Rumi Semarang

A good fit for backpackers. The room has cool AC and a TV, and you get two bottles of drinking water free each day, but there’s no breakfast. The mattress springs are a bit uncomfortable, probably from frequent use, so I think the mattress needs replacing. The bathroom door doesn’t lock, which made me uncomfortable. There’s no card power switch, so remember to turn off the lights yourself when you leave.

The big drawback is the thin panels between rooms. You can hear everything your neighbors do, from 4:30 am alarms to calls at night. We twice had a noisy kid in the room next door. With someone beside you it’s impossible to sleep, even with earplugs. If there’s nobody next door, things are fine. The place itself is nice, the rooms and beds are clean and comfortable, the AC works well, and there’s hot water in the shower. The staff are friendly and helpful, even though they barely speak English. You can only pay with cash, not a card.

2022 update: I really can’t recommend staying here now unless you need to be nearby. Over the past four years, things have only got worse. There was never any hot water for a shower, and they make you pay upfront, as if your money matters more. The young staff seemed inexperienced, maybe because the wages are low. On the ground floor, you also get a free motorcycle exhaust concert from the workshop next door every ten minutes or so. The window won’t shut because its shutter mechanism is broken. Back in 2018, it was a decent cheap hotel, clean enough, with an okay bathroom. There was nothing to eat for dinner or breakfast, though coffee and tea were available at reception.

It was cozy enough for an overnight stay at such a low price. The walls aren’t solid brick, so sound carries. There’s hot water, though it takes a while to come through, along with two towels, soap, shampoo, one hanger, a TV, AC, and 24-hour service. They provide just two bottles of mineral water, but there’s a dispenser by the service desk. Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste, shower cap, toilet paper, and slippers, and don’t expect breakfast.