Omah Kayu, Batu: A Tree House With A Spectacular City & Mountain View

Welcome to Omah Kayu

The place is called ‘Omah Kayu’ (Javanese), which means 'wooden house’. Although it’s actually a small bungalow, 'omah kayu’ is the term used to describe the particular buildings here that are made from wooden structures. However, these buildings are more than just bungalows made of wood.

Attached on pine trees

These bungalows, built on the ground, are attached to the trunks of pine trees! Mount Banyak is elevated more than 1300 meters (4265 ft) above sea level, and about 400 meters (1312 ft) below is the city of Batu, so you can imagine the kind of panorama you will see from here!

Inside the small 2m x 3m (6ft x 9ft) bungalow that costs 29 USD , the facilities are very basic. You will find a foam mattress (I think it’s too difficult to bring a heavy spring bed up haha!) on the floor with 2 pillows, and a thick blanket on it, plastic flowers hang from the wall, a low table next to the mattress, a power jack, and a couple shelves. However, don’t be mistaken by its modesty, as the room is very clean. Although the bungalow is situated among trees, you will find no insects at all!

From your window, all you can see are the surrounding green mountains, such as Arjuna, Panderman, and Banyak, as well as the pine trees that support the bungalows. However, you will be more fascinated when you go to the terrace as you will also see the tiny houses in the city of Batu below you!

The rate comes with a simple breakfast. You will be served fried rice, fried noodles, or other Indonesian dishes, like ‘nasi pecel’ (rice, spinach with crackers, and sweet peanut sauce), along with hot tea or coffee, which can be eaten in the resort’s cafeteria. How about the bathroom? The bathrooms have no bathtub, but each has a shower with a hot water supply that lasts all day. You will also get complimentary soap, shampoo, and towels, but there are no private bathrooms inside each of the 6 bungalows. Therefore, you will have to share with other guests as they only have 2 bathrooms in total.

Sleep while being accompanied by the sound of nature

Although there is no TV in the room, and no Wi-Fi is provided, it doesn’t mean you can’t listen to the radio or surf the internet. Despite being in such a remote place, incredibly, radio and phone signals are pretty strong here, so you can bring your electronics if you want to. However, nothing is more beautiful at night than sleeping without listening to the radio or YouTube. Turn your electronics off, and listen to the sound of the chirping crickets till you fall asleep. Isn’t it something you may not find at home? Also, don’t sleep too late, because early in the morning, you may want to wake up and go out to the terrace for the sunrise above the city lights of Batu!

Safe bungalow

There is a reason why they put a limit on the number of people (up to 3) who can stay up in the bungalow. Like its name, the bungalows here are 100% made of wood, supported with teakwood foundations, firmly embedded on solid ground. As long as the bungalow doesn’t exceed its capacity, it will be very safe for the guests.