The 3-hour trip from Solo was uninspiring made worse by a particularly sullen driver. Twilight soon descended but our spirits lifted as we approached the property. The old station, the misty lantern lighted path leading to the grand clubhouse were indeed spectacular. We gleefully anticipated 3 magical nights with the resort (10th-13th August 2007). Alas …

ACE
A gem of a concept; an actual coffee plantation doted with antique buildings sourced from all over Java. The perfect location for pure poetry in motion; a brush with a forgotten era while having coffee/
aperitif in the colonial clubhouse, a chance encounter with the jamu lady as she entices you with her elixirs or a discovery of the vegetable and herb garden. A soothing agenda amidst a ring of awesome volcanoes, which one is afforded a glimpse of from time to time. Tip: try an early morning jog within the compound. The fresh mountain air truly invigorates.

2 members stand out among an otherwise banal staff. Santo at reception grew up within the Borobudur compound and we were lucky enough to have him as our guide. Brought up with a different religion, yet one senses his pride and reverence for the monument. A second vouch for Martin at the spa recommended by a prior reviewer.

AVERAGE
Service on the whole was rather nondescript. Our package included an Arum Villa and had we not insisted at check-in, we would have gotten one from a lower category. We specifically requested for any other driver but the one who brought us from Solo. Departing for Borobudur at 0430 hours the next morning, guess whom we had as our driver for the entire day?

ANNOYANCE
It is unfathomable how one could conceive a pool area this minuscule in such sprawling grounds. It is also comes with possibly the world’s only calf high infinity pool.

ABYSMAL
Charming as the villas maybe, one draws the line when basic plumbing is defective. It took 5 hours and 3 calls before engineering finally came. Merapi 1 was in desperate need of a good scrub, it was dank and when sanitation problems persist, the perpetual stench is etched into the wooden structure.

Tip: Be very very tired; the traffic can be heard in bed and oh yes … prayer calls start at 0430 hours.

Unless a daytrip is planned, guests at the resort are obliged to have all 3 meals there. We have tried the buffet, ordered ala-carte from both the Java Red and Java Green restaurants and have concluded that the one thing Losari excels is in serving food cold including the resort-grown breakfast coffee!

In the hands of a true blue hotelier this property could outshine any project designed by Ed TUTTLE or grounds manicured by Bill MENSLEY, but until then it remains an amateur’s pathetic attempt in passing this off as a luxury resort.

First of all, I'd like to agree about some things that many people who have waxed lyrical over Losari have already said. It is true that the grounds are spectacular, the service impeccable & the food at Java Red is delectable. Plus, the Hamam is probably the best spa in the whole area. It is beautifully decked and the therapists are first rate. Also, they have a monthly promotion which gets you 2hrs of treatments at a reasonable price. But I have to say something about the rooms, especially for those of you who are not getting the higher tier accomodation. If possible, check with the hotel or the booking agent the room name. For those of you getting a Plantation room, if you can help it, do not stay in room Sumbing 4. We paid over USD$200 per nite for it. The room was located around a dark semi-dingy corner, the front door at the end of a narrow aisle. Even though it had a nice facing, not much light came through so the room remains dark throughout the day. The room itself was mediocre. But the worst part was the bathroom. It looked more like a USD$30 room rather than a $200 one.The wall tiles were dirty & yellow with age & improper cleaning, the shower area base had been painted over but the paint was flaking & actually the flakes came off while we there. There were also alot of dusty areas as well as undisturbed cobwebs. In the middle of the room, there is a narrow area which has the shelves for the coffee/ tea, etc, but there was nowhere to hang our clothes. Ironically, there is a larger area next to it which has a study table which we never used. I was wondering why they didn't just convert that area to be the wardrobe area instead. Anyway, the moral of the story is, as someone else said in an earlier review, if you can afford it, get a more expensive room. I'm not sure if the bathrooms are much better but at least the rooms themselves should be nicer. For the sake of other guests, I hope the other Plantation rooms are better than the one I stayed in. It needs a serious renovation & it seems a shame that a property which obviously pays so much attention to detail could have allowed this room to deteriorate in this fashion.

We just got back from a 4 day stay at Losari Plantation. The location is unbeatable, the old charm of wooden, creaking floor, outdoor bathroom, fabulous mountains and lush greenery are just a few memories we will keep with us for a long time. I find myself thinking and wish that we get up early morning greeted by the majestic Sindora Mountain right outside our veranda. I just can't wait to get up at sunrise drag Michael out of bed for a refreshing walk around the peaceful compound. On the flip side, the traffic sound and sound from the neighbouring blasting prayers sessions are at time irritating but hey we are a guest in a country with predominantly muslim population. That's when my yoga and mediation training kicks in. We went on a steam train ride, it was very pleasant, the spa was good. On a whole we enjoyed the trip very much. Price is on the higher sider but the experience is second to none. We will consider coming back sometime again.

Java and Javanese - Central just wonderful.

Losari is not for everybody, but it was certainly everything I wanted from a stay in a working coffee plantation. The staff are probably the most helpful I have ever met.

Arrival
Our driver had a cracking sense of humour, as we had a one hour delay for one of our group of 4, we all joked for ages and ages until our frazzled friend arrived to the buzz of the money changers. So, from the start, we were loved by The Losari staff.

Martin and the staff at the Spa were super professional and all of the products used are natural. They immediately got us relaxed on arrival.

We stayed in two lower level villas. These are quaint beyond belief but not Aman-like so you'll need to suspend judgement if you are looking for sandstone floors. Our floors were of old Javanese style tiles. Motif was stunning.

The bathroom was dated but we didn't care frankly.

The bed was fluffly, big and we slept soundly. The use of natural fibre and wood adds to the charm.

The restaurant allowed us to set up a table by the 'Club-House' which was romantic, our indonesian food was good and we were permitted to have late drinks til the we hours.

We hired a driver to take us to the best batik, silverware and bone carving artists. And he did and he was brilliant. We had another day of fun and managed to purchase some items.

We have stayed in Amanjiwo a few times and rate it as the best. But, we also loved The Losari. It's got a magic that no architect can create.

Some people have complained about the restaurant and the pool facilities. Times are hard here in Java and tourism has fallen since 9/11 (which by the way meant that there were more European and fewer louder American tourists - a bonus for us at least).

The Losari may need a little upgrading. But not much. The plantation probably pays for the staff but the hotel needs solid year round visitors to ensure it can upgrade. So, my advice is go anytime.

Javanese can teach us lots about hospitality, graciousness, the magic of ancient gamelan and how to live with self-respect. Anf for Islamophobes, this is a muslim country. But one you'd respect enormously.

Early one morning, after the call to prayer, we walked the grounds and met people everywhere, from the gardeners to people tending the many rice paddies.

The two hour guided plantation visit is extremely worthwhile. Jamu for health was drank, palm sugar and a pepper (both dry and fresh) were purchased and of course - coffee for our friends in London.

If I could, I would have stayed here a month and for every quibble I've read about The Losari, I'd say you've missed the magic of Asian hospitality at its intrinsic level and are better off staying away from here.