Yogyakarta
Occupying a long, thin house, this tiny guesthouse has heaps of character and helpful staff. The Javanese-influenced rooms (in five price categories) have…
Must-see hotels in Indonesia
Danau Toba
On the lakeshore is this old-school Danau Toba–style guesthouse run by an Indonesian-German couple. The cheaper rooms are in traditional, character-filled…
Seminyak
Is it Mondrian? Is it Roy Lichtenstein? We're not sure which modern artists are the inspiration for this eye-popping hotel, but we can say the results…
Yogyakarta
One for cat and dog lovers, this arty homestay run by Animal Friends Jogja doubles as a shelter for rescued animals. It's a basic setup with only a couple…
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,…
Kalimantan
The largest dive resort on Derawan, this well-run place has 27 cottages scattered around a private beach, along with a snaking jetty and overwater…
Solo
In a central location, this renovated guesthouse has large modern rooms, hot-water showers, complimentary filter coffee and friendly staff. The best part…
South Sulawesi
A well-run German-owned place with eight thatched-roofed, sea-facing wooden bungalows on a sandy beach on the southeast corner of the island. It's very…
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…
North Bali
Near the docks for boats to Menjangan, this 54-unit resort extends down to a small, mangrove-fringed, white-sand beach. The rooms have an unadorned…
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…
West Sumatra
Your options here range from rather depressing cold-water rooms downstairs that could seriously use a coat of paint, to more spacious and stylish rooms…
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…
Central Java
At the west end of Indrayanti beach, this friendly little guesthouse is a simple but delightful place to stay. The sound of the waves pounding the beach…
Kalimantan
Nestled in a forest between the island's prettiest beach and an inland tidal pond, and with a house reef out front, this rustic place offers a commanding…
Mentawai Islands
Probably the best of the Mentawai budget options is this relaxed guesthouse on a grassy property 50m from an idyllic beach that's perfect for swimming…
Kalimantan
A rooftop pool with a view. A 2nd-floor restaurant with a waterfall. A three-storey lounge, dance club and karaoke complex. This central four-star hotel…
Borobudur
A deservedly popular, welcoming guesthouse with rooms that face rice fields (through railings) about 1.5km south of the bus terminal. A family room sleeps…
East Bali
Guests here partake in serious programs for personal and spiritual development, including free daily meditation sessions. The comfortable rooms are split…
Central Java
A fun hilltop getaway, this small hotel's best asset is a modest infinity pool with a fantastic 180-degree view of the Indian Ocean. Swimming towards 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…
Sumatra
The Duta features compact rooms with modern decor and snazzy bathrooms. Flat-screen TVs – with plenty of English-language content – and a wildly…
East Bali
This friendly nine-room homestay is surrounded by organic fruit trees and has a cute pool area. The rooms are comfortable, although the singles are very…
East Java
Rosa's spacious rooms have woven bamboo walls, private bathrooms and shady front porches. The place is geared towards guests who join its Baluran tours …
West Java
About 4km south of the entrance to Kebun Raya Cibodas, this Balinese-owned place has attractive rooms with balconies that enjoy spectacular valley views…
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,…
Solo
There are some nice touches to this expanding modern hotel (boutique is pushing it) with its selection of uncluttered but smallish rooms in a quiet,…
West Sumatra
Homestay Gunung Tujuh is one of the few places to stay in Pelompek village. Overlooking the market and a block away from the main street, it has spacious…
Sanur
Just north of the old Hyatt, this villa compound has a colourful history: it was redesigned by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa in 1975, Mick…
Mentawai Islands
Not actually by the sea, the hilly Oinan Surf Lodge, around 4km from Tua Pejat (ojek/taxi ride 20,000/100,000Rp), has amazing terrace views of the iconic…
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…
Maluku
Perched above the sea and linked by wooden walkways, this long-standing traveller favourite juts out over Teluk Sawai. It offers large and simple wooden…
Sumatra
On Walo Beach, just north of Afulu, these bungalows are the best of Pulau Nias' west-coast surfing lodgings. Choose between the three breezy bungalows…
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…
Yogyakarta
This misnamed multistorey hostel is well run, and somewhat functional. All the dorms (both mixed and female-only) are pod-style and air-conditioned,…
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…
Surabaya
An excellent choice for those in the market for a quality business-class hotel. The Mercure has first-class facilities, including an idyllic palm-fringed…
Central Java
Located 3km from the bus station, this guesthouse has been hosting travellers for years. The attractive rooms are arranged around a beautiful walled…
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…
Kalimantan
A small enclave of 10 comfortable, individually designed rooms, with a cosy outdoor cafe and private beach, at the west end of the island. If you want to…
