Kupang
Although predominantly a business hotel, four-star Aston remains one of Kupang's better places to stay. English-speaking staff are helpful and there's a…
Must-see hotels in Nusa Tenggara
Labuan Bajo
Peppered with quote decals ('Always remember, karma comes back') and adored for its pool and friendly staff, this five-room, 29-bed dorm nails the balance…
Flores
Look for a friendly group of Rastas sitting under a dried grass umbrella in front of a white house and you've found Mahoni. Owner Galank is welcoming to…
Flores
With 18 lumbung (rice barn) style bungalows and four family rooms spread along a white-sand beach, this is a truly beautiful island resort. Bungalows have…
Flores
Enjoy basic accommodation at Pante Hera in raised tents on the cliff overlooking the ocean or bunk rooms, both priced the same with meals included. There…
Labuan Bajo
This central, 30-bed hostel from Green Hill Boutique Hotel is perfect for travellers who want a hostel set-up without the rowdy crowd. Immaculate and…
Flores
If Sunset Cottages is full, or even if it's not, Sante Sante homestay and beach bar next door is run by the owner's nephew. He has two basic rooms and…
West Lombok
This all-inclusive resort for the backpacker set envisions itself as a place to practise the art of doing nothing. Rates include three daily meals,…
Flores
Bintang is one of the best guesthouses in town, offering five large, centrally located and renovated rooms. It has hot water and the cafe (mains 30,000Rp…
Sumbawa
Set along a little lane between the beach and the main road, this five-room compound offers the area's warmest welcome, with Vivian and her Sumbawanese…
Sumbawa
Bright white walls, distressed-wood furnishings and downtempo pop all combine to give this seafront surf lodge an airy beach-chic appeal. The spacious…
Flores
Two kilometres from the centre of town towards Gua Liang Bua and surrounded by rice terraces is this welcoming, three-bedroom guesthouse. Two rooms have…
Flores
Set among coconut palms, this resort is so spotless it feels like someone's raking the sand as you walk. Eight bamboo bungalows have undulating roofs and…
Sumba
Set around a manicured courtyard are 54 immaculate, modern rooms. All have air-con and the only difference between a standard and deluxe is hot water. Two…
Flores
Ruteng's nicest accommodation. Twelve deluxe bungalows set around a lily pond (with more on the way) have plush bedding and wooden feature walls inset…
Sumba
This basic but super-friendly homestay close to Tarimbang's beach is far from the usual Indonesian resort experience, but close to great breaks…
Labuan Bajo
Long-time local guide Kornelis Gega runs this four-room family homestay above the town centre. The basic, ramshackle dorm has six beds (two people can…
Gili Air
On Gili Air's quiet northwest coast, this sandy but tidy compound has 25 basic bungalows (ranging from budget-friendly and fan-cooled to mildly snazzy)…
Labuan Bajo
This swish, minimalist spot delivers on its tagline: brew (the trendy coffee shop opens 6am to 10pm), bite (there's a small menu of Indonesian and Western…
Sumbawa
The choice budget spot in the area offers a collection of 12 spacious, well-tended tiled rooms. Those with private bathroom have sensational sea views,…
Gili Air
This sprawling complex of basic bungalows in the northern interior of Gili Air is truly backpacker central, with a mushroom-shaped pool, heaps of…
South Lombok
One of the best places for a low-cost stay in Kuta, these eight bungalows (some fan-cooled, all with bathrooms) are built around a lovely pool area…
Flores
You'll feel like family at this budget, three-bedroom guesthouse. Rooms are simple, spotless and share a bathroom (with a pebbled shower). Ask owner Ino…
Labuan Bajo
Where you'd live if you called Bajo home. Made up of a two-storey, three-bedroom house; newer two-bedroom house and small pondok (guesthouse), all light…
Flores
Nine fun, detached hippy shacks with colourful walls, a smattering of inspirational sayings ('If life was easy where would all the adventures be?') and…
Kupang
You've got to feel for whoever covered this three-storey, family-run hotel in mosaic tiles. It adds to the Mexican vibe, with a rooftop terrace and bar,…
Flores
Off the main road heading to the pier, these 12 air-conditioned rooms with timber furniture and private bathrooms are owned by the area's top guide, Al…
Flores
Larantuka's best place to stay overlooks Weri beach, 5km northeast of the centre. The 27 well-designed rooms are in one- and two-storey blocks, and have…
South Lombok
Lodging at this fun surf resort at the eastern end of Gerupuk village is in a bamboo Borneo-style longhouse, albeit with lots of high-tech diversions. The…
Sumbawa
Bertrand Fleury, a world-class kitesurfer, hosts kite pros from July to November for the wind season. When he's gone, he rents out his two excellent…
Gili Meno
It's a tough call, but we think this beachfront resort is just that much whiter than the surrounding sand. There is an interesting range of 75 rooms here,…
Mataram
Lombok Raya took more of a beating than most Mataram hotels in the 2018 quakes, but renovations were under way at the time of research. It's a well…
Nusa Tenggara
Set on a notch in the headland that bisects this absurdly wide and almost unjustly beautiful bay, Bo'a Hill has beautiful bungalows set on a three-hectare…
Labuan Bajo
Laid-back beach vibes abound at this large hostel, where free banana pancakes are available 24 hours. There's a restaurant (11am to 11pm; mains 35,000Rp…
Labuan Bajo
The view of town and sunset over the bay lifts these understated rooms. Set back from the main-street hubbub in the centre of town, entry to the 13 rooms…
Flores
Not to be confused with the bland Edelweis Hotel on the main drag, this eight-room homestay has an assortment of comfortable and colourful rooms. The…
Flores
A cosy, three-room homestay run by a beautiful family brimming with information about the local area. The hot-water bathroom is shared between two rooms;…
Senggigi
Charming two-level bungalow-style rooms by the sand are the best bets at this well-run hotel, which straddles both sides of the road south of the centre…
Sumbawa
The mining crowd has enjoyed more than a few sundowners at the vast and open beachside cafe here (dishes 40,000Rp to 60,000Rp); the food always delivers –…
Senggigi
This is why you came to the tropics: a palm-shaded, shimmering infinity pool and a lovely, almost private beach, sheltered by a rocky outcrop. The 35…
