Achterhuis Guest House by OYO Rooms

I only stayed briefly, but it was better than I expected. The staff were welcoming and very polite, and I liked that it wasn't too crowded even though it's in The Old City of Semarang. If you're visiting Semarang and want to see the famous Old City, I'd recommend staying here. 👌👌👌😉

The quick checkout felt more hospitable, as the front office staff smiled this time. Check-in was quick too, though the staff member didn't smile or greet me then. The location is good, within walking distance of Semarang Tawang station. My room was okay and clean, but its lamp was broken and wouldn't turn on. The AC was good. WiFi and mobile reception were weak, perhaps because my room was a bit far away and tucked out of the way. The bathroom was okay and clean, though its exhaust fan was a little noisy. Acceptable overall.

It's right in the heart of the old town, with some attractions close enough to walk to, and about a 10-minute walk from Tawang Train Station. Handy for an overnight transit, especially if you like exploring on foot. The rate is a bit lower than budget chains like Ibis and Neo, but there are tradeoffs. The TV is tiny, and the channels are blurry except Metro TV. I need entertainment! The shower is acceptably rusty and slippery. There's just one very bright light in the room, so this hostel isn't for you if you need dim lighting to sleep.

The place was only about 200 meters from downtown, near taman sri gunting. For a budget hotel, the facilities were quite proper, and it's a new place. My room was B12 on the 2nd floor. The AC was annoying because the inside kept making a brrrbing noise. Also, tiny black worm-like creatures kept coming from the closet shower. They won't bite, but stay aware and clean them up regularly.