The Hawk's Nest Resort

We loved this quiet place surrounded by nature. The garden is incredible, and we had two lovely days here with the family. It’s a great spot for privacy and rest. You can reach some nice snorkeling spots by boat or kayak, and the team were really friendly and caring.

We stayed 6 nights at the Hawk's Nest and really enjoyed the peace and the pretty views from the rooms. It can get very busy on weekends with non-guests, though. The rooms looked more worn than the online photos, but they were decent and clean, bedding included. You can ask to have your room cleaned during your stay. There’s a fan, air conditioning, WiFi, hot water, and drinking water in the rooms. Breakfast was included in our rate, which we hadn’t expected. It was pancakes, eggs, or fried rice with fruit juice, though I’m not sure if that’s standard now. The restaurant had an okay selection, but I’d skip the pizzas. Sabang is just a 20-minute bike ride away and has lots of food options. Kayaks and paddleboards are free to use for a limited time in the morning, then cost 100k for 3 hours. Bikes are available too. We were quoted 100k a day by message, but on arrival the rate was 150k. We managed to negotiate it down to 120k for multiple days. Ferry pickup and drop-off can be arranged for 150k each way. We’d recommend staying here.

The snorkeling trip with Pak Ferdi and Guide Salman was splendid, and they also took us out for a lovely evening in Sabang, where they helped us discover local specialties. A big thank you to the whole Hawks Nest team for making our stay so comfortable and memorable. We loved the clean rooms, attentive and friendly staff, and how readily they handled our needs. Breakfast had plenty of choice, and the food at lunch and dinner was delicious. Our mistake was not booking a full week. We can’t extend now because the place is heavily booked over the weekend. Next time we’ll plan better, come back for sure, and bring the Keluarga besar one day. As travel agents, we’ll recommend and book this hotel for guests who want to visit Pulau Weh aka Sabang.

The setting is gorgeous and really private, with a honeymoon kind of vibe. I’d give it 5 stars, but getting around is a pain: there are lots of stairs to go up and down, which is tough with a lot of luggage, and the receptionist is at the bottom of the hill. You have to make your way down all those stairs to see them. The night staff aren’t helpful, and they close the cafe at 9. I hope they move reception uphill to the front and make an easier path without stairs.