Cakra Homestay Solo RedPartner

It felt like being shut inside a box: with both the door and window closed, there was no daylight, but leaving the window open meant anyone could get into the room. The bed sheet had holes, and there were no toiletries or toilet paper. The shower didn’t work, and hygiene standards were poor.

The building is lovely, and the staff were friendly and patient with Google Translate, though they were a little hard to find around the compound and didn’t really speak English. There’s potential here, but cleanliness let it down badly. The bedroom, especially the bathroom, looked as if it had never been properly cleaned. Compared with other Java guesthouses at a similar price, that was a real disappointment. The mattresses were old, bouncy, and uncomfortable, and without glass windows, mosquitoes could get into the room.

I really enjoyed the pool, and the place has a museum-like feel. The rooms are quite old, though, and there aren’t any showers available. There were two staff members, and they gave us useful tips on places to visit in and around Ubud. It was very quiet during the low season. A good place to stay in Solo.

We had a good time here again, just as we did about 5 years ago when we first stayed. For us, the Javanese-style atmosphere and central location work well for sightseeing, shopping, eating out, and enjoying the local culture and crafts. If you’re after luxury, book a hotel.