When travelling through Manado, the gateway to North Sulawesi and transit hub for flights across eastern Indonesia, finding comfortable, budget-friendly accommodation is key. Having previously stayed at both Top Hotel and Aryaduta Hotel in Manado, we found Istanaku Guesthouse 2 to be by far the most reasonable and value-packed option in town.
We stayed here for overnight transit stays on 9 and 18 December 2023, with another visit in 2024. Priced from Rp 290,000 per night for a Twin Room with breakfast included (~£15 / $19 USD), it offers exceptional comfort for budget-conscious travellers.
Here is our honest review of Istanaku Guesthouse 2, covering room comfort, early morning departure logistics, bathroom standards, and local transport tips.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む: 【マナドコスパ最強宿】朝食＆早朝テイクアウト対応！Istanaku Guesthouse 2 宿泊レビュー
Location & Getting There from Manado Airport
Istanaku Guesthouse 2 is situated in a convenient central location along a bustling main road.
Getting There by Local Micro (Public Minibus)
Reaching the guesthouse from Sam Ratulangi International Airport by local transport (micro) is very easy and inexpensive:
- Take a micro from the airport heading towards the city centre.
- Transfer to a second micro heading towards Pasar 45.
- Ask the driver to drop you off at the corner where Istanaku Hotel is located (approx. 45 minutes total travel time).
Nearby Amenities
Directly opposite the guesthouse is an Indomaret convenience store, making it effortless to pick up snacks, drinks, and personal essentials at any hour.
Room Comfort & Facilities: Clean, Stylish & Practical
We stayed in Room 305. The rooms at Istanaku Guesthouse 2 are clean, stylishly decorated, and feature comfortable mattresses with crisp cotton sheets and clean blankets.
Room Amenities & Important Notes
- Desk & Storage: Equipped with a practical work desk, chairs, and power outlets.
- Air Conditioning: The AC can operate somewhat slowly during the daytime heat, but it works well enough to make the room pleasantly cold at night.
- Road & Weekend Noise: Because the property sits on a busy road, there is general traffic noise during the day. Weekend music from the local area can also be noticeable, though we slept comfortably through the night.
- Elevator Notice: While the building has an old lift structure, it was broken and unusable during our stays, so guests must use the stairs.
- Drinking Water & Hot Water Servers: Water dispensers providing hot and cold drinking water are located next to reception and on each guest floor. Coffee and tea bags are not provided, so bring your own instant sachets!
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available. The connection speed was somewhat slow. On our laptops, the Wi-Fi failed to connect automatically, but the friendly reception staff quickly assisted us and manually configured the connection at the front desk.
Bathroom Standards
The en-suite bathroom was clean, functional, and well maintained:
- Hot Water & Pressure: The shower features reliable hot water and adequate water pressure. Note that in the early morning, it takes a few moments for the water to heat up completely.
- Provided Toiletries: Toilet paper, soap bars, and liquid body wash are provided.
Breakfast Experience & Early Takeaway Service
Breakfast is served starting from 7:00 AM across the street at the main building’s restaurant (Istanaku Hotel main building).
Early Flight Takeaway Nasi Goreng
On the morning of our early flight to Sorong, we needed to check out at 5:00 AM, well before standard breakfast hours. Having arranged it in advance with the front desk, the staff prepared takeaway breakfast boxes of Nasi Goreng for us to collect at check-out.
We took them onboard our morning flight to Sorong and enjoyed a warm, delicious breakfast in the air!
[Related Stories]
➡ Arrival visa in Manado: Entering Indonesia
➡ How to buy a SIM Card in Manado, Indonesia
➡ How to get from Manado to Bunaken Island: Public Boat & Charter Guide
➡ How We Travelled from Gorontalo to Manado and then to Bunaken Island
Final Verdict
With friendly, English-speaking reception staff and prices starting under Rp 300,000, Istanaku Guesthouse 2 stands out as the most sensible, comfortable budget choice in Manado.
Its combination of stylish rooms, hot showers, early takeaway breakfast arrangements, and easy micro-bus connections to the airport makes it a property we would gladly book again!
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