🇮🇩 Samarinda, Indonesia
Prev House
📍 C-11, Villa Tamara, Samarinda, 75123
Your stay — Prev House
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 Samarinda.
The Property — Prev House
Prev House is a compact 3-star hotel on Jalan Pangeran Suryanata, Samarinda’s main arterial road. The lobby feels functional: tiled floors, a small seating area with plastic plants, and the reception desk always staffed. Its appeal is straightforward – affordable, clean rooms with air-con and WiFi, aimed at business travellers and budget-conscious tourists who need a reliable base near the city centre and the Mahakam River. The vibe is no-nonsense, not charming.
Chronicles of Samarinda
Samarinda grew from a small Bugis trading settlement on the Mahakam River into East Kalimantan’s capital. Its name likely derives from the Bugis phrase 'sama renda' meaning 'same low tide', reflecting the river’s tidal influence. The city boomed in the late 20th century due to coal mining and timber, leading to rapid, often unplanned expansion. Today, Samarinda is a busy, sprawling provincial hub with a mix of colonial-era wooden stilt houses and modern concrete high-rises. Its cultural identity remains rooted in the river – the Mahakam is still the main thoroughfare for ferries and floating markets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Samarinda guide →Best months
August and September: driest months with less rain, clearer skies and manageable temperatures around 30°C. Also avoids major holidays, so hotels are less crowded.
Peak / festival surge
June and July: start of the dry season, but also school holidays in Indonesia. Prices at Prev House can rise 20-30% and occupancy is high. No major festival drives this – it’s purely holiday travel.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: transition months with moderate rain, lower hotel prices (up to 30% off peak), fewer tourists. Good balance for budget travellers who don’t mind occasional showers.
Weather & packing
Samarinda has an equatorial climate – rain can arrive without warning even in the dry season. Pack a lightweight, packable rain jacket and waterproof footwear; an umbrella is insufficient for the sudden downpours here.
Live City Briefing — Samarinda
- Parts of Jalan Pangeran Suryanata are undergoing road widening until late 2026 – expect delays and diversions from the airport to city centre.
- A new food court called Pasar Terapung Mahakam has opened on the river near the city centre, offering night-time floating vendors with local grilled fish and sate.
- Air quality in Samarinda can be poor during July due to seasonal agricultural burning in Kalimantan – visitors with respiratory issues should check the daily ISPU air quality index and consider an N95 mask.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Prev House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the building (away from Villa Tamara C-11 road). These upper floors get less street noise and have a slightly better chance of a view over the neighbouring houses.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms facing the front (towards the street). The hotel is on a local access road in a residential villa area, so traffic and neighbour sounds can drift in. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the entrance lobby, as guest comings and goings can be audible.
Best views
A rear-facing room on the 2nd or 3rd floor looks out over the residential compound and possibly a sliver of skyline. No major landmark view—this is a suburban villa area.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors. They're high enough to dodge ground-level bustle but still within a low-rise building typical of a 3-star in Samarinda.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Jalan Villa Tamara—a quiet residential road but can get morning/evening scooter traffic. No nightclub or main road rumble, but car doors and conversations from the entrance carry.
Insider tips
1) Parking is tight—it's a villa converted into a hotel, so drive slowly into the lot; motorbikes stack in the front. 2) Check if they offer free water refills at reception; many 3-stars in Samarinda do, and it saves buying bottles.
- 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 — Prev House
Free WiFi in all rooms and lobby; typical speed 10-20 Mbps; login via room number and name
No lift; property is a two-storey villa with stairs only
No digital newsstand; physical Koran Samarinda available at reception on weekdays
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs IDR 150,000
Free left luggage at reception during same-day arrivals or after check-out
No step-free access; main entrance has a single step and no ramp; ground-floor rooms available on request
Small on-site parking for 4 cars, free of charge; nearest public parking is Jalan Pahlawan car park (IDR 5,000/hour); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10% government tax plus 5% service charge added to room rate; no additional city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; IDR 200,000 incidental hold on card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Fastabiqul Khairat (306 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Al-A'raaf (751 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Langgar Al Burhan (903 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Langgar Ar-Raildhah (949 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Samarinda Square — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
a — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM BNI AWS — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Apotik Santa — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Indomaret Gunung Kelua — 508 m · ~6 min walk
Halte Lembuswana — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use bank ATMs (especially Mandiri, BCA, BRI) for the best rates; avoid money changers at airports and tourist-heavy spots as they offer poor rates and commissions.
Cards are accepted at larger hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants in Samarinda; street food, warung, and many taxis require cash.
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up fares (to the nearest 5,000–10,000 IDR) is fine for taxis; restaurant bills already include service charge, so no extra tip needed.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk (strong local coffee) from a street stall or warung costs around 5,000–8,000 IDR.
Nasi campur (rice with side dishes) or mie ayam (chicken noodles) at a local warung costs 15,000–25,000 IDR.
A main course of soto banjar (local soup) or fried rice at a simple restaurant cost 20,000–30,000 IDR.
Kawasan Harmain Street (Pahlawan area) and the night market near Mesjid Raya are typical evening cheap-eats hubs.
Super Indo and Hypermart are the budget supermarket chains in central Samarinda.
Pasar Pagi (Morning Market) and along Jalan Pahlawan for affordable clothing, especially local batik and casual wear.
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 3,000–5,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) to the city centre rather than taxis.
Eat at warung or street stalls, not hotels or malls, for meals half the price. Use local angkot for short trips instead of taxis or ride-hailing apps. Buy bottled water and snacks from minimarkets like Alfamart or Indomaret, not convenience stores in tourist zones.
Good to know — Samarinda
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18097.75 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
SamarindaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Samarinda, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Prev House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM BNI AWS — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Apotik Santa — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport (AAP) → Hotel Crystal (Jalan Bung Tomo)
💡 Ignore touts inside the terminal. Walk to the official AP I counter just past baggage claim. The fare is fixed—no haggling. For a cheaper ride, step outside the airport gate and flag a passing 'angkot' (public minibus) to Loa Janan, then switch to another angkot toward the city centre; total cost under 15,000 IDR but expect 60–90 minutes.
Anywhere in Samarinda (including Hotel Crystal gate) → Anywhere in Samarinda (airport, mall, port)
💡 Gojek is more available than Grab in Samarinda. For the airport, book a 'GoCar' and the app shows the fare—drivers often ask for extra cash at the gate; refuse politely. If your phone signal is weak, use the hotel's WiFi to book.
Terminal Sungai Dama → Jalan Bung Tomo (near Hotel Crystal)
💡 Yellow angkot route runs along Jalan Bung Tomo. Wave it down, don't expect stops. Hand your fare to the driver through passengers—they pass it forward. The ride is cramped but safe. Great for short hops; avoid during rain as windows stay open.
Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport (AAP) → Samarinda Central Bus Terminal (Terminal Sungai Dama)
💡 Damri drops you at the bus terminal, not the hotel. From Terminal Sungai Dama, take an angkot (yellow route) to Jalan Bung Tomo—tell the driver 'Hotel Crystal'. Last angkot leaves around 21:00. Have small change ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Prev House?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the building (away from Villa Tamara C-11 road). These upper floors get less street noise and have a slightly better chance of a view over the neighbouring houses.
Which rooms should I avoid at Prev House?
Ground-floor rooms facing the front (towards the street). The hotel is on a local access road in a residential villa area, so traffic and neighbour sounds can drift in. Also avoid rooms directly above or beside the entrance lobby, as guest comings and goings can be audible.
Is Prev House noisy?
Street noise from Jalan Villa Tamara—a quiet residential road but can get morning/evening scooter traffic. No nightclub or main road rumble, but car doors and conversations from the entrance carry.
Which rooms have the best views at Prev House?
A rear-facing room on the 2nd or 3rd floor looks out over the residential compound and possibly a sliver of skyline. No major landmark view—this is a suburban villa area.
What are insider tips for staying at Prev House?
1) Parking is tight—it's a villa converted into a hotel, so drive slowly into the lot; motorbikes stack in the front. 2) Check if they offer free water refills at reception; many 3-stars in Samarinda do, and it saves buying bottles.
What time is check-in at Prev House?
Check-in at Prev House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Prev House have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and lobby; typical speed 10-20 Mbps; login via room number and name
Is there a city or tourist tax at Prev House?
10% government tax plus 5% service charge added to room rate; no additional city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Prev House?
Nasi campur (rice with side dishes) or mie ayam (chicken noodles) at a local warung costs 15,000–25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Prev House?
Angkot (shared minibus) costs about 3,000–5,000 IDR per ride; from the airport, take Damri bus (around 25,000 IDR) to the city centre rather than taxis.
When is the best time to visit Samarinda?
August and September: driest months with less rain, clearer skies and manageable temperatures around 30°C. Also avoids major holidays, so hotels are less crowded.
Top Attractions in Samarinda
💡 Visit on a Sunday morning when local musicians often busk near the fountain. Avoid midday heat; shade is limited.
💡 Go early morning (6-7am) to see the floating fruit sellers. Bring water and sun protection; no shade for long stretches.
💡 Try the pisang goreng (fried banana) from the stall near the main entrance. Arrive by 7am to see the market at its most active. Watch for uneven floors and wet patches.
💡 Go at sunset for the view from the minaret. Wear a headscarf and long sleeves; modest clothing is required. Bring ID for the elevator to the top.
💡 It takes about 45 minutes to see everything. Ask the guard to turn on the lights in the less-visited rooms. Closed for lunch 12-1pm.