Roman Sinasi Hotel

We asked at check-in whether it would be quiet and were told it would be. It wasn't. Kids drove around late at night with loud exhausts, and some animal in the roof kept banging about. There were lots of mosquitoes and no nets. Then, at 7 am, a worker was using a petrol whipper snipper outside. With all that, we couldn't get a decent night's sleep. Unbelievable.

The Batak bungalows have balconies looking out over the lake and paddy fields, and the terraced huts sit in a well-kept garden that reaches the water. It was the nicest place to stay here. It's about a kilometre from town along a busy, dusty track. The rooms are sparse, though the shower has hot water. Breakfast isn't included, and the restaurant only serves nasi or mie goreng. There's no wifi, and the whole town seems to be without it. A green, battered public minibus will stop outside. The local Batak people speak a different language and are very friendly. Few westerners come through, so expect plenty of attention. There are restaurants along the lakeshore, and the town is known for its food. Fresh lobsters and goldfish are taken from netted frames in the lake.

The garden and location were nice, but the room was very dirty. The toilet leaked and smelled awful.

A peaceful spot at a cheap price. The room could use better maintenance.