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Stay in Borobudur, or Day Trip from Yogyakarta?

Stay in Borobudur, or Day Trip from Yogyakarta?

Old Nov 17th, 2014, 07:18 AM
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Stay in Borobudur, or Day Trip from Yogyakarta?

Greetings! We are in early planning stages for our trip to Indonesia in spring 2015. One issue we have started to consider is whether to stay for a night or two near Borobudur, so we can enjoy easy access to the temple complex early and late in the day... or if we should just visit it as a day trip from Yogyakarta (which we are already planning to stay in for multiple nights anyway).

If we do decide to stay in Borobudur, is there a more advantageous place to stay than the Manohara hotel? It seems that the super-luxury spots nearby are out of our price range, while the cheaper guest houses might be a tad downscale for us. I'm not seeing a lot of "middle ground" accommodation... and the location of the Manohara is hard to beat.

Thank you in advance for your help!
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 08:36 AM
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I stayed in Jogya and hired a taxi for the day. It worked fine, not a terribly long drive. I suppose it depends on whether you like the idea of being close and have a place nearby you'd like to stay. That could be reason enough. My preference is to fine a place I like and stay put for a while, just a question of travel style.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 09:32 AM
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I stayed overnight at Borobudur, even though it split my nights in Jogya. I found the same spread of lodging, and ended up choosing the Manohara for location and their sunrise trip offering. I think that's the main determinant--if you are absolutely sure that you want to be up Borobudur monument in the predawn hours to catch the sunrise, then you need to stay the night there. If that's not of interest to you, then it can be managed as a daytrip out of Jogya.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 09:47 AM
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We used Yogyakarta as a home base, but left at 2 or 3 in the morning in order to reach Borobudur to see the sunrise (we were there about 45 minutes before the sun came up). It worked perfectly for us. Recommend the Phoenix as a nice, heritage hotel.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 09:50 AM
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The strategy above will work, but I personally do not advocate for being on Indonesian roads at night except in an emergency. The above strategy also doesn't allow for much in the way of sleep for that night.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 09:59 AM
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We also stayed in Jogja - also at the Phoenix - and did it as a day trip with Borobudur, Mendut and the Dieng Plateau. For me, the quality of accommodations available near Borobudur was the determinant (Amanjiwo is out of our price range).

Central Java is one of my favorite places. I have a trip report here from two years ago that may be helpful. And the photos are at www.marlandc.com
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 01:26 PM
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Thank you all so much for your generous feedback!

kachina, I did have the sense that the priority level of the early Borobudur experience would be the prime determining factor; thanks for confirming. I suspect that we will opt for the easier predawn access afforded by the Manohara...but we still have some thinking and research to do.

Tripplanner, the Phoenix in Yogyakarta is already on our radar, and I'm close to pulling the trigger on that. The only question there is number of nights. Nice looking place, and such great reviews!

Kathie, I've been saving your trip report and photos for a time when I can pay closer attention. But suffice to say, ms_go is already a fan. And we're both looking forward to your TR from Peru, as well.

Thanks again, everyone.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 01:29 PM
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I spelled kvchina correctly, but my iPad had other ideas. Sorry.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 03:14 PM
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My preference is to stay near Borobudur for two reasons: one, you can visit the monument more than once at different times of day, and two, you can take advantage of the phenomenally beautiful countryside in the area. (And for me, personally, three, you get a break from Yogyakarta.)

The Manohara is really bare bones basic, but you can't argue with the convenience of being just steps from Borobudur.

The Plataran which is 3kms away with views overlooking the monument is another more upscale option. More expensive than Manohara, but nowhere near the cost of Amanjiwo. I haven't been there myself so I can't give a personal recommendation.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 04:13 PM
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Saving this! Great information!

(Kathie & Tripplanner - your reports are definitely in the "saved" file as I plan on going to Indonesia in 2016).
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 04:57 PM
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I've done a little re-thinking. Ms_go found a good-size room at the Villa Barabudur for about $350, plus a surcharge for extra bed for our daughter. At first blush, that's a lot of money...but it includes full board, plus entrance fees, plus transfer from Yogyakarta. And the place gets phenomenal reviews. So the value is there.

I think that's what we might do.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 02:48 AM
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Oh, do come back and tell us all about it!
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 03:43 AM
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It will be worthwhile to spend time in East Java beyond Borobudur. Solo is very traditional and interesting for art.

Malang is one of the nicest towns I have been to on the eastern part of Java, and is a good base for visiting Mt Bromo. It's a beautiful pre-dawn drive up to the volcano.

Surabaya is also a nice coastal city if you are interested in historic sea ports from colonial times. It has a twin of the original Raffles Singapore hotel (the Majapahit) that is a very nice stay, and the Red Bridge where the locals declared independence from Holland after WW2, plus some really nice traditional fishing villages out on the coast for about $15 return taxi fare for the day.

I'm a fan of Indonesia, not just because it's culturally interesting and visually beautiful (Jakarta excluded), but because our daughter-in-law is Indonesian and just the best advertisement for that nation in terms of smart young ladies.
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Old Dec 6th, 2014, 01:31 AM
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The Phoenix Hotel is too comfortable [and expensive] for us.

But I wouldn't have minded a lift around Yogyakarta in their old cream coloured Mercedes 180.

Followed it, while on a local bus a couple of time. It had a pithe helmet in the rear window. I'd have been tempted to wear it, wind the window down, and give a few regal waves. Never mind, a rickety old becak did the job.
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Old Jan 7th, 2015, 06:19 AM
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To borobudur temple is better stay one night, the best time is when sunrise and sunset to enjoy borobudur. the rest i suggest to visit another destination like Merapi mountain, the closes destination.

just 3 month ago i went there, i stay at Jalan Malioboro as our based, this places as the center of shopping, art, food, travel agent and etc. day trip to borobudur or another destination is perfect, this area as base to stay.
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Old Jan 9th, 2015, 02:57 AM
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Stay overnight is my opinion. We did and the hotel is mentioned in this trip report:

http://cokesmithphototravel.com/expe...ava-barat.html
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Old Jan 17th, 2015, 05:20 AM
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Thanks again to everyone for your comments...we truly appreciate it. We ended up booking the Bororbudur Villa... a bit of a splurge for us, but this is a special occasion. This trip is our daughter's graduation gift and last hurrah before she ships out with the Peace Corps.

We are all looking forward to the experience!
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Old Jan 18th, 2015, 02:10 AM
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Enjoy your holiday, hope you have some great experiences at borobudur temple.
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Old Jan 21st, 2015, 04:07 PM
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Good hotel choice sir, and enjoy your holiday in Jogja. There are any free transfers from hotel. Eko english speaking driver
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