Teduh Hostel Kota Tua

A few things to keep in mind: there's a 100k deposit per person at check-in, which cost us more than the room for the night. Milk for breakfast costs extra, though the cereal is free. There is other food too, including toast, jam and peanut butter. The bathrooms and toilets were clean compared with places I've seen, but could use a little improvement. They sell snacks for late-night hunger as well. Good for a quick stopover. It's near the train and bus stations. Beds are spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for your things, and free Wi-Fi works throughout the building. The staff are friendly and helpful. There's also a PS3, board games and books to keep you occupied.

Remember to bring 200 IDR for the deposit, or leave your ID card. You get it back at checkout. The beds are small but large enough, and though they're dorm-style, you can still have comfort and privacy here. The bathroom was clean. There's a kitchen near the beds where you can make noodles, tea or coffee each day. Breakfast was tasty, with bread and a variety of jams.

I've never had a worse stay at a hostel. I don't understand all the five-star reviews. Check-in took almost 30 minutes just to get my bed, even though it was 9:30 p.m. and there weren't any other customers. The building and interior were okay, but poorly maintained, and the smell on the second floor was disgusting. My bed had lots of bedbugs, so I couldn't sleep well. It was terrible and completely unacceptable. The toilet wasn't clean enough either, and the water heater didn't work. I wouldn't recommend this.

A good place for a short Jakarta visit if you're on a tight budget. They have comfy bunk beds and breakfast is included. It's not a fancy or especially impressive breakfast, but there's enough to give you energy for the day.