Shankara Borobudur

The Shankar is about a 60-80 min ride from Yogyakarta Aduscipto airport. They will send a car for you by prior arrangement (cost IDR.300,000, about $22, £17). The driver was careful and negotiated the busy roads with skill. On arrival, guests are met with typical Indonesian hospitality, check in is efficient and they show you to your room. Each room/suite, whether poolside or ‘outer tier’, is separated on both sides by a walled terrace. All are located on the ground floor with low step onto the terrace, which leads into a spacious room with a colonial feel but modern conveniences. Rooms are spacious and pleasing, with a comfortable bed, simple but modern bathroom with wet area, good a/c and excellent Wi-fi reception. Staff take a breakfast order each day for the following day, with a choice of western or local dishes. The choice is fairly basic but perfectly adequate. Lunch/dinner dishes are also available, served with soft drinks, ’mocktails’ or local beer. For the more adventurous, there is a restaurant frequented by local people, serving dishes at a fraction of hotel prices, just metres to the right, direction Boro. The pool area is very pleasant and was little used during my visit but appears to be safe for children. Borobudur itself is an easy 10-15 minute stroll from the hotel. They are also happy to arrange tours to Borobudur and other sites. I recommend if you’re planning to visit Prambanan also, that you buy a joint ticket, saving IDR70,000 ($5, £4). I recommend