Best hotels in Malang

A charming corner of southern Java, Malang is known for its striking architecture, overflowing markets and acres of pretty tea and apple plantations. The town itself is an old Dutch colonial settlement and, overlooking the lotus pond right in the heart is the gorgeous Tugu Malang. The very first property in the Tugu group, its original purpose was to house the founder's vast collection of priceless antiques - and all of them are still present today. Often voted as one of the most unique hotels in the world, expect a dreamlike design inspired by aesthetics from across the globe and plenty of history.

In the heart of this mountain-ringed university town, this well-run hotel provides a comfortable base for volcanic adventures further afield. The leafy grounds and twin pools provide welcome relief from the urban bustle, while attentive staff ensure a smooth stay for travellers passing through.

Hotel Tugu Blitar, unprecedentedly the best hotel and restaurant in Blitar, East Java, is housed in a colonial East Javanese mansion that was built in the 1850s, making it the oldest hotel in Indonesia, with giant white-washed pillars, furniture from the late 19th century and the early 20th century, nostalgic photographs and elegant chandeliers. To discover the real, unspoiled East Java means a visit to the town and surroundings of Blitar, where most of the remains of Majapahit Kingdom still stand timeless, surrounded by tropical landscape and countryside scenery. It also has a romantic flair of the early days of Indonesia; in fact Blitar is where Soekarno, Indonesia’s first president who proclaimed the independence of this country, was born and buried.