Mas Cottages

(DISCLAIMER: Though I have visited here many times, and the staff does recognize me, I am NOT friends with the staff or owners and I do not get discounts or anything like that. this is an honest review from an unbiased customer.) I have stayed in several places in Lake toba. This is the best. It is removed from the busier Tuk tuk. It is VERY quiet, soothingly so. this makes sounds from other guests more noticeable...but thst is the same anywhere. rooms are simple structures and sounds from outside are easily heard, though the higher priced rooms are much nicer. YOU DO NOT NEED AN AC IN SAMOSIR! I read other reviews bemoaning a lack of AC....It is warm during the day but very cool at night. Pack a hoody! if you feel hot easily ask for a fan. I am an AC junkie...but I don't need one here. Hot showers are a must, though. nights and mornings are cold. I am an American who lives a few hours from lake toba so I travel there once or twice a year. I have stayed here 10 times in the last 14 years. I have stayed other places near tuk tuk 6 times. I have NEVER seen a rat or a roach anywhere near this place. (and that is pretty incredible in Sumatra) They do get the little sugar ants that don't bite. if you leave a sugary drink out, they will find it. Other than that, they are no bother. I prefer those ants to staying In a place that hoses rooms down with poison. Mosquitoes exist here but are not usually a problem. though one time I left my door open at night and had to use cheap, rose scented repellant that worked perfectly. I LOVE this place. It is run by a family of local people on the family land. this is not a corporation. You will probably talk to the owner while you are here. bear in mind, they live here. it is not just a place of business, it is their home. they want your business and will try to make sure you have a good experience. but if you start being demanding and talking rudely to the staff they are probably related to the owner so don't expect him to jump on your side. you represent a few hundred Rupiah in business, but the lady that cooks is his mom, or sister or cousin or his aunty. the girl at the desk is likely to be his neice...mind your manners or book a corporate resort if you want to treat locals badly and still have your butt kissed. These are good, VERY polite people who will be happy to help you and be kinder to you than you are to them, but don't expect subservience. Bring a power strip with you. there are a few outlets but probably not enough. The restaurant food is very good. It is not cheap by Indonesian standards but is very cheap by western standards 5 USD for a fried fish the size of your face, rice and a side. The ingredients are super fresh... I ordered avocado toast once and the waitress said, "wait let me see if we have it." then walked over to a tree, squeezing avocados till she found a ripe one, plucked it, and said, 'yes, we have it." If you book a motorcycle or car rental through the hotel the price is reasonable...you might get a better price somewhere else, but it will take a while to walk along the road trying to find a better deal. and you will have to return it to that place and then walk back. also keep in mind that everything is more expensive in the busy season. Do not stay here if you have bad knees! there are a lot of steps to get to the best rooms. if you can manage steps without pain, it's not awful, but it will get your blood pumping. I am a 50 yo chubby guy and I manage fine. They have rooms here that don't require steps, but they are far from the water...still great views, tho. If you are a person who expects things to be exactly as you expect them to be...don't come to Indinesia. but if you are a reasonable polite person who wants a clean comfortable room in an EXTREMELY beautiful place, You will absolutely LOVE mas cottages!