Gandhi Inn — Hotel in City of Medan

I can’t write a review about Gandhi Inn without mentioning Muthia and her motorcycle.

This budget hotel was recommended by my cousin who lives nearby. Hence, my main reason for staying here twice was the inn’s proximity to my aunts and cousins’ residences.

However, there are many things to enjoy about this accommodation even if you don’t know anyone nearby.

First, the service is great and personal.

As soon as I checked-in for the first time in this hotel, I needed to go to my aunt’s place. My cousin told me it was within walking distance (without providing specific direction). I approached the front desk for assistance. Muthia tried to explain which turns I had to make (there are several), but then took it upon herself (maybe after seeing my clueless facial reaction) to offer me a ride in her motorcycle. I cautiously agreed (I hadn’t sat in a motorcycle for many years) and was stunned and thankful at the same time with her kindness.

Second, for a budget hotel, the buffet breakfast has a great selection: jam and (toasted) white bread, cereals, local dessert (green bean soup), fruit (usually watermelons), porridge, fried rice, stir fry noodles, and a rotation of local dishes such as kari bihun (rice vermicelli with curry) or mi sop / soto (noodles with broth).

Third, the overall design is unique and well thought of. This is no small feat considering the lack of space the builder had to work with when designing the hotel. The spiral staircases which connect all the floors add a touch of grandeur. The lift has a modern feel and presumably used to be one with touchless buttons during Covid-era.

About one fourth of the floor in the second level was demolished to form the lobby’s high ceiling and to create a mezzanine for the indoor breakfast space. This open plan, however, can create noise because some hotel staff were observed to speak loudly to one another from two separate floors. Smokers can enjoy their meals and cigarettes at the covered outdoor space next to the breakfast area.

This hotel offers four different types of rooms: standard, superior, deluxe, and studio. I’ve stayed at two types and viewed all four. Studio is the most spacious and you can guess which room is the tiniest from the price (standard). However, most amenities are provided, even if they are of basic quality. The air conditioning is cold, though.

Some bathrooms are a twenty-five centimeters step above the room floor. The entrance to the hotel lobby also requires this similarly tall step. Hence, the inn may not cater well to the wheelchair bound.

The hotel must be applauded for its effort to be cutting edge by having a self-check-in machine at the lobby, though one needs to inquire with the staff before usage.

There are also efforts to be environmentally friendly. Instead of the usual flimsy hotel slippers, the inn provides rubber slip-on sandals which are reusable, although the sizes tend to be small for bigger size individuals. Hot / cold / room temperature water dispensers can be found on most floors, reducing the need for bottled water, though they are also provided in the room.

During the day there are many local eateries around the hotel, if you want to walk. Otherwise, you can order food delivery through one of the apps (if you don’t know which app, just ask the hotel staff) or take a private hire car (also through the aforementioned apps). During the night, though, meal options are limited within walking distance. But the aforementioned apps may come to the rescue, as it’s almost impossible to get around the city of Medan without a private vehicle.

Update:

I stayed for the third time in November 2023. But it could have been my first time, because there was no marked differences afforded to return travellers. The hotel didn't incentivize return guests.

I had mentioned noise from the staff in my initial review. This time I observed loudness between the owner's relative to staff and between a superior to a staff. Muthia explained that it was due to the hotel being "A Homey Concept". I think it might have been the...

Located on downtown Gandhi street, easy to get to nearby culinary spot (Semarang street) , nearby cafe, food stalls and medicinal store ; all within walking distance. To get here, with Gr@b taxi ; it took us around 40-45 minutes from KNO not using Toll.

With light luggage, I think it is also possible to get here using the airport train and continue either by walking or taking ojek online.

During afternoon and early evening, I met several people on the street that very kind to remind us to be carefully when carrying mobile phone and to not walk on the evening (due to this is a 8-5 business area/ local stores, so they are closing the stores on the afternoon, so it can be a quiet evening, and some not well lit area or road crossings)

The reception and hotel staff are very communicative. We feel very welcome even for an overnight stay.

Studio room is clean. Well equipped with hot shower and water heater jug. Albeit the aircon took a while to chill the room. It is lovely to find an available water dispenser near the lift, so we can refill our water bottle.

They have a lift too that can accomodate 4 adults at least.

I was travelling with my mother on her late 70s, and 2 children. So it is helpfull to find this hotel equipped with a lift. Taking the stairs is also a good exercise though if you prefer so.

Room price is super affordable.

Haven't got a chance to have breakfast on the hotel yet due to our early departure on 5:30 on the morning to the airport. If you have plan to check out early morning as we did,I believe it would be possible if you want to have your breakfast to go at 6 AM as long as you ask the reception a day before.

Overall a recommended accommodation to stay in downtown Medan. 🙏🏽😊 Thank you Gandhi Inn...

This is my first time we're here. Actually we booked standard room but the customer service suggest we upgrade the room when we check in because I bring my little son too. Just add around USD 4 or IDR 60K we get bigger than standard room. Don't forget you have to deposit USD 10 (IDR 150K) and you'll get it after check-out.

In the room, we get 3 pillows, hot water (shower) in bathroom, 2 bottle aqua, 2 slippers and free wi-fi (but my little son said the bandwidth is really not wide). You can get additional water from dispenser out of room or in lobby. Unfortunately the air conditioner in the room not too cold, I think the lobby colder than the room but it's okay for us. Oh yeah, if you're smokers, you have to ask them where the good area for smoke

The second point, we cannot watch the television because the receiver cannot turn on by remote or manually. Because we not always in the room so we no need to complain. And the other curtain not worked well. We can rest well because the inn very quiet in the midnight.

In the morning, we have free breakfast from the inn. You can eat bread (or toast), porridge, green bean porridge, fried rice (not too nice for us), fried vermicelli, egg foo young, boiled noodles and some fruit. The additional, you can drink tea, coffee, milk and water too.

I think the inn maybe have around 4 parking area slot, so may be you have parked your car in road side if the parking area was full. We just seldom see the other waiters except the security, customer service, and 2 or 3 waiters in restaurant.

I think this inn recommended for everyone, unfortunately there is no family room. my suggestion for the inn, the waiters must check the room when there are...