Melissa Palace Hotel and Karaoke — Hotel in Sumatra

last week, i went to Medan and explored many areas in Medan and its surrounding areas such as berastagi, siantar, and parapat. When i touched down to parapat (this is the region of toba lake located at), i directly went to Melissa Palace as I have booked it a week before, knowing it from the internet. Lonely Planet even recommend this place for backpackers. So, i confidently chose this place. Then, when i arrived at Melissa, one thing in mind was: "this is really not bad". The owner is very friendly, and the place is clean. The interior is actually quite old, but well.. the most important thing is the cleanliness, no? and the owner keeps this place clean and neat. I got room at second floor with toba lake view. how much i spend for a night? only IDR 190,000. cheap, right? the bathroom is inside the room, and it is also clean. It is indeed not fancy, but it is clean. there is also a tv with quite complete channel. i could sleep very tight. the cost is not included breakfast, but the owner can cook breakfast for you. I chose fried rice, and the taste was yum. i requested half-cooked egg and the owner served it in accordance with my request. the owner even gave us like a fried bread ( i dont know what's exactly the name of it) for free and also a glass of hot tea also for free. this place is more like a homestay. the location is very near to like a small port for going to Samosir island. so, you can just walk around 5 minutes to the port. I highly recommend this place for the...

the hotel signage is quite small so some may probably missed it. its on the same road as danau toba cottage entrance. we arrived late evening and was greeted by the helper and she brought us to the reception. the hotel is also the home to the owner so do not be surprise if you see them doing their chores or resting. no deposit, no passport id required. just tell them your name and let them know whre you made the reservation (in my case booking(dot)com ). he showed us the room straight and we got what we asked for that is a room with view. water heater is available with old style toilet where you have to squat. clean towels and soap are given for each. they also have room service where you can order food. we ordered teh manis for rp5k. no fan, no a/c coz the weather is not that hot. the tv works great. would recommend if you plan to stay a nite or 2 before heading for samosir. tigaraja jetty is just 5 min waking distance. there u can also find the wet market and taxi offices where you can arrange for your next transportation.||it was raining the next morning but the helper lend us an umbrella so that we can walk around. wifi is not available. it can be quite noisy when guests are using the karaoke system but otherwise it is quite...

"Standard room" (cheapest): Big airy room, gorgeous view from big balcony but none from my bedroom. Very very basic: no sheets only blanket, no air con or fan only open windows which is fine for the temperature not great for the mosquitos, no hot or warm water, no tv or any mod cons, has a wardrobe but is locked, no toilet paper and no water out the hose for washing after using the loo, no light by the bed. Bed was clean, walls grimy and seats in the room dirty with age. Walls are thin, as I'm typing this I hear a loud snorer next door.... vents don't help. Motorbikes going up the street are frequent and the sound seems to be magnified by the street, various dogs barking. Bed is way too soft, I'm on the edge but sinking into the middle still.

But staff seem friendly, not seen any other guests, very close to the ferry and the market, the main street has a few decent looking places to eat and clothes shops, and about a 10 minute walk to the little peninsula where there's a beach and paddle boats to rent, and more shops.

All in all a decent place to sleep for one night on your way to Samosir if you don't come expecting a hotel. I would haggle on the price in hindsight. And...