Bukit Lawang
On the other side of the river from Bukit Lawang's main settlement is this friendly, mellow guesthouse, which has put some effort into making things…
Must-see hotels in Indonesia
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…
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…
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…
Banda Aceh
Staying in the home of hospitable Linda, 4km out of town, is a good way to experience local life in a family home and to learn about Acehnese culture…
Kalimantan
From the long jetty welcoming you across the 4km house reef, to the common areas hovering over razor-sharp limestone, there is nothing typical – and…
Central Java
Down a narrow lane that zigzags through backstreets, this modernist beachside resort comprises 23 rooms and attracts a youthful clientele. Deluxe rooms…
Candidasa
Resembling a homestay compound, this well-priced guesthouse is hidden behind a banana grove east of town. Cramped standard rooms have air-con, simple…
East Bali
German-owned, this oceanside resort is dated but well maintained. A reef just offshore keeps the on-site dive centre busy (dives €23 to €60, snorkel…
Sumatra
In keeping with its contemporary dining space downstairs (Lani's Resto), this place has gleaming, modern, ultra-clean and luxurious rooms, with balconies…
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)…
Sumatra
Set up by expat American surfer gal and host Amy, this purpose-built surf resort on a garden property overlooks the waves. She goes to great lengths to…
Bandung
While it's a tad out of the way, 4km north of the city, the Attic remains one of Bandung's best budget options. It's run by a friendly crew, who are…
Makassar
Reviving the funky backpacker hostel concept, Pod House has an excellent location opposite Pantai Losari, friendly staff, clean rooms, and banks of budget…
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…
Banda Islands
Allan's has five bungalows, all jutting out over the bay and sharing a terrace. The largest and most expensive is well-suited to a family. Rooms come with…
Raja Ampat Islands
This well-organised homestay, which sits in a secluded, dreamy bay dotted with tiny coral islands, is one of the best on Pulau Gam. Rooms are made of palm…
Medan
This Dutch-colonial-style retreat consists of attractive cottages and rooms shaded by fruit trees and overlooking the Sungai Deli. It's one for those…
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…
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…
Kalimantan
Pangkalan Bun's most atmospheric backpacker stay consists of nine basic riverside rooms in converted shophouses, some on stilts over the water. Owner Ryan…
Sumatra
Located just north of Palembang’s market area, Zuri Express fills a colourful and modern building with equally colourful and contemporary accommodation…
East Bali
Swiss owned, this small resort has a garden setting and a good stretch of beach. There are three standard rooms with cramped bathrooms, five larger garden…
South Sulawesi
This new outfit on the east coast embraces the fickle nature of Pulau Selayar: when seas get rough (May to November), they pack up and head to the west…
Sanur
Ideally located for an early fast boat to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida or the Gilis, this long-running guesthouse has a veteran conviviality. Rooms are…
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…
Banyak Islands
Directly next door to Nina's Bungalows are these three clean, well-maintained thatched bungalows with porches looking out to the beach – pretty much…
Kalimantan
The rooms at this midrange business hotel are all the same size. An upgrade in price gets you touches such as a river view and face towel. The executive…
Surabaya
The simplicity of its name is perhaps reflective of its genius. Rather than bells and whistles, it sticks to the basic principles of what tourists want:…
West Java
Run with the eye of a person who is a natural in the hospitality industry, this welcoming family-run place has 10 pleasant, tiled rooms with wood…
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…
Kalimantan
Mainland Maratua's newest resort is a stylish collection of villas orbiting a pool and deck overlooking a gorgeous stretch of coast and a long pier. The…
Aceh
Run by Akil and his family, Frazha is a good choice for those looking to keep it local. Its two bungalows are in a coconut grove by a beach that's good…
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…
East Bali
You'll feel like you're staying with friends at this family-run guesthouse located deep in a waterfront palm forest in a remote part of East Bali. The…
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…
North Bali
The name says it all, albeit very calmly. Yoga and a lavish spa figure prominently in the lifestyle at this resort devoted to your internal and mental…
Ubud
This 43-room slightly worn hotel sprawls out across picture-perfect rice fields just south of the centre of Ubud. Rooms are large and suitably Balinese in…
Maluku
At the beach’s reputedly haunted and much quieter northern end, 700m beyond Ohoililir village, Coaster Cottages is a wi-fi–less retreat with a variety of…
