Must-see hotels in Sumatra

  • Mahi-Mahi

    Aceh

    Simeulue's most upmarket option has a prime location directly on the Peak break. It has a mix of elegant, traditional bungalows that incorporate recycled…

  • Yani’s Homestay

    Padang

    Run by friendly young owner Yuliez, who's an excellent source of info, this central homestay provides bona fide backpacker digs in the form of an air-con…

  • K77 Guest House

    Medan

    The best backpackers in Medan is this homestay in a quiet residential street east of the centre. Spotlessly clean rooms, comfy beds and friendly, helpful…

  • Mayang Sari Beach Resort

    Pulau Bintan

    This good-value, lower-end resort features 50 thatched-roof, Balinese-style chalets, each with its own verandah and choice of a garden or sea view. The…

  • Ricky’s Beach House

    West Sumatra

    Ricky’s Beach House, in the fishing village of Sungai Pinang, is the kind of place where backpackers extend their stay indefinitely. And why would you…

  • Kuta Langis Ecolodge

    Bukit Lawang

    On a beautiful tract of fertile land that edges directly onto Gunung Leuser National Park, this rustic hideaway is the place to escape Bukit Lawang's…

  • Dazhong Backpackers Hostel

    Medan

    One of Medan's few budget options is this centrally located hostel that gets rave reviews from backpackers. Proud owner Mr Yauw certainly isn't lacking in…

  • Telo Island Surf House

    Sumatra

    A great budget option is this relaxed two-storey wooden house overlooking the surf on Pulau Sibaranun. It's pretty old-school with limited electricity,…

  • Satwa Elephant Ecolodge

    Sumatra

    This delightful, accredited ecolodge is located in Plangijo village 500m from Way Kambas National Park's entrance. Its spacious cottages are scattered…

  • Ibis Styles Medan Patimura

    Medan

    A solid choice for those seeking a contemporary, well-priced midrange hotel with modern amenities and designer touches. The spacious rooms have king-size…

  • Beng Bengs Surf Camp

    Mentawai Islands

    Run by Italian surfer Massimo, this popular surf camp has a dream location overlooking a white sandy beach and surf breaks. Rooms are a mix of shared…

  • Bagus Bay Homestay

    Danau Toba

    Rooms in traditional Batak houses overlook fruit trees, a children's playground and a grassy badminton court at this excellent budget resort. The more…

  • EcoTravel Cottages

    Bukit Lawang

    With huge four-poster beds, immense rooms, hammocks on porches and immaculate hot-water bathrooms, this riverfront lodge combines the ultimate in creature…

  • Kupu-Kupu Garden Guest House

    Bukit Lawang

    Hidden away from the tourist strip a 10-minute walk along the river, this boutique guesthouse offers a perfect compromise: it's close enough to walk to…

  • Zacky's Homestay

    West Sumatra

    This place is run by local guide Zacky, who set up Explore Kerinci. The rooms are upstairs in a sizeable house with a wraparound balcony to kick back and…

  • Awera Resort

    Mentawai Islands

    On Pulau Awera, within easy range of Iceland, Suicides and Telescopes, this Basque-run place has five traditional thatched Mentawai villas that sit amid…

  • Seabreeze Kite Club

    Aceh

    This American-managed guesthouse is a cool beachside hang-out that caters to those here kiteboarding (best from May to mid-October). A range of packages…

  • Museum Nias Lodges

    Sumatra

    A fairly unique choice, not only because you get to spend a night at the museum (Museum Pusaka Nias), but because it's inside a traditional Nias house…

  • Romlan Guesthouse

    Danau Toba

    Run by a German-Indonesian family, this waterfront guesthouse is one of the original places to stay in Tuk Tuk and it’s still going strong. Choose between…

  • Wavepark Resort

    Mentawai Islands

    Located on a private island, Wavepark has a front-row view of Hideaways from its lookout tower, and large, comfortable, breezy bungalows (with the best…

  • Hotel Beringin

    Sumatra

    Located in the laid-back, attractive town of Kalianda, Beringin offers a handy base for those heading to Krakatau. It's in an appealing Dutch colonial…

  • Lively Hotel Kualanamu

    Medan

    A reasonable budget option for those needing to catch an early flight is this faux-designer hotel that's a five-minute drive from Medan's airport. Its…

  • Alaia

    Mentawai Islands

    Run by a young Aussie-Japanese surfer couple, this fairly plush but laid-back option is on the northern tip of Nyang Nyang Island (Pulau Masokut). Its two…

  • Kandui Villas

    Mentawai Islands

    Located on Pulau Karangmajat, American-owned Kandui Villas is a short paddle from Kandui Left, not far from the legendary Rifles. It offers unlimited…

  • House of Annisa

    West Sumatra

    More like a museum than a guesthouse, this wonderful Dutch heritage villa has been lovingly restored by the great-grandchildren of the original owners…

  • Grand Swiss-Belhotel Medan

    Medan

    This huge, five-star hotel follows the standard business-class formula of great facilities, an array of different restaurants and a guaranteed good night…

  • Muaro Beach Bungalows

    West Sumatra

    Down a maze of footpaths about 300m northwest of the main intersection, these beachfront bungalows are a good deal in central Maninjau. The small beach…

  • Rainforest Guesthouse

    Bukit Lawang

    One of Bukit Lawang's most popular backpackers for many a year, Rainforest has a cluster of rooms set close to the gurgling river. The cheaper rooms have…

  • Grand Zuri Hotel

    Padang

    A little out of Padang's centre, this slick business hotel features spacious, contemporary rooms with polished wooden floors, large bathrooms, sumptuous…

  • Dreamland Resort

    North Sumatra

    Run by two friendly young brothers who speak good English, Dreamland has three appealing A-frame cottages with private bathrooms sitting partially hidden…

  • Novotel

    West Sumatra

    Commanding Bukittinggi's heights like a Moorish citadel, Novotel (formerly Hills) is usually full of VIPs and their security squads. Sports lovers can get…

  • Harus Damai Inn

    Sumatra

    Right on Pantai Lagundri, this is the place for non-surfers, with a mellow little beach with no (or little) waves. Even though it's directly on the beach,…

  • Banyak Surf Resort

    Banyak Islands

    This new French-owned surf camp has basic stilted bungalows built over the Bay of Plenty, located a short paddle to the shore. Rates include transport to…

  • Wisma Cinta Alam

    Gunung Leuser National Park

    Run by veteran guide and rafter Johan, these well-established bungalows are set on lovingly maintained grounds. The cheaper rooms sit in a row in a…

  • Grand Rocky Hotel

    West Sumatra

    Adding a touch of kitschy Vegas glamour to Bukittinggi’s top-end range, the Grand Rocky stands sentinel above town, its lobby bustling with bow-tied staff…

  • Leuser Ketambe Guesthouse

    Gunung Leuser National Park

    Ketambe's most unique choice is this dated guesthouse that's the only accommodation inside Gunung Leuser National Park. It has the eerie ambience of an…

  • Pring Gading Surf Camp

    Sumatra

    At the southern end of the city, and not far from the beach, Yadi’s place is the heart and soul of the local surfer community, with boards as well as…

  • Hotel Mahkota

    West Sumatra

    One of Sungai Penuh's better hotels, Mahkota is fronted by a rather grand reception building, and though rooms are fairly generic, they're comfortable…

  • Wisma Sibayak

    North Sumatra

    This centrally located guesthouse has a prim, old-school feel – there's a 10pm curfew and extra cost for hot showers (10,000Rp) – but the cheapest rooms…

  • Moon Beach Resort

    Aceh

    Set up by an Aussie builder who helped construct local villages following the 2004 tsnuami, these modernised bungalows are located halfway between the…

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