When you’re in Arawa, Bougainville, you’re not exactly spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels, bars, or restaurants. The options here are as limited as they are eclectic, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few surprises tucked away in this war-scarred town.
Our latest tour of Bougainville brought us to the Bovotel and its intriguingly named Steak Hous (yes, that’s the German spelling), a spot that piqued our curiosity for all the right reasons—or so we thought.
Arawa: The Phoenix of Bougainville
Arawa’s history is a tale of rise, fall, and tentative rebirth. Once the bustling capital of Bougainville, the town was nearly obliterated during the brutal civil war. These days, the capital has shifted to Buka, leaving Arawa to rebuild its identity from the ruins. For a deep dive into Bougainville’s journey, check out this piece on the road to independence. And trust us, when Bougainville finally steps onto the world stage as a new nation, Young Pioneer Tours will be leading the charge.
Is Bovotel Arawa the Best Hotel in Town?
In a place where accommodation choices are few and far between, Bovotel stands out—mostly because there’s little else that comes close. It’s likely the best hotel in Arawa and maybe even in the entire Bougainville region, though Buka does offer some competition. The rooms at Bovotel are serviceable, hovering around a 3-star level, but what really sets it apart is its swimming pool—a rare find in Bougainville. In fact, it might just be the only one on the island, though don’t quote us on that.
But we didn’t come to Bovotel just to swim; we came to eat. The Steak Hous was calling, and our group was more than ready to answer.
What’s on the Menu at Bovotel?
For a place that bills itself as a steakhouse, the menu at Bovotel is, to say the least, eclectic. Yes, they have steak and the usual suspects of Western fare, but the offerings don’t stop there. Expect to find a mix of Chinese dishes, some Filipino staples, and even a few local twists. It’s a menu that feels a bit like a culinary world tour, though sometimes less is more, as they say.
I opted for the local set meal—a choice driven more by my curiosity than by the menu description. It ended up being more photogenic than flavorful, but it was all part of the experience.
The Food and Drink Verdict
Now, let’s talk about the steak. If you’re a steak purist, brace yourself: the concept of “medium-rare” seems to have lost something in translation here. But if you’re willing to go with the flow, there’s still some good eating to be had. The chips, for instance, were a hit, especially when paired with the ever-reliable chicken. Honestly, in this part of the world, you can’t go wrong with chicken and chips, especially when doused with Maggi seasoning.
As for my local set meal, it turned out to be a hearty spread of plantain, sweet potato, and coconut chicken—a dish that screams Bougainville. The side of fries, however, was a bit much, tipping the meal into starch overload territory. But hey, you live, you learn.
On the drink front, Bovotel offers the usual suspects—local beers and a few Aussie imports like Castlemaine XXXX, which took me on a nostalgic trip back to my teenage years.
In summary, Bovotel isn’t going to blow your mind, but it gets the job done. However, the title of Bougainville’s best restaurant still belongs to Reasons Café.
How to Find Bovotel Arawa
You can’t miss it:
QH85+5XM, Section 9, Arawa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea
Arawa is a small town, so if you’re here, you’ll find it easily enough.
You can check out our Bougainville Tours here.
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