Gandhi Inn

The lobby has a nice ambience, though the air conditioning there might as well be nonexistent, it’s warm. Staff were friendly and helpful, and breakfast was fine. Forget the TV. The T13 on the left of GI is really wonderful. The room felt cramped, but the mattress and pillows were good and I slept well. One thing startled me at night: there’s a mirror on the bathroom door, so when I opened it, my reflection looked like someone standing in front of me.

The staff at reception and around the hotel were very communicative, and we felt welcome even though we were only there overnight. Our studio was clean, with a hot shower and a water heater jug. The AC took a while to cool the room, but having a water dispenser by the lift made it easy to refill our bottle. There’s also a lift that can fit at least four adults. I was with my mother, who’s in her late 70s, and two children, so it was helpful. The stairs are there too if you’d rather get some exercise. The room price was very affordable. Gandhi Inn is on downtown Gandhi street, close enough to walk to the food spots on Semarang street, cafes, food stalls, and a medicinal store. We took a Gr@b taxi from KNO without using the Toll, and it took around 40-45 minutes. With light luggage, it might also be possible to take the airport train and then walk or use an online ojek. A few people we met on the street in the afternoon and early evening kindly warned us to be careful with our mobile phones and avoid walking at night. It’s a 8-5 business area, and local shops close in the afternoon, so the streets can be quiet in the evening, with some poorly lit stretches and crossings. We left for the airport at 5:30 in the morning, so we didn’t get to try breakfast. If you’re checking out early like we did, I believe you can request breakfast to go for 6 AM by asking reception the day before. I’d recommend this place in downtown Medan. Thanks, Gandhi Inn, for having us 🙏🏽😊

I stayed for a third time in November 2023. There wasn’t anything special for return guests, and the hotel didn’t offer an incentive to come back. I’d also mentioned staff noise in my first review. This time, I heard the owner's relative speaking loudly to staff, as well as a superior speaking loudly to a staff member. Muthia explained it was because of the hotel’s "A Homey Concept". I think it might be the local culture. My cousin recommended this budget hotel, and I’ve stayed twice mainly because it’s close to my aunts’ and cousins’ homes. Muthia is a big part of why I remember the place. On my first check-in, I needed to get to my aunt’s place, and my cousin had said it was walkable but hadn’t given me directions. Muthia tried to explain the turns, then offered me a ride on her motorcycle, perhaps after seeing how lost I looked. I cautiously accepted, since I hadn’t been on a motorcycle in years, and was stunned and grateful for her kindness. The service feels personal and great. For a budget hotel, the buffet breakfast has a good selection: jam and toasted white bread, cereals, green bean soup as a local dessert, usually watermelon, porridge, fried rice, stir fry noodles, and local dishes that rotate, such as kari bihun, rice vermicelli with curry, or mi sop / soto, noodles with broth. The design is unusual and well thought out, especially given the limited space. Spiral stairs connect the floors and add a grand touch. The lift feels modern, and presumably used to have touchless buttons during Covid-era. About a quarter of the second-level floor was removed to create the lobby’s high ceiling and a mezzanine for indoor breakfast. The open layout can carry noise, though. I’ve heard staff speak loudly to each other across two floors. Smokers can eat and smoke in the covered outdoor space beside breakfast. There are four room types, standard, superior, deluxe, and studio. I’ve stayed in two and seen all four. The studio is the most spacious, while the standard is the smallest, as you might guess from the price. Most amenities are provided, though basic, and the AC gets cold. Some bathrooms sit twenty-five centimeters above the room floor, and the lobby entrance has a similarly high step, so the inn may not work well for wheelchair users. They’ve made an effort to offer a self-check-in machine in the lobby, though you need to ask staff before using it. There are also reusable rubber slip-on sandals instead of flimsy disposable hotel slippers, but the sizes can run small for larger feet. Hot, cold, and room temperature water dispensers are on most floors, which cuts down on bottled water, though bottled water is also provided in the room. There are plenty of local eateries within walking distance during the day. Otherwise, you can use a delivery app, ask staff which one, or book a private hire car through the apps. At night, nearby meal choices are limited. The apps can help, since it’s almost impossible to get around Medan without a private vehicle.

I picked this place from a Google Maps search because I needed a week near my relatives on Jl Rahmadsyah. Before booking, I contacted them on WhatsApp about a few important things, including internet and room/window availability, and they were responsive. I started in room 601, but the AC wasn’t cold, so I asked to move. They switched me to 301 and sorted it out. What stands out most is the hospitality, from the staff and front desk to security and even the owner. Breakfast was decent and filling. The internet in the second floor breakfast area reached 80-100mbps, while in my room it was 20-50mbps, which was enough for me to work remotely smoothly. From check-in to check-out, things went well. The building and rooms have an old look, which was fine for me. The street in front can get a little too quiet at night, so it may be better to arrive by car to avoid theft. A couple of things could use attention: some spots in the room could be painted or polished, and I’m not sure the wood floor had been mopped before I checked in because it felt a bit dirty. They did provide sandals, so I wore those around the room. Thanks, everyone!