Homestays in Rantepao

Our room was spacious, clean and our bed was extremely comfortable. We only had to share the upstairs bathroom with one other room, and it had hot water which was very much appreciated.. There’s a lovely balcony and common areas to relax and enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and water. The host is wonderful and truly went above and beyond for us - he allowed us to check-in very early and even cooked us breakfast the morning we arrived, he arranged our onward travel, provided free transport to the bus station and kindly packed some fruit for our journey. He can help you arrange a tour/guide, motorbike rental, find places to eat and visit. Our only suggestion is to be as clear as possible with your guide about what you are wanting to experience / see to avoid any disappointment. Unfortunately we missed a key day of the ma nene festival because of a miscommunication (which was partly our fault too.)

Imanuel and his family are very attentive and kind hosts. They have the kind of hospitality that comes from the heart. The room and the shared bathroom are cleaned regularly. The breakfast is 5-star! On my last day I got the best ginger tea of my life! I did a 2-day tour with Imanuel in the Toraja region and it was very interesting and informative. Imanuel is a very good guide and his English is super. He also helped me to find a guide to show me around in Makassar. Thank you very much for everything!

Everything was perfect I loved the place. The owners are also guides who love to show the guests around and describe the culture! <3

We spent two nights with Angel and his family. They were perfect guides. They took us to a funeral ceremony and we learnt a lot about Toraja culture. We definitely recommend you to stay with them! Thanks for being so generous with us :)

Starting from the communication prior to arrival, all the way throughout the whole trip the hosts were amazing. The level of hospitality and care far exceeded my expectations. I was driven to the pharmacy to get medication when I was ill, I needed to rest in my room, so the hostess offered me lunch and checked in on me and when the car broke down on the way to a hike they were so apologetic and mortified about disappointing us, rather than thinking of their primary method of translation being broken that it completely melted our hearts. They of course immediately organised alternative transport. Genuine humanity and real Indonesian hospitality at its best. The facilities were lovely. The room was very spacious, ensuite bathroom, hot shower at a very reasonable price The internet even worked in my room, as I was downstairs next to the common area which it primarily covers. The food was also amazing quality, healthy and home cooked. The host, Peso, is a certified guide, clearly well known in the community, which made finding and attending funeral ceremonies comfortable without feeling like an intruder. The 3 day programme he offered covered all points of interest in the area, he also offered in depth and nuanced explanations on the local culture and took me to some places where tourists don't usually go. The scooter he used to take me around was large, new and comfortable, too. Highly recommended!

Very well clean, perfect location and very nice family. You can rent a motorbike from them for a good price. The owner Daud is a very good guide, we attended a tradicional ceremony and we did a 2 days trekking. 100% recommended.

The room and all facilities are really clean, we enjoyed the breakfast every morning, location is good only a short drive to the main road and quiet location. The bed was really comfy and good shower pressure. The best part was our hosts, Bella and her parents! Such lovely people it felt like we were a part of their family; they took care of us so well and were so welcoming. Felt right at home. Thank you!!

Location is just awesome, you get the full vibe of a hilly village and the main city is just at walkable distance. But the main highlight is the family, they are so hardworking nd humble.

Never thought I’d leave a place in tears and yet I did here. What a wonderful, profound experience. My partner and I were lucky enough to stay for just two days, and had the absolute pleasure of doing a three-day tour with Meyske, who is also a guide herself. The Homestay: They truly put the home in homestay. Very quickly we realized that when returning from a tour, we weren’t saying “let’s go back to the homestay”, we were saying “let’s go home.” instead. The place is small and simple: four basic rooms with a mattress, pillow, and blanket. No windows, but a mosquito net (we only saw two mosquitoes the whole time). Two toilets and one shower (cold water, though you can ask for a kettle of hot water). Roosters and pigs can be noisy, so earplugs help. And yet, the feeling? Like coming home to friends. With only four rooms, evenings naturally turn into sharing stories, bonding over a beer, and enjoying some of the best food you’ll eat in Indonesia, cooked by Meyske and her kind, lovely mother. Don’t skip the dinners. They’re fantastic. The Tour with Meyske: Yes, it’s pricier than many options, and you’ll certainly find cheaper guides. But with Meyske, you’re getting something rare. Most tours show you places and facts. Meyske tells you a story. Like any good story, there’s an opening chapter, rising action, real characters you come to care about, and a powerful ending that leaves you deeply touched. That’s exactly how it feels to be guided by her. On day one we learned about the history and background of the Torajan people. Then, step by step, she immersed us in ceremonies, connected us with people, and shared meals and stories with them. Finally, she wove in her own story, showing how it connects to the bigger picture of life in Tana Toraja. And that’s when we were left in tears. I won’t spoil her personal story since it’s something you should experience yourself but I will say this: she once mentioned she hopes for a small, traditional Torajan funeral.

I highly recommend staying at Sulawesi Castle! My original plan was to stay two nights but I extended my stay four more nights. Sulawesi Castle has a lot of positive things going for it but the owner, Sarah, is at the top of the list. Sarah is a superstar of hosts! (5 STAR) She is very friendly, helpful, speaks English well, informative, and is one heck of a baker! (AND cook!) Also, Sarah has a very friendly, welcoming family. Breakfast was always a treat! There were three types of homemade bread (sometimes a sweet roll) with several types of homemade jam. Try the coconut jam. YUM! Fresh fruit was always served plus tea and real coffee. I was offered eggs if I wanted but the bread, jam, and fresh fruit were filling. I also ate dinner with Sarah's family twice and those meals were some of the best meals I had in my two month stay in Indonesia. I had a room overlooking the mountains which was incredible and well worth the price! There is a deck so one could enjoy the view over coffee or a cold beer which you can buy on the premises. My room was spacious and there was plenty of light due to large windows and walls that were painted white. The room was very clean and wifi worked just fine in my room. Drinking water is provided. Sarah rents motorbikes and she can arrange tours for you. Sulawesi Castle is not in a busy area and restaurants, convenience stores, and a grocery store are nearby. I had a great time at Sulawesi Castle and plan to visit again next year. Thank you so much Sarah and hello to your family!