Visit Nias Island

Accommodation in and around Gunungsitoli

Gunung Sitoli is the largest town on Nias Island and the center for most economic activity. Many visitors to Nias start and end their trip here, and there is a variety of hotels and restaurants to choose from. When exploring the southern interior of North Nias and the east coast, it is more convenient to stay in Gunung Sitoli than in North Nias itself. In town there are 15 hotels and guesthouses. Most of them are fairly basic and cater for Indonesian business travelers. Outside of town there are a few more options for those who prefer quieter surroundings.

MID-RANGE TOURIST HOTELS

(Price range IDR 200.000 – 550.000):

Miga Beach Resort

Jalan Diponegoro 507

Resort style hotel with a small beach in the south part of town. The resort grounds are a quiet and green oasis and a great place to relax after a day of touring. Nias traditional architecture has been incorporated in the design of this hotel and each room has a unique touch. This hotel is popular with individual tourists and tour groups. There are 18 rooms ranging from standard to suites. Breakfast is included; other meals are available upon request. Amenities include AC, TV and Wi-Fi. Cars with drivers can be arranged here. Prices range from IDR 300,000 to 500,000.

Miga Beach FB note

Tel: +62 639 21460 Mob: +62 813 9764 8200 E: migabeachhotel@yahoo.com

Museum Nias Lodges

Jalan Yos Sudarso 134-A

This unique accommodation is situated on the grounds of the Nias Heritage Museum in the northern part of town. Visitors have the opportunity to stay in a traditional ’Omo Hada’ house. There are four houses from different parts of Nias to choose from. They are not replicas, but the real thing. The houses were donated to the museum and relocated to Gunungsitoli. Modern amenities such as bathrooms, fans, TV have been added to make guests more comfortable. One of the lodges has AC. Each lodge has a bedroom and a large family room. Extra mattresses can be added for families or groups. The Museum grounds is a very interesting place to spend a day or two with a beautiful garden, a private beach and a cafe. Check-in at the museum library which is also the reception for the lodges. For budget travellers there is also a basic guesthouse with 6 rooms, including fans and shared bath. Prices range from 300,000 to 350,000 per house.

Museum-nias-lodges

Mob: +62 812 6490 4744 Mob: +62 823 6468 5252 E: museumniaslodges@gmail.com WEB

Hotel S’Three

Jalan Diponegoro, Km. 3 Sifalaete

The newest and most modern hotel in Gunungsitoli. For business travelers and senior government officials this is a popular option. This is the kind of Hotel usually found in a larger cities, not on a remote island such as Nias. There are 17 rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, AC and TV. Rooms range from deluxe to superior and VIP. Prices range from IDR 360,000 to 540,000. Breakfast is included. Downstairs is one of the nicer restaurants in town. Beers BYO!

S'Three-hotel-gunungsitoli-nias

Tel: +62 639 323 454 Mob: +62 823 6197 5723 Mob: +62 813 9672 0743

Kaliki Beach Resto & Hotel

Jalan Yos Sudarso, Gang Elang II No. 22

A new hotel located in the northern part of town, popular with visiting dignitaries and businessmen. This two storey hotel has 14 rooms ranging from standard to suites. Breakfast may be included depending on room type; other meals are available at the hotel café. Facilitates are modern and amenities include AC, Wi-Fi, Swimming pool, Restaurant and Room Service. Kaliki is also one of the better restaruants in town and is a popular venue for meeting and events. On Sundays many families come here to enjoy the pool . Cars with driver can be arranged here. IDR 500,000 per room.

Kaliki-resort3 Mob: +62 813 6166 8925

Wisma Soliga Resort Hotel

Jalan Diponegoro, Km 4.

A popular hotel located in the south part of town. This hotel is popular with individual tourists and tour groups.It has two levels and 38 rooms ranging from standard to suites. Breakfast may be included depending on room type; other meals are available at the hotel café. Amenities include AC or fan (depending on room type), TV, Wi-Fi and room service. Cars with drivers can be arranged here. Prices range from 275,000 to 1,000,000.

Wisma Soliga FB note

Tel +62 6392 1815 Mob: +62 813 6123 0001 E: wisma_soliga@yahoo.co.id

MID-RANGE TO BUDGET BUSINESS AND CONFERENCE HOTELS

(Price range IDR 100.000 – 400.000)

The following hotels are mainly used by Indonesian business travellers. Rooms and facilities are generally good, but the hotel staff may not be used to foreign tourists.

Nasional Hotel

Jalan Kelapa 55

Standard hotel in the centre of town, often used for conferences. Rooms in the back have sea-view. This three storey hotel has 34 rooms ranging from standard to superior. A good Indonesian breakfast is included. Amenities include ensuite bathroom, AC, TV and Wi-Fi. There is a small enclosed garden area in the back. A small cafe/restaurant is attached to the Hotel. Friendly staff and a central location makes this a very good mid-range option.

Hotel-Nasional_b

Mob: +62 811 6585 577 Tel +62 6392 1018 E: hotelnasional0308@gmail.com WEB

Hotel Binaka II

Jalan Pattimura 14, Mudik

Business hotel a kilometer away from the centre, near the local government head offices. This two storey hotel has 14 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Breakfast is included. Amenities include ensuite bathroom (with scoop bath), AC and TV. There is a small restaurant, a bar and several private karaoke rooms here which are popular with Indonesian guests. Prices range from Rp 250,000 to Rp 400,000.

Hotel-Binaka-II_b

Mob: +62 813 7562 0608 Mob: +62 813 9633 7944

Nias Palace Hotel

Jalan Mohammad Hatta 42

A good, clean hotel tucked away in the hills just above the town centre. This two storey hotel has 16 rooms ranging from standard to VIP. Breakfast is included, other meals can be ordered. Amenities include ensuite bathroom, AC, TV and Wi-Fi.

Tel +62 6392 1336

Hotel Libi

Jalan Diponegoro 103

Standard hotel on a busy street in downtown Gunung Sitoli. This two storey hotel has 12 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Breakfast is included and there is a restaurant next door. Amenities include ensuite bathroom, AC, TV and Wifi.

Mob: +62 852 6229 4779

Hotel Dian Otomosi

Jalan Yos Sudarso, Km 3.2

A somewhat dated hotel in the north of town, run by a very friendly family. Some of the rooms have great sea-view and the surroundings are quiet compared to downtown. This two storey hotel has 30 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Breakfast is included and there is a restaurant at the premises. Amenities include ensuite bathrooms, AC or fan (depending on room type) and TV.

Mob: +62 813 7057 1116 E: mariozebua@yahoo.com

Hotel Tinca

Jalan Yos Sudarso 152

Basic hotel located in the north of town. There is a balcony with sea view in the back. This two storey hotel has 20 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Amenities include ensuite bathroom (with scoop bath), AC or fan (depending on room type) and TV.

Mob: +62 813 6095 6884

Hotel Olayama

Jalan Pendidikan 32

Low end hotel next to a Church a kilometer away from the center. This hotel is often used by Church groups during religious events. This three storey hotel has 25 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Amenities include ensuite bathroom (with scoop bath), AC or fan (depending on room type) and TV.

BUDGET GUESTHOUSES

(Price range IDR 60.000 – 150.000)

Museum Nias Guesthouse

Jalan Yos Sudarso 134-A

This guesthouse is situated on the grounds of the Nias Heritage Museum in the northern part of town. Ideal for budget travelerss, this basic guesthouse have 6 rooms, with fans and shared bath. A basic kitchen is available for guest. The Museum grounds are a very interesting place to spend a day or two with a beautiful garden, a private beach and Cafe. Check-in at the museum library which is also the reception for the lodges. Prices range from IDR 60,000 to 100,000.

Mob: +62 823 6468 5252 E: museumniaslodges@gmail.com

Penginapan Garuda

Jalan Kelapa 23

Budget guest house catering for local people near the centre of town. This three storey guesthouse has 14 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Amenities include ensuite bathroom (with scoop bath), AC or fan (depending on room type) and TV. There are several small restaurants on this street.

Tel: +62 6392 1710

Hotel Bersaudara

Jalan Diponegoro 117B

Typical budget/backpacker guest house on a busy street in central Gunung Sitoli. This small two storey guesthouse has 14 standard room equipped with fans. Bathrooms are ensuite or shared. There are several small restaurants on this street.

Penginapan Yosua

Jalan Kelapa 69

Budget guest house catering for local people near the centre of town. This small two storey guesthouse has 22 standard room equipped with fans. Bathrooms are shared. There are several small restaurants on this street.

Mob: +62 852 6115 5116

Hotel Vera

Jalan Yos Sudarso 177

Guest house located within walking distance of the ferry terminal in the north part of town. This guest house has two buildings a few hundred meters apart. In total there are 31 rooms, and a choice between AC/fan and ensuite or shared bathrooms.

Mob: +62 852 9705 0366

Hotel Masa Kini

Jalan Yos Sudarso 211

Small guest house located directly opposite the ferry terminal in the north part of town. This two storey guesthouse has 8 rooms with ensuite bathrooms (with scoop bath), fan/AC.

SOUTH OF TOWN – between Gunung Sitoli and the airport.

This is a good option for visitors leaving on an early flight, or visitors who do not want to stay in town while visiting Gunungsitoli.

(Price range IDR 100.000 – 400.000)

Malaga Resort

Jalan Pelud Binaka km 15, Simpang Pastoran, Desa Simanaere, Kec. Gunungsitoli Idanoi

Resort style standard hotel with a beach near the airport. The natural setting makes this a good alternative for travellers who don’t want to stay in town. This hotel is used both by domestic and foreign tourists. There are 20 rooms ranging from standard to VIP. Most rooms have ensuite bathrooms and AC or fan. There is a small café on the premises. Families with young children will enjoy beach, the playground and the open areas around the resort.

Malaga-resort-nias2

Mob: +62 852 7634 1011

Mega Nasional

Jalan Pelud Binaka km. 8

Standard hotel just south of town, mainly used by domestic business travellers. This two storey hotel has 19 rooms ranging from standard to superior. Indonesian breakfast is included. Amenities include ensuite bathroom, AC, TV and Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms have sea-view. There is a basic canteen on the premises. Prices from Rp 250,000 to 350,000.

Mob: +62 812 6014 131

D’Caesar Hotel

Jalan Pelud Binaka km. 7

Small private hotel just south of town. This up-market hotel is mainly used by visiting business people and air crew who want to stay close to the airport. 8 double rooms ranging from superior to deluxe. Prices from 400,000 to 500,000.

GoNias Capsule Hostel

Jalan Pelud Binaka No.219 km 17.8, Desa Binaka

Capsule style hostel with 8 capsule pods. Air conditioned and shared bathroom. Free airport transfer and wifi provided. Price is Rp 120,000 per capsule per night.

Mob: +62 812 6027 4444 E: gonias.capsule@gmail.com

NORTH OF TOWN

Charlita

Local conference hotel 15 kilometers north of town at a beach popular with locals. This hotel boomed during the post earthquake era when lots of organisations had meetings and training events on Nias. Few tourists come here now and the hotel is almost exclusively used for events. It could be a good base for exploring the eastcoast of North Nias. There are 40 rooms; 36 standard rooms with ensuite bath and fan. 4 VIP suties with AC. There is a pool, meeting rooms and restaurant on the premises. IDR 200,000 to 400,000.

Mob: +62 852 7610 3881

EATING IN GUNUNGSITOLI

Lasara Point

Lasara Point - Mixed Indonesian and western food in a very contemporary styled restaurant in the Ilir section of town.

Kaliki Resto

Kaliki Resto - Huge outdoor restaurant with mixed Indonesian and western food. The restaurant belongs to a hotel in the ‘pelabuhan baru’ (new port) area.

Grand Kartika

Grand Kartika - Seaside restaurant with mixed Indonesian and western food, behind the military base in the center of town. This is a very beautiful setting for an evening dinner.

Café Mister

Cafe Mister - Brand new cafe style restaurant, a mixture of fast food joint and upscale cafe’. The first place of its kind on Nias. This is a nice place to escape the midday heat in the center of town on Jalan Sirao No 24.

Nias Museum Cafe'

Nias Museum Cafe' - Nice outdoor cafe' in a beautiful setting within the Nias Museum grounds. Good place for coffee or lunch.

Waroeng Fodo – Local restaurant with a range of dishes but specializing in Ayam Penyet (a kind of fried chicken), Ikan Bakaar (fried fish) and Java Burgers. Situated a bit south of the town center along busy Jalan Diponegoro.

Qwi Tin Wan – A local attempt at copying KFC style fried chicken which actually comes pretty close. Not far from Jalan Pendidikan/Jalan Diponegoro junction.

Rumah Makan Nasional – Among many Muslim Padang food restaurants in town, this one is considered the best. Located in the center of town on Jalan Sirao No 87.

Caritas Cafe – Recently refurbished cafe that is child friendly with a childrens playground and an ice cream parlour. Has both indoor (AC) and outdoor seating areas. Located in the center of town on Jalan Nilam, above the Caritas Market.

BANKS

BRI Bank - Jalan Gomo No.1-3. Next to Lapangan Merdeka, the parade ground in the center of town. ATM may not accept Visa card.

BNI Bank - Jalan Imam Bonjol No.40. Two blocks from Lapangan Merdeka, the parade ground in the center of town. ATM accepts all cards.

Bank Mandiri - Jalan Diponegoro 158. Just south of town center. ATM

Bank Damanon - Jalan Diponegoro 143. Just south of town center. ATM

MINI MARKETS

Celia Supermarket – Jalan Diponegoro No 230 south of the city center.

City Mart – Jalan Gomo in the center of town.

Golden Mart – Jalan Diponegoro south of the city center.

Anggrek – Jalan Sirao No 111 in the center of town.

Caritas Market – Jalan Nilam, off the main roads near Tabitha Klinik and St Xaverius School and a second branch at Jalan Diponegoro No 187 just south of the city center

SOUVERNIRS

Waristo souvernirs and handicraft

Toko Waristo – This shop in the middle of town has a wide range of souvenirs and Nias handicraft. The selection range from T-shirts to traditional weapons and beautiful sculptures. There are many kinds of souvenirs in this shop and it is well worth a visit. Jalan Sirao No 21.

Kedai Elisabeth – A few shops down on the same side of the street is another smaller souvenir shop worth a visit. Jalan Sirao No 24.

BPWN – Badan Pembedayaan & Warisan Nias (Empowerment for Nias Heritage). This art gallery houses some of the most unique and well-made art work and souvenirs on Nias. Anything from intricate Nias jewellery to huge solid wood statues can be found here. If you are looking to buy authentic Nias artwork this is the place to go. BPWN is only five minutes’ drive from the city center on Jalan Makam Pahlawan, Mudik area.

Museum Pusaka Nias – The shop at the Museum (and Café) sell books about Nias culture and history, traditional medicine, T-shirts and a few souvenirs.

Avoid buying anything made of tortoise shell, seashells and coral. According to Indonesian law any object over 50 years old is considered ‘antique’ and must be turned over to the government.

MUSEUM PUSAKA NIAS - Nias Heritage Museum

This Museum is a great introduction to Nias and visitors will get a comprehensive overview of the diverse cultural heritage of the island. The Museum is much more than just the collection, there are many more things to see and do here, such as a cafe', zoo, beach and beautiful gardens. The Museum is located 1.5 km north of the city center, before the port area.

Nias Heritage Museum

Megaliths at the entrance to the museum

Guided tour of the museum

TRADITIONAL VILLAGES near Gunungsitoli

Tumöri village near Gunungsitoli

Tumöri Village - is the most accessible traditional village near Gunungsitoli, only 15 minutes’ drive west of the city center. What is unique about Tumöri is that this is really a living village, but still kept in the traditional style.

Sihare'o Siwahili village

Sihare'o Siwahili - only five minutes from Tumöri. The houses are in similar style but more traditional. It offers an interesting contrast to Tumöri.

Lölölakha village

Lölölakha - ca. 45 minutes from the city center. This settlement has five very original traditional houses, and some ‘hybrid’ houses where new and old styles are mixed. The old houses here are very well maintained.

Dahana Village

Dahana - 30 minutes drive south of town, near the airport. This village is fairly spread out, but there is a cluster of five traditional houses here. On top of the hill near the main cluster is a very interesting megalith with human fetures.

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

Draso Waterfall

Draso Waterfall - A unique and beautiful three level waterfall. The most interesting feature of this waterfall is that it includes a cave like cavern which two plunge pools inside. There are two small falls inside the cavern.

Humogo Waterfall

Humogo waterfall near Fadoro village in Gunungsitoli Idanoi is a beautiful place to spend a hot day, but you need local help to find this place.

Tögindrawa Cave

Tögindrawa Cave - a hike to Tögindrawa cave is good way to spend a couple of hours. This cave is also the most important archaeological site on Nias, where a series of excavations have found proof of human habitation from 12.000 years ago.

View from Puncak Laowomaru

Puncak Laowomaru – this hill in the south end of town offers nice views of the beaches south of town. There is a café on the top, but this is usually only open on weekends.

Hoya Beach north of town

Pantai Hoya is 15 km north of the city center and is one of the most popular beaches near town. The beach is over a kilometre long and pine trees provide nice shade here.

Pantai Malaga 15 km south of town is a popular weekend beach. Malaga Beach Resort is located here and non-guests can use the beach as long as they buy a buy something in the café.

WHERE TO STAY - Gunungsitoli