A-Manta Homestay Labuan Bajo Review: Clean Rooms, Breakfast & Location

After travelling through Japan for several weeks, we flew to Indonesia and eventually arrived in Labuan Bajo, Flores.

For our first stay in Labuan Bajo, we chose A-Manta Homestay, located on Jl. Utama Wae Mata.

We were looking for somewhere reasonably priced that could provide a comfortable base while we explored Labuan Bajo and looked into snorkelling trips around the surrounding islands.

We were not particularly interested in paying for a luxury resort. We are travelling long-term, and we would rather put more of our budget towards experiences such as snorkelling and island trips.

After staying at A-Manta Homestay, there are several things we think are useful for other independent travellers to know.

🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む：A-Manta Homestay（アマンタ・ホームステイ）宿泊レビュー｜清潔な部屋・朝食・料金・交通事情

A surprisingly clean and well-renovated homestay

One of the things that impressed us most was the condition of the room.

The room was clean and well presented, and it was clear that the property had been properly renovated rather than simply being an old building with a few cosmetic changes.

That made a very good first impression.

When travelling on a budget, there can sometimes be a big difference between accommodation that is simply cheap and accommodation that actually feels comfortable.

For us, A-Manta Homestay fell into the latter category.

The bathroom was also clean and nicely maintained, which is particularly important when choosing budget accommodation.

The only drawback was that the room and bathroom were a little on the small side.

However, for a short stay, we found the space perfectly workable, particularly because we were spending most of our time outside exploring Labuan Bajo.

Internet connection was very good at the reception area although we could use WiFi in our room also.

We paid just CAD 16 including breakfast

One of the reasons we were happy with the stay was the price.

We paid approximately CAD 16 per night, including breakfast.

For us, that represented very good value for a clean, renovated room with a private bathroom and breakfast included.

Of course, accommodation prices vary depending on dates, availability and booking platform, so this should be treated as the price we paid rather than a current fixed rate.

For long-term travellers, though, this kind of accommodation can make a significant difference to the overall travel budget.

It allows us to spend more on the experiences we actually came to Flores for.

The pancake breakfast was a highlight

Another pleasant surprise was the breakfast.

We had pancakes, and they were genuinely delicious. 

It was a simple breakfast, but one we really enjoyed. After a night at the homestay, having a tasty breakfast ready in the morning was a great way to start the day.

Breakfast was included in the CAD 16 price we paid, which made the overall value even better from our perspective.

Where is A-Manta Homestay?

A-Manta Homestay is on Jl. Utama Wae Mata, away from the main waterfront and harbour area of Labuan Bajo.

The property is about 1.9 km from Labuan Bajo Port.

This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing the accommodation.

It is not the sort of place where you can simply walk outside and immediately find yourself among the harbour, tour operators and waterfront restaurants.

For us, that was not a major problem because we were prioritising value and wanted a base rather than a waterfront resort.

But transport does need some thought.

Getting around: don’t rely on Bemo or Angkot

Before and during our stay, we looked into local public transport because we prefer using inexpensive local transport where practical.

We specifically investigated whether Bemo or Angkot operated around this part of Labuan Bajo.

As far as we could establish, these are not practical transport options to rely on around A-Manta Homestay.

So if you are booking this accommodation, don’t assume that you will be able to walk to the road and easily catch a Bemo or Angkot.

Instead, you should plan on arranging another form of transport when you need to get into town or to the harbour.

This is particularly important if you are joining an early-morning boat or snorkelling trip.  You can walk, take a moto taxi or taxi.

Getting to the harbour for boat trips

The harbour is relatively close by car, but walking is a different matter, especially if you have luggage or need to arrive early.

If you are booking a boat trip from Labuan Bajo, it is worth asking the tour operator whether they offer hotel pickup.

Alternatively, you can arrange transport separately rather than assuming local minibuses will be available.

For us, this was the main practical consideration of staying away from the harbour.

The accommodation itself was comfortable; it was simply a matter of planning the transport.

Why we chose Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo is famous as the gateway to Komodo National Park, but seeing Komodo dragons is not our main reason for being here.

We have already seen plenty of manta rays and sea turtles on previous travels.

This time, we are particularly interested in snorkelling, coral and the surrounding islands.

We are therefore using Labuan Bajo as a base while we investigate which islands and snorkelling trips are worth doing.

That is why we were happy to stay somewhere a little away from the waterfront.

Our accommodation does not need to be the main attraction. We want somewhere clean and comfortable to return to after spending the day exploring.

A good option for independent and long-term travellers

For us, A-Manta Homestay offers a useful combination:

• a clean, renovated room
• a clean private bathroom
• breakfast included
• a very reasonable price
• a location away from the busiest waterfront area
• a practical base for exploring Labuan Bajo

The room is not particularly large, and transport requires some planning, but those are relatively minor considerations for the way we travel.

For CAD 16 including breakfast, we were very happy with what we got.

Who is A-Manta Homestay best for?

Based on our experience, we would consider it particularly suitable for:

• independent travellers
• budget-conscious travellers
• long-term travellers
• couples who do not need a large room
• travellers planning snorkelling or island trips
• people who value cleanliness over luxury facilities
• travellers who are happy to arrange their own transport

It may not be the best choice if your priority is staying directly beside the harbour and walking everywhere.

A-Manta Homestay at a glance

Location: Jl. Utama Wae Mata, Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia
Type: Homestay
Our rate: Approximately CAD 16 per night including breakfast
Room: Clean, nicely renovated, but a little small
Bathroom: Clean and well maintained, but compact
Breakfast: Delicious pancakes
Transport: Do not rely on Bemo or Angkot in this area
Best for: Independent, budget-conscious and long-term travellers
Our purpose: Base for exploring Labuan Bajo and finding snorkelling trips

Our verdict

A-Manta Homestay turned out to be a very good fit for the way we are travelling around Indonesia.

The room was clean, attractive and properly renovated, and the bathroom was also clean and well maintained. The space was a little limited, but that was not a major issue for us.  The staff were super friendly too!

The pancake breakfast was a genuine highlight, and at around CAD 16 including breakfast, we felt that the accommodation offered very good value for our particular style of travel.

The main thing to be aware of is the location. It is away from the harbour, and we would not recommend assuming that Bemo or Angkot will be readily available nearby. If you are planning boat trips, particularly early in the morning, arrange your transport in advance.

For us, though, the combination of clean accommodation, a renovated room, good breakfast and a very low price made A-Manta Homestay a practical base for beginning our Flores adventure.

Prices, facilities, breakfast and local transport arrangements can change. The CAD 16 rate mentioned here is the price we personally paid and should not be taken as a current fixed price.