The List of Star and Jasmine Hotel In Surakarta

Being traveller in Surakarta or Solo will not give us difficulty to find a suitable hotel. This city offers all range of accommodation options. We can choose from cheap tarrif  rooms to luxury 5-star. It depends on our budget or what kind of experience we want. Generally the prices depend on the location of the hotel with the center of city or tourism object. The common basic hotel rooms price  in 2012 cost Rp 75,000  – Rp 150,000
With the price range of RP 150,000  –  Rp500,000 we  will get a very nice room in a hotel  far from main roads. Just for you know, that Indonesian travelers often stay in the low price of places and they travel in groups, families or couples, and the worst is they like to have conversation until  late and in loudly voice.The hotel with higher price  usually have gardens, sitting areas, ambiance and perhaps a pool, so we will enjoy our rest time well.

THE LIST OF SURAKARTA’S HOTEL

5 STAR HOTEL

1. HOTEL LOR IN : Jl. Adi Sucipto No 47 Solo. Telp (0271)724500 Fax (0271)724400

2. HOTEL SAHID JAYA : Jl. Gajah Mada No 82 Solo. Telp (0271)644144 Fax

(0271)644133

3. KUSUMA SAHID PRINCE HOTEL : Jl. Sugiyopranoto, Solo. Telp(0271)646356

Fax(0271)646356

4 STAR HOTEL

1. HOTEL NOVOTEL : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 272 Solo. Telp(0271)724666

Fax(0271)724666

2. THE SUNAN HOTEL : Jl. Ahmad Yani No 40 Solo. Telp(0271)731312

Fax(0271)738677

3 STAR HOTEL

1. HOTEL RIYADI PALACE : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 335 Solo. Telp (271) 717181

Fax(0271)721552

2. HOTEL SOLO INN : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 366, Solo. Telp(0271)716075

Fax(0271)716076

3. HOTEL AGAS INTERNATIONAL : Jl.Dr. Muwardi No. 44 Solo. Telp (0271)714888

Fax(0271)720747

4. HOTEL INDAH PALACE : Jl. Veteran No 284 Solo. Telp(0271)711011

Fax(0271)724368

5. HOTEL DANA : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 286 Solo. Telp (0271)7118989 Fax(0271)713880

6. HOTEL GRAND SETIA KAWAN BARU : Jl.Ahmad Yani No 290 Solo. (0271)718989

Fax(0271)715243

7. HOTEL ASIA : Jl. Monginsidi No 01 Solo. Telp(0271)661166 Fax(0271)646418

8. HOTEL IBIS : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 272 Solo. Telp(0271)724555 Fax(0271)724666

2 STAR HOTEL

1. HOTEL PRAMESTHI : Jl. A. Yani 101 Kartasura, Solo. Telp(0271)782277

Fax(0271)784245

2. HOTEL KUSUMA KARTIKA SARI : Jl. Ir. Sutami. No 63 Solo. Telp(0271)656861

Fax(0271)656862

3. HOTEL DIAMOND : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 392 Solo. Telp (0271)726232

Fax(0271)715343

4. HOTEL GRAND ORCHID : Jl. Gajah Mada No 29 Solo. Telp(0271)731888

Fax(0271)712233

5. HOTEL GRAND SOBA : Jl. Raya Langenharjo Dlopo Blok GE 30-31 Solo Baru,

Sukoharjo. Telp(0271)626698

6. HOTEL BINTANG : Jl. Ir. Sutami No 104 Solo. Telp(0271)648737 Fax(0271)646418

HOTEL BINTANG1 *

1. HOTEL SANASHTRI : Jl. Sutawijaya No.45 Solo. Telp(0271)718308 Fax(0271)715807

2. HOTEL INDAH JAYA : Jl. Hasanudin No 116 -118 Solo. Telp(0271)717445

Fax(0271)715444

3. HOTEL GRAHA INDAH BARU : Jl. Dr. Setiabudi NBo 39 Solo. Telp(0271)714755

4. HOTEL WISATA INDAH : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 173 Solo. Telp(0271)646770, 643753

5. HOTEL KOMAJAYA KOMARATIH : Jl. Lawu Kav 150-151 Tawangmangu

Telp.(0271)697125 Fax(0271)697205

JASMINE HOTEL

1. HOTEL BARON INDAH : Jl. Dr. Rajiman No 374 Solo. (0271)729071

Fax(0271)732090

2. HOTEL TRIHADI : Jl. Monginsidi No 97 Solo. Telp(0271)637557

3. HOTEL ARINI : Jl. Slamet Riyadi No 361 Solo. Telp(0271)716525

4. HOTEL MANDALA WISATA : Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No 12 Solo.

Telp(0271)722467 Fax(0271)742006

5. HOTEL GRIYA KENCANA : Jl. Latar Ireng No 22 Solo Telp(0271)722467

Fax(0271)742935

6. HOTEL MAWAR INDRIA : Jl. Monginsidi No 125 Solo. Telp(0271)632810

Fax(0271)652389

7. HOTEL SUKA MAREM : Jl. dr. Sutomo No 11 Solo. Telp(0271)714887

8. DE SOLO BOUTIQUE HOTEL : Jl. Dr. Sutomo No 08 Solo. Telp(0271)714887

9. HOTEL ATINA GRAHA : Jl. Bangka No 30 Solo. Telp(0271)654549

10. HOTEL TIARA PUSPITA BARU: Jl. Dr. Rajiman No 404 Solo. Telp(0271)729805

11. HOTEL PRASASTI : Jl. Letjen Suprapto No 81 Solo. Telp(0271)723990

12. HOTEL WISMA BRANI : Jl. Setiyaki I/VII Solo. Telp(0271)714177

Cheap Hotels In Solo, One Choice to Enjoy Your Travelling

If you've ever travelled to  Bali, do not compare cheap lodging in Solo with the Poppies Bali inn which  located in one area. Because cheap lodging in Solo spread over in various places. And just for you know that cheap accommodation in Surakarta or Solo, the  facilities obtained only few. Maybe you will not get Air Condition on your room, but  fan only. However, it does not reduce comfort for the backpacker.
For example, at No. 530 Jalan Slamet Riyadi, there Hotel Mekar Sari that  costs Rp 75 thousand  (USD 7.8)  per night. The hotel is located near Solo Square, Slamet Riyadi Street, a strategic region in Solo. Moreover, there you can also enjoy the pedestarian in Solo City Walk.

Located 10 minutes from the airport and close to Adi Soemarmo Kartasura shopping centers, hotels Sadinah Kartasura the target of the tourists. This hotel renovated in 2011, Lodging Hotel Sadinah just 5.0 km from the city center, the strategic location of the hotel ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach all places of attractions. From this hotel you will be easy to go to the Museum Radya Pustaka, The Sriwedari Park, Bhineka Stadium. Rates at the hotel is Rp. 200 thousand  (USD 21) per night.

Meanwhile, around the Balapan Solo Railway Station there is a suitable  hotel for backpacker, or for you the traveler who want to spend lower cost of lodging.  Trihadi hotel  costs only Rp 65 thousand (USD 6.8) in one night. It is in  Monginsidi Street No. 97. The other hotel is Atina Hotel with the cheap tariff of  Rp 70 thousand (USD 7.3), in Setiabudi  Street No. 43. If you are already in Balapan Solo Railway station, soon order the rooms  in two hotel. Because you do not know that there are so many backpacker interested to stay there.

Around  Kampung Batik Laweyan, there is also a cheap hotel for overnight stay. Tiara Hotel in  Dr Puspita
Rajiman Street with  the price of Rp 90 thousand (USD 9.4) and Mangkuyudan Hotel in KH Samanhudi Street No. 84 with the price of Rp 95 thousand (USD 10) per night. In this  Batik  Kampong you can learn about making batik  and try to make it by yourself.  

There is also Wijaya Hotel on RM Said Street No. 268 Serengan with the price  Rp 75 thousand (USD 7.8) per night. The hotel is located in Solo Manahan Stadium and close to Park Balekambang.

This Hotel information can hopefully used  as a reference for traveller who were visiting or having plan to visit Solo. Although  some rooms of this cheap hotels are not overly spacious, but at least you can stay comfortably. Enjoy your travel to Solo and try your best to stay healthy.

Cheap Travel to Solo, Train and Bus Transportation

Although not as popular as Bali,  Surakarta or Solo still has its own charm that attract travelers to come and visit this city.  And if you are one of them, then you do not have to be afraid of transportation to get to Solo, while in Solo or when you want to leave Solo. You can choose the transportation of air or overland, by bus or train from Jakarta, Surabaya or Yogjakarta.

Trains regularly operate between Jakarta to Solo and the journey takes between 11-12 hours. The main railway station named Solo Balapan Station which is the station for the train departure and Executive Business Class and located adjacent to the bus terminal Tirtonadi, something rarely found in Indonesia. For a night bus trip from Jakarta to Solo takes about 12 hours and ticket prices around Rp.200.000 (21 USD).

Indonesia Railway Company KAI via the official website has provided convenience to check the price list train ticket fare, schedule and online ticket ordering KAI more for you by going to the official website of the KAI. All the information you can access easily just by filling out simple forms fields. You can choose some of Jakarta Solo Railways, Railway "ARGO DWIPANGGA" Jakarta Gambir Station with ticket prices Rp.340.000 (USD 35) or Railway "SENJA UTAMA SOLO" Jakarta  Senen Station with a ticket price of 200.000 (21 USD). They are all cheap enough.

Whereas if you can travel from Yogyakarta to Solo by bus takes about 1 hour.

Solo  is a crossings  city of Yogyakarta, Surabaya. From Yogyakarta, Solo is located about 65 km south-east, while from Surabaya, Solo City is located approximately 285 kilometers west. Than any other major city, from Semarang, Solo is located about 100 kilometers southeast direction. To go from the airport, terminal, or station, you can take a city bus, public transportation, taxi, or horse cart to get to the city center to visit Kraton Surakarta.

Solo, is a city of  culture in Java. If you  travel to this city you will see so many interesting place that make Solo different from other city.  Surakarta also has many royal events, festivals and exhibitions on offer. The two most important such events are the Bengawan Solo Fair (BSF) and the Sekaten. It is annual event, a ritual to remove evil and restore balance in life.

Adi Soemarmo, The Best Airports Based on Customer Satisfaction

If you have a plan to travel Surakarta to enjoy the many attractions in this Batik City, you do not have to worry about the flight that will take you to Surakarta. Although not the capital of province but Surakarta has  a representative International Airport.  It is Adisumarmo , the Airport of Surakarta which is  located on Cendrawasih street. But don’t get wrong, this Airport is actually  in Boyolali,  slightly outside the municipality Surakarta / Solo.  Airports Adisumarmo is an international airport serving domestic and overseas routes.

Recently, the airport of Adisumarmo was awarded  as the best airports based on customer satisfaction.  This was based on results of a questionnaire  and chose the Airport of  Adisutjipto in Yogyakarta;  Selaparang in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara; Terminal III Soekarno-Hatta in Cengkareng and Adi Sumarmo in Surakarta, Central Java.
This award has different category,  Adisutjipto Airport was chosen for the category of old terminal full of passengers; Selaparang for the category of old terminals not full of passengers; Terminal III Soekarno–Hatta for the category of new terminal full of passengers and Adi Soemarmo for the category of new terminal not full of passengers.
The Adi Soemarmo Airport was also presented with four other awards for the categories of security, facility, comfort and cleanliness of new airport not full of passengers.


If you come to Indonesia via Jakarta, Surabaya or Bali you will easily find a flight to Surakarta. Every day there are flights from the airport towards the Surakarta. Even if you go to Indonesia directly from Singapore or Malaysia, you can even get your  flight from these two countries to Surakarta.

And you must know that when flying in Indonesia, everyone must pay a departure tax that may vary from airport to airport. In Solo the tax for domestic flights. Rp.25.000. For a return flight you also have to pay departure tax in Denpasar (Bali) as well. In Denpasar (Bali) tax for domestic flights Rp. 30.000.
Here is the Airline operating in Surakarta.
Domestic Flights
 * Garuda Indonesia (Jakarta)
* Sriwijaya Air (Jakarta)
* Lion Air (Jakarta)
* Batavia Air (Jakarta)

International Flights
* Air Asia (Kuala Lumpur)
* Silk Air (Singapore)

Old Gamelan Collection in Leiden, Chichago and Paris

Indonesian people should be grateful to the Netherlands. Thanks to cultural diplomacy conducted in the colonial period  hundreds year ago when thye bring  Gamelan to Europe. Not many people know that during the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on March 31, 1889, Sari Oneng,  Sundanese gamelan was exhibited at the French for the first time.

Gamelan is a set of traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, especially Java and Bali Island.  It consist of  variety  instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, kendang (drums) and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. The word Gamelan derived from javaness word “gamel” that means hit to produce sound.

Starting from a tea plantation administrator Parakan Salak Sukabumi, Adriaan Walrafen Holle a citizen  of Netherland . He was fell in love and  crazy  about  the Sundanese art and culture. He was the one who ordered gamelan from Sumedang.

And then Gustaf Mundt,  the nest administrators who replaced Holle. Bring  a collection of gamelan to several countries to enliven the exhibition of tea, coffee, and cocoa. These  products are the main commodity, which give  so many contribution to State. Two sets of gamelan brought into the exhibition in the Netherlands in 1883. Since then, one of them was never returned to Sukabumi. It was kept in the museum of Leiden, The Netherlands.

In 1889 two sets of Gamelan Sari Oneng with dozens of players or "nayaga" and the dancers transported ship to Paris, France. Trade, arts and culture mission of the Dutch East Indies enliven the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower. The museum is owned gamelan music in France. One set of gamelan returned back to Sukabumi and it is now stored in the Museum Prabu Geusan Ulun, Sumedang. During Gamelan performances in Paris, it  has affected several songs of  well-known French composers, namely Claude de Bussy. Wow, it will be better, if he combine these two different type of music.

Actually not only  France, and Netherland  that has a collection of old gamelan. In 1983,  a set of gamelan has also appeared in Chicago USA,  in the same event, Dutch tea exhibition. And the gamelan has not been returned  to Indoneisa again. It become  an antique collection of the museum in Chicago.

Gamelan has been  hundreds years in Paris and Chichago, of course, many Americans and the French are now good in playing gamelan music. Is it right?!

Sukuh Temple, A Unique And Strange Temple in Surakarta

One more tourism object in Surakarta that is worthy to visit. It is a unique and strane temple, located in the village Sukuh Berjo, District Ngargoyoso, Karanganyar regency, Central Java.  Rock used different stones used to build the temple in Central Java. Rock on Sukuh somewhat reddish color type of andesite.This temple was first discovered in in 1815 by the Resident of Surakarta, Johnson. And then Some researches conducted by  Netherland  archaeologist to explore this temple.  Sukuh Temple, is a historical heritage temples, truncated pyramidal, "guarded" by the sculptures of diverse, and decorated with strange symbols.

Sukuh Temple was built partway up Mount Lawu, just a few km east of Solo,  during the Majapahit Kingdom period (15th century). Sukuh and Cetho Temple (another temple located near Sukuh) is a Hindu temple has statues and reliefs that depict the sexual organs of a man who is a symbol of fertility.

The Sukuh temple is a unique Hindu temple in Java, built in the late 15th century Majapahit kingdom era. Temple structure consisting of eight terrace that  has its own meaning and function. In 1928 a new restoration conducted by the Department of Antiquities.Entering Sukuh there are 3 and 3 Gate Terrace.  Sukuh has a truncated pyramid shape on top. When you travel to this temple and see the pyramid shape, what you see  will remain you to  the shape of a pyramid in Egypt, but there is a difference at the top. Visitors can climb at the top of the temple. On top of this temple, there is a kind of place to put offerings, incense, or flowers for religious rituals.

Sukuh open from 07:00 until 17:00. If you visit this place with your own vehicle, you must make a good preparation due to the way to reach the temple area is quite difficult.

The Best Java Batik In The Old Kampong Laweyan

Actually Solo or Surakarta has two village centers of batik production art. Namely Kampong Laweyan and Kauman. Both of these  are adjacent village. But because of some reason Kampung Laweyan more popular. Travelers always makes Kampung Laweyan as a prime destination for hunting batik.

Solo batik art can not be separated from the village of Laweyan. Because in this village life of Solo batik’s industry is located. Laweyan is an old village that has been existed since the Kingdom of Pajang (15681-1586), the first Islamic kingdom in Java. And then, in the progress Pajang kingdom eventually defeated by  Mataram Kingdom. In the periode two  kingdoms,  Laweyan Kampong  remained existed as Batik producer, even to this day, the old village is even more popular as a village center in Surakarta batik production.

If you travel  to Kampong Laweyan, you will find hundreds of motif. Motif Jarik (long cloth usually worn by woman as traditional dress) with motif of  Truntun  and Tirto Tejo is the main characteristic of  jarik Laweyan. Even more interesting in the village is now equipped with facilities to provide education and training to learn and how to draw batik. So you not only see and buy batik as souvenirs, but you also can try to make batik  by your own by hand.

With such an arrangement, it's no wonder that many tourists, mainly from  Netherlands, America  and Japan visited the village of Laweyan. Indonesia batik can be more popular all over the world if some days there is an American or Dutch can draw and produce batik proficiently  after visiting  Kampung Batik Laweyan.