Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Taman Simalem Resort is a 206-hectare holistic tourism destination nestled in the mountains facing Lake Toba. We offer a choice of accommodation; villas next to a waterfall, modern hotel rooms on a hill, family rooms overlooking Lake Toba and a camping site in a pristine forest. Activities include nature and jungle treks, farm tours, outdoor adventure park, labyrinth, horse riding, archery, fishing, mountain biking, yoga and 9-hole golf.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Taman Simalem Resort is lauded for its tranquil atmosphere, with its lush gardens and serene setting providing an ideal backdrop for both relaxation and adventure. The resort's cleanliness and range of amenities, including dining options and activities, receive positive remarks, although there's room for enhancement. Located in a scenic area perfect for family outings, guests appreciate the value for money.
Service at the resort is often highlighted for being attentive and responsive. While rooms offer comfort and stunning views, some guests find the beds firm and suggest improved soundproofing.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Comprehensive
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Awesome view of the lake from the tree top lounge and tea house. The view from our view was also breathtaking. We saw two awesome sunrise during our 3 night stay. On the day of departure it was unfortunately super cloudy.
Stayed for 4D3N to explore the area. Nature walk was interesting and we saw two waterfalls at the end of the trail.
We took another day to visit Samosir Island and only returned late at night. Thankful for room service that we arranged in advance.
Worth the long ride to get to this place. The staff were also very helpful and proactive in checking in with us throughout our stay.
Do take note that there are no elevators and if you have difficulty climbing stairs or walking upslope, do ask for a room that is on the same level as the reception level.
There is also another amazing few rooms situated by a mini waterfall. These rooms are a short ride away from the main resort area, but there is a restaurant that serves western food beside the waterfall.
Before we left, we visited the highest point of the resort with a boat on top of the hill. We were able to view the whole resort from the vantage point.
Truly amazing experience for us.
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Date of stay: March 2025
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The hotel room is clean, the toilet is clean... if the toilet is clean, you feel at home in the room especially the view outside the room is really beautiful, when there's a lot of fog... 👍👍👍👍👍
The breakfast is also delicious... especially the chicken curry is really delicious... the steamboat is also delicious, the taste is just right, it's not too salty & it's a little micin too 👍👍👍👍👍 The service of the staff at Pangbatas Resto is also 👍👍👍👍👍
The staff who took us to the reception & hotel were also very fast & kind 👍👍👍👍👍
The staff service is also very friendly... especially Mr Kaban, Bang Alby... it feels like meeting an old friend. So we feel warm and comfortable in Simalem. Then, Bang Mario also really helped provide information about activities in Simalem. 👍👍👍👍👍
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Date of stay: December 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Pemandangan ny sgt cantik.. Resort ny jg sgt luas.. sgt disayangkan kl cuma menginap 1 hari.....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Arguably the best spot in the Lake Toba caldera to stay for the views. The property is huge and widespread. We had a lake view room and was good. It was probably refurbished recently with all the amenities. Great water pressure. It was very windy with intermittent rain but did not hamper the views. Like all resorts, one has to eat in the restaurant (Tea House). Although the menu is largely local bur there are amble varieties. The quality of the food is good and the vegetables comes from their own farm. Their coffee and tea are excellent. The Western selection for breakfast is average as it caters more to the local market. As it was cold and windy we had their hotpot for dinner and it was excellent. a point to note - there are no elevators on the property and access to floors is via ramps. To get here some planning is required. A car with a driver from the airport is necessary (i believe they have accommodation for drivers). To prevent back haul, from the airport, one can first stay in their sister property in Berestagi, then to the Resort for a couple of nights, next use the western route for a stay on Samosir island via Bukit Sebea Bea/Holbung Hills/Efrata waterfalls. Stay in a lakeside cottage the cross via ferry to the east side back to the airport. (this is the anti clockwise route)
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Get a car and reliable driver to be with you
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As soon as we arrived at Simalem Resort, we were immediately amazed by the beautiful nature and the size of the resort. We checked in and walked a little to Tongging Point, masha Allah, what a beautiful view of Lake Toba from up there. It depends on the weather, but when it's sunny the appearance of Lake Toba is very beautiful. We stayed at the waterfall villa, riding a buggy provided by the resort. The roar of the waterfall greeted us, its natural feel and the sound of insects reminded us of the beautiful nature of Indonesia. For the waterfall villa, you need to climb stairs, so for elderly guests it's a bit tiring walking up and down. The bed was very comfortable, the bathroom was clean, the shower had strong warm water. In my opinion, drip coffee is a complimentary nice touch.
Breakfast at the restaurant is quite interesting with lontong and rice, apart from that there is bread and cereal. For sweetness there is fruit and traditional cakes. Perfect for filling your stomach before activities.
Lots of activities, we tried the labyrinth, visited the beautiful One tree hill (suggestion is that the path be tidied up and there be at least warm drinks and bathrooms). When is there something very aesthetic to photograph at One Tree Hill, a boat on the edge of a cliff overlooking Lake Toba? Unique yes.
For our stay we communicated with the Simalem Resort team, Ms. Ayu, she was good at explaining what could be done there. They helped a lot regarding the facilities at Simalem resort.
Dinner, quite delicious fried rice and soto (we didn't take the All you can eat).
Overall, there were various activities that we didn't have time to try because we only had 1 night. There are already plans to return. Thank you Simalem resort!
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Date of stay: May 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Waterfall tidak bisa diakses pengguna kursi roda, dan naik turun tangganya lumayan untuk lansia....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I wanted to book a quad family room but it was not available. I made my enquiry via email. I was recommended to get 2 rooms at Tongging Point since I am bringing my elderly father as it will be more convenient for him. I proceed with their recommendation and told them to inform me if the family room is available. To my surprise, I got a text from the hotel telling me that the family room is available and they can even provide an extra bed as we have 5 persons. Thank you for being so proactive in reaching out to me when the room is available. The staffs at the resort are very friendly and approachable and they make effort to constantly check in with us at breakfast if every thing is okay in the room. It is very thoughtful of them to provide steamboat and hotplate for dinner as we were there on the 1st and 2nd day of CNY.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On-time pick-up and drop-off to the room or lobby, saves energy & helps during rainy weather TOP room facilities + snacks The natural feel, calm atmosphere, various visitor activities create peace in the heart & mind GO GREEN
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Location
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Perhatikan kondisi cuaca dilokasi saat akan berkunjung
Cuaca cerah akan memaksimalkan pengalaman...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Taman Simalem was one we will never forget. We were fortunate to have the time to experience staying in both of their accommodations (waterfall & lake toba) and both were exceptional experiences. From the organic fresh food they offer in their buffet style meals, to comfortable rooms, to their prime location, this experience is not to be missed. On top of all of this, their staff was lovely, attentive, and eager to offer the many activities you can engage in on their sprawling property.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Recommended Hotel Resort I hv stay at this Hotel mid of sept 23 We stay at room 2201 Deluxe room with Lake toba View Price worhted with all the Facility. Dinner at the Resto, you can Find Steambot very recommended, Some of Staf Taking care us during dinner time, She is Febronia Meda, Maybe she is a resto manager, Good Manner,Offering all Menu an facility,Excellent Service Appreciatte for her. Breakfast time,a Resto manager Say hi to my family and ask Our stay last night. She is very helpull and Friendly. Thanks for All
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taman Simalem was one of the more ‘unusual’ places I’ve ever stayed in. It’s a vast, sprawling, ginormous resort, much of which seems to hardly have been touched since it first opened over 20 years ago. You need to drive everywhere really, and the roads are all in a pretty poor state. The one to One Tree Hill is awful.
We didn’t appreciate when booking the layout of the resort, and that, if you are staying in a Waterfall Superior Room (as we were), it’s a 30 minute walk or 10 minute drive to the Tongging building (next to reception) for breakfast (for everything in fact) because the bar and restaurant in the Waterfall Lodge were closed. We definitely felt like we were in the naughty corner - we came mostly for the setting and the views of Lake Toba but our room didn’t even have natural light. The window overlooked an internal corridor. In a resort so vast, this seemed very strange to us and more than a bit disappointing. There’s a few villas nearby, but they were all empty, and quite a trek from the car park. I wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere other than the (pricey) Tongging rooms.
Obviously the setting, scale and views at Taman Simalem are what people come for, and it certainly delivers, but unfortunately Mother Nature had other ideas for us….the thick mist over the resort never cleared the whole time we were there.
Away from reception, the Tongging Building and the conference centre, the place was deserted. A number of things were closed. It felt strange. It desperately needs some work. So many things felt like they needed an uplift, or even basic maintenance, and it’s not a cheap place to stay in.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taman Simalem resort is on a mountain with panoramic view of lake toba. The buffet breakfast is so very good with local dishes and local desserts.
It has some complimentary activities and we joined the jungle trekking with local batak guide, Kaban.
Kaban is a passionate, knowledgable, skilful guide & we learnt alot from him. He showed us how the local people wash their hands in the jungle by rubbing finger ferns tog, add abit of water & voila! there is lather just like soap! Highlight of my stay!
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir / Ms,
You may visit our tamansimalem website at to choose your prefered accomodation types.
I can give you estimated cost - If you take our superior rooms at waterfall lodge surrounded by jungles, it will cost you around rp12 million for 7 nights.
If you choose Tongging point hotel with views facing our coffee plantation and golf course or lake view, it will cost between rp14 million to rp16 million.
Estimated quotations are in Rupiah. Contact us through whatsapp at +6281397870644 if you need exact rates.
Thanks and regards
Would suggest you hire a driver from Airport-resort as they provide free food and lodging for the private drivers too. Last time I went, i got a driver from Yoga Rental Car and his name was Hidayat. Very good driver and tour guide!
Hi Ms Shu Yen,
Our resort is very far from Mount Sinabung, approximately 42 km away. Rest assured that the resort is safe from volcanic eruption and your stay will not be affected.
Thanks and regards,
Eddy Tanoto
GM, Taman Simalem resort
There are more places to choose from in the Merek area.
PRICE RANGE
₱4,176 - ₱6,236 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
IndonesiaSumatraNorth SumatraMerek
NUMBER OF ROOMS
126
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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