West Sumatra
Rimba Ecolodge is an intimate French-Indonesian-run place reachable by boat. Monkeys (both silvered leaf and red leaf species) come to explore the beach…
Must-see hotels in West Sumatra
Padang
With a great location in the atmospheric old quarter along the river, this unique choice is upstairs from its popular eponymous bar. It's more of an art…
West Sumatra
Run by young and energetic owners Ikbal and Noni, Abdi Homestay is the loveliest place to stay in the Harau Valley. Eight adorable thatched bungalows …
West Sumatra
Sitting among verdant rice paddies and a flowering tropical garden is this stunning lodge that incorporates a spectacular traditional Minangkabau design…
West Sumatra
This bright, modern guesthouse is run by thoughtful owner Ling, who understands the needs of budget travellers. She is happy to provide maps of town, has…
West Sumatra
Run by a friendly, energetic local couple, Fifi and Jack, this hostel and cafe is Danau Maninjau’s backpacker central. Bunk in the four-bed dorm or go for…
Mentawai Islands
Ten bungalows in a garden setting occupy a private beach here within easy reach of the breaks Telescopes and Iceland, and there’s a beginner’s surf break…
Mentawai Islands
Boasting one of Mentawai's most stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and coconut trees, this Spanish-owned resort truly is your clichéd…
Mentawai Islands
With Pitstops breaking right in front of its three breezy Mentawai-style cottages, this intimate surf retreat has an enviable location on Pulau Masokut…
Mentawai Islands
On the private 12-hectare island of Pitojat, Togat Nusa has four bungalows catering to only eight guests at a time. The funky and stylish accommodation is…
Padang
Down a backstreet just off Jl Nipah, Brigitte’s is a great backpacker pad with a relaxed ambience and chilled lounge and kitchen areas. The singles are…
Mentawai Islands
On tiny, lush Pulau Buasak on the outskirts of Playground, Shadow is run by friendly local surfer brothers Ade (along with his Spanish wife) and Dodi and…
Padang
Popular with surfers and backpackers, this friendly, relaxed six-room guesthouse is the perfect mix of budget and style. A compact Zen garden combines…
Padang
Within a converted old house, this rather refined hostel has polished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and antique decorations. Boutique rooms and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Padang
A little out of Padang's centre, this slick business hotel features spacious, contemporary rooms with polished wooden floors, large bathrooms, sumptuous…
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…
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…
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…
Mentawai Islands
This small guesthouse has a beach-house vibe and is just a short hop from Iceland, Suicides and other decent breaks. Accommodation is geared towards solo…
West Sumatra
Just outside Pelompek among pastoral surrounds is this homestay that lives up to its name, with the volcano on full show. The rooms here are brightly…
West Sumatra
Just south of the statue on the main road is the best base camp in Kersik Tua. Subandi is the only English-speaking homestay; owner Pak is a fount of…
Mentawai Islands
With an enviable location in front of the legendary HT’s right-hander and just a short hop from Lance’s Left, Bintangs, Cobra’s and even a couple of beach…
West Sumatra
Your options here range from rather depressing cold-water rooms downstairs that could seriously use a coat of paint, to more spacious and stylish rooms…
Mentawai Islands
Probably the best of the Mentawai budget options is this relaxed guesthouse on a grassy property 50m from an idyllic beach that's perfect for swimming…
West Sumatra
Homestay Gunung Tujuh is one of the few places to stay in Pelompek village. Overlooking the market and a block away from the main street, it has spacious…
Mentawai Islands
Not actually by the sea, the hilly Oinan Surf Lodge, around 4km from Tua Pejat (ojek/taxi ride 20,000/100,000Rp), has amazing terrace views of the iconic…
Padang
More like a midrange hotel than a homestay – but at an affordable price – this place has rooms that are very clean and come with comfortable beds, air-con…
West Sumatra
An excellent addition to Bukittinggi's rather tired midrange sleeping options, contemporary Treeli gets a lot of things right. Rooms are compact and quiet…
West Sumatra
Sitting right under the cliffs in the narrowest part of the Harau Valley is Harau Resort (aka Lembah Echo), with its beautiful grounds encroached on by a…
West Sumatra
Walk through rice paddies (5.5km north of Maninjau) to these five simple bungalows facing a small beach and clear section of lake (no fish farms here)…
