Your stay — Holy Kost
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The Property — Holy Kost
Holy Kost is a no-frills three-star in central Singkawang, with concrete walls, simple tiled floors and a ceiling fan that does the heavy lifting. The lobby smells faintly of clove cigarettes and floor wax, with a single receptionist who checks you in with a nod and a photocopy of your passport. It suits budget travellers and those passing through on the Pontianak-Sambas bus route who just need a clean room for the night. Don't expect charm; expect what you paid for.
Chronicles of Singkawang
Singkawang was founded in the 18th century as a gold-mining settlement by Hakka Chinese migrants, who gave the city its distinctive shophouse architecture and lunar-calendar festivals. The Dutch colonial administration formalised it as a district in the 19th century, leaving behind a few low-slung administrative buildings that now sit among newer concrete blocks. After Indonesian independence, the city grew as a trading post between Pontianak and the Malaysian border. Today it bills itself as 'The City of a Thousand Temples', with the Cap Go Meh parade each February drawing crowds for its firewalking and lion dances. The dominant culture is Hakka Chinese, visible in the food (bakso, cha kue) and in the hundreds of Taoist and Buddhist shrines tucked into alleyways.
Best Time to Visit
Full Singkawang guide →Best months
June–August: the driest stretch of the year, with average highs of 32°C and low humidity by coastal West Kalimantan standards. Roads are passable, temple visits are rain-free, and the Cap Go Meh crowds have long gone.
Peak / festival surge
February: Cap Go Meh (the last day of Chinese New Year) fills Singkawang with visitors for the street parades and firewalking. Hotel rates can double, and Holy Kost often sells out a month ahead. Book by December if you want a room.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: humidity creeps up but rain is still intermittent. Prices at Holy Kost drop to the off-peak rate, and you can visit the temples without fighting for space.
Weather & packing
Singkawang is on the equator, so the real constant isn't rain – it's UV. The sun is punishing by 10am regardless of cloud cover, and even the short afternoon storms leave the air thick. Pack: SPF 50+ sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and cotton shirts. Leave umbrellas for the locals; they all wear hooded raincoats.
Live City Briefing — Singkawang
- The Singkawang–Pontianak bus terminal has reopened after a three-month renovation, reducing journey times to 2.5 hours (down from 3).
- Several shophouses on Jalan Diponegoro are being repainted in the original Hakka candy-pink and pastel blue, as part of a city heritage facade scheme – worth a walk for photos.
- July coincides with the start of the durian season; roadside stalls appear along Jalan Gajah Mada, and the fruit is cheap (about 15,000 IDR per kg) but notoriously pungent in hotel hallways.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Holy Kost, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 (mid/higher) away from the street side. Better chance of quieter sleep as the lower floors and street-facing rooms pick up traffic noise from Jalan (the main road).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those facing the street. Ground-level rooms near the lobby or lift likely have higher traffic and guest noise.
Best views
Limited — this is a 3-star hotel on a main road in central Singkawang. Side-facing rooms may overlook neighbouring buildings; best view might be from high floors facing away from the main street (towards the residential area or hills in the distance).
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 5 (the top floor) are quietest, assuming no rooftop bar or terrace. If the hotel has a rooftop facility, aim for floor 4 instead.
🔊 Noise notes
Singkawang’s main roads (Jalan Gajah Mada / Jalan Diponegoro area) get moderate traffic, especially in mornings and evenings. Motorcycles and bemos can be loud. Weekend events at the hotel or nearby may increase noise.
Insider tips
1. If sensitive to noise, book a room on floor 4 or higher and request a side facing away from the main road. 2. Check-in early (before 2pm) if possible — lower floor rooms go first, and you have more chance of a top-floor quiet room.
- 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 — Holy Kost
Free for all guests – no login, simple password at counter. Speed around 10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload. No premium tier.
One lift serves all 3 floors; no stairs-only sections.
One complimentary physical Koran Singkawang newspaper at reception (weekday only). No digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed 10:00-14:00 free. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 75,000 IDR, after 18:00 charged a full night.
Free for same day; 20,000 IDR per bag per 24h for longer storage.
Ground floor and lift accessible; no step at main entrance. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom on upper floors.
Small on-site lot (8 cars) free for guests; nearest public car park is at Pasar Singkawang, 300m walk, 5,000 IDR per hour or 30,000 IDR overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10,000 IDR per room per night collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50,000 IDR cash deposit on arrival; 100,000 IDR card hold for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Gereja Kalimantan Evangelis (843 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Mesjid Al-Ikhlas (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Agung Nurul Islam Singkawang (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: Pekong Hoklonam (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Taman Cahaya Madani Gayung Bersambut Singkawang — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Singkawang Cultural Center — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Apotek Sun Farma — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Meriah Jaya — 514 m · ~6 min walk
Terminal — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use ATMs or money changers inside banks in Singkawang city centre; avoid airport exchange counters and tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and some larger shops; most warungs, street stalls and local transport are cash-only.
Not expected. Round up taxi fares or leave small change at restaurants (5,000–10,000 IDR) for good service; hotel staff appreciate 10,000–20,000 IDR.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi tubruk at a local warung or kopitiam – about 5,000–10,000 IDR.
Nasi campur or nasi padang at a food stall – roughly 15,000–25,000 IDR.
Mie goreng or nasi goreng at a night market stall – around 20,000–30,000 IDR for a main.
Pasar malam (night market) areas near the city centre and around Singkawang Grand Mall are common for cheap eats.
Minimarkets like Indomaret and Alfamart are widespread; for fresh produce try the Pasar Beringin market.
Pasar Beringin and nearby bazaar streets for affordable local clothing and fabrics.
Angkot (shared minibus) around 5,000 IDR per ride; from Supadio Airport in Pontianak, bus+angkot combo costs about 50,000 IDR total.
Eat at warung or night markets rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; use angkot or ojek (motorbike taxi) apps for local trips; bargain at traditional markets but not at fixed-price minimarkets.
Good to know — Singkawang
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18080.3 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
SingkawangFor police, dial 110. For ambulance, dial 118. For fire, dial 113. These numbers are Indonesia-wide; local Singkawang coverage is generally reliable. For English-language assistance, contact the West Kalimantan tourism office at +62 561 748 678.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Singkawang, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Holy Kost
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek Sun Farma — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Singkawang → My Room Hotel
💡 Download Gojek before you arrive – Grab has fewer drivers here. Pay in cash if your card won't link. Short hops across town rarely exceed IDR 15,000.
Supadio Airport, Pontianak → Singkawang Bus Terminal
💡 Buses leave only when full. If you miss the 6am run, the next might idle until 8am. From the terminal, grab an ojek (motorbike taxi) to the hotel – about IDR 15,000 and 10 minutes.
Supadio International Airport (PNK), Pontianak → My Room Hotel, Singkawang
💡 Buy a fixed-price ticket at the official counter inside arrivals. Skip drivers who approach you outside – they often quote double.
Pasar Singkawang (central market) → My Room Hotel area
💡 Yellow angkot route covers Jalan Diponegoro. Wave it down anywhere along the route. Tell the driver 'My Room Hotel' – they know it. No fixed stops, just tap the roof when you want off.
About Singkawang
Wikipedia ↗
Singkawang (Selako Dayak: Sakawokng), or San-Khew-Jong (Chinese: 山口洋; pinyin: Shānkǒuyáng; Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: Sân-gú-yòng), is a coastal city and port located in the province of West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo in Indonesia. It is located at about 145 km north of Pontianak, the provincial capital...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Holy Kost?
Request rooms on floors 3 to 5 (mid/higher) away from the street side. Better chance of quieter sleep as the lower floors and street-facing rooms pick up traffic noise from Jalan (the main road).
Which rooms should I avoid at Holy Kost?
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2, especially those facing the street. Ground-level rooms near the lobby or lift likely have higher traffic and guest noise.
Is Holy Kost noisy?
Singkawang’s main roads (Jalan Gajah Mada / Jalan Diponegoro area) get moderate traffic, especially in mornings and evenings. Motorcycles and bemos can be loud. Weekend events at the hotel or nearby may increase noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Holy Kost?
Limited — this is a 3-star hotel on a main road in central Singkawang. Side-facing rooms may overlook neighbouring buildings; best view might be from high floors facing away from the main street (towards the residential area or hills in the distance).
What are insider tips for staying at Holy Kost?
1. If sensitive to noise, book a room on floor 4 or higher and request a side facing away from the main road. 2. Check-in early (before 2pm) if possible — lower floor rooms go first, and you have more chance of a top-floor quiet room.
What time is check-in at Holy Kost?
Check-in at Holy Kost is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Holy Kost have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests – no login, simple password at counter. Speed around 10 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload. No premium tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Holy Kost?
10,000 IDR per room per night collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Holy Kost?
Nasi campur or nasi padang at a food stall – roughly 15,000–25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Holy Kost?
Angkot (shared minibus) around 5,000 IDR per ride; from Supadio Airport in Pontianak, bus+angkot combo costs about 50,000 IDR total.
When is the best time to visit Singkawang?
June–August: the driest stretch of the year, with average highs of 32°C and low humidity by coastal West Kalimantan standards. Roads are passable, temple visits are rain-free, and the Cap Go Meh crowds have long gone.
Top Attractions in Singkawang
💡 Best at sunset when the river breeze cools the air. Grab an es campur (shaved ice dessert) from the cart near the entrance—5,000 IDR.
💡 Come during the Cap Go Meh festival (February) for the spectacular lion dance parade—arrive by 8am to get a spot. Photographs allowed, but no flash inside.
💡 Dress modestly—long sleeves and sarongs are available at the entrance. Friday noon is busy, but weekday mornings are quiet for photos.
💡 Go around 6-7am for the best selection of local snacks like 'kue lapis' and 'bika ambon'. Avoid midday heat—most stalls pack up by noon.
💡 Bring mosquito repellent at dusk. The best sate ayam (chicken satay) is at the warung near the main gate—try the peanut dipping sauce.