Merlin Hotel

The hotel could work for a one-night stopover if you can set breakfast aside in your mind. The coffee was genuinely good, but the food was cold, bland, and looked like a wartime ration pack. The beds were clean and there was hot water, so at first glance things seemed fine. Then at 4 AM the nearby mosque’s call to prayer was so loud it felt like the muezzin was in the room with a megaphone. I couldn’t get back to sleep for about an hour. Maybe Muslim guests would appreciate it, but I didn’t. Bring earplugs and your own food.

The lobby and outside look nice, but the room left me really disappointed. My sheets were dirty, the towels stained, and the bathroom smelled strongly of mold. There was no hot water at all during my one-night stay, despite the hotel claiming to have it. The AC was off when I checked in; staff got it running, but it barely cooled the room and then switched itself off about once an hour. With the heat and humidity, I hardly slept. The Wi-Fi also wasn’t working at first, though staff fixed it quickly and it worked well afterward. The staff were friendly and responsive, and the location is very central. Still, for a 270k room, three stars feels generous, even with few budget options in Maumere. I can’t recommend staying until these problems are fixed.

The room was decent for the price, and they have tea and coffee in the afternoon. It’s easy to reach, although there’s no car park unless you use the roadside.

The bed was good, and both the AC and water heater worked. There was an odd smell in the room, though, and breakfast was basic. For dinner, there’s a small fish grill stall outside the hotel. The fish was fresh and tasty, the owner was kind, and the price was very reasonable.