Omah Sastro 2

The bathroom was generally clean, and it’s a beautiful house in a slightly run-down residential area. The rest of my stay was rough enough that I left after the first night, even though I’d paid for two nights. This was my fifth long trip to Indonesia in five years and my second visit to Jogja, so I’m not new to the area. I asked for a quiet room but got one facing the main road and a shabby tennis court turned into a loud kids’ playground. The doors and windows didn’t close properly, so noise and mosquitoes got in. There was banging and loud conversation from the next room and staff outside late at night, waking me at 11pm, midnight and 12:30am, when I could hear chairs being moved downstairs. The lights went out several times in the evening, leaving the whole building dark for long stretches. At 6:05am I was woken by more slamming doors, constant rooster calls and distant barking dogs. At 6:20am a staff member knocked to offer free breakfast as compensation: bottled milk and one packaged pastry. I refused. Music started outside at 6:30, neighbors were mowing their garden at 7 on Sunday, and at 7:30 mothers and children were gathered in front of the main door shouting. The communal floors had female hair all over them, and the property was far from spotlessly clean. The staff didn’t speak English, though they tried using Google translator. The bed linens were old and stained, and there were some bed bugs, so I tried to sleep in my clothes. The wool bed covers were old too, and there was only one towel per guest. The free toiletries amounted to one shabby, cheap soap dispenser. It’s a long way from the city center and main attractions, so a Grab bike cost around 45k each way, or about 90k if you went into town twice a day. For what you get, it was too pricey, and they only took cash, apparently to save on POS equipment. I couldn’t detect any WiFi.

The rooms were very clean, and when we found the lock on ours was broken on arrival, Antony moved us to a family room at no extra charge. He was also very kind and patient, helping my friend and me choose and book tours. I’d strongly recommend staying here.

The owner is kind and generous, and we were able to bring our dog or other pet.

A little small, but cozy, clean, and tidy.