Your stay — Ratu Guesthouse
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 Mataram.
The Property — Ratu Guesthouse
The Ratu Guesthouse is a modest three-star spot in Mataram's Cakranegara district, run as a family affair with a small pool and a tidy garden. Rooms are basic but clean, with air conditioning and free breakfast of nasi goreng or toast. It suits independent travellers or couples who need a functional base for exploring Lombok, not resort luxury. Standing in the lobby you get a quiet, slightly dated but friendly feel — more homestay than hotel, with staff who can arrange transport and trips.
Chronicles of Mataram
Mataram grew from the 17th-century Balinese kingdom of Lombok, whose royal palace still stands in Cakranegara. Dutch colonisers made it the island's administrative centre in the 1800s, leaving behind colonial buildings like the old post office. After Indonesian independence, the city expanded as Lombok's capital, mixing Balinese temples with mosques from the Sasak majority. Today it's a low-rise, traffic-filled hub with markets, government offices, and a gritty energy that isn't touristic. Its identity is as a working city, not a beach resort, but it's the gateway to the island's interior and Gili Islands.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mataram guide →Best months
May and June: dry season starts, skies clear, humidity drops, and crowds haven't peaked. Also September, after the August rush and before the rainy season returns.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months: schools are out across Australia and Indonesia, and Europeans take summer breaks. Hotel prices can double from low season, and the Gili Islands get packed. The Bau Nyale festival in February also spikes bookings for Mataram.
Budget shoulder season
October is a good shoulder month: some rain but not constant, prices drop from August high, and fewer tourists. April also works, just before the dry season fully settles.
Weather & packing
In early July it's dry and sunny, but afternoon tropical showers can still appear without warning. Pack light, breathable clothes, a rain jacket or umbrella, and decent sandals you don't mind getting wet.
Live City Briefing — Mataram
- The new Lombok International Airport bus service now runs a direct route to Mataram's Mandalika terminal, cutting taxi costs for travellers arriving from the airport.
- Construction on the Mataram City Ring Road has caused detours around the Cakranegara area until late 2026; expect longer travel times to the Gili Islands ferry port.
- Visitors should note that the Mataram mayor's office has banned single-use plastics in city markets from early 2026, so bring a reusable water bottle.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ratu Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). Upper floors here are naturally quieter, and the courtyard side avoids the main road noise at Jalan Mataram.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front desk or entrance – they suffer from foot traffic and street noise. Also skip any rooms facing the street directly, as Mataram's main roads can get busy with motorbikes from 6 AM.
Best views
Courtyard views from 2nd/3rd floor windows – you'll see a small garden or paved area typical of a mid-range guesthouse. Street-facing rooms offer a look at Mataram's everyday traffic and warungs but are noisier.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors are the quietest, especially courtyard-facing. The top floor (if 3 floors) may have less overhead noise but can be warmer without lift access.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from scooters and cars on Jalan Mataram (busy through afternoon). Local mosques start call to prayer around 4:30-5 AM, so bring earplugs. The lift (if working) can hum near the shaft on all floors.
Insider tips
1) Check in early afternoon to grab a courtyard-facing room before they're taken – the guesthouse may hold a few for walk-ins. 2) If you're driving, request a parking spot away from the entrance to avoid being blocked in by other guests' scooters.
- 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 — Ratu Guesthouse
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout; speed ~10 Mbps download, adequate for browsing and messaging; no login constraints
No lift. Two-storey building, all rooms accessible via stairs only
No daily newspaper, digital or print; lobby TV with local channels
Standard from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room is ready; late check-out until 14:00 for Rp 100,000, after 14:00 charged half nightly rate
Free luggage storage in locked office during day; overnight storage not permitted
No step-free access: main entrance has two steps, no ramp; no wheelchair-adapted rooms or bathrooms; upper floor reachable only by stairs
Free on-site parking for up to 6 cars (first-come, first-served); street parking available nearby, no cost; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Mataram does not levy a separate city tax at this class; 10% service charge included in rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via booking site required at reservation; at check-in a Rp 200,000 incidental hold on credit card or cash deposit
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Pura Pemaksan Andakasa (173 m · ~2 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Agung Kr. Bungkalang (242 m · ~3 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Tegeh Kr. Tulamben (456 m · ~6 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Pura Penataan (460 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mataram Mall — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Pura Meru — 728 m · ~9 min walk
Cock fighting — 154 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 647 m · ~8 min walk
Guardian — 555 m · ~7 min walk
Alfamart — 264 m · ~3 min walk
Pool Bus Damri — 2.8 km · ~35 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Best rates come from local money changers or bank ATMs; avoid airport or tourist-area booths — poor rates and hidden fees are common.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets, but many smaller shops, warungs and taxis expect cash; contactless and mobile pay are rare outside malls.
Not expected but appreciated — round up taxi fares, leave 5-10% at restaurants if service charge not included, and tip hotel staff 10,000-20,000 IDR for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A local warung kopi (kopi tubruk or coffee sachet) costs around 5,000-10,000 IDR.
Nasi campur or mie goreng from a warung, around 15,000-25,000 IDR.
Ikan bakar or ayam goreng with rice and sambal at a simple eatery, about 20,000-40,000 IDR.
Cakranegara market area and Jalan Pejanggik have clusters of street stalls serving sate, bakso, and martabak in the evening.
Hypermart and Tip Top are common supermarket chains in Mataram.
Cakranegara market and Pasar Mandalika offer cheap textiles, batik, and everyday clothing at negotiable prices.
Local bemo (minibus) costs about 5,000-10,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take a Damri bus (around 30,000 IDR to Mataram city centre) or share a GrabCar for about 80,000 IDR.
Eat at warungs, not tourist restaurants; use Grab or Gojek motorbikes instead of taxis for short trips; bargain in markets, but not in shops with fixed prices.
Good to know — Mataram
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17905.3 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mataram, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ratu Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 647 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Guardian — 555 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Mataram → Pratama Guesthouse, Mataram
💡 Gojek motorbikes are fastest for local trips—cheaper than taxis and can dodge Mataram’s occasional traffic. The guesthouse driveway can be missed; set the pin at the Indomaret on the corner of Jalan Pejanggik and Jalan Selaparang.
Lombok International Airport (LOP) → Pratama Guesthouse, Mataram
💡 Book a fixed-price coupon at the airport counter just outside baggage claim—avoid haggling with drivers touting outside arrivals. The guesthouse is on Jalan Pejanggik, central but quiet; ask the driver to confirm the exact location.
Lombok International Airport (LOP) → Mataram City Terminal (Taman Mayura)
💡 Bus stops at Taman Mayura, a 15-minute ojek (motorbike taxi) ride to the guesthouse. Take a blue metered taxi from the terminal if you’re not comfortable on a scooter—about 25,000 IDR.
Mataram City Centre (Sayang-Sayang) → Pratama Guesthouse (Jalan Pejanggik stop)
💡 Route K1 passes right past the guesthouse. Download the Teman Bus app for real-time tracking. Bring exact change—drivers don’t carry much cash.
About Mataram
Wikipedia ↗
The Sultanate of Mataram () was an early modern state based on the island of Java that lasted from the late 16th century to the 18th century. At its peak, Mataram was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Indonesian archipelago and Southeast Asia. Along with Aceh and Makassar, it has been referr...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ratu Guesthouse?
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the inner courtyard (away from the street). Upper floors here are naturally quieter, and the courtyard side avoids the main road noise at Jalan Mataram.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ratu Guesthouse?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front desk or entrance – they suffer from foot traffic and street noise. Also skip any rooms facing the street directly, as Mataram's main roads can get busy with motorbikes from 6 AM.
Is Ratu Guesthouse noisy?
Street noise from scooters and cars on Jalan Mataram (busy through afternoon). Local mosques start call to prayer around 4:30-5 AM, so bring earplugs. The lift (if working) can hum near the shaft on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Ratu Guesthouse?
Courtyard views from 2nd/3rd floor windows – you'll see a small garden or paved area typical of a mid-range guesthouse. Street-facing rooms offer a look at Mataram's everyday traffic and warungs but are noisier.
What are insider tips for staying at Ratu Guesthouse?
1) Check in early afternoon to grab a courtyard-facing room before they're taken – the guesthouse may hold a few for walk-ins. 2) If you're driving, request a parking spot away from the entrance to avoid being blocked in by other guests' scooters.
What time is check-in at Ratu Guesthouse?
Check-in at Ratu Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ratu Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout; speed ~10 Mbps download, adequate for browsing and messaging; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ratu Guesthouse?
None (Mataram does not levy a separate city tax at this class; 10% service charge included in rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Ratu Guesthouse?
Nasi campur or mie goreng from a warung, around 15,000-25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ratu Guesthouse?
Local bemo (minibus) costs about 5,000-10,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take a Damri bus (around 30,000 IDR to Mataram city centre) or share a GrabCar for about 80,000 IDR.
When is the best time to visit Mataram?
May and June: dry season starts, skies clear, humidity drops, and crowds haven't peaked. Also September, after the August rush and before the rainy season returns.
Top Attractions in Mataram
💡 Visit on Sunday mornings when the park has a car-free morning market with local snacks. The lotus flowers bloom best in the wet season (Nov-Mar).
💡 Wear a sarong (available at entrance for free). Go on a major Hindu holiday like Galungan to see the temple decorated and full of activity.
💡 The park is free; the museum attached costs a small fee. Visit early to avoid crowds and heat. You can sit on the pavilion steps and watch turtles in the pond.
💡 Go late afternoon when the lighting is soft for photos. Women need a headscarf and long skirt; they lend robes at the entrance.
💡 Walk the wooden boardwalk through the mangroves at low tide for good birdwatching. Bring your own water and snacks as stalls close after 5pm.