Sibayak Multinational Resthouse
North Sumatra
Set in immaculate gardens and with a hill-country vibe (as long as the dogs aren’t barking), the vast, modern rooms here are a decent, if overpriced, bet…
Must-see hotels in Indonesia
Central Java
This solidly built hotel has a wide choice of reasonably clean but otherwise unattractive rooms that have seen better days. Upstairs rooms have a little…
East Bali
We're disappointed to report that the idea of spending the night inside the royal water palace is far more glamorous than the reality. Rooms are…
Tana Toraja
One of the cheapest places in Rantepao that has maintained some standard of cleanliness, this small complex off a side street in a quiet neighbourhood…
Sulawesi
This venerable place has been hosting travellers for years, and it shows. The two floors of spacious rooms are holding up OK, but the star attraction is…
Kalimantan
The only real attraction to this place is that it's opposite the boat dock – a welcome sight when you stumble off the kapal biasa at 1am. Tiny rooms…
Yogyakarta
Around the corner from the original Lucy losmen, this newer guesthouse may match the expectations of those on a tight budget but some of the grimy,…
Ubud Region
Located in an area where the bamboo grows like grass, this hotel on the road to Keliki offers somewhat musty rooms and villas, a pool and a restaurant…
Medan
Decked out in sedate creams and browns, rooms here are compact and comfortable. Gandhi Inn is just a short walk from Thamrin Plaza Mall and the Pasar…
Sumba
The long-running Homestay Stori is owned by a hospitable family and has four rooms available in a frayed concrete home with peeling linoleum floors and…
Central Sulawesi
Close to the ferry for the Togean Islands, Oasis' shabby yet functional rooms have almost run their course. Stay here if you value cost over everything…
Padangbai
There are few frills on offer at this homestay located on a noisy gang (laneway) in the centre of town. Dark, eau-de-mothball–scented rooms are furnished…
Tana Toraja
Hidden away down a side lane, this three-storey establishment has clean and comfortable rooms with hot water. The building is speckled with Toraja…
Medan
The lime-green Residence, down a side street across from the Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque), has a wide variety of budget rooms, but they're uniformly dull…
Tana Toraja
Tiny rooms under a roadside cafe in front of Mentirotiku are clean and comfortable, though the thin roof between you and kitchen may be problematic for…
Manado
This stately home in Bahowo village on the coast north of Manado is owned by a friendly British couple. The place is welcoming and the rooms are spacious,…
Sumba
A bright garden hotel east of the downtown swirl and within view of nearby rice fields, Karanu offers clean (if timeworn) rooms. VIP ones have air-con and…
Ubud
A beautiful 1.5km walk north up the Campuan ridge, this overpriced place has a large pool, a terrace cafe and a choice of one- or two-bedroom bungalows…
Tulamben
Run by a dive operator, this place offers oceanfront bungalows and rooms that are both overpriced and not as clean as they should be. Facilities include…
Bandung
This large and very average hotel has the plus point of being close to the train station, but cleanliness and general maintenance could be better. It'll…
Tana Toraja
The huge Torajan-style houses have massive curb appeal, but that's about it. Inside, the basic rooms are clean but uninspired, though some have bathtubs…
West Lombok
The most 'upscale' place to stay right at Tanjung Desert (that's because there's a phone number you can try calling) has 10 rather shack-like bungalows. A…
West Kalimantan
Local guide and English teacher Agung runs this basic homestay on the west side of the river near Terminal Sungai Durian. Rooms are simple with shared…
West Timor
If you want to immerse yourself in Timor life or troll the surrounding villages for handicrafts, stay the night 1.5km from Oinlasi at Sungar Budaya, a…
Makassar
The now old New Legend has lost its shine, and will only appeal to thrifty backpackers looking for cheap digs in Chinatown. The dorms are fan-cooled,…
Padangbai
Located on a noisy corner in the town centre, this poorly maintained guesthouse has 11 rooms linked by a steep and narrow staircase; the cheapest have…
Kalimantan
If you enjoyed visiting your grandmother's house, you'll enjoy staying at this friendly upstairs guesthouse. Enjoy the foot-massaging floors in the clean…
Baliem Valley
There are some small, extremely simple guest honai near the cave entrance which have straw floors, sleeping mats and a filthy shared mandi with squat…
Sumbawa
These once-colourful concrete bungalows are now much faded, but still offer shady front porches, sprawling, palm-shaded grounds and fabulous views to…
Sumba
Fifteen spacious rooms horseshoe the fern-filled courtyard, and although some of them are a bit dark and walls can be scuffed, the tiled floors and…
Kalimantan
These basic rooms are clean and the place is well kept, though the budget rooms share a bathroom and little English is spoken. It's easy to find on the…
Central Sulawesi
This bipolar place on a quiet suburban lane has spacious but rundown rooms with thin walls, and cute but well-loved cottages. All have air-conditioning …
East Bali
A large seaside compound with seven dated and decidedly overpriced rooms; these have a gaudy decor so you'll want to spend most time outside enjoying the…
Sulawesi
The hotel is kept clean, but is a bit tired and ageing. The standards have tiny bathrooms (you'll likely need to stand on the toilet to shower) but the…
Flores
This family-run guesthouse offers four, basic, bungalow-style rooms, with hot water and breakfast. Guests can relax on comfy bamboo chairs on the porch…
Sulawesi
Among the nicest of the budget places – which isn't saying much. If you can look past a few patches of peeling paint and less-than-sparkling bathrooms,…
Ubud
Set in a shady, secluded locale next to a large family temple, the nine dark rooms here have old mattresses and basic bathrooms; two have air-con, the…
Tana Toraja
Set in the rice fields near the turn-off to Ke’te Kesu', the rooms here are dated, noisy and not very private. The only saving grace is the L-shaped pool,…
West Kalimantan
If you want to stay in the thick of the city action and close to Pasar Malam Hongkong (night market), this old-timer is among the best of the budget…
Manado
Smallish, no-frills rooms with air-con, private hot-water bathrooms and in-room wi-fi will do in a pinch, but the place is not ageing well. Breakfast is…
