3 Best Hotels in Semarang, Indonesia

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.

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.

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.