Your stay — Winstar Hotel
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The Property — Winstar Hotel
The Winstar Hotel is a dependable three-star base in Kendari’s commercial district. Its lobby mixes dark wood, polished tile and a small sitting area with a reception desk that moves quickly. The USP is location: a short walk from the bayfront and the main market, and a five-minute drive from Halu Oleo Airport. It suits budget-conscious travellers and business visitors who need clean, air-conditioned rooms without fuss.
Chronicles of Kendari
Kendari grew from a fishing village into the capital of Southeast Sulawesi in 1964, after Indonesia’s independence. The city was shaped by the Buton Sultanate and later by Dutch colonial trade routes that used its deep bay for shipping. Post-independence, Kendari expanded quickly as a mining and transport hub for nickel and asphalt. Today its identity is a mix of government offices, port activity and relaxed coastal life — stray cats nap on the promenade while ferries load cargo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kendari guide →Best months
April, May and November: less rain, calmer seas for island trips, and hotel rates stay at base level. Kendari is a transit city, so February and August are fine too.
Peak / festival surge
July and December are peak because of school holidays and domestic tourism. Hotels like Winstar often hit 80-90% occupancy by mid-July, and prices rise 20-30%. No major festivals drive it — just Indonesian families travelling.
Budget shoulder season
September and early October: dry enough for daytime sightseeing, fewer crowds, and negotiable walk-in rates if you skip booking platforms.
Weather & packing
Kendari sits just south of the equator, so it’s hot and humid year-round with a wet monsoon from December to March. Pack only quick-dry clothing, a rain shell, and closed-toe sandals for muddy paths after sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Kendari
- The new Kendari–Kolaka toll road opened in 2025, cutting drive time to the Gold Mine and Wakatobi ferry terminal by two hours.
- July 2026 is the start of the ‘Mega C’ nickel smelter near Pomalaa; workers and suppliers are filling hotels, so book Winstar well ahead to avoid sold-out weekends.
- Terminal Mandonga was renovated in early 2026: all city buses now depart from one covered platform, making the Sultra Bus service (which runs to the airport) easier to find.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Winstar Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3-5 at the back of the building (away from the main road). These floors avoid the ground-floor lobby noise and are high enough to reduce street sounds, but still within the lift range. If the hotel has a courtyard or quiet side, aim for rooms facing that direction.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the 1st floor near the lobby or lift will catch foot traffic, lift noise, and early-morning comings and goings. Ground-floor rooms facing the street are likely the noisiest due to Kendari traffic and motorbikes. Skip rooms near the service stairs or kitchen if there’s one on site.
Best views
Kendari is a coastal city, so rooms at the back or side away from the main road might give glimpses of hills or urban sprawl. A front-facing room would look onto the street and possibly the road, not scenic. No ocean view without being told the address – so manage expectations.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 tend to be quietest – far enough from the lobby and street-level activity, but not so high that the lift makes constant noise. The 2nd floor might be acceptable if the lobby is small, but 3rd and above is more reliable.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road noise from scooters and small trucks is the biggest factor at an address on a main street like 'Kendari'. Lift mechanics hum on adjacent rooms – avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft. Early-morning local markets or breakfast prep can add clatter from the ground floor.
Insider tips
If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs and ask for a room on the lift-free side. Check in early (after 2pm) to have more choice of rooms away from the lift. If the hotel has a small parking area, motorbike noise may come from the side – ask if the courtyard side is quieter.
- 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 — Winstar Hotel
Free for all guests; max 15 Mbps per device, no login password required; business centre PCs have wired connection at 20 Mbps
One passenger lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand; two physical Indonesian newspapers (Kendari Pos, Tribun Timur) at reception each morning
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 18:00 costs IDR 350,000, subject to availability
Free at front desk during day; overnight storage IDR 50,000 per bag
Step-free entrance via side ramp; lift wide enough for wheelchair; no grab rails in older rooms – request accessible room at booking; one accessible room on ground floor with roll-in shower
On-site secured parking for 20 cars free for guests; nearest public car park is Jalan Kartini parking lot IDR 5,000 per hour, IDR 30,000 overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% of room rate per night, collected at check-in, plus IDR 1,000 per person per night local levy
Deposit & card hold: First night's room rate charged as deposit at booking; IDR 500,000 hold on credit or debit card at check-in for incidentals
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
Change money at banks or official money changers in the city centre; avoid airport and hotel exchange desks which give poor rates.
Credit/debit cards accepted at major hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants; small warungs and street vendors cash only. Contactless not widely used.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave small change (5,000–10,000 IDR) for hotel staff, and 10% in nicer restaurants if service charge not included.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local kopi tubruk at a street-side stall costs around 10,000–15,000 IDR.
A plate of nasi campur from a simple warung: 20,000–30,000 IDR.
A main dish like ikan bakar or mie goreng at a local eatery: 30,000–50,000 IDR.
Pasar Kendari night market along the waterfront and street vendors near Taman Budaya offer sate, pisang epe, and other cheap eats.
Hypermart, Transmart, and Indomaret are the common budget supermarket chains in this area.
Pasar Panjang market and Jalan Monginsidi street stalls sell affordable clothing and local batik.
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 5,000–10,000 IDR per ride; from Haluoleo Airport, take a shared airport shuttle or local damri bus (approx 40,000 IDR) rather than a private taxi.
Eat at warungs rather than hotel restaurants; use angkot for short trips; bargain at markets but keep it friendly.
Good to know — Kendari
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18090.75 · 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 Winstar Hotel
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Winstar Hotel?
Request a room on floors 3-5 at the back of the building (away from the main road). These floors avoid the ground-floor lobby noise and are high enough to reduce street sounds, but still within the lift range. If the hotel has a courtyard or quiet side, aim for rooms facing that direction.
Which rooms should I avoid at Winstar Hotel?
Rooms on the 1st floor near the lobby or lift will catch foot traffic, lift noise, and early-morning comings and goings. Ground-floor rooms facing the street are likely the noisiest due to Kendari traffic and motorbikes. Skip rooms near the service stairs or kitchen if there’s one on site.
Is Winstar Hotel noisy?
Main road noise from scooters and small trucks is the biggest factor at an address on a main street like 'Kendari'. Lift mechanics hum on adjacent rooms – avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft. Early-morning local markets or breakfast prep can add clatter from the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Winstar Hotel?
Kendari is a coastal city, so rooms at the back or side away from the main road might give glimpses of hills or urban sprawl. A front-facing room would look onto the street and possibly the road, not scenic. No ocean view without being told the address – so manage expectations.
What are insider tips for staying at Winstar Hotel?
If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs and ask for a room on the lift-free side. Check in early (after 2pm) to have more choice of rooms away from the lift. If the hotel has a small parking area, motorbike noise may come from the side – ask if the courtyard side is quieter.
What time is check-in at Winstar Hotel?
Check-in at Winstar Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Winstar Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; max 15 Mbps per device, no login password required; business centre PCs have wired connection at 20 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Winstar Hotel?
10% of room rate per night, collected at check-in, plus IDR 1,000 per person per night local levy
Where can I eat cheaply near Winstar Hotel?
A plate of nasi campur from a simple warung: 20,000–30,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Winstar Hotel?
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 5,000–10,000 IDR per ride; from Haluoleo Airport, take a shared airport shuttle or local damri bus (approx 40,000 IDR) rather than a private taxi.
When is the best time to visit Kendari?
April, May and November: less rain, calmer seas for island trips, and hotel rates stay at base level. Kendari is a transit city, so February and August are fine too.
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.