Ox Ville Hotel

The location is convenient, right in the centre near some restaurants and the fast ferry to Mentawai. Still, my room’s toilet wouldn’t flush at first, though they eventually fixed it, and I had no hot water the whole stay, even after I told them. A bit disappointing. I hope management can improve the hotel’s quality.

The location in the old part of Padang is ideal, with the scenic Arau riverside and several places to eat within walking distance. We found the staff friendly and helpful, and the hotel itself is charming, with an open layout, plenty of plants, and a small pool in the central patio. Our room was tidy, comfortable, and practical. The cozy á-la-carte restaurant serves good lunch and dinner, and there’s an extensive breakfast buffet from 6:30 in the morning. A lovely place for a night or two in Padang, highly recommended.

Insects got into the room through loose, poorly maintained windows. The safe was broken when I arrived, and the shower doors were difficult to open because the sink and toilet blocked them. The food was a letdown too. Breakfast coffee was burnt, and when I reached the buffet around 9 am, many hot dishes were already gone and weren't replenished. There was no fruit, the juice bottles were empty, and no cakes were left. Dinner cost too much for the poor service. I booked this place specifically for the pool, only to find it closed every Wednesday for “cleaning.” There was no cleaning going on this afternoon. Disappointing.

The rooms are on the small side compared with larger hotels, but they have all the amenities, even more than some four-star places. This is a charming little hotel with a more personal feel than the Truntum. The pool is cute, with greenery and art around it.