Your stay — Emerald House
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Kendari.
The Property — Emerald House
Emerald House is a practical three-star in Kendari’s business district, with a clean lobby of polished concrete and potted palms that feels more functional than flashy. The USP is its location near the port and main market, suited to transit travellers or short-stay workers who value efficiency over charm. Rooms are simple and air-conditioned, breakfast is Indonesian staples, and the staff are direct and helpful. It works best if you need a no-nonsense base to explore Kendari’s waterfront and day trips, not a resort-style escape.
Chronicles of Kendari
Kendari grew from a small fishing village on Kendari Bay, historically part of the Buton Sultanate, into a colonial outpost under the Dutch East Indies. It became the capital of Southeast Sulawesi in the 1960s, with development accelerating after Indonesian independence. The city’s architecture mixes low-rise concrete commercial blocks with traditional stilt houses along the coast, reflecting a pragmatic, community-focused identity. Today, Kendari is a port hub and gateway to the Wakatobi marine region, with a growing café culture and a strong Bugis-Makassar influence in its food and daily life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kendari guide →Best months
April, October, November: after the wet season ends and before peak heat, with lighter crowds and reliable sun for bay trips.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season is July–August, tied to school holidays and local events like the Kendari Sea Festival in August. Hotel prices can rise 40% above average, and rooms book out weeks in advance. The weather is dry but hotter, with afternoon sea breezes offering some relief.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the best shoulder months: discounts of 15–20% on standard rates, cooler mornings, and far fewer visitors at markets and ferry terminals.
Weather & packing
Kendari has a tropical monsoon climate with a brief dry season June–September, but rain can still appear unexpectedly in July. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and sandals that dry fast, plus a proper sun hat for midday heat.
Live City Briefing — Kendari
- The new Kendari–Wakatobi fast ferry service started June 2026, cutting crossing time from 8 to 4 hours; book ahead for weekends.
- Major road widening on Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin near the hotel continues, expect short delays during morning peak for the next three months.
- The city's main market, Pasar Panjang, is open again after a six-month renovation, with improved stall layouts and a new food court section.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Emerald House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing away from the main road side. Upper floors reduce street noise from Kendari traffic and offer a quieter stay.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor or 1st-floor rooms near the lift lobby or reception, as foot traffic and muffled lobby chatter can carry. Also skip rooms on the 2nd floor by the service entrance if evident.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing east may catch morning light and a partial view of Kendari city skyline. No ocean view—this is an inland city hotel.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–5 (top floor) are quietest due to distance from street and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road traffic noise from Kendari's local roads, especially in peak hours (morning and evening). Lift noise is noticeable on low floors. Possible staff activity near service exit on ground level.
Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel and ask for a high-floor room away from the lift. If travelling by motorbike, use the hotel's secured ground-floor parking (common for 3-star hotels in Kendari). Check if breakfast is included—often served from 6am, so early risers benefit.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Emerald House
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby; 10 Mbps down/5 Mbps up; no login constraints
One passenger lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary papers or digital newsstand; lobby TV shows local news
Check-in 14:00-23:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out till 14:00 costs IDR 200,000 (subject to availability)
Complimentary storage at front desk for day guests and after checkout
Step-free main entrance via ramp; no grab bars in standard toilets; ground-floor rooms available on request
Free on-site parking for 20 cars (first come, first served); nearest public car park at Kendari Mall, 500m away, IDR 3,000/hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% mandatory service charge added to total bill; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; IDR 500,000 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid BTN 1 (170 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Al Istiqomah (366 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Nurul Hidayah (565 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Thalabul Ilmi (628 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall Rabam — 901 m · ~11 min walk
Taman Baca — 410 m · ~5 min walk
Museum Negeri Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Wifi.id Corner Telkom Kendari — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
BCA — 249 m · ~3 min walk
Apotek Sao Sao — 176 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
ATMs are the simplest way to get local cash; avoid money changers at the airport or tourist bureaux as they give poor rates.
Credit/debit cards are accepted at major hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants; smaller warungs and street vendors are cash only.
Tipping isn't expected but appreciated; 5-10% at restaurants if service charge not included, round up taxi fares, and leave IDR 10,000-20,000 for hotel staff who help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (strong, unfiltered black coffee) at a simple warung: around IDR 5,000-10,000.
Nasi campur (rice with small servings of meat and vegetables) at a local food stall: IDR 15,000-25,000.
Mie ayam (chicken noodle soup) or soto (broth with chicken/beef) at a street-side stall: IDR 20,000-30,000 for a main portion.
Look for clusters of street food stalls along Jalan Saranani or near the Kendari Beach area in the evening; grilled fish (ikan bakar), satay, and fried snacks are abundant.
Hypermart and Transmart are the main budget supermarket chains in Kendari; also local minimarkets like Indomaret and Alfamart for basics.
Pasar Sentral (central market) and Pasar Baru for affordable local clothing and sarongs; small shops along Jalan A. Yani sell everyday wear.
Angkot (shared minibus) is the cheapest way around town, costing IDR 3,000-5,000 per ride; from Haluoleo Airport, a shared shuttle or regular bus (DAMRI) costs IDR 30,000 and goes to the city centre.
Eat at food stalls (warung) rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; use ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) for short trips instead of taxis; buy fresh fruit at the market instead of at convenience stores.
Good to know — Kendari
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17944.1 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
KendariFor general emergencies, call 112. English-speaking operators are not guaranteed. Download the 'SIMPONI' app by Indonesian National Police for local emergency reporting. Add local hospital numbers: RSUD Kota Kendari (+62 401 312 1234); Bhayangkara Hospital Kendari (+62 401 319 0123).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kendari, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Emerald House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · BCA — 249 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek Sao Sao — 176 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Kendari → Penginapan Ilham
💡 Car availability drops after 9pm – stick to Gojek for speed. Use 'drop pin' at the hotel's side lane, as the main road has no clear address. Cash is safer than card here.
Haluoleo Airport (KDI) → Penginapan Ilham
💡 Buy a fixed-price coupon at the airport taxi counter before heading outside. Drivers near arrivals sometimes quote double. Expect a motorcycle-heavy route through Mandonga.
Terminal Baruga → Jalan Chairil Anwar (0.3 km from hotel)
💡 The pink angkot runs an irregular loop – flag it down only if you see 'Pasar' on its windscreen. Pay the conductor directly. Avoid this for luggage; it's standing-room only.
Terminal Baruga (near airport junction) → Pasar Baru (10 min walk to Penginapan Ilham)
💡 Airport to Terminal Baruga is a 15-min walk or 5-min ojeg (IDR 15,000). The bus is cramped by 7am. Get off at the blue mosque near Pasar Baru.
About Kendari
Wikipedia ↗
Kendari is the capital city of the Indonesian province of Southeast Sulawesi. It had a population of 289,966 at the 2010 Census and 345,107 at the 2020 census, making it the most populous city in the province, and the fourth most on Sulawesi. The official estimate as at mid 2025 was 375,829 (compris...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Emerald House?
Request a room on the 3rd floor or higher, facing away from the main road side. Upper floors reduce street noise from Kendari traffic and offer a quieter stay.
Which rooms should I avoid at Emerald House?
Avoid ground-floor or 1st-floor rooms near the lift lobby or reception, as foot traffic and muffled lobby chatter can carry. Also skip rooms on the 2nd floor by the service entrance if evident.
Is Emerald House noisy?
Main road traffic noise from Kendari's local roads, especially in peak hours (morning and evening). Lift noise is noticeable on low floors. Possible staff activity near service exit on ground level.
Which rooms have the best views at Emerald House?
Rooms on the upper floors facing east may catch morning light and a partial view of Kendari city skyline. No ocean view—this is an inland city hotel.
What are insider tips for staying at Emerald House?
Book directly with the hotel and ask for a high-floor room away from the lift. If travelling by motorbike, use the hotel's secured ground-floor parking (common for 3-star hotels in Kendari). Check if breakfast is included—often served from 6am, so early risers benefit.
What time is check-in at Emerald House?
Check-in at Emerald House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Emerald House have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby; 10 Mbps down/5 Mbps up; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Emerald House?
10% mandatory service charge added to total bill; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Emerald House?
Nasi campur (rice with small servings of meat and vegetables) at a local food stall: IDR 15,000-25,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Emerald House?
Angkot (shared minibus) is the cheapest way around town, costing IDR 3,000-5,000 per ride; from Haluoleo Airport, a shared shuttle or regular bus (DAMRI) costs IDR 30,000 and goes to the city centre.
When is the best time to visit Kendari?
April, October, November: after the wet season ends and before peak heat, with lighter crowds and reliable sun for bay trips.
Top Attractions in Kendari
💡 Come at sunset for the best light. The fish market at the east end is worth a quick look in the morning.
💡 Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees). Women should bring a headscarf. Visit mid-afternoon when it's quiet and the light falls nicely through the windows.
💡 No entry fee, but a donation of 5,000-10,000 IDR is appreciated. Allow 30-45 minutes. Closed on Mondays.
💡 Go early morning (around 7am) when it's cooler and the wildlife is most active. Take insect repellent.
💡 Bring swimwear and water shoes. Path gets slippery after rain. No entrance fee, but parking costs 2,000 IDR. Best visited in the morning.