Recommended Hotels in Medan

Accommodation recommendations in Medan city: A great starting point for exploring North Sumatra

Hello, I'm mr.hotsia. Today, I'll take you to get to know the cityMedan(Medan) is one of the largest cities on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. It serves as the gateway to adventures in this region, whether it's exploring local culture or visiting Lake Toba, known as the largest volcanic crater lake in Southeast Asia.

I had the chance to stay here for one night and want to share my direct experience about accommodations in Medan city center, especially near the Grand Mosque area, which is a popular zone for tourists visiting Medan due to affordable prices and easy access.

Why choose to stay near the Grand Mosque area in Medan city?

This area is the city center, featuring markets, restaurants, as well as beautiful temples and mosques. It’s perfect for travelers who want to truly experience local life. Traveling from the airport to the city is straightforward, and it’s close to many important tourist spots, especially if you plan to continue your journey toLake Tobawhich takes about 3-4 hours from Medan city center.

"Zaza Zizi Medan" - the accommodation I recommend for backpackers

Based on my experience, mr.hotsia, I want to recommend a place calledZaza Zizi Medanwhich is not just ordinary lodging but also includes an in-house restaurant. Located in Medan’s Indian district, this place is very popular among backpackers for its convenience and friendly atmosphere.

The advantages here are cleanliness and attentive service, despite the reasonable price compared to other accommodations in the same area that I have encountered, which often have cleanliness issues and lack showers, requiring bathing with buckets and scoops—a common practice in many parts of Indonesia. However, if you are used to this style of bathing, it won't be a problem.

Accommodation in Medan: Options and Expectations

Actually, accommodations in Medan are spread across several zones, but I noticed many places may not meet standards in cleanliness and facilities, especially missing showers. Travelers seeking comfort might need to choose higher-standard hotels. However, for backpackers or tourists who enjoy experiencing local life, Zaza Zizi Medan is a great fit.

Second option: Stay at Lake Toba and Tuk Tuk Village

For those who want to fully experience nature and Batak culture, I recommend continuing to Lake Toba, a place I was very impressed with.Lake Tobais a large volcanic crater lake with a central island called Samosir, where Tuk Tuk Village is located. The lakeside scenery is stunning. Staying in Tuk Tuk Village allows you to experience a local community that still preserves traditional ways of life up close.

This village also offers many resorts and accommodations for tourists, mostly lakeside, where you can swim, fish, or enjoy water activities like banana boating. For more details about the village and accommodations, you can readTuk Tuk Village, Lake Tobahere.

Food in Medan: Unique Flavors

After staying near the Grand Mosque area in Medan, I had the chance to try local food, which has a distinctive flavor very different from Bali’s previous era. Especially the famous satay restaurant “Sate Padang,” where the sauce is a thick yellow curry-like sauce, unlike Bali’s black satay sauce. It’s spicy and rich, and I felt it perfectly matched Medan’s atmosphere.

Additionally, I enjoyed fried chicken and stir-fried vegetables at a nearby restaurant. The food here is simple but very tasty, suitable for those who like home-style local dishes. If you’re interested in Medan’s food scene, I recommend reading the articleMedan Cuisinethat I wrote for a more comprehensive overview and details.

Connecting Travel and Tourism in Bali

If you have visited Bali before and want to change the atmosphere by exploring North Sumatra, Medan is a great starting point. Bali itself is a charming city with interesting Hindu culture and spicy cuisine that I have described inBalinese CuisineOr if you want to read about traveling from Denpasar Airport to Bali city, you can click to readTraveling from Denpasar Bali Airport to the Cityto prepare fully before coming to Medan.

Summary of Impressions and Recommendations from mr.hotsia

Staying in Medan city has a unique charm that I, mr.hotsia, want everyone to experience for themselves, especially accommodations likeZaza Zizi Medanwhich is suitable for budget travelers who enjoy a close community atmosphere. There is also an option for those who want to deeply experience nature and culture at Lake Toba and Tuk Tuk Village.

For anyone planning a full trip to Indonesia, don’t miss exploring both Bali and North Sumatra, as these two areas offer fascinating differences in culture, lifestyle, and beautiful nature. Mr.hotsia guarantees this trip will be exciting and unforgettable.