Cheap hotels in Komodo

I don't normally write many reviews, but with accommodation like Pondok KulKul, it's really worth leaving a review. We have never stayed in such a family-run accommodation where you don't feel like just another guest or a number, but are warmly welcomed by everyone and all your needs are catered for. The staff are always available and give helpful tips on possible activities, good restaurants and much more. We were always happy to return to the accommodation because it felt like home. The rooms are always clean, the breakfast is prepared with love and the view (especially in the evening) is phenomenal! So if you are planning to come to Labuan Bajo, we would definitely recommend staying at the Pondok KulKul, because you can expect hospitality and a warm atmosphere like you rarely find here! Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

I appreciate adventurous journey and sometimes prefer to stay at accommodation closer to local life. Staying at Jeki's place gave me a glimpse of local life in fishing village, I also deeply enjoyed in his arrangement of itinerary with more flexibility and privacy compared with joining tours with many people. The highlight of my experience would be the short hiking around the back of the village where we get to spot komodo dragons with beautiful views in the background. The other personal favorite moment would be during the trip sailing from Labuan Bajo port to the village throughout sunset; tropical climate with different shades of colors on the cloud became a piece of art that I'll not forget. Once again many thanks to the hospitality of Jeki's family. I liked the food as well. Meanwhile please be reminded that it's a homestay not a hotel. There's no air conditioning (the temperature during my stay around Apr was cool at night so all is fine) and only has shared bathroom, which could be inconvenient for some people. Make sure you have the understanding of condition and have the right expectation, hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Great host, guide and a very intelligent and attentive person. Honest, knowledgeable and trustworthy. The best part of the home stay is that you can tailor your stay according to your needs and liking. Khulna is always there to help you and meet your needs. He also called me weeks before our arrival and sent all the pricing sharing his advice and suggestions. We saw many Komodo Dragons, fish, mantas and had great times every day. It was very hard to leave.We enjoyed the stay very much and will be back very soon!!!

It's a lovely villa (house). Good ACs, full kitchen, spacious, comfortable and very clean. Everything about is was good. And there is a washing machine

We had an amazing time at the homestay, we feel welcomed and part of the local community. Despite this experience may be out of your comfort zone and the village may be noisy at night or a little dirty with plastic, we really recommend it because we experienced one of the most beautiful moments of our trip to Indonesia that we will always carry in our hearts! The homestay is located in a small village in komodo island. We stay in a building at the second floor and we share the apartment with a local family that cooked good food for us. The rooms were simple but confortable with fan. The bathroom has a proper toilette and a shower. Jhojo paid a lot of attention to all our needs and he was very kind, friendly and speaks a very good english. He brought us to the best spots in Komodo National Park at the best time to avoid the crowd of tourists. Moreover he taught us how to live side by side with komodo Dragons, which live on the island! For the trip during the day we used a local boat, contributing to all the village economy, and we very appreciate this. We had an amazing time together and hope to come back one day!

We are a French couple and tried this genuine experience for 3 nights on beg December 2023. We are very happy and recommend it, but we believe it must be clear what to and not to expect. We hope the details below will help other travelers. First challenge is to contact Jahiding, the lovely host who is also a komodo ranger. You will get his WhatsApp once you book the stay. Once on the Island, Jahiding will take care of you from A to Z, he stayed with us as the guide during the tours we planed with him and the captain. It's a private small boat (meaning not big) and you can choose where to go and how long you stay at each spot. We believe It was a privilege compared to other tours with dozens of people and timed visits. -Transportation The main challenge is to get to komodo Island with the "phantom" public boat that nobody knows about. It does exist and is actually located in a separate Harbour. Here is the GPS location : -8.484518,119.876788 The name is "TPI Kampung Ujung port". There is a smelly fish market to go through, not hard to miss. Price is 100k IDR if captain does not try to charge the tourist fee. You have to ask people around the boat if it is the correct one as there is no ticket to buy in advance nor any special desk. Just hope on the boat once you are sure it is the right one and pay when you arrive. The boat is mid size and around 20-30 people make the trip. It is not a ferry, it is much smaller, around 20 meters long and 4 meters wide and only one deck with shade. Transport takes 4h and is noisy (depends on the boat you have), travelers are komodo residents which are all very kind. Be prepared for basic confort, no seat no bench, just boat wood. No toilet break neither. The boat schedule as Jahiding told us is as such, and you will have to plan your stay based on this. From Labuan to Komodo Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Between 9am and 11am. From Komodo to Labuan Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between 9am and 10am.

Our family of 5 had a wonderful stay. The family who hosted us was very kind and helped arrange a local boat to take us to different beaches and snorkeling spots that were absolutely gorgeous (like manta point and pink beach). The host is a ranger at Komodo National Park and gave us a wonderful tour. It was very special to stay in the Muslim village on the sea and have a glimpse of life there. Everyone was very friendly and warm.

Nice people, good food, interesting place