Must-see hotels in North Sumatra

  • Horas Family Home

    Danau Toba

    Horas Family Home is perfect for those wanting a homely space with cooking facilities, and is a unique option for those seeking something different. Best…

  • Tabo Cottages

    Danau Toba

    The most attractive accommodation on Pulau Samosir is this sprawling German-run lakeside place that has the feel and professionalism of a laid-back resort…

  • On the Rocks

    Bukit Lawang

    More on the hill than on the rocks, the 10 ‘tribal’ huts here verge on being luxurious in a rustic way. Each hut has a verandah and sunken bathroom, and…

  • Liberta Homestay

    Danau Toba

    This backpacker fave close to the ferry terminal has limited lake views, but a chill universe is created by a lush garden and arty versions of traditional…

  • Back to Nature

    Bukit Lawang

    Living up to its name, this lodge is set on a gorgeous bend in the river a 45-minute walk from civilisation. Aca, the eco-minded owner, has preserved a…

  • Nachelle Homestay

    North Sumatra

    With its unconventional, unsigned address set in a car park back from the main road, your first impressions here may leave you wondering. However, this is…

  • Green Hill

    Bukit Lawang

    Run by an English conservation scientist and her Sumatran husband, Green Hill has lovely stilt-high rooms ideal for couples and families, with cool en…

  • K77 Guest House

    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…

  • Kuta Langis Ecolodge

    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…

  • Dazhong Backpackers Hostel

    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…

  • Ibis Styles Medan Patimura

    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…

  • Bagus Bay Homestay

    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…

  • EcoTravel Cottages

    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…

  • Kupu-Kupu Garden Guest House

    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…

  • Romlan Guesthouse

    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…

  • Lively Hotel Kualanamu

    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…

  • Grand Swiss-Belhotel Medan

    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…

  • Rainforest Guesthouse

    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…

  • Dreamland Resort

    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…

  • Wisma Sibayak

    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…

  • Jungle Lodge

    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…

  • Junia Guesthouse

    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…

  • Hotel Deli River

    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…

  • Merlyn Guesthouse

    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…

  • Jungle Inn

    Bukit Lawang

    The last guesthouse along the main walking path before the river crossing to the former feeding station, Jungle Inn is an old favourite for many a return…

  • Sapo Karo

    North Sumatra

    Down a backstreet away from the madding crowd, yet still centrally located, is this double-storey, modernised Karo-style guesthouse catering to foreign…

  • Pondok Wisata Angel

    Medan

    A central backpacker choice near the Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque), Angel has poky rooms on several floors that are in serious need of some TLC, but are…

  • Ida Guesthouse

    Bukit Lawang

    One of the first guesthouses you'll encounter along the river access path is this excellent-value, friendly guesthouse, with spotless rooms painted in…

  • Mega Inn

    North Sumatra

    The first place you come to after crossing on the suspension bridge in Tangkahan is this relaxed choice in a nice garden, with a pretty bungalow made of…

  • Swiss-Belinn Medan

    Medan

    A smart, busy hotel that almost verges on earning a boutique label. The rooms have lovely, cool, dark-slate floors and bathrooms, rough whitewashed walls,…

  • Garden Inn

    Bukit Lawang

    A popular backpacker choice, the ever-growing Garden Inn has options spread over several buildings, from fabulous wooden jungle shacks to pristine, modern…

  • Harriara Guesthouse

    Danau Toba

    This guesthouse has a top-notch lakeside setting, riotous tropical flower gardens and sparkling rooms with mosquito nets and porches overlooking the water…

  • Hotel Wisata Indah

    North Sumatra

    If you absolutely must stay overnight in Sibolga, Hotel Wisata Indah is the pick of a pretty uninspiring lot. Its dated, shabby rooms offer sea views, and…

  • Gokhon Guesthouse

    Danau Toba

    This friendly double-storey waterfront place is one of several simple, clean guesthouses along this strip. Walk out from your verandah to a lawn area and…

  • Melissa Palace

    North Sumatra

    A welcoming cheapie with spacious, comfortable rooms (but temperamental plumbing) and a rooftop hang-out: watch out for monkeys. It’s ideal for catching…

  • Grand Inna Medan

    Medan

    Most noteworthy for being the former De Boer Hotel, built in 1909, today the Grand Inna has subtle reminders of its former glory but its ugly high-rise…

  • Green Lodge

    North Sumatra

    While it's well placed for Tangkahan's elephant activities, in reality this scenic riverside guesthouse is a bit of a mixed bag. The only recommendable…

  • D’Prima Hotel

    Medan

    This hotel is in an odd location occupying the top floors of the Medan train station, so you'd expect it would be noisy and drab, but it's not. Rooms are…

  • Guesthouse Talitha

    North Sumatra

    A 15-minute walk north of Berastagi's centre in a quiet residential neighbourhood, this family-run guesthouse has a handful of motley rooms fronting a…

  • Losmen Sibayak Guesthouse

    North Sumatra

    Behind Sibayak Trans Tour & Travel, this long-standing cheapie has rooms that have a lot of Indonesian personality, making the place feel more like a…

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