Cakra Homestay is nothing if not memorable, and it will appeal to the traveller well familiar with the standards (and quirks) of travelling in Indonesia. Agoda coupon: Get an extra 7% off selected properties with the coupon code “Tfishpromo” The sprawling compound, some 200 years old we were told, and set in Kampung Batik Kauman was originally a batik factory which transformed into a budget hotel after factories were banned from Solo’s downtown area. What you see today is a hodgepodge of fan cooled and air-con rooms spread across two floors in buildings which wrap around the walls of the compound. At the centre there is a large open dining area (where a very simple breakfast is served), a meditation tower which delivers terrific sunset views, and, behind that, a swimming pool. You will meet your neighbours. You will meet your neighbours. Photo: Stuart McDonald Like the nearby (and cheaper) Paradise Homestay, facilities here are simple bordering on rundown, and don’t really line up with the prices being asked, but we ended up staying here three nights and liked it quite a lot. Sitting on the shared verandas, looking over the jumbled tile rooftops, listening to the call to prayer, makes for quite the village feel. Better still, climb up the in-house tower for a sunset view or just some quiet time with a book. Rooms are very simple. Soft mattresses with thin linen, with a standing fan and, if you’re lucky, a desk. There is plenty of space though. Unfortunately bathrooms are the weak point here, cold water only, with bucket flush loos and showers so wonky we gave up and just bucketed the water over us from the mandi. Free advice, have a swim in the pool first so the water doesn’t seem so cold. Also, ask to be shown more than one room if the first one is not the best—there is quite a bit of variety between the rooms. The view from the tower. The view from the tower. Photo: Stuart McDonald The pool is a bit of a saving grace—of a decent depth and refreshing, if a bit rough around the edges, it backs onto a stage popular for wedding photos (at least two wedding shoots took place during our stay—themselves an attraction!) and we had more than one late evening float in the pool—floating while listening to the call to prayer was pretty special here. The included breakfast is minimal, but there is also complimentary coffee and water available throughout the day, so fill your water bottle and eat elsewhere. The homestay doesn’t sell beer but will happily stick a few cold ones in the fridge for you if you’ve brought your own from elsewhere. source: https://www.travelfish.org/accommodation_profile/indonesia/java/central_java/solo/all/5425