Your stay — Colonial Hotel
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The Property — Colonial Hotel
The Colonial Hotel is a straightforward, no-frills three-star property in central Makassar, with a lobby that feels more like a functional transit lounge than a resort retreat. Its main draw is location — on Jalan Somba Opu, steps from the waterfront and the old Dutch port area — and a price point that suits budget-conscious travellers who plan to be out exploring rather than lounging. The rooms are clean but dated, with tiled floors and basic furnishings; you’re paying for convenience, not character.
Chronicles of Makassar
Makassar began as a key port in the Gowa-Tallo kingdom, then fell to the Dutch in 1669 and was renamed Ujung Pandang until 1999. The old Fort Rotterdam — a rare intact Dutch colonial star fort — still dominates the waterfront. Today the city is a chaotic, pulsing hub of inter-island trade, with a skyline of glass towers rising above traditional wooden pinisi schooners in the harbour. Its culture is a mix of Bugis-Makassar traditions, Chinese merchant influence, and the loud, raw energy of a Sulawesi transport nexus.
Best Time to Visit
Full Makassar guide →Best months
August, September, October — dry season with reliably blue skies, low humidity, and calm seas for island trips; tourist numbers are moderate but not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
December and January — wet season but also school holidays and Christmas-New Year travel; hotel prices can double, and flights from Jakarta fill up fast; the city hosts the Makassar International Writers Festival in late July, drawing a niche cultural crowd.
Budget shoulder season
May and June — the transition from wet to dry, still occasional rain but far fewer tourists, and hotel rates often drop 20–30% below peak; the weather is warm but not stifling.
Weather & packing
Makassar is hot and humid year-round, but the dry season brings a sharp morning sea breeze that can catch you off-guard. Pack one long-sleeve lightweight cotton shirt for evenings and for ferry terminals with AC on full blast.
Live City Briefing — Makassar
- The Trans-Sulawesi railway is now fully operational from Makassar to Parepare, cutting road travel time by two hours — the station is a 20-minute drive from the city centre.
- A major pedestrianisation project on Jalan Penghibur is underway, with completion expected late 2026; expect detours and dust around the old Chinatown area.
- The annual Makassar F8 cultural festival (early July) will close several central streets for night markets and performances — book a hotel with easy walkability to the beachfront.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Colonial Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, away from the lift lobby — these floors are high enough to reduce street rumble from Makassar's main roads but still serviced by the stairwell if the lift queue is long.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft (often noisy until late) and any room above the lobby or ground-floor bar if the hotel has one. The 2nd floor may pick up food prep noise if a restaurant is below.
Best views
Rooms facing away from the main road offer views over local streets or a courtyard. If the hotel faces Jalan Ahmad Yani or Jalan Sudirman, choose a back-facing room for less roar.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely the quietest — mid-height, above street din but not near any rooftop equipment or bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Makassar's streets are busy with scooters and becak; engine noise and horns are common until midnight. A room on the far side of the building (if there's an inner well) is much quieter.
Insider tips
Ask at check-in for a room on the building's rear side — many 3-star hotels here have a quieter inner wing. Also, the lift can be slow at breakfast; using the stairwell from floors 2–4 is quicker.
- 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 — Colonial Hotel
Free 10 Mbps throughout hotel; no login required, just accept terms on browser
One lift serves all 4 floors; stairwell available, no historic sections
Complimentary access to PressReader via QR codes in lobby; no physical papers; building is a 1960s colonial-style block with original terrazzo floors
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 07:00; late check-out until 13:00 costs 75,000 IDR (weekdays) or 100,000 IDR (weekends)
Free for same-day storage; 25,000 IDR per bag for overnight
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; wheelchair-accessible rooms on ground floor only; lift has braille buttons; no grab bars in standard bathrooms
On-site parking free for guests (20 spaces); nearest public car park at Jalan Seruni, 150 metres away, 5,000 IDR per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10,000 IDR per person per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50,000 IDR advance deposit required at booking; 200,000 IDR incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Nurul Baraqah (503 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Gereja Katolik Santo Albertus Agung (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Cheng Hoo (1.2 km · ~14 min walk)
- Mosque: مسجد بيت الرحيم (1.2 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall GTC — 767 m · ~10 min walk
Pantai Akkarena — 518 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Indomaret — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid money changers at airports and tourist bureaux which typically offer poor rates.
Credit cards accepted in mid-range hotels, malls, and larger restaurants; cash is king for warungs, street food, and local transport.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants; small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (local coffee) from a street stall – around IDR 5,000.
Nasi goreng or mie goreng from a basic warung – about IDR 15,000.
Ikan bakar (grilled fish) with rice and sambal at a local seafood warung – around IDR 25,000.
Main street food areas are around Jalan Pasar Ikan and the night market along Jalan Ujung Pandang.
Alfamart and Indomaret (convenience stores) everywhere; larger supermarkets like Hypermart in malls.
Local markets such as Pasar Butung and Pasar Terong for cheap clothes and batik.
Angkot (shared minibus) – IDR 5,000 per ride; from airport, take Damri bus to central terminal for around IDR 25,000.
Eat at warungs away from tourist spots; use ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab) for fixed fares; haggle at markets but not at street food stalls.
Good to know — Makassar
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18099.05 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Makassar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Colonial Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Hotel Denpasar
💡 Book via app after exiting arrivals to avoid surge pricing. Use the official ride-hailing pickup zone outside terminal 1.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Hotel Denpasar
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter inside the arrivals hall. Street-hailing can double the price.
Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan (near airport) → Terminal Mall Panakkukang
💡 Cheapest option but requires a 15-min walk from airport to the bus stop. From Panakkukang, take a Gojek (IDR 10k) for the last 2 km to Hotel Denpasar.
Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport → Terminal Regional Daya
💡 Get off at Jl. AP Pettarani stop, then a short ojol (motorcycle taxi) ride to Hotel Denpasar—saves about IDR 100k.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Colonial Hotel?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, away from the lift lobby — these floors are high enough to reduce street rumble from Makassar's main roads but still serviced by the stairwell if the lift queue is long.
Which rooms should I avoid at Colonial Hotel?
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft (often noisy until late) and any room above the lobby or ground-floor bar if the hotel has one. The 2nd floor may pick up food prep noise if a restaurant is below.
Is Colonial Hotel noisy?
Makassar's streets are busy with scooters and becak; engine noise and horns are common until midnight. A room on the far side of the building (if there's an inner well) is much quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Colonial Hotel?
Rooms facing away from the main road offer views over local streets or a courtyard. If the hotel faces Jalan Ahmad Yani or Jalan Sudirman, choose a back-facing room for less roar.
What are insider tips for staying at Colonial Hotel?
Ask at check-in for a room on the building's rear side — many 3-star hotels here have a quieter inner wing. Also, the lift can be slow at breakfast; using the stairwell from floors 2–4 is quicker.
What time is check-in at Colonial Hotel?
Check-in at Colonial Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Colonial Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free 10 Mbps throughout hotel; no login required, just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Colonial Hotel?
10,000 IDR per person per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Colonial Hotel?
Nasi goreng or mie goreng from a basic warung – about IDR 15,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Colonial Hotel?
Angkot (shared minibus) – IDR 5,000 per ride; from airport, take Damri bus to central terminal for around IDR 25,000.
When is the best time to visit Makassar?
August, September, October — dry season with reliably blue skies, low humidity, and calm seas for island trips; tourist numbers are moderate but not overwhelming.
Top Attractions in Makassar
💡 Visit late afternoon to avoid heat; the courtyards are quiet then.
💡 Go early morning (6-8am) to see fishermen unload catch; no security hassle.
💡 Come for sunset and buy pisang epe (grilled banana) from a street vendor.
💡 Entrance is IDR 5,000. Ask for the English pamphlet at the front desk.
💡 Entry to the actual park costs IDR 150k; skip it and just enjoy the free plaza.