Tiara Bunga Hotel & Villa

The infinity pools are beautiful, and the lakeside setting on Lake Toba is peaceful with gorgeous views. There’s a lot of potential here. It would be nice to have more to do during a stay, such as tourism packages or trips to explore the lake and nearby forest, so guests have options beyond staying at the hotel. Some live music or other evening activities would also make the place even better.

The lake water here is much cleaner than anywhere near Parapat, and the staff were absolutely lovely and very helpful. But it’s overpriced for what you get. I’m vegan, so I expected limited choices at breakfast, but the buffet looked dreadful and there was nothing I could eat. There isn’t much to do once you arrive, and the boat service is infrequent, so you have to get the timing right. The place feels like it would be easier to maintain at half the size. As it is, everything looks a bit old and needs a good refresh.

The Lake Toba view is beautiful, but I wouldn’t recommend the superior room. It feels old and dirty, with far too many insects. The deluxe room looks better.

The staff were polite and helpful, and I had a really great time. The views are amazing, and getting there by the free boat from Hotel Ompu Herti is pretty cool. It’s a good spot to relax and has a lot of potential, though it needs maintenance. The path by the lake has no safety fence, so it doesn’t feel safe for children. There are also lots of stairs, which could be difficult for elders or anyone who isn’t strong enough for them.