Manomano Lodge

We agree with so many of the absolutely wonderful reviews. Alexy and Lovina are lovely hosts. They communicated promptly with us before our arrival, so we were able to arrange a very late check-in. The lodge is a bit off of the beaten path (rough dirt road) but Google Maps has it listed correctly and there are helpful little "Manomano Lodge This Way" signs once you exit the main road. We stayed in one of the studios. RUSTIC - The studios are very rustic - only sheets & pillows for bedding (but you don't need more b/c it is so hot), thin/rough towels, very basic/rough kitchen amenities/decor/furniture. We ordered breakfasts for both days we were there as well as dinner for one night. The meals were delicious -- Lovina is an excellent cook. However, they were very pricey for what you received. Also, we do not recommend dinner b/c we were eaten alive by bugs at that time of evening. (all dining is outside) We did not have this problem at breakfast time. SURF - We chose this lodge b/c it was close to one of the few beach breaks on the island. Surfers -- please know it is difficult to access the break from this side. We needed to drive back across the bridge and access the break from the north. We had planned to rent boards from Manomano but the swell was pretty much flat so we didn't bother. RAIN/BUGS - We were a bit taken aback when Alexy told us our studio would have the lights on, and doors unlocked when we arrived late at night. The studio wasn't just unlocked, it was wide open with all doors and windows ajar as far as possible. We quickly learned this is an essential part of making the studio livable. The method is to leave all windows and doors open to the unit with no smells (water, sweat, food, etc.) inside. Then use fans to move air around inside. This is the recommended way to keep a tolerable temperature and bugs away. However, this method breaks down if you want to lock up valuables for the day while you are gone or if it is raining (esp. at night) so you can't open the skylight in the studio loft where the bed is. Also, if you use the shower at all, you are dealing with water in the bathroom and the mosquitoes come rolling in. Manomano also has little plug-in bug repellents, but I don't really know how much that helps. All in all, it was a pretty uncomfortable stay for us and there was no payoff on the surfing side. However, if you are looking for a quaint hostel-type budget experience, Manomano is an excellent choice. We also loved the west side of the island. One last tip-- the nearby grocery store only accepts cash.

This place needs help! The rooms have furniture that is worn. The shower is cold water only. The toys that are pictured are worn out and only available for rent. We stayed here because the reef looked promising but it is windy and has strong currents that make snorkeling difficult. The road in is full of potholes that seem to stay full of water.