West Sumatra
Rimba Ecolodge is an intimate French-Indonesian-run place reachable by boat. Monkeys (both silvered leaf and red leaf species) come to explore the beach…
Must-see hotels in West Sumatra
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Padang
With a great location in the atmospheric old quarter along the river, this unique choice is upstairs from its popular eponymous bar. It's more of an art…
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West Sumatra
Run by young and energetic owners Ikbal and Noni, Abdi Homestay is the loveliest place to stay in the Harau Valley. Eight adorable thatched bungalows …
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West Sumatra
Sitting among verdant rice paddies and a flowering tropical garden is this stunning lodge that incorporates a spectacular traditional Minangkabau design…
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West Sumatra
This bright, modern guesthouse is run by thoughtful owner Ling, who understands the needs of budget travellers. She is happy to provide maps of town, has…
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West Sumatra
Run by a friendly, energetic local couple, Fifi and Jack, this hostel and cafe is Danau Maninjau’s backpacker central. Bunk in the four-bed dorm or go for…
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Mentawai Islands
Ten bungalows in a garden setting occupy a private beach here within easy reach of the breaks Telescopes and Iceland, and there’s a beginner’s surf break…
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Mentawai Islands
Boasting one of Mentawai's most stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and coconut trees, this Spanish-owned resort truly is your clichéd…
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Mentawai Islands
With Pitstops breaking right in front of its three breezy Mentawai-style cottages, this intimate surf retreat has an enviable location on Pulau Masokut…
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Mentawai Islands
On the private 12-hectare island of Pitojat, Togat Nusa has four bungalows catering to only eight guests at a time. The funky and stylish accommodation is…
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Padang
Down a backstreet just off Jl Nipah, Brigitte’s is a great backpacker pad with a relaxed ambience and chilled lounge and kitchen areas. The singles are…
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Mentawai Islands
On tiny, lush Pulau Buasak on the outskirts of Playground, Shadow is run by friendly local surfer brothers Ade (along with his Spanish wife) and Dodi and…
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Padang
Popular with surfers and backpackers, this friendly, relaxed six-room guesthouse is the perfect mix of budget and style. A compact Zen garden combines…
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Padang
Within a converted old house, this rather refined hostel has polished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls and antique decorations. Boutique rooms and…
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Padang
Run by friendly young owner Yuliez, who's an excellent source of info, this central homestay provides bona fide backpacker digs in the form of an air-con…
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West Sumatra
Ricky’s Beach House, in the fishing village of Sungai Pinang, is the kind of place where backpackers extend their stay indefinitely. And why would you…
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Mentawai Islands
Run by Italian surfer Massimo, this popular surf camp has a dream location overlooking a white sandy beach and surf breaks. Rooms are a mix of shared…
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West Sumatra
This place is run by local guide Zacky, who set up Explore Kerinci. The rooms are upstairs in a sizeable house with a wraparound balcony to kick back and…
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Mentawai Islands
On Pulau Awera, within easy range of Iceland, Suicides and Telescopes, this Basque-run place has five traditional thatched Mentawai villas that sit amid…
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Mentawai Islands
Located on a private island, Wavepark has a front-row view of Hideaways from its lookout tower, and large, comfortable, breezy bungalows (with the best…
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Mentawai Islands
Run by a young Aussie-Japanese surfer couple, this fairly plush but laid-back option is on the northern tip of Nyang Nyang Island (Pulau Masokut). Its two…
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Mentawai Islands
Located on Pulau Karangmajat, American-owned Kandui Villas is a short paddle from Kandui Left, not far from the legendary Rifles. It offers unlimited…
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West Sumatra
More like a museum than a guesthouse, this wonderful Dutch heritage villa has been lovingly restored by the great-grandchildren of the original owners…
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West Sumatra
Down a maze of footpaths about 300m northwest of the main intersection, these beachfront bungalows are a good deal in central Maninjau. The small beach…
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Padang
A little out of Padang's centre, this slick business hotel features spacious, contemporary rooms with polished wooden floors, large bathrooms, sumptuous…
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West Sumatra
Commanding Bukittinggi's heights like a Moorish citadel, Novotel (formerly Hills) is usually full of VIPs and their security squads. Sports lovers can get…
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West Sumatra
Adding a touch of kitschy Vegas glamour to Bukittinggi’s top-end range, the Grand Rocky stands sentinel above town, its lobby bustling with bow-tied staff…
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West Sumatra
One of Sungai Penuh's better hotels, Mahkota is fronted by a rather grand reception building, and though rooms are fairly generic, they're comfortable…
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Mentawai Islands
This small guesthouse has a beach-house vibe and is just a short hop from Iceland, Suicides and other decent breaks. Accommodation is geared towards solo…
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West Sumatra
Just outside Pelompek among pastoral surrounds is this homestay that lives up to its name, with the volcano on full show. The rooms here are brightly…
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West Sumatra
Just south of the statue on the main road is the best base camp in Kersik Tua. Subandi is the only English-speaking homestay; owner Pak is a fount of…
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Mentawai Islands
With an enviable location in front of the legendary HT’s right-hander and just a short hop from Lance’s Left, Bintangs, Cobra’s and even a couple of beach…
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West Sumatra
Your options here range from rather depressing cold-water rooms downstairs that could seriously use a coat of paint, to more spacious and stylish rooms…
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Mentawai Islands
Probably the best of the Mentawai budget options is this relaxed guesthouse on a grassy property 50m from an idyllic beach that's perfect for swimming…
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West Sumatra
Homestay Gunung Tujuh is one of the few places to stay in Pelompek village. Overlooking the market and a block away from the main street, it has spacious…
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Mentawai Islands
Not actually by the sea, the hilly Oinan Surf Lodge, around 4km from Tua Pejat (ojek/taxi ride 20,000/100,000Rp), has amazing terrace views of the iconic…
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Padang
More like a midrange hotel than a homestay – but at an affordable price – this place has rooms that are very clean and come with comfortable beds, air-con…
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West Sumatra
An excellent addition to Bukittinggi's rather tired midrange sleeping options, contemporary Treeli gets a lot of things right. Rooms are compact and quiet…
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West Sumatra
Sitting right under the cliffs in the narrowest part of the Harau Valley is Harau Resort (aka Lembah Echo), with its beautiful grounds encroached on by a…
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West Sumatra
Walk through rice paddies (5.5km north of Maninjau) to these five simple bungalows facing a small beach and clear section of lake (no fish farms here)…
