41 Best Hotels in Indonesia

Have a lavish honeymoon at Anhera, however long you've been married, or even if you're just practicing. Anhera's detached villas running down the Campuan River ridge boast spectacular views of hillside greenery and revered Mount Agung. Reach Ubud's center via hotel shuttle in five minutes, or get a free ride to trekking trails. Generous rooms sport modern luxuries, wood floors, and Balinese flourishes galore. Spacious bathrooms feature a whirlpool tub for two with a view. Grassy private gardens are walled for safety—perfect if you have kids in tow. Two villas share a private pool, ideal for best-friend couples. You could pay hundreds more for less at many "name" resorts.

Built half a century ago, the Tandjung Sari retains the impeccable taste of its founders, an antique-dealing couple from Jakarta who added guest bungalows to their then-isolated beach house. The accommodations at Tandjung Sari (meaning "Cape of Flowers") are still called bungalows, though they're really mini-villas built in traditional style, each with private gardens and distinct design touches—here a sunken bathtub and an outdoor shower. The ambiance harkens back to when royalty came here to roam the beach.

Contemporary international and Balinese styles harmonize at the Aquarius Beach Hotel. Each of the bright, spacious rooms maintains its minimalist feel even while providing a sofa and chairs around a coffee table, a desk, LCD TV with dozens of channels, and four-poster king bed draped with mosquito net. White walls are hung with colorful Balinese paintings and mirrors with intricately carved frames. Sliding-glass doors open to terraces overlooking a manicured garden. A two-level deck with cushioned lounge chairs rings the swimming pool. The beach is a three-minute walk, and restaurants and shops are even closer.

For something with more character than the big chain hotels all over Surabaya, try this centrally located boutique hotel, decorated with contemporary art by local Indonesian artists. The sleek lobby is filled with sculptures and paintings, and modern rooms include flat-screen TVs, iPhone docking stations, and free Wi-Fi. Hang out at the hotel's cheekily named Restaurant of Contemporary Art (RoCA) to enjoy classic international and Indonesian dishes while surrounded by frequently changing art exhibits.

Chatty backpackers, couples and families meet in Ayu Lili's lush garden. The grounds at this cottage-style hotel include a small swimming pool and a covered terrace for outdoor lounging. Each room has Balinese furnishings and a small verandah, and the more expensive ones also have air-conditioning. The central location, about five minutes walk from the beach, puts the best of Kuta within easy reach, and the price makes it affordable.

On Samosir Island on volcanic Lake Toba, you'll find these friendly thatched-roof cottages, built in local Batak-style, in the little town of Tuk-Tuk. Though they aren't the newest accommodations, they are clean, cosy, and full of charm, and some have amazing views of the lake; spend a little extra for a beach room to fully appreciate the scenery. The ferry from Parapat drops you right in front of the hotel.

Don't expect luxury, but you will find an oasis of comfort here, smack on what most consider to be the nicest beach on Pulau Weh. The hotel's 11 bungalows overlook the turquoise sea; some are right on the beach, with outdoor showers, and some up on the hills with awesome views, and all have mosquito nets and balconies with hammocks. Enjoy delicious fresh fish dishes at the hotel restaurant, or relax and watch the sunset from the cozy beach bar; if you're lucky, the genial owners will throw a bonfire on the beach during your stay. You'll also find good snorkeling just off the beach in front of the hotel.

Large, new (in 2012), and attached to the largest shopping mall in central Java, the Crown Plaza is among the luxury hotels in Semarang. Guest rooms aim for contemporary elegance, with dark wood furniture contrasting the walls and carpets in paler earth tones, modern lighting, and large marble baths. The handsome 11th-floor lounge with stunning views over the city is a good place for a drink, and a large, beautifully designed restaurant serves a mix of high-end European and Indonesian fare.

Set amid idyllic gardens, D'Omah has 10 two-bedroom cottages with lofts and verandahs; your rate gets you a bedroom and a share of the rest. Don't worry about the concept, simply revel in the affordable extravagance. Spacious, bright, and completely private bedrooms boast luxurious four-poster beds with mosquito nets and a bevy of fine artworks and local handicrafts. Suites also have refrigerators and satellite TVs. The lushly landscaped grounds and two swimming pools provide a hilltop escape from Ubud's crowds, though the center of the village is just a 15-minute walk away.

A leafy oasis in hectic South Jakarta, The Dharmawangsa remains the capital's premier haven of understated luxury in a country club setting. Catch glimpses of celebrity visitors at the Jakarta Restaurant while sipping a chocolate martini in the lounge—or by Dharmawangsa's shaded pool. Designed to recall 1920s Jakarta, accommodations are graciously appointed with furniture and objet d'art from across the Indonesian archipelago, plus marble baths and butler service. All rooms, but not every suite, include terrace balconies overlooking the vast grounds. Concessions to the 21st century include high-speed Internet and a modern gym. The spa draws raves for its treatments.

In the rainforest, a 10-minute walk from the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Centre, the cottages offer simple but clean lodgings surrounded by pretty landscaped gardens and wandering monkeys. Rooms come with mosquito nets and outdoor bathrooms, some with no roofs (not so great when it rains) and traditional Indonesian mandi baths, where you pour water over yourself from a bucket; note that there is no hot water at all here, which is typical for the area. You can walk on a path directly into the national park to start your trek.

South African Freddie Rousseau owns and manages these basic but sparkling clean bamboo cabins on a lovely beach, all recently renovated and overlooking the water. They have ceiling fans and balconies, and the variety of cabin sizes attracts a varied clientele, from backpackers staying for a month to couples to families with children. The highly regarded Indonesian–Western fusion food is served buffet style at dinner, and there is also a beach restaurant serving a la carte dishes for both lunch and dinner.

More a villa than conventional hotel, the spectacular hilltop location overlooking the ocean offers premium sunset views from your own flowery terrace (especially from room 8 at the top) or the hotel's picturesque pool. Only 1.5 km (1 mile) from Labuan Bajo, you're close to the amenities of a sizeable town and the airport, but still remote enough for that away-from-it-all feeling. While the interior design is nothing special, rooms are spotlessly clean and functional, with large bathrooms, ceiling fans, comfortable beds, and mosquito netting. Convenient to all Komodo's other islands and attractions, the hotel willingly assists with boating, diving, or wildlife excursions.

As Semarang's only five-star hotel, if you need a little pampering this is a good choice. The centrally located 17-story building, smack in the center of the business and shopping district, is also the city's tallest, meaning unobstructed views from every angle and gorgeous sunsets from the chic Skyline lounge on the hotel's top floor. Other luxury touches include an outdoor pool and sunbathing terrace, a well-equpped spa and fitness center, and three luxurious restaurants. The hotel's 259 light-filled rooms are large, as are the deluxe bathrooms with both bath and shower, and are handsomely furnished, if slightly nondescript.

Trendy hotel meets lifestyle mall at Harris Suites fX, which is strategically sited near business and shopping districts plus the Senayan Sports Complex. Find the lobby inside trendy fX Mall, home to restaurants, movie theaters, a grocery store, and links to more malls. The hotel's 147 rooms with views above central Jakarta are decorated in a bright, minimalist mode accented with the company's signature orange. Value-adding goodies include LCD satellite TV, coffee/tea kettle, mini-bar, Wi-Fi, and even aromatherapy dispensers, plus a gym to unwind. The young, helpful staff fit this ambitious Indonesian chain's hip vibe.

One of the most historic hotels in Indonesia, this beautifully preserved grand colonial hotel built in 1910 offers a high level of service for a reasonable price. From the moment you enter the elegant art deco lobby, you'll be impressed by the level of detail throughout the property; for instance, the extra-large guest rooms are decorated with traditional Indonesian wood furnishings and the bathrooms feature polished marble floors. Choose from two well-regarded restaurants, the Western–Indonesian fusion Indigo and Sarkies Seafood Restaurant, some of the best Chinese dining in town. Be sure to stroll the grounds to check out the lush gardens and courtyards.

What this new, contemporary hotel offers in comfort, amenities, and value far outweighs the fact that it isn't smack dab in the center of town (but it's close enough). Despite being a chain hotel, gleaming common spaces and ample, streamlined rooms make for youthfully stylish interiors—think huge black-and-white cityscapes—without sacrificing the comforts seasoned traveler's appreciate. Bathrooms are small, but very clean and well-equipped. The downstairs coffee shop is a pleasant place for a meal or snack.

You'll discover a verdant tropical retreat at Segara Agung, tucked down a wide lane lined with villas. Each guest room's private terrace faces manicured lawns edged with tropical flowering bushes. The standard rooms could easily cost double elsewhere, with straightforward furnishings including TVs with international channels, built-in closets, spacious desks, and simple bathrooms, all as well kept as the grass. Wi-Fi access is free. There's an inviting pool area, and and breakfast can be served in the garden pavilion. It's a three-minute walk to a stretch of beach brimming with restaurants and water-sports outlets.

At Iboih Beach, about 40 minutes from Sabang port, these seaview bungalows have something many other Pulah Weh bungalows lack: rooms with air conditioning (though some still have only fans). Each room comes with a hammock on the terrace where you can while away the hours listening to the waves, and the crystal-clear water off of the private beach invites snorkeling or diving. Though there's no Wi-Fi in the rooms, it's free and fairly fast in the restaurant.

Many consider this Medan branch of the high-end JW Marriott brand to be the best hotel in town. The expansive tone is set when you enter the elegant lobby with its sweeping high ceilings. The modern, spacious rooms feature comfy beds and flat-screen TVs; corner rooms are even larger and offer wonderful city views. Guests have three in-hotel restaurants to choose from, including a steakhouse and one serving Chinese food, plus a more casual coffeehouse, and there's a well-appointed fitness center and swimming pool.

This two-story hotel—the "cottage" in its name is poetic license—has generously sized minimalist rooms with glass sliding doors leading to private terraces with views of the swimming pool and rice paddies. Kamandhani is quite peaceful despite being five minutes from the center of Ubud. The obliging staff can arrange private yoga sessions, in-room body treatments, and local tours.

Perched on a peak overlooking Lake Batur, this hotel's postcard panoramas include Mount Batur, one of Bali's three active volcanoes. During lunch, its open-air restaurants teem with tour groups, but afterward the place becomes a restful retreat in the fresh mountain air. Run by the same Balinese family for three generations and regularly renovated, the hotel's rooms have contemporary décor that doesn't distract from the breathtaking views. The hotel can arrange excursions, including mountain climbing, cruising the lake to traditional villages, or soaking in the nearby hot spring.

A beautiful beach and bargain prices are what you'll find at the Lovina Beach Hotel, the self-proclaimed "original place" in Lovina. The local tourism industry has grown up around the hotel since its 1979 debut, so everything you need is within easy walking distance. The hotel is professionally run, and the staff can arrange tours offer helpful local advice. The accommodations are spartan but spotless, as is the massive swimming pool. A simple breakfast is served in the restaurant, also open for lunch and dinner.

Designed as a quirky grouping of adjoined "villas," along with standard rooms in the main building, this new beachfront hotel is set on the edge of the small but rapidly growing resort town of Labuan Bajo, with easy access to the airport and restaurants in town. Rooms are large and sparklingly clean, with high ceilings, attractive furnishings, modern bathrooms, flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Villas have balconies and a private entrance leading to the pool and beach—a big plus that gives them the feel of a resort rather than a hotel.

The only way is up at the 101 Legian: the rooftop pool takes sunbathing to new heights, and the lounge encourages partying with your fellow stylish sophisticates. Enjoy the sunsets over Kuta, or catch up on people watching by eyeing the masses on busy Jalan Legian. Later you can follow those crowds across the urban landscape to nearby nightspots. The interiors employ a "smart design" concept that's modern and minimalist. Rooms provides the calm necessary to sleep off any excesses of the previous evening.

Tucked into an exclusive residential neighborhood just off major boulevards, Pomelotel Patra Kuningan provides a comfortable refuge for business travelers. Opened in early 2012 and managed by Swiss-based Core Hospitality International, the hotel has two wings—one no-smoking—that resemble rows of whitewashed modern townhouses. Green-hued rooms and suites share those clean, contemporary lines and have key features for road warriors: in-room Wi-Fi and safe deposit, desk, comfortable sofa, plus 24-hour room service. Pomelo Café serves buffet breakfast included in standard rates, plus Asian and international meals.

Big on concept, this hotel packs a lot into a compact space just a short walk from the beach. Look for TVs with international channels, in-room safes, and day beds that make the rooms tailor-made for parties of three. Bathrooms with stall showers feel cramped. True to its Indonesian roots, breakfast is nasi jingo, a fistful of rice sprinkled with flavorful side dishes. The chain hotel's no-smoking policy fits its hip, modern pitch.

This full-service resort presents manicured lawns along a quarter mile of beachfront and a glorious seaside pool at Lovina's eastern edge. The bright, generous rooms have full indoor baths, plus inviting outdoor showers. Unobtrusive Balinese accents include carved doors and local artworks. But why stay inside when there are the lounging platforms at the ocean's edge that overlook this prime spot for swimming and snorkeling? Kids can romp safely in the grass. The resort has its own boat for cruises, an open-air spa, and arranges hillside treks and romantic dinners on the beach.

Balinese charm and a lush garden thrive at Puri Cendana, just a short walk from the beach and nightlife. The duplex cottages sit in a courtyard shaded by mature trees, with thick grass and bright native flowers. Each room has a terrace to enjoy the greenery, but the best views are from the upstairs units. Through elaborately carved, multicolored Balinese doors you'll discover high-ceilinged, whitewashed rooms furnished in traditional local style, including four-poster beds with mosquito nets. The pleasant pool has cushioned sun lounges and a bar serving drinks and snacks.

The views that made Munduk famous are what you'll find at Puri Lumbung. The basic accommodations are modeled on lumbung, the Indonesian rice barns built on stilts. The interiors use local materials like rattan, which fits hotel founder Nyoman Bagiarta's goal of preserving local traditions while fostering economic development in his hometown. Each room has a terrace overlooking the nearby rice fields and the green mountains to the north. Beds are swathed with mosquito nets, so you can leave the windows open at night to catch the cool breezes. The hotel hosts daily cultural events and offers a choice of outdoor activities.