Your stay — Cherry Pink Hotel
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The Property — Cherry Pink Hotel
The Cherry Pink Hotel is a no-frills three-star in central Medan, with a bright pink facade that stands out against the city’s traffic-choked streets. Inside, the lobby is small but functional, with linoleum floors, a single reception desk, and the faint smell of clove cigarettes drifting in from outside. It’s a clean, safe base for travellers who are out all day exploring — not a destination in itself. Suits budget-conscious solo travellers and small groups who prioritise location over charm.
Chronicles of Medan
Medan grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a tobacco and rubber hub under Dutch colonial rule, attracting Chinese, Indian, and Malay migrants whose cultural layers still define the city. Dutch planters built sturdy art-deco and art-nouveau buildings, many now crumbling, like the magnificent Tjong A Fie Mansion and the old city hall. After independence, Medan became Indonesia’s third-largest city and the capital of North Sumatra, but rapid urbanisation has left it a chaotic jumble of skyscrapers, shophouses, and becak (rickshaws). Today, it’s a mashup of Malay, Batak, Chinese, and Indian food cultures, best experienced in its kopitiams (coffee shops) and the sprawling Centre Market. The city lacks a single cohesive identity but thrives on its gritty, mercantile energy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Medan guide →Best months
June, July, August — these are the driest months, with fewer tropical downpours and manageable humidity. Crowds are moderate because it’s not a peak international tourist season for Medan.
Peak / festival surge
December to early January is the domestic peak, when Indonesian schools break and families travel. The Chinese New Year (usually January/February) also spikes demand. Hotel prices can double, and Medan’s streets become gridlocked. No major international festivals here — the crowds are mostly Indonesian visitors heading to Lake Toba.
Budget shoulder season
April, May, September, October — prices drop, rain picks up a bit but usually falls in short afternoon bursts, and rooms are easy to book. These are the sweet spot for value and tolerable weather.
Weather & packing
Medan sits just north of the equator, so temperature is constant (26–33°C year-round) but humidity regularly hits 85%. Pack only light, quick-dry cotton or linen — no denim — and always carry a compact umbrella, even in the dry season, because tropical showers can surprise you at any hour.
Live City Briefing — Medan
- The Medan city government completed the revamp of Merdeka Square in March 2026, adding a pedestrian zone and better lighting — good for an evening stroll, but avoid after 10pm due to petty theft.
- A new direct bus route from Kualanamu Airport to the city centre (DAMRI bus) launched in February 2026, cutting travel time from 1 hour to 45 minutes; fare is 40,000 IDR (about £2).
- Construction on the Medan–Binjai toll road continues near the city’s western edge, causing detours and heavy congestion on Jl. Sisingamangaraja — factor in an extra 30 minutes for any taxi ride to the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cherry Pink Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request upper floors (4th to 6th) on the side facing away from the main road, likely the rear of the building, to minimize street noise and get better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor near the lobby or service areas, and rooms facing the front street where motorbike and traffic noise is constant in Medan.
Best views
Rooms at the back or side of the building offer a quieter view of neighbouring buildings or a small cityscape, rather than the busy front street typical of Medan's 3-star hotels.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6, assuming the hotel has 6 floors, as they are farthest from street-level noise and lift machinery.
🔊 Noise notes
Medan has heavy motorbike traffic, honking, and street vendors. The main road noise is constant until late evening, and prayer calls from nearby mosques may start around 4:30am.
Insider tips
Request a room on a high floor away from the lift when booking – call the hotel directly. If arriving by car, ask about free street parking or a nearby lot, as 3-star hotels here rarely have their own garage.
- 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 — Cherry Pink Hotel
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps download, no login constraints beyond accepting terms
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand; no physical papers; hotel was renovated in 2020, no notable heritage quirks
Standard check-in 14:00, early bag drop free from 10:00; late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of nightly rate, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at lobby; secure, no time limit for same-day
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; lift to all floors; no accessible bathroom in standard rooms
On-site parking free for guests, 20 spaces; nearest public car park at Jl. Pemuda (5 min walk) IDR 5,000/hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% government tax included in room rate; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via booking; at check-in IDR 300,000 incidental hold on card or cash
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Vihara Ashoka (312 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Kuil Central Sikh Temple (646 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Gereja GKPI (696 m · ~9 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Vihara Bodhi Gaya (742 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hermes Place Polonia — 640 m · ~8 min walk
Taman Beringin — 821 m · ~10 min walk
Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery — 910 m · ~11 min walk
Taman Bermain — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM - Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) — 527 m · ~7 min walk
Apotek Juan Farma — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Carrefour Damri Bus Station — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use bank ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; airport and hotel exchange counters give poor rates. Avoid street money changers.
Major credit and debit cards accepted in mid-range hotels, malls, and restaurants; cash essential for street food, local markets, and small shops.
Not expected but appreciated. Round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small tips for hotel porters (about 10,000 IDR).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (traditional strong coffee) or kopi susu (milk coffee) from street stalls or warungs — about 5,000-10,000 IDR.
Nasi padang (rice with assorted dishes) from a local warung — about 20,000-30,000 IDR per serving.
Mie goreng or nasi goreng (fried noodles or rice) at a simple restaurant — around 25,000-35,000 IDR for a main.
Areas around Merdeka Walk and Jalan Selat Panjang offer many street-food stalls; try sate, martabak, or durian-based snacks.
Berkah, Hypermart, and Transmart are common budget supermarket chains in Medan.
Affordable shopping at Pasar Petisah (traditional market) and Pasar Ikan Lama for local clothing and batik; modern malls like Sun Plaza for chain stores.
Angkot (minibus) fare around 5,000 IDR within city; from Kualanamu Airport, take the Damri bus to city centre for 20,000 IDR.
Eat at local warungs instead of tourist restaurants; use Gojek or Grab for motorbike taxis (much cheaper than regular taxis); negotiate prices at markets politely.
Good to know — Medan
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17968.1 · IDR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Medan, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cherry Pink Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM - Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) — 527 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek Juan Farma — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Medan Station (Stasiun Medan)
💡 This is the fastest option from the airport. From Medan Station, the Grand Sakura Hotel is a 5-minute taxi ride (about 30,000 IDR). Don’t take the slow local economy bus from the station—spring for a metered taxi.
Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan → Local destinations (e.g. Merdeka Square, Kesawan)
💡 Use motorcycle taxis (ojek) for short hops between 2–5 km—they’ll slip through traffic. For longer evening trips or if it’s raining, book a car. Always type the hotel name exactly: 'Grand Sakura Medan'.
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan
💡 Buy a fixed-price coupon from the official taxi counter inside the arrivals hall. Avoid unmarked drivers offering rides right outside the terminal—they can charge double.
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) → Grand Sakura Hotel, Medan (alight at Jalan Sisingamangaraja bus stop, then 10-min walk or ojek)
💡 Get off at the Sisingamangaraja stop—it’s the closest to the hotel. You’ll need to walk or grab a scooter taxi (ojek) for the last 800 metres. Keep small bills ready for the fare.
About Medan
Wikipedia ↗
Medan ( meh-DAHN, Indonesian: [ˈmɛdan] , Batak: ᯔᯩᯑᯉ᯳) is the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of North Sumatra. The nearby Strait of Malacca, Port of Belawan, and Kualanamu International Airport make Medan a regional hub and multicultural metropolis, acting as a financial centre ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cherry Pink Hotel?
Request upper floors (4th to 6th) on the side facing away from the main road, likely the rear of the building, to minimize street noise and get better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cherry Pink Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor near the lobby or service areas, and rooms facing the front street where motorbike and traffic noise is constant in Medan.
Is Cherry Pink Hotel noisy?
Medan has heavy motorbike traffic, honking, and street vendors. The main road noise is constant until late evening, and prayer calls from nearby mosques may start around 4:30am.
Which rooms have the best views at Cherry Pink Hotel?
Rooms at the back or side of the building offer a quieter view of neighbouring buildings or a small cityscape, rather than the busy front street typical of Medan's 3-star hotels.
What are insider tips for staying at Cherry Pink Hotel?
Request a room on a high floor away from the lift when booking – call the hotel directly. If arriving by car, ask about free street parking or a nearby lot, as 3-star hotels here rarely have their own garage.
What time is check-in at Cherry Pink Hotel?
Check-in at Cherry Pink Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cherry Pink Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed around 10 Mbps download, no login constraints beyond accepting terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cherry Pink Hotel?
10% government tax included in room rate; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Cherry Pink Hotel?
Nasi padang (rice with assorted dishes) from a local warung — about 20,000-30,000 IDR per serving.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cherry Pink Hotel?
Angkot (minibus) fare around 5,000 IDR within city; from Kualanamu Airport, take the Damri bus to city centre for 20,000 IDR.
When is the best time to visit Medan?
June, July, August — these are the driest months, with fewer tropical downpours and manageable humidity. Crowds are moderate because it’s not a peak international tourist season for Medan.
Top Attractions in Medan
💡 Best at dusk when the food stalls open. Try the local martabak (stuffed pancake) from a stall near the fountain – about 15,000 IDR.
💡 Non-Muslim visitors welcome outside prayer times. Remove shoes and cover shoulders; robes are provided. Combine with Maimun Palace as they are 10 minutes apart on foot.
💡 Free to enter the grounds and main hall, but donations accepted. Wear long trousers or a sarong; they lend them at the entrance.
💡 Entry is 35,000 IDR (about £2). Go early to avoid crowds and check the upstairs balcony for quiet views.
💡 Entry 5,000 IDR (about 30p). The keris (ceremonial dagger) collection on the upper floor is the highlight. Allow 1 hour.