Sinabung Resort Hotel

This was by far the worst of the five hotels we stayed in on our recent trip to Sumatra despite being more expensive than most. What was so bad? Well it was the gap between what the hotel promised and what it delivered. Some nuance is important here, the hotel was undergoing refurbishment to a large number of rooms that means that the owners recognise the need to update, but the hotel was really tired and unforgivably dirty. Our walk to the room was right through where the work was being carried out and had building materials and mattresses stacked in the corridor. We asked to change our room as the first one was just sad which the reception staff did without extra charge. The new room looked like it was three quarters of the way through the upgrade and the bathroom was still dusty but it was a better room, so thank you to them for that. Further nuance, we don’t like big resort hotels generally, so when I say my heart sank when we went to lunch and there was a noisy band playing, maybe that says more about my tastes and shouldn’t be held against the hotel, but add in disinterested and slow service and mistakes with the food order and we had a second negative. The views from the terrace across the swimming pool were lovely though and when the rooms and hopefully the common areas are updated it could be great. It will need better staff training though to match any physical improvements in my view. One further point, the hotel serves beer but no other alcohol, so no gin and tonic or glass of wine either the meal. Overall a horrible experience in comparison to all the other hotels we stayed in.

Despite the beautiful view of the volcanoes, the friendly Service of the staff in the restaurant and only there, I unfortunately cannot recommend this hotel, on personal experience. After the electricity went out, the reception had to be asked twice if they would come and fix it, since they let it go the first time. In the morning the shower water went out, there are a lot of flies in the lobby both in the restaurant, and then also pay extra because hair dye happened to come on the towels while you can get that out super easy? For 1 night as a stopover to Samosir, there is still much to improve.

Beautiful grounds, with swimming pool, and various things (mostly aimed at children). If the weather had been nicer, it would have been great to spend more time in the garden. Unfortunately the tree house was out of action. Buffet breakfast was extensive with a wide variety. Do not leave any clothing on the balcony, even for a moment. One of our group momentarily left a pair of shorts out there, and came back to find they had blown away, and were snagged on a different part of the building! Fortunately the hotel staff were able to retrieve them for him. There isn't much within walking distance, as it is up the hill from the town, although it may be possible to walk to some of the restaurants, but we didn't.