El Hotel, Malang, Indonesia: An Affordable Hotel With 4-Star Luxury

Convenient location with perfect weather

Although located in Malang, El Hotel is actually closer to Batu (next to Green Hills Estate, about a 15-minute drive to Batu) as compared to the very busy downtown Malang, where it takes more than 20 minutes to reach, even with the absence of traffic. This new hotel was built just about 2 years ago (in 2014), and its location is not as elevated as the hotels in surrounding areas of Batu are. In fact, this makes the weather here a little warmer, and you won’t feel Batu’s chill at night. Also around noon, the outdoor weather is simply perfect, such that you won’t perspire unless you plan on working out.

Clean, spacious and decent room

Rates start from 300,000 IDR (~21.60 USD) for standard rooms, including breakfast for two people. Rooms are very clean, quiet, and spacious. Check-in time is at 2pm while check out time is at 12pm. All rooms are facilitated with air conditioning, plasma TV, and a very clean private bathroom with towels, a hot shower, and bath amenities (soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, and toothpaste). Wi-Fi can be accessed from all rooms, but it is faster if you stay on the first floor. Although the building has 2 floors, you’ll be pleased to know there is an elevator to help carry your luggage, and is perfect for those who have a hard time taking the stairs. So if you’re travelling with someone in a wheelchair, you don’t need to worry if he/she stays on the 2nd floor.

Internet room with free drink

While in other hotels where most of the time you can only use the Internet in the lobby area, you’ll be pleased to know there is a special room behind the lobby with fast Wi-Fi where you can surf the net from your gadgets. In the evening, there is even free iced syrup provided for those using the internet here. The room is less than 25 sqm (269 sq ft), and sometimes you may have to share the room with other guests. However, most of the day this room is empty because most guests travel to Batu and Malang for recreational or business purposes.

Breakfast buffet in a poolside restaurant

You’re offered a buffet-style breakfast; incredibly lavish for such rates. At the buffet spread, you can expect to find items such as toasts with a variety of jam, butter, rice, noodles, vegetable soup, fried fish, etc.. Aside from the usual coffee, tea, and lemonade, you will also be able to have the locally produced fresh milk. Batu is famous for its dairy farm! More than that, it’s a pool-side restaurant where your breakfast will be made special by the swimming pool!

More than just a regular swimming pool

This is one of the best swimming pools I’ve ever swum in. First of all, the water isn’t as cold like other swimming pools up the hill in Batu (the hotel is in Malang, which is warmer than Batu), even if you swim in the morning. It’s also nice to spend hours swimming here with no worries about catching a cold! You can find man-made water springs with water strongly showering from the wall, where it feels good to stand under the shower, having your back massaged by the water for free! Also, toddlers love the pool too as the children’s pool is equipped with a playhouse!

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A car to transport you to the restaurant

One thing to note is that the restaurant and the swimming pool are both located in a separate building from the hotel. You’ll need to take a 3-minute downhill walk to get there. I recommend walking to the location for breakfast, or for swimming, as the weather is very nice in the morning, but you can also ride in a car provided by the hotel to get you there and back. Also, if you drive a car (you may rent one from a travel agency in Malang), please be informed that the parking lot is downhill behind the hotel across from the restaurant and pool building, and you will need to walk uphill for about 3 minutes to reach the hotel. In front of the lobby, there is enough parking space for 4 cars where you can park your car, but only during the day.