During our stay on Atauro Island in Timor-Leste, we spent four nights at Alda’s Homestay in Beloi. It turned out to be a comfortable place to settle in, with a spacious guest room, delicious home-cooked food and a very welcoming host family.
The house is set slightly away from the main beach and market area, which suited us well. It was peaceful, we slept well, and there was plenty of space to relax between our outings.
In this review, I’ll share our experience of staying at Alda’s Homestay, including the room, shared bathroom, meal options, facilities and access to nearby places.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：Alda’s Homestay宿泊レビュー｜アタウロ島Beloiで4泊！食事・部屋・料金を紹介
Alda’s Homestay: Quick Overview
- Location: Beloi, Atauro Island, Timor-Leste
- Length of stay: Four nights
- Meal plans: Breakfast and dinner, or three meals a day
- Wi-Fi: Not available
- Mobile data: Telemor mobile connectivity was available
- Room facilities: One double bed, one single bed and a fan
- Bathroom: Shared mandi-style bathroom
- Electricity: 06:00 to midnight during our stay
These details reflect our experience at the time of our visit. Facilities and arrangements may change.
Our Spacious Guest Room
There appeared to be three guest rooms at Alda’s Homestay, and we were fortunate to get the largest one.
It had one double bed and one single bed, leaving us with plenty of room to spread out our belongings and move around comfortably. After travelling around Indonesia and Timor-Leste, having that extra space was particularly welcome.
There was no air conditioning, but a fan was provided. The windows had fitted insect screens, although there was no mosquito net over the beds. As we visited during the dry season, mosquitoes were not a major problem for us.
One thing worth knowing is that the electricity supply ran from 06:00 until midnight. When the power went off, so did the fan, and the room could feel a little warm. However, the house sits beneath the shade of a large tree, and we never found it too hot to sleep. We left the bedroom door open at night to help with ventilation.
The location also made a difference. Being a little away from the beach and market area meant there was less surrounding noise, and we slept very well throughout our four-night stay.
The Shared Bathroom
Alda’s Homestay has one shared bathroom with a traditional mandi-style washing facility.
The bathroom was both very spacious and clean during our stay. While it was not a private en-suite bathroom, we found the facilities perfectly adequate for our needs.
If you are looking for a simple homestay rather than a hotel with modern private facilities, this is worth bearing in mind when deciding whether the accommodation suits you.
Meal Options and Prices
One of the highlights of staying at Alda’s Homestay was the food.
At the time of our visit, the meal options were:
- Three meals a day: US$25 per person per night
- Breakfast and dinner: US$20 per person per night
We chose the breakfast-and-dinner option and bought lunch at the local market or at restaurants around Beloi. This gave us a little more flexibility during the day while still allowing us to enjoy most of our meals at the homestay.
Delicious Home-Cooked Food
The food was very tasty, and the portions were generous. We were always happy with our meals, and having breakfast and dinner taken care of made our stay much easier.
Coffee and tea were available around the clock. We were also welcomed with fresh coconut water on arrival, and the family offered us more free coconut water on several occasions during our stay.
These little gestures added to the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the place.
A Clean and Spacious Dining Area
The shared dining room was large enough to feel comfortable and was kept clean.
There were no other guests staying at the homestay while we were there, so we effectively had the place to ourselves. That made the dining area feel especially relaxed, although the experience may be different when the house is busier.
Friendly and Helpful Hosts
The host couple and their family were exceptionally friendly and helpful throughout our stay.
We communicated mainly in Indonesian, which worked well for us. They may also be able to communicate in basic English, although I would recommend keeping conversations simple if you do not speak Indonesian.
The atmosphere felt welcoming rather than formal. It was one of those places where we could settle into a slower rhythm and enjoy the experience of staying with a local family.
A Shaded Outdoor Space for Relaxing
Another feature we particularly enjoyed was the open area near the entrance to the house.
There were benches and a table, and the breeze made it a lovely place to sit. After dinner, we often spent some time there cooling down before heading to bed.
The house offered plenty of space, and this shaded outdoor area gave us somewhere comfortable to relax without needing to go out again in the evening.
Combined with the quiet surroundings, it was one of the reasons we felt so comfortable during our four nights at Alda’s Homestay.
➡ Atauro Island Travel Guide | Things to Do in Beloi, Vila, Atecru & Adara
Walking Distances to the Beach, Barry’s Place and the Port
Although Alda’s Homestay is slightly away from the main beach and market area, several places of interest are within walking distance.
- Beloi Beach: Around 7 minutes on foot
- Barry’s Place: Around 16 minutes on foot
- Beloi port: Around 10 minutes on foot
These are approximate walking times based on our experience.
The location worked well for us, whether we wanted to visit the beach, arrange a snorkelling trip through Barry’s Place or walk to the port.
The trade-off is that the homestay is not right beside the market and restaurant area, so you should expect a short walk when going out for food or shopping. For us, that was a reasonable compromise for the quieter setting.
Is Alda’s Homestay Worth Staying At?
After four nights at Alda’s Homestay, what stood out most to me was the combination of space, good food, a welcoming family and a peaceful atmosphere.
Our room was large, the shared bathroom and dining room were clean, and the meals were delicious and generous. We also enjoyed spending time in the breezy outdoor area after dinner. Being slightly away from the busier part of Beloi helped us get a good night’s sleep.
There are a few practical limitations to consider. There is no air conditioning or Wi-Fi, and electricity was available only until midnight during our visit. The shared bathroom may also be a consideration if you prefer a private en-suite. In addition, we were the only guests staying at the time, which contributed to the relaxed atmosphere.
For travellers looking for a spacious, welcoming homestay in Beloi, with home-cooked meals and access to the beach, snorkelling trips and port on foot, Alda’s Homestay is worth considering.
It suited us well for a four-night stay on Atauro Island, giving us a comfortable base without the formality of a hotel.
➡ Dili to Atauro Island by Ferry: Timetable, Ticket Prices and Our Travel Experience
➡ Atauro Island Snorkelling Guide: Beloi, Atecru, Adara & Vila
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