Aceh
Simeulue's most upmarket option has a prime location directly on the Peak break. It has a mix of elegant, traditional bungalows that incorporate recycled…
Aceh
Simeulue's most upmarket option has a prime location directly on the Peak break. It has a mix of elegant, traditional bungalows that incorporate recycled…
Padang
Run by friendly young owner Yuliez, who's an excellent source of info, this central homestay provides bona fide backpacker digs in the form of an air-con…
Medan
The best backpackers in Medan is this homestay in a quiet residential street east of the centre. Spotlessly clean rooms, comfy beds and friendly, helpful…
Pulau Bintan
This good-value, lower-end resort features 50 thatched-roof, Balinese-style chalets, each with its own verandah and choice of a garden or sea view. The…
West Sumatra
Ricky’s Beach House, in the fishing village of Sungai Pinang, is the kind of place where backpackers extend their stay indefinitely. And why would you…
Bukit Lawang
On a beautiful tract of fertile land that edges directly onto Gunung Leuser National Park, this rustic hideaway is the place to escape Bukit Lawang's…
Medan
One of Medan's few budget options is this centrally located hostel that gets rave reviews from backpackers. Proud owner Mr Yauw certainly isn't lacking in…
Sumatra
A great budget option is this relaxed two-storey wooden house overlooking the surf on Pulau Sibaranun. It's pretty old-school with limited electricity,…
Sumatra
This delightful, accredited ecolodge is located in Plangijo village 500m from Way Kambas National Park's entrance. Its spacious cottages are scattered…
Medan
A solid choice for those seeking a contemporary, well-priced midrange hotel with modern amenities and designer touches. The spacious rooms have king-size…
Mentawai Islands
Run by Italian surfer Massimo, this popular surf camp has a dream location overlooking a white sandy beach and surf breaks. Rooms are a mix of shared…
Danau Toba
Rooms in traditional Batak houses overlook fruit trees, a children's playground and a grassy badminton court at this excellent budget resort. The more…
Bukit Lawang
With huge four-poster beds, immense rooms, hammocks on porches and immaculate hot-water bathrooms, this riverfront lodge combines the ultimate in creature…
West Sumatra
This place is run by local guide Zacky, who set up Explore Kerinci. The rooms are upstairs in a sizeable house with a wraparound balcony to kick back and…
Bukit Lawang
Hidden away from the tourist strip a 10-minute walk along the river, this boutique guesthouse offers a perfect compromise: it's close enough to walk to…
Mentawai Islands
On Pulau Awera, within easy range of Iceland, Suicides and Telescopes, this Basque-run place has five traditional thatched Mentawai villas that sit amid…
Aceh
This American-managed guesthouse is a cool beachside hang-out that caters to those here kiteboarding (best from May to mid-October). A range of packages…
Sumatra
A fairly unique choice, not only because you get to spend a night at the museum (Museum Pusaka Nias), but because it's inside a traditional Nias house…
Danau Toba
Run by a German-Indonesian family, this waterfront guesthouse is one of the original places to stay in Tuk Tuk and it’s still going strong. Choose between…
Mentawai Islands
Located on a private island, Wavepark has a front-row view of Hideaways from its lookout tower, and large, comfortable, breezy bungalows (with the best…
Sumatra
Located in the laid-back, attractive town of Kalianda, Beringin offers a handy base for those heading to Krakatau. It's in an appealing Dutch colonial…
Medan
A reasonable budget option for those needing to catch an early flight is this faux-designer hotel that's a five-minute drive from Medan's airport. Its…
Mentawai Islands
Run by a young Aussie-Japanese surfer couple, this fairly plush but laid-back option is on the northern tip of Nyang Nyang Island (Pulau Masokut). Its two…
Mentawai Islands
Located on Pulau Karangmajat, American-owned Kandui Villas is a short paddle from Kandui Left, not far from the legendary Rifles. It offers unlimited…
West Sumatra
More like a museum than a guesthouse, this wonderful Dutch heritage villa has been lovingly restored by the great-grandchildren of the original owners…
Medan
This huge, five-star hotel follows the standard business-class formula of great facilities, an array of different restaurants and a guaranteed good night…
West Sumatra
Down a maze of footpaths about 300m northwest of the main intersection, these beachfront bungalows are a good deal in central Maninjau. The small beach…
Bukit Lawang
One of Bukit Lawang's most popular backpackers for many a year, Rainforest has a cluster of rooms set close to the gurgling river. The cheaper rooms have…
Padang
A little out of Padang's centre, this slick business hotel features spacious, contemporary rooms with polished wooden floors, large bathrooms, sumptuous…
North Sumatra
Run by two friendly young brothers who speak good English, Dreamland has three appealing A-frame cottages with private bathrooms sitting partially hidden…
West Sumatra
Commanding Bukittinggi's heights like a Moorish citadel, Novotel (formerly Hills) is usually full of VIPs and their security squads. Sports lovers can get…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…