Laras Asri Resort and SPA

The quiet setting made it easy to unwind, and the gardens are lovely. Our villa was clean and roomy, with a mini-fridge, full bathtub, useful amenities, and blackout curtains that made for good sleep. Breakfast had lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the mini zoo had unusual birds, civets, and colorful little animals. Staff were polite and helpful throughout. A few things could be smoother: the WiFi portal kept signing us out, espresso at breakfast cost extra, and the room names on the hotel site didn’t match Booking.com or Agoda. Our first villa also ran short of hot water for a bath, though that was sorted when we changed villas. We’d come back for the peaceful atmosphere and other highlights. 4.5/5 stars.

The bungalow was spacious, clean, and well equipped, and we enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and friendly staff. It felt like Bali, but at Salatiga prices, right in town. The only real interruption was when a wedding group arrived and it got noisy. The TV reception was poor, though I’d suggest enjoying the surroundings instead. There are birds kept in a large zoo-style cage. I’d rather see them roaming freely, especially since some can’t fly. I’d happily return and recommend the place, but it may be smarter to book on a weekday because weddings can use the venue. Otherwise, ask the staff about it first.

The room and pool are beautiful, and the place feels quiet and peaceful while still being near Salatiga city. The decorations and ornaments are so striking you really need to see them yourself. I was amazed by how well they care for the birds, including the blue peacock and jalak bali.

There’s a great pool and lots of parking, but I didn’t get the room I wanted. I’d hoped to stay in the old section and was put in the modern block at the back, where my view was just a wall. The TV setup needs work: only Indonesian channels, with very poor snowy reception, and no Netflix or Apple TV. Breakfast was okay, nothing special, and the staff there could be friendlier. If lower-rated hotels can offer streaming, why can’t Lara’s Asri?