In Reply to: Flores posted by navyman on Thursday, 19. June 2008 at 17:17 Bali Time:
I have stayed in Labuanbajo and the nearby area, and this makes a good base for visiting the lizards and world class scuba diving/snorkelling as well as a starting point for exploring the rest of the island.
Compared to Bali, the hotels are really lowbrow, but you will get a double room for around 80 000 rupiah in the low season.
I have stayed at a couple of different hotels.
Chez Felix.
+a bit away from the Imam who starts his day at 5 a.m. with the loudest most
distorted p.a.-system in the world.
+nice, family owned, really friendly staff, speaks good english.
+great views
-a bit away from the town center
Hotel Gardena
+In the middle of town
+good food
+nice views
-the aforementioned Imam wakes you up at 5 a.m.
Kanawa Beach
+your own cottage at the beach.
+fantastic snorkling
+ if you like fish
+/-1 hour from town (free boat service 2(?) times a day).
-if you don't like fish.
We had one night at Golo Hilltop that was not so nice, but others have had a good time there, so we were probably unlucky.
If you enjoy snorkeling (I had a close encounter with a large black tip reef
shark - wonderful) I would go for Kanawa Beach.
Otherways I would recommend Chez Felix.