海洋之家飯店(Oceania House)

We had the most wonderful time staying at Oceania House in January 2023. Home Island is an exquisitely beautiful, remote paradise and Oceania House is the best place to stay. PLEASE IGNORE THE OLD NEGATIVE REVIEWS. Oceania House is under new management and they have done a spectacular job to make the accommodation what it is now. The rooms are clean and the host Ossie is the friendliest, most welcoming and hospitable man. He did everything to make our stay as comfortable, stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Getting there: The host Ossie met us at the airport on West Island and took us to the jetty, where it was about a 30 minute ferry ride across the lagoon to Home Island. ($2.50 pp. bring coins). What a wonderful way to soak in the atmosphere and adjust to island time, feeling the wind in your hair as you sail through the turquoise waters! When we arrived at Home Island, Ossie helped us with our luggage and drove us to Oceania House on a golf buggy -the best way to get around town! (I highly recommend hiring one during your stay). The building: Arriving at the doors of Oceania House was like being transported through time. The smell of teak wood and frangipanis surrounds you as you enter and see the magnificent, spiralling staircase leading up to the bedrooms. The foyer is majestic, with doors leading to sitting areas, a kitchen, and a fairytale-like library filled with old books and antique furniture. I loved sitting in the deep windows reading a book and drinking tea (which you can make yourself in the common kitchen area). The kitchen has a microwave, kettle, toaster, hot plate, fridge, and all of the crockery and utensils you would need. Many people bring food with them from mainland Australia and you can cook it here, adding to the feeling of being at home. The rooms: We stayed in The Rose Room. It was spacious and comfortable, with an ensuite and fans. (We were told that air conditioning will be installed in the coming weeks). The room has gorgeous, deep windows, where a breeze often passes through. We stayed in early January 2023 and were blessed with sunny, clear days and light breezes. Our room also had a coffee table and two chairs to sit at. The bed was comfortable and had a mosquito net hanging from above, although mosquitoes weren’t an issue while we were there. The grounds: Just metres from the entrance of Oceania House is a calm, quiet beach. If you bring fishing gear with you, this is a great spot to cast out your line and try your luck. Large calophyllum, frangipani and palm trees shade the area and you’ll soon meet little hermit crabs and wild chickens roaming around. Overall impressions: Oceania House is a historic building, so don’t expect it to be The Ritz. The charm of this accommodation is in its history, its location, and its old-world beauty. Come with an open mind, and you’ll have a wonderful time. Recommendations: * Hire a golf buggy or bike to get around the island. Walking is fine and manageable,