Accommodation photographs are honest about the view and silent about everything else. A handful of specific questions, asked before booking, prevent nearly every accommodation disappointment here.
| Ask about | cooling, insects, water, power |
|---|---|
| Also ask | the walk, the noise, the hill |
| Best time to ask | before booking, not on arrival |
| Owners | generally answer honestly |
Staying cool
This matters more than anything else to how well you sleep.
- Is there air conditioning, and in which rooms? Often in bedrooms only
- Is it included or charged separately
- Is there a ceiling fan — frequently enough on its own, and much quieter
- Is there cross-ventilation? Windows on two sides transform a room
- Which way does it face? A room taking afternoon sun stays hot into the night
A well-positioned room with a good fan and a breeze is often more pleasant than a sealed air-conditioned box. Ask about the breeze rather than assuming air conditioning is the answer — locally designed buildings are usually built to catch it.
Insects
A normal part of the tropics and entirely manageable when the room is set up for it:
- Are there screens on the windows
- Is there a mosquito net over the bed, if screens are absent
- Are there gaps under doors
- Bring repellent regardless, as covered in the material on packing
Screens are the single best indicator. A place with proper screens has thought about how you will actually sleep, and it is a reasonable proxy for how the rest is run.
Water and power
Small islands have small infrastructure, and interruptions are normal rather than alarming:
- Is water supply reliable, and is there a tank
- Is there hot water — and note that many people stop wanting it after two days
- What is the pressure like
- Are power cuts common, and is there a generator or backup
- Is the water drinkable from the tap
The tank question is the useful one. A property with a water tank rides out an interruption that leaves others without supply, and the owner will tell you plainly if you ask.
The location, honestly
- How long is the walk to the beach — and is it uphill coming back
- How far is the nearest shop and the nearest place to eat
- Is there a bus route nearby, and until what time
- How steep is the access, particularly with luggage
- Is the road paved the whole way
These are the questions that decide daily comfort, and the answers are rarely in a listing. Ask the owner directly and they will tell you — most would rather you arrived knowing than complained afterwards.
Noise
As covered in the material on music, sound carries here and is a normal part of life:
- Is there a bar or venue nearby, and how late does it run
- Is it on a main road
- Are there roosters, which start before dawn without exception
- Are there dogs in the neighbourhood
- Is anything on during your dates that will make it louder
Bring earplugs regardless. Roosters are not negotiable anywhere on this island, and they do not wait for a civilised hour.
The small things that improve a stay
- A veranda or shaded outdoor space, which you will use constantly
- Somewhere to hang wet swimwear
- A fridge, even in a room
- Good outdoor lighting, given how early it gets dark
- Somewhere to rinse sandy feet
The first is the one that makes the biggest difference to how a place feels. Somewhere shaded to sit outside with a cold drink at the end of the day is worth more than most of the facilities on a listing, and it is where you will spend a surprising amount of your time.
Frequently asked questions
Is air conditioning essential?
Not necessarily. A well-positioned room with a good fan and cross-ventilation is often more pleasant than a sealed air-conditioned box.
What is the best single indicator of a well-run place?
Proper window screens. It shows they have thought about how you will actually sleep.
Why ask about a water tank?
Because a property with one rides out supply interruptions that leave others without water.
What is not negotiable anywhere on the island?
Roosters. They start before dawn regardless of where you stay, so bring earplugs.
