Semarang Indonesia – 10 Best Hostels and Hotels to Stay

Catering mostly to the needs of business travellers and corporate professionals visiting the area, the accommodation in Semarang generally has superb facilities and amenities such as gorgeous swimming pools, excellent front-desk service and top-class fitness centres. Fortunately, hotels are largely very well-priced and offer good bang for your buck.

In recent years, Semarang has seen an increase in the backpacker crowd and the city has made provision for that with a couple of hostels entering the scene. Travellers on a budget would do well to search for hostels around Jalan Kaumann as this area offers excellent value for money accommodation for backpackers. While the city centre is mostly scattered with upmarket and budget hotels, those searching for a more secluded and intimate experience should check the outskirts of the suburbs for a variety of charming and idyllic guest houses. Below are our favourite accommodations in Semarang, arranged from the penny saving, budget-friendly spots all the way to the swish and swanky upscale hotels.

Budget accommodation in Semarang

1. Dijkstra Hostel

Ticking all the backpacker boxes, this hostel has it all. The superb location, very close to the bustling weekend Semawis Market and pretty much next door to the gorgeous, copper-domed Gereja Blenduk (Blenduk Church); plus the very cheap prices makes it high up on on our list for travellers on a budget. The free Wi-Fi, TVs in all rooms, mosquito nets, and the occasional sun terrace, makes a stay at Dijstra Hostel a very enjoyable experience. We particularly enjoyed the fact that the hostel is set inside an old heritage house in Kota Lama with original wooden flooring and funky, up-cycled art as decoration. The café and restaurant on the second floor makes mealtimes a very convenient affair for those too tired to venture out of the charming, cosy interior. Nightly rates start at IDR 80,000 for two people sharing in a mixed dormitory.

2. DS Layur Hostel

Well-located nearby to Semawis Market and Paragon City Hall, this modern, capsule-style hostel offers clean, comfortable rooms; free Wi-Fi; spotless bathrooms with all towels and toiletries provided; and is within easy walking distance from Tawang Station. Each capsule has air-con; a large, comfortable bed; and fresh, clean linen. The design is neat, tidy and simple but what the hostel lacks in charm or any distinguishing features, it more than makes up for in service and price. A single bed in a capsule, in a mixed dormitory costs just under IDR 50,000 for the night.

3. Mam Bonjol Hostel

Located in the heart of the city, this hostel is very nearby to local restaurants, Tugu Muda Monument and Lawang Sewu, and even next door to a convenience store. This allows you to penny-save even further on taxi rides as you’ll be able to walk to a lot of the sights and attractions. The simple dormitory and private rooms are air-conned, offer free drinking water, mosquito nets, excellent Wi-Fi, a balcony with a city view, and shared bathrooms to its guests. The staff are friendly and helpful and we especially enjoyed the scrumptious street food that we found pretty much on the hostel doorstep. The price for a standard twin room with a shared bathroom is IDR 250,000 for two people sharing per night.

4. The Backpacker Semarang

So much more than you’d expect from a backpacker spot. The building and interior of this dormitory is absolutely stunning! With its high ceilings, ornate arches, spiralling staircase, stained-glass windows, and massive sun terrace to relax on, you’ll feel as if you’ve hit the hostel jackpot. The superb location, warm and welcoming hosts, free Wi-Fi, shared board games and puzzles, and the communal kitchen all just add to the wonderful experience of spending a few nights here. At IDR 85,000 per night for a single bunk bed, this hostel is an absolute steal.

Mid-range accommodation in Semarang

5. Hotel Rumi Semarang

Recently opened, the clean, sleek interiors and excellent front-desk staff, made for a very good first impression of Hotel Rumi as we set foot into the air-conned lobby and wearily put down our heavy suitcases. The rooms were spacious, clean and very comfortable with the linen and towels being changed daily should you wish. The hotel also boasts free Wi-Fi, air-con rooms, and a private bathroom and an easy and enjoyable stay while in Semarang. Nightly rates are around IDR 250,000 for a double room with a private bathroom.

6. Pop! Hotel Pemuda Semarang

Excellently located in the centre of the hustle and bustle, Pop! Hotel is perfect for travellers who enjoy staying in the heart of the action and keeping their finger on the pulse. A helpful 24-hour front desk allows for wake-up calls, late check-ins and early check-outs; and we found the staff on duty to be informative and very accommodating. All rooms are air-conned, spacious, sleek and simply furnished with a desk, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and white linen. Each room has a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, towels and slippers. Nightly rates for a double room are around IDR 320,000.

7. New Metro Hotel

Designed with the spirit of Dutch colonial architecture and design in mind, New Metro Hotel has an inviting and welcoming ambiance. Combining old-world with new-age; each room boasts a minibar, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. An on-site restaurant, bar, fitness centre and beauty spa allows guests to relax and unwind in the comfort of the hotel without ever having to leave. Should you wish to venture outwards however, the hotel is situated in the heart of Semarang City, making exploring easy and convenient. Nightly rates for a double room are around IDR 380,000.

8. Djajanti House

A tropical oasis in the city, Djajanti House is the perfect getaway for travellers who are craving a bit of green and some peace and quiet amongst the concrete of the city. Tranquil, lush gardens; the tastefully decorated house with wooden interiors and a wonderful book collection; allow for a cosy escape during your stay in Semarang. Each room here has its own private balcony with a garden view, a semi-outdoor bathroom and a communal lounge and kitchen. Offering double rooms and family rooms, this spot is a great place for couples or those travelling with little ones. A standard double room is very affordable and will cost you IDR 330,000 while a family room will set you back IDR 380,000. Excellent value for money!

High-end accommodation in Semarang

9. Grand Edge Hotel Semarang

The hotel that seems to have it all, a stay at the Grand Edge Hotel will have you longing to extend your holiday by a few days. A gorgeous outdoor rooftop pool with a view of the city, a beautiful restaurant, a lively karaoke room, a wellness and fitness centre, and even a kids playground were just some of our highlights during our stay here. With stunning conference facilities, a business centre and banquet amenities, this hotel is also idea for those travelling for business. Air-con, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, gorgeous interiors and luxurious attention to detail makes your stay at The Grand pleasant and highly recommendable. The buffet breakfast is superb with plenty of variation in food choices and a stunning view of the city. A double room starts at IDR 650,000 for the night.

10. Novotel Semarang

For travellers with a generous budget who whole-heartedly appreciate the finer things in life. A stay at Novotel promises the utmost in pampering, luxury and entertainment. An outdoor pool, two dining options (international cuisine at the open-kitchen Square Restaurant or drinks and grilled food at Citrus Restaurant), a beauty spa offering massages and beauty treatments, a fitness centre, airport transfers, and a 24-hour front desk - the list of amenities and services seems to go on and on. There’s even the on-site Club 123 which has a resident DJ and live music to keep guests entertained. A night’s stay at this luxury hotel costs around IDR 700,000.