Friendly staff, who try to help - but don't expect any assistance with tour stuff, and don't be sure organized airport transfers will happen. Had a Faulty Towers kind of experience on arrival... requested airport transfer didn't turn up, got a free lift from a local security patrol van, then, after this van is let into the lodge's compound, the manager/authority figure turns up and starts scolding the gate guard in front of us, for not checking id first. Not once did he say hello to us... a most antisocial guy who must consider hotel guests as a terrible inconvenience. And, for a 2-3 star service and accommodation, we were charged 4-5 star prices. On the plus side, the food was quite good, and the surrounds were peaceful and attractive. Nonetheless, won't ever choose to stay here again!

We arrived to the Madang Lodge at 7.30 pm. Was dark and there was a storm. We asked for a room. Receptcion gave us pricelist. After talking by themselves, they took the pricelist and said, that they have only the most expencive , Seaside Room. We asked for several times, did they really do not have any Budget, Morata or Garden View Rooms. They said, that we have to take this most expencive room. We had no choice, because there was a big storm. After we checked in internet about room availibilities for this night - there were all kind of rooms available, in the hotel website and booking.com.
At once we called reception, and asked, why they lied. They said, that they can do nothing without manager. I was very angry, and they at last apologised, but did not do anything.
Next morning we went to talk with manager Jeff Martinez. We wanted compensation for that, what was happened. Hotel was empty, there were only few customers.
Hotel manager did not even apologised, but said, that homepage was wrong and booking.com was wrong, but to the question, were are all the customers, if the hotel is fully booked, he could not answer. He was very unpolite, said that he will not apologise and will not give not any compansation, he said, that we can check out and he left in the middle of the conversation.
We just want to warn people, if you go there, book ahead in internet. Place is beautiful, but service is horrible. The worst thing is to lie to customers.

We have reservations at Madang Lodge and although we have not arrived, we are actually considering canceling the reservations even if we forfeit our money. After repeatedly trying to get help via e mail for booking road travel between Madang and Goroka, the staff has been at best unhelpful and more accurately rude and downright nasty. The attitude seems to be one of total lack of consideration for their guest.

I had an absolute fantastic excperience at the Madang Lodge. It doesn't look much from the front, but once you are through the gate, you are greeted by very well manicured tropical gardens, with a real 'South Pacific' feel to the whole place.

I stayed in the Garden Rooms which were perfect for what I wanted. There were more luxurious rooms, but of course these cost more. I would probably peg the Garden Rooms as 3 star accomodation.

The restaurant at the front of the grounds it literally Ocean front, with sweeping views of deep blue ocean and coconut palms...beautiful.

I also saw the 'back-packer' accomodation, which looked very good value. Although there are no dorms, it is fan only and shared bathroom facility, with very basic twin bed room.

The only thing I would suggest there is room for improvement at Madang Lodge was the apparent lack of tour information. It appears that most of the tours, diving, trekking, etc. was mainly handled from the Madang Resort. Maybe there just isn't the tourism demand to warrant two tour operators in town? But it would have been great / handy if I could organise all my tourist 'stuff' from the Lodge instead of the resort.

Overall though I fantastic stay and would highly recommend. I definately hope to be back one day. Thank you Madang Lodge.

PS. It is almost impossible to get around Madang township after 6:00pm. There are no taxis, and it it not advisable to walk around the town after dark. If you need to be somewhere else for dinner or drinks, make sure you pre-arrange a driver to take you there and pick you up. Therefore, plan to spend most evenings at the Lodge for dinner &/or drinks.