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,…
Must-see hotels in Indonesia
Manado
Colourful, whimsical, funky – it's nice to see a hotel in the city attempt a little personality. Of course underneath the cartoons, it's still just a bed…
East Bali
Though the stony beach in front of this boutique hotel isn't ideal for swimming or sunbathing, a small jade-green pool compensates. The eight rooms are…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Kalimantan
Beside the main jetty and with a relatively clean private beach, this is one of Derawan's best-value resorts, with well-designed timber rooms and cottages…
Yogyakarta
Located down a narrow street in an appealing neighbourhood, this popular hostel spills over two sites. The main building has a leafy courtyard that…
Banda Islands
A guesthouse with a colonial homestay feel, Mutiara is owned by the same team who run the more upmarket Cilu Bintang. There's no hot water but rooms are…
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…
Malang
With its rather grand colonnaded Italianate facade and sparkling lobby, the strangely named Same Hotel flirts with tackiness. Fortunately, thanks to low…
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…
East Bali
Perched on the headland right above the blue water of the Bali Sea, this hotel has a distinctive white and aquamarine colour scheme that complements its…
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…
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…
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…
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…
East Bali
Lush grounds incorporating a naturalistic pool and plenty of palm trees are the main draw at this well-run hotel. The bungalows may be set too close…
Sulawesi
Just west of Pulau Tomia, this ultra-exclusive hideaway offers beautiful bungalow accommodation and one of the most celebrated house reefs in Indonesia…
Central Java
Built as a retreat for Dutch planters, the Kresna dates from 1921 and retains a certain colonial charm with stained-glass windows and polished floors…
Central Java
A beautifully carved wooden boat and an attractive pergola distinguish the outside of this otherwise ordinary hotel. The air-con is somewhat under…
Central Java
One of a number of homestays that are clustered along 'Homestay Street', this friendly enterprise at the top of the street is part of a village…
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…
Ubud
One of Ubud's new crop of boutique-style guesthouses, Sapodilla is notable for its large, stylishly presented rooms and its high levels of service –…
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…
Aceh
Set up by an Aussie builder who helped construct local villages following the 2004 tsnuami, these modernised bungalows are located halfway between the…
Candidasa
Amarta's 16 rooms are arranged in a garden compound right next to Mendira Beach; the best are the modern suites at the rear of the compound, which have…
Raja Ampat Islands
One of the flashiest and biggest of the dive resorts, Papua Explorers is set in a large, pretty bay and has 15 palatial over-water bungalows. It’s all…
North Sumatra
This German-Indonesian-run resort is the pick of Tangkahan's riverfront accommodation, with modern bungalows in sprawling clifftop gardens – the best have…
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…
East Java
With its prime location in front of (arguably) the best part of the reef, plus a multi-level watch tower for sundown beers and wave-watching, Jack's …
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…
Kuta & Legian
In a multistorey building off a relatively quiet side street in Legian, this comfy and economical hotel will wow backpackers with its sparkling clean…
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…
West Java
It's hard to beat this idyllically situated colonial guesthouse, located at an altitude of 1500m in a working tea plantation near the town of Pangalengan…
Sorong
Staying close to the airport isn't a bad idea in Sorong as it's still within easy reach of downtown or the harbour. This six-storey boutique hotel offers…
Aceh
One of the last resorts at the end of the bungalow strip, Yulia's has grown and blossomed into Iboih's most upmarket accommodation. Like tropical Swiss…
Tana Toraja
Owned and operated by Enos, an experienced Torajan guide who understands customer service, Rosalina features very clean upstairs rooms and a terrace…
North Bali
Coming here is like visiting your rich friends, albeit ones with good taste. These custom-built villas, 3km east of Yeh Sanih, are large and have…
