredibly run down, with an emptied (or semi-emptied, depending on how much rain there's been) swimming pool and some old rusting satellite dishes littering the shoreline between the hotel and the water.

The rooms themselves are quite spacious, and are equipped with the normal furnishings, plus a fridge and a television (though whether or not you can get anything on the TV is another matter). The suites at the hotel are even bigger, and have marbled bathrooms, dual sinks and a spa, which even by non-Nauru standards is quite nice. Strangely, pretty much everything from the sheets and towels to the toiletries are Menen-branded. I'd be inclined to think there's more important things this place could be spending their money on!

At the Menen, I have experienced a mouse in my room, a non-flushing toilet, no hot water, no TV, having to serve myself at breakfast, the bar not opening, my room not being ready on arrival among other things, however in reality, you shouldn't be coming to Nauru expecting all the modern conveniences. You could forgive many of these things if the service were also warm and friendly, but sadly this is also lacking. I didn't bother complaining about any of the above issues, because I couldn't help but think no one would care anyway.

Having said all this, it's not really all that bad, and you won't have much of a choice on Nauru anyway, so try to be good-humoured about it.

Typical of most things in Nauru, this hotel is well beyond it's best days. The staff is helpful and friendly, but that's about the best part of the Menen. My room was fairly clean, had a functional refrigerator, and a pair of comfortable twin beds. The plumbing was ok, I had hot water, but my colleague had no hot water in his room for the entire stay. The general condition of the hotel is extremely poor. The drapery in my room should have been replaced 15 years ago. The grounds of the hotel are completely run down. There are a large number of permanent residents who hang their laundry on balconies. Several areas of the hotel are filled with junk, although the staff attempt to keep the place clean. Another of my colleagues was awoken by a large rat eating his fruit which he left on his dresser. The bar is the best place there, it's clean and has a pool table. The beach is scenic, but you cannot swim because of the coral. The Menen is the best place on the island. I was charged $115 per night, which is about $80 more than it's worth. The other large hotel, the Od-N Aiwo was scary looking, and I was told that there is no hot water there.

Nauru - different destination, well-worth it if you're needing a break from other Pacific countries. Hotel is older but still clean; staff very friendly; bus to/from airport and for island tour; gorgeous beach. Make sure to do lots of walking - the views are great. Good food in restaurant, cheap shop for basics at hotel.
Bring money for entire stay - no ATM or credit facilities at all in the country!

The hotel did not take credit cards other than Amex and Diners. The restaurant served very little variety and was of a poor quality. The rooms were clean but the hotel was under major renovation that made it noisy. The only phone to call overseas is situated in the reception area and the swimming pool had no water in it. Despite all this the quiet atmosphere was enjoyable, when the construction work was not ocurring, and the staff were friendly and helpful. There were tennis courts and bikes available and the bar usually had a few people in it. I spent about 10 days there after my departing flight was cancelled and came to appreciate that this was a good place given the difficulties being faced in Nauru. It must have been magnificent in its day when the money was rolling in. Remember to take cash (AUD). You cannot get cash from banks and no real credit facilities. Western Union has cash but very expensive rates.