Agana
Where to Stay
Guam is a newcomer to the resort destination scene; it only began seriously marketing tourism during the late 1980s. Since that time, however, its annual visitors have grown to outnumber its residents by more than 10 to 1. The result of this rapid growth in tourism created a plethora of recently built hotels that offer up-to-date, extravagant facilities and amenities that are expected of a more mature resort location.Most guests stay on the beautiful, white sand beaches of Tumon Bay and Agana Bay. Within a five- to 10-minute's drive of Agana, this hotel-filled area has duty-free shopping, many restaurants and access to water parks, dinner theaters, landmarks and historical sites. Within this area you may choose your hotel based on location, amenities or price, whichever best suits your needs.
Tumon Bay’s beach is lined with high-rises of four- and five-star quality. The Westin Resort offers superb accommodations for the sophisticated traveler. Its rooms each have jetted tubs and room width, ocean view balconies. It touts its 5,500-square-foot Mandara Spa with Shiatsu massage and hydrotherapy facilities. If your ideal vacation includes being pampered from within the wilds of a jungle, try a civilized version of this at the Hyatt Regency and delight in its aviary, 32-acres of jungle style gardens, and freshwater freestyle pools. Consider the Hilton Guam Resort if you seek a peaceful, beach vacation highlighted with seaweed wraps and Japanese massage. If you wish to explore the island, its guest services will arrange for your onsite car rental or a tour departing from its lobby. Still beachside, the Guam Marriott Resort has created the perfect environment for a wedding party to enjoy. From its wedding chapel to its full-service catering and reservations staff, it will handle every facet of your momentous day.
South of Tumon Bay, and just around Oka Point to the Agana Bay area, another pocket of hotels awaits you. Santa Fe on the Bay with its Southwestern theme is one of the area’s finest options. It offers in-room whirlpool tubs, a beachside location and seaside dining. Nearby, the Palace Hotel Guam offers a Polynesian dinner show. Its vast array of beach activities provides the activity hound a satisfying variety of sports. Guests of the Onward Beach Resort delight in not only the glamour of this hotel clad in marble, but also in its recreation facilities; it offers an enormous water park with wave pool and multiple water slides.
The Agana resort area offers a disproportionate number of high-end and high-priced accommodations, perhaps due to its rapid growing tourist industry. If you are seeking a less lofty priced option, you must look a little closer. Delightful hotels can be found for more moderate prices, just one block back from these beaches. On the top end of these choices is the Royal Orchid Guam Hotel. It contains elegant, oversized rooms accented by butter-colored marble. This hotel is surrounded by shopping opportunities and offers five international cuisine restaurants onsite. Nearby, and slightly more modestly priced, the Guam Plaza Hotel offers several restaurants, a lovely outdoor pool bar, and a room-rate package that includes the Tarza Water Park. Still only steps to the beach, the hotel Grand Plaza provides another reasonably priced alternative while including perks like shuttle service, mini-bars and onsite car rentals. The Tumon Bay Capital Hotel is only a short walk from the beach, and it provides private balconies and tasteful decorations in each guest room. Its rates are affordable for even the most budget-minded traveler, and its guests are passionate about the quality and value of service offered.
Whichever hotel you choose, and in spite of the range of amenities and comfort offered, don’t be surprised if you spend very little time in your hotel room. With an average daily temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, unlimited outdoor activities and relatively uncrowded ocean beaches, there is little reason to remain indoors during your visit to Guam.
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