In Chiangmai, you can get a good rate just by walking in to the hotel, then ask for the best discounted price, but I think in Bandung, you can get a better rate at the airport, except they will only deal with better hotels, ie, at least one star.
We wanted to stay at Jl Cihampelas, which is the Orchard Road of Bandung, its like Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman with individual shops, roadside stalls and also one big complex called CiWalk. There are only 3 hotels on this road, Hotel Nalendra, the most expensive, comes with ok rooms, a swimming pool and coffee house. We stayed here a night, then moved to Hotel Cihampelas 1 (the signboard says Cihampelas Melati 3). That’s because Cihampelas 2 was fully booked. The 2 Cihampelas’ are like our YMCA style, much smaller, old but since we only go back to sleep, it was ok with us. Price for Nallendra IDR416,500 for standard room per night after discount. Rack rate is IDR490k. At Cihampelas 1, we took the best room, which was big enough for our 4 children. The price? IDR200,000 per night.
The “swimming pool” at the Nalendra. Don’t try to swim laps. With a good kick start and a further 3 strokes, you’ll bang your head at the other end!
The hotel that is nearest to CiWalk is Cihampelas 2. They also have a convenience store and an internet shop next to it.
There are other very good hotels at other places. I’d recommend hotels on Jl Setiabudi, they are more expensive, but its a good place to stay. This place is just one bus away from CiWalk. You pay IDR1000 per head for the Angkutan Kota – the mini buses there. Look for the one that says “Kalapa-Ledang”.
Jl Setiabudi is famous for its shopping outlets, ie, places that sell branded stuff, the original, but note that they are seconds or export excess. Still, the prices are good.
Hi,
I’m going to Bandung this coming end november with my family, wife and 6 children. Can you suggest where to stay (value for money) and place of interest to visit. My big thing to do in Bandung is shopping and sightseeing.
For sightseeing, is itnecessary to hire tour agent for big family like me.
Oh, my children ages are 4, 9, 11. 13. 15 and 16.
Seroding
Hi Seroding,
Bandung is a great place for shopping – especially at the fashion outlets like the Rumah Mode. However, I just got back from Bangkok and have discovered that Bangkok is even better!!! Anyway, to answer your questions, the 2 hotels I mentioned in my posts on Bandung are within a bus ride from the CiWalk area, great for the teenagers to go on their own. The number for Hotel Cihampelas is 022 2033425/2037281. If you only want to shop at the fashion outlets, then there are some other accomodation near there, better but I’m sure more expensive – I’m afraid I do not know the prices there. You could also decide to stay a night at the resort area in Bandung hills. Nice, cool and quiet. I’d suggest getting a can for your family and do your own private tour. They charge by the hour. We used Rental Abang Adek – Bapak Ahmad tel 0815 7297 5232/022 2043394. He charges 225ribu a day plus 50 ribu a day for sopir. Can’t remember what that means but we had to pay fro our own petrol. Do bargain for a good price. Your children might enjoy the horse rides at the volcano mentioned in my blog.