3 Best Hotels in Belawan, Indonesia

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.

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.

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.