47 Best Hotels in Indonesia

You can't stay any closer to Bali's famed rice fields than at Tegal Sari, where paths wind through impossibly green paddies and gardens hung heavy with orchid and lotus blossoms. Bright, airy rooms have Balinese furnishings and modern bathroom with tub. Free services include Wi-Fi access, drinking water dispensers to refill your bottles, and three-hour bicycle rentals. Add-ons like beer and massages come cheap. The location is an outer hub of Ubud that's loaded with restaurants, and it's a 15- to 20-minute walk or short ride via a free shuttle to the village center.

All the must-have elements of a Balinese getaway come together at one of the island's most lauded—and lavish—properties, a cliff-top resort in the heart of upscale Jimbaran Bay on 190 acres, with several swimming pools, an award-winning spa, and a private beach. Formerly a Ritz-Carlton, this hotel was re-launched as the AYANA in 2009. Despite the size and swank, the place manages to feel down-to-earth thanks in large part to the legendarily warm Balinese service. Local flourishes abound in the design, from staff uniforms by Indonesian designer Ghea Panggabean to the use of batik textiles and village-made handicrafts in the rooms. The 290 guest rooms and suites are categorized based on view (ocean, bay, or grounds); upgrade to one of the 71 renovated Club rooms for perks like a dedicated concierge and all-day drinks and eats in the Club Lounge. Dotted along the cliff tops, the 78 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas mimic traditional Balinese residences, with indoor/outdoor living spaces plus private gardens and plunge pools. The vast grounds also house several swimming pools (including an adults-only pool), Kids Club, tennis courts, golf course, and water sports area. The award-winning thermal spa features hydrotherapy circuits, a seawater therapy pool, al fresco spa cabanas, and 24 treatments rooms. Note that it's a steep 197 steps down to—and back up from—the private beach. Seven dining outlets serving everything from French and Italian to pan-Asian entice guests to stay on property, as does Rock Bar, for drinks, music (often from big name artists), and 360-degree water views.

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.

Indulge your Robinson Crusoe fantasy at this remote and rustic resort—the only one on the island—in the heart of the Komodo National Park, where great care has been taken to maintain harmony with the environment. Guests are assured total privacy in one of 14 spacious thatched beachfront bungalows, shaped like the upside-down hull of a boat, each with its own terrace and front yard equipped with deck chairs and sun umbrellas. The island's spectacular, unspoiled marine life puts the focus squarely on diving—with boats, expert instructors, and equipment for experienced or first-time divers. It's also perfect for snorkeling, joining a komodo-dragon-spotting tour, or just hanging out on the paradisal beaches.

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.

For a pampered beach holiday bathed in luxury, settle in at Jimbaran Puri Bali. A vast lotus pond overlooking the sea at the hotel entrance announces an extraordinary property. At this member of the swish Orient Express chain, every room is a detached cottage or villa accessed through a private garden with outdoor shower. Interiors feature separate sitting areas, king beds, and terrazzo sunken baths with gardens views, plus first-rate electronics. Marble floors and precise dark-wood furnishings exude modern elegance, with vintage Bali photos for a sense of place. The service is attentive but unobtrusive. A few miles south of Kuta, Jimbaran is a relaxed alternative in with a peaceful village setting.

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.

Wellness treatments and holistic living are the big draw at Desa Seni, but even if you spurn crystal spiritual detoxification you can enjoy its serenity and style. The resort, whose name means Art Village, offers five yoga classes daily. Alternatively, you can ride a free bicycle to the beach or nearby village, hang out by the pool, or take a cab into downtown Seminyak, 5 km (3 miles) south. Antique joglo (wooden houses) that were relocated from across Indonesia make for unique accommodations, and have been fitted with TVs and DVD players and Wi-Fi connections. The bathrooms are spacious and modern. The food here is organic, much of it from Desa Seni's gardens, but the menu makes ample concessions to carnivores.

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.

Balance natural splendor and village convenience, big resort and intimate retreat, even black and white at the Maya Ubud. Set in the rolling green hills above the Petanu River Valley, the Maya Ubud is 10 minutes by shuttle from the center of the village, closer than other similarly expansive (and expensive) resorts. A dramatic infinity pool commands the vista, and there's another pool below with a river view. The hotel offers a full array of feel-good activities: yoga, tai chi, pilates, and meditation, as well as afternoon tea. Bali's traditional black and white poleng patterns inspire the interior décor, and all rooms have balconies where you can enjoy the landscape.