Laras Asri Resort in Salatiga - anyone who knows this resort

I lived in Salatiga for a while back in the mid 90s when the best hotel in town was the Beringin which, while reasonably comfortable, is more of the 1-2 star motel standard of accommodation. When I was back in Salatiga visiting some friends at the uni a couple of years ago I was walking down the street and saw this place, the Laras Asri, and was absolutely amazed to find this super-luxurious resort in Salatiga given that Salatiga is not exactly a tourist hot-spot. Salatiga is, however, ideally located to use as a base in Central Java because Semarang, Yogya, Prambanan, Borobudur, Ambawara, Solo, Kopeng (jumping off point for Gunung Merbabu) etc are within a couple of hours drive (Dieng a bit further).

I didn't stay at this resort but had dinner there one night with a friend. The dinner was expensive although nothing particularly memorable and I imagine the accommodation prices would be what you'd expect in a 5 star hotel. The facilities looked pretty impressive though. Salatiga is at an altitude of 600-700 metres so you will notice it is cooler than Yogya and especially Semarang which would be one of the hottest cities in Indonesia. You won't notice it much during the day when it is still quite hot but evenings are definitely cooler. Many nights I actually needed a blanket on the bed in Salatiga, something you'd never need in any lowland places in Java (unless, of course, you're staying in air-conditioned accommodation).

wow, I spent consecutive years too in Salatiga at UKSW. Kind of funny to hear there is a resort there now.

Yeah, guess it is pitched more at the well-heeled Indonesian 'looking for a weekend away' kind of market rather than foreigners.