Must-see hotels in Sumatra

  • Rimba Ecolodge

    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…

  • Horas Family Home

    Danau Toba

    Horas Family Home is perfect for those wanting a homely space with cooking facilities, and is a unique option for those seeking something different. Best…

  • Freddies

    Aceh

    This delightful cluster of breezy rooms sits above Pulau Weh's nicest stretch of white-sand beach, which has a small coral reef. It’s perfect for those…

  • Tabo Cottages

    Danau Toba

    The most attractive accommodation on Pulau Samosir is this sprawling German-run lakeside place that has the feel and professionalism of a laid-back resort…

  • Bat & Arrow

    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…

  • Abdi Homestay

    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 …

  • Mutiara Beach Guesthouse

    Pulau Bintan

    At this Swiss-run hideaway, gorgeous thatched bungalows with spacious verandahs sit amid unruly vegetation right by a pristine beach; its shallow waters…

  • Sapo Belen Lodge

    Aceh

    An unexpected find in the gritty port town of Singkil is this attractive traditional house featuring a polished-wood interior, antiques and plenty of…

  • Padi Ecolodge

    West Sumatra

    Sitting among verdant rice paddies and a flowering tropical garden is this stunning lodge that incorporates a spectacular traditional Minangkabau design…

  • Key Hole Surf Camp

    Sumatra

    Run by local surfer Timmy and his friendly family, the old favourite Key Hole Surf Camp is right in the thick of things. It has eight comfortable, air…

  • Hello Guesthouse

    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…

  • On the Rocks

    Bukit Lawang

    More on the hill than on the rocks, the 10 ‘tribal’ huts here verge on being luxurious in a rustic way. Each hut has a verandah and sunken bathroom, and…

  • Lumba Lumba

    Aceh

    Behind the diving centre of the same name, Lumba Lumba offers some of the best-quality accommodation in Gapang. Wood-decked cottages have tiled rooms,…

  • Beach Guest House

    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…

  • Flip Flop Hostel

    Sumatra

    One of south Sumatra's best hostels, Flip Flop is an immaculate multilevel space that's lovingly decorated with vibrant furnishings, murals and pot plants…

  • Nina’s Bungalows

    Banyak Islands

    The Banyak hot spot for backpackers at the time of research, Nina's comprises five spacious, thatched bungalows with hammocks swinging on shady porches…

  • Damai Bungalows

    Sumatra

    Leafy gardens, fan-cooled bungalows with private outdoorsy bathrooms, the best surfer-lodge food and friendly underfoot dogs are the defining features of…

  • Aloita Resort & Spa

    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…

  • Botik Resort

    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 Surf Retreat

    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…

  • Friendship Guesthouse

    Gunung Leuser National Park

    This well-priced guesthouse has a beautiful riverside location and charming, colourful wooden bungalows equipped with Western toilets. The cheapest rooms…

  • Lovina Krui Surf

    Sumatra

    Run by laid-back husband-and-wife team Yoris and Fransiska, this original, lovingly designed spot has rooms inside a number of traditional Sumatran-style…

  • Togat Nusa

    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…

  • Liberta Homestay

    Danau Toba

    This backpacker fave close to the ferry terminal has limited lake views, but a chill universe is created by a lush garden and arty versions of traditional…

  • Thousand Hills Guest House

    Gunung Leuser National Park

    The first Ketambe guesthouse you'll come across if approaching from the south and the most charming of its accommodation options, this place consists of…

  • Banyan Tree Bintan

    Pulau Bintan

    The private and privileged Banyan Tree has famed spa facilities and is a high-powered retreat deep in the jungle. The hotel shares a 900m-long beach with…

  • Rainforest Lodge

    Gunung Leuser National Park

    Rainforest Lodge has simple but pleasant bungalows along a river in beautiful jungle surrounds, with plenty of opportunities for wildlife-spotting. Let Mr…

  • Back to Nature

    Bukit Lawang

    Living up to its name, this lodge is set on a gorgeous bend in the river a 45-minute walk from civilisation. Aca, the eco-minded owner, has preserved a…

  • Trikora Beach Club

    Pulau Bintan

    Rustic whitewashed beach huts and a white sandy beach make this chillaxed resort popular with visitors from neighbouring Singapore looking for a quick,…

  • Casa Nemo

    Aceh

    There's a fabulous range of rooms and cottages cascading down the cliff side at this Mediterranean-feeling resort. Although it caters to all travellers …

  • Nachelle Homestay

    North Sumatra

    With its unconventional, unsigned address set in a car park back from the main road, your first impressions here may leave you wondering. However, this is…

  • Brigitte’s House

    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…

  • Green Hill

    Bukit Lawang

    Run by an English conservation scientist and her Sumatran husband, Green Hill has lovely stilt-high rooms ideal for couples and families, with cool en…

  • Shadow Mentawai Surf Camp

    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…

  • Resort Latitude Zero

    Sumatra

    A luxurious surfing resort sitting on its own private island, this place has excellent access to Telo’s 18 breaks, sea views from its sumptuous rooms and…

  • Surfing Village

    Sumatra

    An intimate surf retreat for 12 guests in a remote location, run by the ever-helpful Mario Fernandes, a Brazilian transplant who guarantees you a good…

  • Palambak Island Resort

    Banyak Islands

    The only accommodation on Pulau Palambak Besar is in these 10 lovely bungalows with shared bathrooms fronting a stunning beach. There's a nice restaurant…

  • New House Padang

    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…

  • Riverside Hostel

    Padang

    Within a converted old house, this rather refined hostel has polished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and antique decorations. Boutique rooms and…

  • Olala

    Aceh

    Offering cheap and cheerful huts on stilts, Olala caters both to shoestringers (with basic huts with shared bathrooms) and those who want their own…

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