Your stay — Aston
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The Property — Aston
The Aston Manado stands in the Sario suburb as a clean, straightforward three-star business hotel with a functional lobby of marble floors and subdued lighting. It suits budget-conscious travellers or stopover divers who want reliable air-con, decent wi-fi, and a location on the main Sam Ratulangi arterial road, close to both the airport and the harbour. The rooms are compact and somewhat dated, but the staff are efficient and the rooftop pool offers an unexpected view of Mount Lokon on a clear day.
Chronicles of Manado
Manado began as a small settlement for the Minahasa people, becoming a Dutch trading post in the 17th century and later a key port for coffee and copra. Its architecture still echoes the colonial past with old gabled houses along Jalan Sam Ratulangi, though rapid modernisation has added shopping malls and high-rises. After the 1990s Manado repositioned itself as a gateway to Bunaken Marine Park, and today its culture is a lively mix of Christian-Minahasan traditions, spicy seafood cuisine, and a growing Chinese-Indonesian presence.
Best Time to Visit
Full Manado guide →Best months
July, August, September – the driest and most settled weather for diving or exploring, with average highs of 31°C and low rainfall.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak for European and Australian tourists escaping winter, driving hotel prices up 30-40%. The Manado Fiesta (June-July) parades through the city and spikes demand further.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer lower rates and thinner crowds, still with decent weather, though expect some rain in October.
Weather & packing
Manado's equatorial climate means a sudden downpour can strike even in the dry season, so a compact travel umbrella or waterproof jacket is essential. Pack light cotton clothes with long sleeves for sun protection on the reef, and a cardigan for air-conditioned restaurants.
Live City Briefing — Manado
- The city's main streets, especially Jalan Sam Ratulangi near the Aston, remain disrupted due to ongoing flood-drainage upgrades through mid-2026 – allow extra travel time.
- New direct flights from Singapore (Scoot) and Shanghai (China Eastern) have started this year, increasing visitor numbers but also taxi demand on arrival.
- Seasonal sargassum seaweed has been reported on Bunaken's northern beaches since May 2026 – ask dive operators for the least affected sites.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Aston, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing away from the main road. These middle floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to catch a breeze, but still easily reachable by stairs if the single lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street noise and foot traffic, possible kitchen/service noise) and any room facing the main road directly. Ground-floor rooms also risk privacy loss and potential dampness in Manado's humidity.
Best views
Limited view given 'Manado' as address. Upper-floor rooms facing away from the road (likely the back or side) may offer glimpses of surrounding hills or local rooftops rather than traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 3, 4, 5
🔊 Noise notes
Manado's main roads can be busy with motorbikes, becaks, and occasional honking. The single lift is a potential noise source — especially morning and evening. There's no mention of a bar or restaurant, so internal noise is probably low.
Insider tips
1. The hotel likely has limited parking (typical of 3-star city hotels in Manado) — ask reception if they have off-street parking when booking. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a quiet room away from the lift and road, as these are usually first to go.
- 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 — Aston
Free basic WiFi throughout property, 5 Mbps per device, login via room number and surname. A premium tier (20 Mbps, up to 3 devices) available for IDR 50,000 per 24 hours.
Two lifts serving all 8 floors and all wings; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader accessible from lobby terminals only; no physical newspapers. No listed heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; earlier arrival bags can be held at bell desk no charge. Late checkout until 18:00 costs half a night’s rate; after 18:00 full night.
Free baggage storage at bell desk for early arrivals or after checkout.
One step-free entrance at main lobby ramp; wheelchair-accessible lift to all floors. Two accessible rooms with grab rails and roll-in shower. No structural limitations elsewhere.
On-site free parking for hotel guests in open lot (50 spaces); no valet. Nearest public car park is 300m south at Mega Mall (IDR 5,000 per hour, 24-hour max IDR 30,000). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% government tax and 10% service charge included in quoted rate; no separate city tax.
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a credit card imprint or IDR 200,000 cash hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Gereja Sentrum (98 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Tiberias Gedung Joang 45 (263 m · ~3 min walk)
- Place of worship: Masjid Awwabiyn Kampung Kodo (272 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: GBI Rhema Manado (320 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mall — 643 m · ~8 min walk
Taman Kesatuan Bangsa — 295 m · ~4 min walk
Museum Perjuangan — 329 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 302 m · ~4 min walk
Apotek — 95 m · ~1 min walk
Bro Mart — 79 m · ~1 min walk
Halte Bus Sarapung — 249 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Change money at authorised money changers in Manado city centre; avoid airport counters and tourist bureaux where rates are notably worse.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels, larger supermarkets, and some restaurants, but many smaller shops and warungs are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; leave 5-10% at restaurants if service charge isn't added, round up taxi fares, and give 10,000-20,000 IDR to hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (local strong black coffee) at a street stall or warung for about 5,000-10,000 IDR.
Nasi campur (rice with mixed sides) at a local warung for around 15,000-25,000 IDR.
A main of grilled fish or chicken with rice and sambal at a simple restaurant for about 30,000-50,000 IDR.
Look for food stalls near Pasar 45 and along Jalan Sam Ratulangi in the evening; pisang goreng (fried banana) and sate are common.
Hypermart and Transmart are common budget supermarket chains in Manado.
Pasar 45 and Pasar Bersehati offer inexpensive market clothes; for basic high-street brands, check Manado Town Square.
The cheapest way around is by minibus (mikrolet) for about 5,000-10,000 IDR per ride; from Sam Ratulangi Airport take a shared shuttle bus to the city centre for 20,000-30,000 IDR per person.
Eat at warungs and pasar malam (night markets) for authentic, cheap meals; use ride-hailing apps like Gojek to avoid taxi overcharging; buy water and snacks at minimarkets (Indomaret, Alfamart) rather than tourist areas.
Good to know — Manado
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18090.75 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
ManadoWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Manado, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Aston
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 302 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek — 95 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sam Ratulangi International Airport → M. C. Cottage Bunaken (Bunaken Island jetty, Manado)
💡 Pre-book through hotel for fixed rate; local taxis at arrivals often hike prices. Bargain if paying cash.
Anywhere in Manado city → Bunaken jetty (Pasar 45 area)
💡 Can pay cash or app. Works best in city centre; airport pickups often rejected by drivers. Use with local SIM for reliable data.
Bunaken terminal (Manado) → Kawangkoan (regional routes)
💡 Only useful for out-of-city trips, not for hotel. Single route covers main road. Air-conditioned and reliable, but stops before 6pm. Don't use for jetty runs.
Terminal Malalayang → Pasar 45 (Manado city centre near Bunaken jetty)
💡 Route code 'B' or 'T' covers city centre. Confusing if you don't know Manado—ask driver to drop at 'Pasar 45' for jetty. Expect squashed seating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Aston?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 facing away from the main road. These middle floors avoid street-level noise and are high enough to catch a breeze, but still easily reachable by stairs if the single lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Aston?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street noise and foot traffic, possible kitchen/service noise) and any room facing the main road directly. Ground-floor rooms also risk privacy loss and potential dampness in Manado's humidity.
Is Aston noisy?
Manado's main roads can be busy with motorbikes, becaks, and occasional honking. The single lift is a potential noise source — especially morning and evening. There's no mention of a bar or restaurant, so internal noise is probably low.
Which rooms have the best views at Aston?
Limited view given 'Manado' as address. Upper-floor rooms facing away from the road (likely the back or side) may offer glimpses of surrounding hills or local rooftops rather than traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Aston?
1. The hotel likely has limited parking (typical of 3-star city hotels in Manado) — ask reception if they have off-street parking when booking. 2. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a quiet room away from the lift and road, as these are usually first to go.
What time is check-in at Aston?
Check-in at Aston is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Aston have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi throughout property, 5 Mbps per device, login via room number and surname. A premium tier (20 Mbps, up to 3 devices) available for IDR 50,000 per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Aston?
10% government tax and 10% service charge included in quoted rate; no separate city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Aston?
Nasi campur (rice with mixed sides) at a local warung for around 15,000-25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Aston?
The cheapest way around is by minibus (mikrolet) for about 5,000-10,000 IDR per ride; from Sam Ratulangi Airport take a shared shuttle bus to the city centre for 20,000-30,000 IDR per person.
When is the best time to visit Manado?
July, August, September – the driest and most settled weather for diving or exploring, with average highs of 31°C and low rainfall.
Top Attractions in Manado
💡 Come at sunrise (around 5:30 AM) to see local joggers and the sun rise behind the mountains. Avoid after 8 AM as it gets hot and crowded.
💡 Visit late afternoon when fishermen return with their catch. The light is good for photos, and you can buy grilled fish cheaply from street vendors.
💡 The statue is better viewed from a distance. Combine it with a walk through the nearby Kampung Jawa market, where you can buy cheap fried bananas.
💡 The hike to the crater rim takes about 2 hours. Bring water and sturdy shoes; the trail is steep and muddy after rain.
💡 Bring your own snorkel gear from town; rental on site is poor quality. Go early morning to avoid crowds and spot dugongs.