AMALIA Guest House & Cafe

I'd give this guesthouse zero stars if I could. It was the dirtiest place I've ever stayed, and the cleaning was awful. The water came out black, so we couldn't shower or use the tap. Avoid it!

The room was clean, and the location was convenient, but it wasn't good enough for me. There were too many rules, and the price wasn't the same as the actual rate. They charged their own rate instead of the OYO rate. The woman staff member had a bad attitude and told me I could find another hotel if I didn't want to pay the remaining charge.

There are two room options, for two or three people. Our two-person room was fairly clean and comfortable, with its own bathroom, TV, air conditioning, and decent Wi-Fi signal. It did look old, though, and the bathroom needed maintenance. The staff were very friendly and even suggested we take hot water before heading to Bromo. Parking is a big plus here: the spacious lot fits around 10-12 cars, while many guest houses in Malang only have motorcycle parking. There's also a dining room guests can use, a free water dispenser, glasses and plates to borrow, and free 600 ml water bottles in the hall. We were able to let the staff know when we'd be late. They close the gate around 11 p.m. for security, but if you inform the front desk, they'll leave it half open and wait for you. We did that when we went out late for Bromo. Security seemed good. For backpackers, or if you mainly need a place to sleep while exploring Malang, I'd recommend staying here.

There’s plenty of parking for both motorcycles and cars, and you can get to Ijeen Street with a short walk. I liked the home-like feel and the option of reaching your room through either the main lobby or side doors. Remember to tell the staff if you'll be back late. The system runs 24 hours, but they still close the gate for safety.