I am a young lady (26 yrs of age)of Trinidad and Tobago. This was my first visit to Haiti travelling alone. I had a really long day of travelling and the hotel was booked in advance in case I had missed my flight to my destination by a lady Jacqueline, who was trying to help me out whilst I was in the country.
I don't speak Kreole, but she spoke English, so she helped me alot by getting from the airport to the hotel etc
Anyways I missed my flight to Jeremie a city in Haiti and so I had to go to the Oloffson, got a cab for 30USD from the airport. Before I got to the hotel I telephoned my friend who is currently working in Haiti becasue its him I was going to stay with, and I told him that I had missed myflight, he agreed to come pick me up but it would take 7 hrs to get from Jeremie to PAP. I arrived at the Hotel at about 6.30 in the evening; my first impression was that the hotel was like a big old house. After I had paid my 85 USD to stay here, current went twice and the entire city was in total darkness. I was so tired that I just paid the money a nice young guy escorted me to my room. Not to mention the receptionist there was so very rude and impatient and the old lady that they called madam looks really scary...
SOrry but this is my experience. The aircondition did not work and there was brown water in the bathroom tap. WHen I was redy to take a shower the water would not come out of the shower and so I had to be escorted to someone else's room to take a bath iamgine that...
When I explained to the receptionsit that my ac iwasn't working she then told me that I had to pay for it separately. I was now devasteated. IThe entire room, th ehouse everything smelled old, relaly old. It was the worst ever, the best thing I remembered was the chicken salad I had for 8 USD, while I was having this rain started to fall and guess what current went again... I got two candles to eat with and then when I tried to go to the room I couldn't becasue the entire place was wet and slippery and the floors were creaking. Also they had no umbrellas to take me to the room because if you have been here you wouold know the rooms twhich are located upstairs at the back. Could you imagine that I spent 85USD for that becasue my friend drove all the way from Les Cayes to pick me up and I left the hotel at 9.30 that night. Five hours of pure #### for 85USD... I was so relieved when my friend came for me...Could you imagine that !
DON"T GO TO THAT PLACE>>>I WARN YOU...

I booked the Oloffson through Yahoo Travel and was charged in advance for the room; however, when I arrived at the hotel they had no record of either the reservation or the payment, so after some arguing I had to pay again. Our room was missing a window, so mosquitos poured in. I woke up with 8 mosquito bites on my face, and my boyfriend had 51 small bites on his legs. The food at the hotel is ok, but service somehow reminds me of dead fish. The pillows were ratty and smelled like lemon Pledge. Who knows when any of the bedding was last washed. At about $85 a night for a double room, you have to bring your own shampoo, wash cloth and, apparently, window. The a/c sputtered out musty air that was mild at best. Morever, the location isn't amenable to walking around, so you're stuck in this rundown hotel. The Oloffson may have been an illustrious hotel back in the day, but I'd say that day has passed. I would recommend staying at the better-value, better-situated Kinam. At least you can go out for a meal, aren't as isolated, have windows, functioning a/c, cable television, a fully stocked bar, etc.

I went to the Oloffson on Thursday so I could take in the voudou rhythm of RAM. I stayed with friends in the Graham Greene suite which was big enough for a large family. There was a large verranda with wicker like furniture and the room had a small area to entertain friends. Even though the hotel is in the city of Port au Prince, it is an island of its own surrounded by tropical trees and plants. Make sure you have your continental breakfast which is served down near the kitchen. The older waiters made my party feel as though we were hollywood elite. Don't expect the fastest service from the kitchen crew, but the food is good once it gets to your table. The rooms are decorated with voudou paintings and art and definitely was a welcome retreat even for someone who has lived in Haiti over the past 20 years. Richard and his wife Lunise are very welcoming hosts and treat you as they would treat Jonathan Demme or their other Hollywood guest. When you visit make sure you meet some of the hotel guests as they are quite interesting people. I will stay at the Oloffson upon my arrival and departure from Haiti each time I go.

This hotel is an experience, not just a place to stay. If you are going to be picky and obsessive about service, cleanliness, upkeep, etc. then you shouldn't stay here (and probably you should not go to Haiti). The Oloffson is not a prepackaged place designed by formula to make you forget where you are. If you are interested in taking part in the culture, the characters and the history of Haiti, if you are interested in meeting people who will make your trip worthwhile, in understanding a little more about this fascinating country, and taking a break from Port-au-prince in a peaceful and mysterious place then yes, stay here. It's famous for a reason.