The Grand Angkasa is supposed to be 5*. I don't think it is an international 5* by any means. The location is not the best, so I have not stayed there. The price is about 1,000,000rp per night.

The Travellers Suites (formerly Quality Suites) are quite expensive, also around 1,000,000rp, which is expensive for Medan. This is because rooms come with a kitchen for cooking/long-term stay. The rooms are quite comfortable, but they are not going to win any awards. This hotel is close to the international 'Gleneagles' hospital.

The Danau Toba International Hotel is one of the most popular in Medan, prices were cut dramatically after the financial crisis, and so the 4* rooms were very good value at around 150,000 rp per night. Unfortunately prices have risen quite a bit in the last few years, so they now cost more like 400,000rp. The standard of maintenance is not great in this hotel. It is however very lively, with regular live music in the bar next door, as well as two pubs. It is located in the banking district. The hotel has the best pool in Medan, with waterfalls and slides, it is available to non-guests for a small fee.

If you want to stay on Jalan Sisingamangaraja, the best hotel is the Garuda Plaza, again around 400,000rp. I have not stayed there. Opposite is the Garuda Citra, about half the price, a clean tiled floors and air-con 2/3* hotel.

The Soechi, for a long time 'Novotel', despite not being part of that chain for a few years now, is another of Medan's hotels that has seen better days. The quality of the accommodation is still  better than most of the competitors. It is located above one of the more dated shopping centres in Medan.

The Polonia hotel is a mid-priced option basically designed to be very close to the airport. It is a standard 3* with nothing particularly bad or good. The breakfast was quite mediocre. Price about 300,000rp.

The newest '5*' in Medan is the Aryaduta http://www.aryaduta.com/minisite/web/home.php?r=15&t=1&m=1 in one of the new glossier malls that have sprung up in the last 3 years, the Grand Palladium. The price is around 800,000rp. We will probably try this one next time.

Within the next year there will be THREE more international standard choices:

The Grand Swiss Bel Hotel, in Cambridge Mall (opening soon - July 2008)

Marriott Medan

Aston Medan

We looked at the Aston, which is open but not yet complete. The rates are about 600,000rp. The rooms are maybe a little bigger than the Aryaduta, and the rates are lower, however the Aryaduta has a nicer restaurant area etc. Worth re-evaluating when they have completed the Grand Aston development (new mall, serviced apartment).

The Grand Swiss Bel Hotel is located adjoining Cambridge City Square mall, which is nice if you like expensive food choices (steak, Haagen Dazs, lobsters, etc.). However the rooms are quite small.

The best hotel in Medan by a very long way is the JW Marriott. Rooms are much larger than the rooms at Aryaduta, and also better designed. Size is nearly 600 square feet. The rates are around 700,000 rp weekend, 1 millon midweek. The club floor is worth the upgrade for the Afternoon Tea, which includes international spirits, wine, beer and a much better selection of food than the Aryaduta provides. The cost is about an extra 200,000rp. Corporate rates are lower. Midweek, especially for single travellers, the 'spa package', which includes 1 hour massage per person, at 980,000rp single/1.2 million double, is a good deal. The pool at the Marriott is however not as good as the Aryaduta. In all other respects the Marriot is greatly superior.