"Great retreat. Not many shops but has okay food to order. Could do with more fresh vegetables available on menu"

"The hotel is average. The service was nonexistent, and I had to lug my luggage up the stairs to my room. The room was average. For the price, it was perfectly acceptable for a one-night stay and volcano viewing. Ijen Volcano is about 45 minutes away."

"The service is very good and the staff are friendly. The scenery of the countryside is beautiful. It’s about an hour away from Mount Ijen. I am a very light sleeper, and there are toads chirping at night, which is very annoying. The soundproofing of the room is not good, and the talk of people who climb volcanoes at night is very disturbing to my sleep. The broadcast from the mosque starts again at 4 o'clock in the morning, and someone plays the piano at 6 o'clock. The night was indeed dumbfounding."

"The hotel was fantastic, staff were so friendly and very helpful. So many incredible pools and amenities, we will definitely revisit."

"Walking into Jiwa Jawa felt almost unreal to me. It felt like stepping into a quiet, soulful gallery rather than a hotel. I found myself slowing down immediately, taking in the local artworks, striking photography, intricate batik, and the beautiful terracotta statues. It's impressive. There are 1,000 life-size dancers showcasing the four striking dance moves of the local Osing traditional Gandrung dance. There’s a sense of story and intention in every corner of the hotel complex; it doesn’t just look curated, it feels deeply personal. Finding the infinity pool was a moment in itself. When it opened up in front of me, I just stopped. It’s easily the biggest I’ve seen, and it seems to dissolve right into the landscape. From there, East Java stretched out in layers of mountains and sky. I spent a long time just sitting there, taking it all in. It’s one of those views that stays with you. The restaurant matched that same level of care. The service felt warm and natural, never forced, and the menu thoughtfully blends international flavours with local traditions. I still think about the filet mignon. It was exceptional. What stood out most, though, was the people. The service across the hotel felt genuinely kind and attentive, the kind that makes you feel welcome rather than simply looked after. I also spent time at Taman Gandrung, the other accommodation choice, with the 1,000 life-size terracotta dancers who grace the rice fields. It's a sight to behold. This accommodation choice is set among rice fields, and draws you into the rhythm of rural life. I found myself just sitting and watching the light shift across the paddies for hours in a peaceful and very grounding way. Both accommodation places carry a strong sense of place, just expressed in different ways. One through art and design, the other through landscape and tradition. Lucky for us, we were there on a Friday, so we got to see a live Gandrung Dance performance. You can catch that on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A major highlight was visiting Mount Ijen. The hotel made everything easy to arrange, including the local guide. The 1:00 am wake-up felt intense at the time, but the experience is unforgettable. Seeing the blue flame and that surreal turquoise crater lake in the early hours is something you can’t quite describe, only feel. I’d suggest staying at least 3–5 days to really take in the area and surroundings. Waterfalls, plantation walks, village life, and mountain trails are all on offer. You can go as slow or as active as you like. For me, this wasn’t just a place to stay. It felt like a meaningful travel experience, where nature, art, and culture all come together in a way that feels authentic and quietly powerful."

"Wonderful camping in the middle of rice fields. About 30min outside the city - not very easy to find. Beautiful pool, cheap restaurant and convenient bungalows. Mosque well hearable."

"Beautiful location in the hills surrounded by rice paddies, near a village. Beds really comfortable, including the extra bed they put up as we were a group of 5. We were skeptical about the food as the printed menus were tatty, but the actual food was really good. Beef rendang, mixed vegetables and pan fried fish excellent. They could do with improving presentation of the menu and including some vegan/ vegetarian options. However when we asked they understood what we were asking for and came up with suitable dishes for the vegans. We did a lovely 3 hr walk through fields, pine forrest, villages which looped back to hotel via the swimming pool springs. Whilst its true superficially some things appear slightly dated everything works and too frequent refurbishment for tourists def not environmentally friendly. And as usual staff were all lovely and helpful."

"The room is nice and good, the view is very beautiful, I am very amazed, the most luxurious is in the swimming pool while looking at the beautiful view, the service is very good, we are treated like kings"

"The room was very satisfying, with a back garden design, great furniture, and comfortable bedding. There are only three rooms, and the owner is very attentive. He contacted us throughout the journey from the port to the hotel and to the Ijen volcano, ensuring that we would have a freshly made delicious breakfast upon our return. It's a pity that we couldn't stay for two more days due to limited time."