I didn't know what to expect of Gizo and was pleasantly suprised to have struck lucky with the Gizo Hotel. I will admit to not having seen any other lodgings in town, but from what I heard, they do not compare to this hotel, the exception being an unknown smaller lodging up on the hill overlooking Gizo (as descibed by a fellow traveller).
The Gizo Hotel is the situated on the main street opposite the wharf which operates the airport ferry. I was in an upstairs sea view room which was basic but confortable. Despite being right in centre of town and more or less opposite the daily market, it was nicely quiet for this light sleeper. The balcony view of the water was somewhat obscured by high palm trees but this just meant that it was the perfect private location to sit and enjoy an early evening drink with a friend and observe the world passing by on the main street beneath.
The hotel restaurant is top notch, best in town with a good menu changing daily. Beers are average priced, wines are all aussie, over priced...but you are in the middle of nowhere. The restaurant/bar is also the place where the local personalities, NGO reps and other travellers congregate. If you're a lone traveller, this is the best place in town to meet people and there is always a bit of buzz.
Staff were good fun and really on the ball, especially when compared to the sister hotel in Honiara (King Solomons).
My reason to visit was personal, a dive holiday with Dive Gizo (which I can also recommend). The shop will either pick you up from the front of the Hotel or you can walk for 8 mins..no big deal, especially as the main street was due to be tarmacadamed in September 09 which would only make the otherwise mud/dust main street more passable.
In summary, I like this hotel and the local area, underwater included. It was a terrific trip.

turned out to be a good choice for a first timer to the Solomons. I spent my days diving with Dive Gizo which i will reveiw separately.

given the faraway location, Gizo hotel is very professionally run.
Reception staff are attentive and helpful and nothing is a problem plus they sorted out a bill query promptly with no fuss. Rooms were service daily. The air conditioning worked well - for me this was important for 2 reasons - 1 it is hot and humid and 2 i need a dry place to assemble my u/w camera equipment each morning. the hot water may not have worked for a couple of days but who cares when you are 8 degrees off the equator!.
Breakfast and Dinner service was prompt and the meals were substantial. breakfast is $70 Sol and consists of bacon and eggs. Toast, tea/coffe/cocoa and fresh fruit and fruit juice. Evening meals consist of entrees for $60 and mains from $100 all the way up to $150 for a whole crayfish or $175 for steak. servings are substantial. Beer is Solbrew and is $19 at the hotel - call it $20 and tip the hardworking bar staff.
Evening entertainment consisted of sing sings and dances as well as giant bamboo pipes and to top if off a girl doing baton twiling Solomons style! - with a 26 inch bush knife (Machette) instead of a sissy baton. Has to be seen to be beleived.
roooms surround a nice pool and well kept gardens. Harbour view rooms are best as you look out over the fish markets and you can sit on your balcony and see people go about their daily business.
There are less expensive accomodation options however the saying "what you pay for is what you get" applies the world over. if you want to stay for more than a week to surf or dive till you drop - suggest you enquire abot Gavinas or PT109 - they are not as expensive and are very basic but liveable.
I would stay at the Gizo hotel again

Gizo Hotel is the best place to stay in Gizo. From the airport it's only a short boat ride to Gizo town. The hotel is located right in front of the jetty. We stayed in a deluxe room which was very nice. The pool area is also very nice, but the pool is small.
There is a little dive company near the hotel which we used for diving and snorkeling. It was some of the best diving we have done so far. There is a japanese wreck, the Toa Maru near the airport which was full of sake bottles. Even a small tank and ammunition was lying near it. The dive company organises trips to small offshore islands around Gizo.
In the evening there is an island night with singing and dancing about twice a week. The food in the restaurant is good, but can become a bit boring after a couple of days.

During a 3 week stay on the island of Ghizo we spent several nights in the Gizo hotel . The standard was much higher than we expected . We stayed in a room over looking the harbour, which is the centre of Gizo life. The room was clean and comfortable , with aircon ,ceiling fan,fridge and satellite tv . The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and make you very welcome. The food is all fresh local produce, mainly fish and lobster/crayfish with some chicken dishes aswell - not very sophisticated but when you can eat lobster every night for £10 who cares ! Service can be a slow but that's Solomon time for you. The bar by the restaurant is also well used by the locals and ex-pats so has a good atmosphere. Nick . England . UK