Southern Cross Hotel

The hotel offers a unique experience, notably featuring a highly praised Korean BBQ restaurant on its top floor, which also provides a nice view. Its central location in Suva City is a significant draw, making it a convenient base for exploring. While many guests commend the friendly staff and the hotel's overall accessibility, a recurring theme is the need for upgrading of its old facilities and inconsistent room quality. This hotel is particularly suitable for business travelers due to its spacious conference rooms, budget-conscious travelers seeking an economical option in the CBD, and leisure travelers interested in exploring the city and its nightlife. For a more comfortable stay, guests are advised to be aware of potential noise from adjacent rooms and to consider confirming their room's condition upon arrival, given the varied feedback on room maintenance.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's facilities present a mixed experience for guests. While the conference rooms are consistently praised for their spaciousness and suitability for training purposes, many other aspects are noted as being old and in need of upgrading, including lighting and door locks. Guests frequently report issues with Wi-Fi, noting it is often only available in the lobby and can be unreliable or of poor quality in rooms. Essential in-room amenities like tea and coffee making facilities, toiletries, hangers, and irons are often missing or unavailable. Furthermore, several reviews highlight problems with water pressure and the availability of hot water, particularly during certain hours. Some rooms do offer a balcony, providing a pleasant space for fresh air, and the building itself retains some classical revival features from its earlier days.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is highly varied. Some visitors found their rooms to be clean and comfortable, equipped with air conditioning and a nice bed, providing a decent stay. However, a significant number of reviews detail considerable issues, including dirty towels, a persistent musty smell or strong smell, dusty beddings, and even the presence of cockroaches and bed bugs. Bathrooms frequently received complaints about poor drainage, leaking taps, broken showers, cracked sinks, and a lack of soap holders. While rooms are generally described as spacious, lighting is often dim, and sofa cushions can be worn. A common complaint is noise from adjacent rooms, and the beds on wheels are noted for sliding easily, making them less stable.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options receive contrasting reviews. The Korean BBQ restaurant on the top floor is a standout feature, consistently receiving high praise for its food quality and the nice view it offers. Many guests highly recommend this restaurant. In stark contrast, the breakfast service is a frequent source of disappointment. It is widely described as poor, basic, and sparse, with limited variety and often lacking fresh options like fruit. Specific complaints include the absence of a toaster, reliance on canned goods, and a menu heavily focused on beef, which may not suit all dietary preferences. Furthermore, some guests reported hygiene concerns in the breakfast area, such as shared plates and the presence of pests. Issues with breakfast service also arose, including early delivery times, missing items like cereal, and instances where breakfast was not served despite being included. The breakfast area itself can also be uncomfortably hot due to air conditioning issues.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is overwhelmingly cited as its most positive attribute. Situated in a central location within Suva City, it offers exceptional accessibility to various points of interest. Guests appreciate being within easy walking distance of the town center, numerous shops, and clubs, making it convenient for both leisure and business activities. The proximity to a variety of external dining options is also a significant advantage for those wishing to explore local cuisine. The view from the terrace of the on-site Korean restaurant is also a notable highlight. However, a consistent point of concern is parking, which is described as limited and problematic, with guests reporting instances of being blocked in, causing inconvenience. Despite this, the hotel's prime position remains a major draw for visitors.

Staff & Service
Feedback on staff and service is mixed, though many guests commend the personnel. Most guests found the staff friendly, helpful, and polite, often providing excellent service and being willing to assist with requests when approached directly. The check-in and check-out process is generally described as smooth and efficient. However, significant issues arise concerning reception responsiveness, with multiple reports of calls from rooms going unanswered, necessitating in-person visits to the lobby for inquiries. Housekeeping consistency is another area of concern; while some staff were helpful, others were noted for inconsistent cleaning schedules, forgetting essential items like toilet paper or bath mats, not replacing used cups, and sometimes failing to clean rooms entirely. Some guests also perceived staff as unhelpful or defensive when specific requests, such as for an iron, were made.

Additional Information
For guests considering a stay, it is beneficial to note that no security deposit is required upon check-in, which simplifies the arrival process. However, some guests experienced discrepancies between their booking expectations, such as a presidential suite, and the actual room type provided, suggesting it is advisable to confirm room details upon booking. The hotel does offer budget-friendly room options, which can be a good value for those seeking an economical stay. Additionally, if considering ordering food from the on-site Korean restaurant for in-room dining, guests are advised to check takeaway prices as they may vary from the menu.