Hotel Review: The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

My trip to Java started out of a desire to visit Borobudur. I had no idea what else to see in Java, but in the end, I spent about four days in Yogyakarta.

As a splurge, I spent one night at the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, an early 20th Century palatial mansion in “Dutch Indonesian” style, which once belonged to Kwik Djoen Eng, a wealthy sugar trader from China. The style of his intended residence was elegant, airy, a bit of Art Nouveau, a bit of (early) ArtDeco.

The original owner of the mansion only got to enjoy if for a decade or so, then the 1929 economic crisis hit, his businesses went into administration, the mansion was sold… and operated as a hotel initially named “Hotel Splendid” .

Through World War II and under Japanese occupation, it was used for Japanese Army headquarters and guest house named “Hotel Yamato”. Finally, after World War II and Indonesian Independence, it was reclaimed by its rightful owner and reopened as a hotel.

The hotel, subaequently named “Merdeka” quickly rose to fame for its luxury and illustrious guests, among them Indonesia’s first president, who had sought refuge here during the battle for independence a few years earlier. but sometime in the 1980s, its owner passed away.

Although it was run briefly by the owners heirs, I understand that sometime in the 1990s or early 2000s, the hotel was either acquired by the French Accor Group or given into Accor’s management, and reopened as the Phoenix Hotel. It was been managed under several Accor brands and was last refurbished a few years ago and now is part of Accor’s “Handwritten Collection” brand, basically a premier boutique-ey upmarket Accor brand.

Location of the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, while not right in the centre, is located in an easily accessible area just north of the main train station, Tugu Yogyakarta. While the area South of the station holds most sights. Northern Yogyakarta is partially leafy, widespread, has lots of university campuses and coffee shops.

You can walk to the main tourist street called Jalan Malioboro in 20 minutes, it’s about 1km, or just take a taxi (5-10min) to Jl. Malioboro and beyond, like the Kraton and Taman Sari. I’ve called motorbike taxis to the rather swish hotel entrance without any problems – they are much faster in heavy traffic.

If you want to visit Borobudur or Prambanan, it doesn’t matter so much where in Yogyakarta you are staying – both are quite some way outside the centre.

Overall Impression and Hotel Experience

I was pleasantly in awe the minute my taxi pulled up to the plant-studded small driveway of the Phoenix Hotel. I entered the airy lobby, set in the original mansion and was welcomed and shown to my room in the main wing what I believe to be the 1930’s hotel building

Through airy light hallways, a couple of salons and across a sun-filled terrace with tables, chairs and a pleasant fountain, we walked to my room

Although the hotel interior did not look overly curated and designed, rather well worn but clean, chairs you could sit on, rooms you could actually use.

I loved all the period features, like these phoenix door handles in the main building.

The whole hotel looked slightly time worn, yet bright, clean and authentic. Very likeable and liveable, with nice but inobtrusive service. I think mentioning “shabby chic” would be too cliched, because there was nothing much shabby about it, rather… lived in, with a patina. When I arrived in the early afternoon, there were hardly any people other than a few staff members about, either. It felt so calm and relaxing

My Room at the Phoenix Hotel

The room I booked was a “Superior Heritage” Double Room overlooking the main building and terrace. This was also the cheapest room category.

When I was shown to my room, I was very happy – it pretty much met my expectations, was quiet, cool, and of a decent size. Furnishings very sympathetic to the old building.

I must say, for the cheapest room category, it was positively palatial. The room was in what I believe to be the original hotel building, next to the old mansion which is now reception, salons and restaurant. Very spacious bright rooms, all with a balcony big enough to sit on, overlooking the very pleasant inner garden with a fountain.

I had a huge comfortable bed, desk, table and armchairs – and loads of space. The room was 25square metres. It was light and pleasant. The decor was a nice balance of traditional dark wooden furniture fitting a hotel of this age and style, marble flooring, soft furnishings in ochre and burgundy – everything fitted quite well together.

The room looked and felt harmonious, and quite well balanced, blending 1930’s style elegance with modern travellers needs. There weren’t really that many Indonesian flourishes in the room save for some ornate brass lamps and very Javanese style tea ware

Only the bathroom was a tiny bit of a let down- Yes, it was marble and everything, but it looked very 1980’s and there was a bit too much limescale for my liking. The amenities weren’t anything special. Highlighting a national or local quality body care brand or soap would have been nice… there is a lot of really nice soap to be had in Indonesia, for example. But everything worked.

The room felt even more generous and spacious because it had a balcony with a table an chairs and a view to the main villa and terrace. I just loved the restored wrought iron and clean look.

There is a large number of higher category rooms called “Deluxe Legacy”, about 10 square metres bigger and overlooking the swimming pool in an extension. And, of course there are suites.

Special treats at the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

The Phoenix Hotel is officially rated five stars, so there is little that the hotel can’t or won’t do. Historic yet comfortable, decent size pool, sympathetic renovation keeping as much of the old structure as possible. The property is stunningly beautiful, and a large part of the downstairs main building is given over to salons or museum-like rooms you can use. There are period touches and quite tasteful decorations everywhere – it really is a feast to the eyes.

Although I saw quite a lot of other guests at breakfast, the hotel grounds are quite spread out, so it never felt crowded. there were enough loungers by the pool, and plenty of seating, too.

The pool, towards the back of the property, was pleasant, No thuge, but large enough to swim comfortably, with comfortable loungers, parasols, and surrounded by greenery.

I liked that you could arrange for a mobile spa service to come to the hotel without any hassle whatsoever. I had a nice massage in the comfort of my room without paying top dollar at the hotel spa. It is quite common practice, my masseuse explained, and many spas only operate as mobile services and visit clients at hotels.

The hotel sits on a decent size plot, and there are some nicely laid terraces and seating areas, as well as the decent size pool. I enjoyed the outdoor facilities for a few hours in the late morning, and as you can see, it was not very busy at all. The clientele appeared to be mostly Westerners older than me, going by accent, British and Australian tourists, whom you could see but barely hear.

Last not least, the breakfast was quite good, too. The variety and choice of both Western and local dishes was great – it was almost a bit too much. Breakfast was laid out in the large open-air restaurant which extended to the terrace, with nicely spaced tables, and some inside tables. I loved this whole open-air arrangement, airy, breezy, yet sheltered from the elements.

In terms of dishes for breakfast, there was almost too much choice. Javanese and Chinese food, sushi, Western style omelettes and pancakes, a smoothie station, fresh fruit… I stuck to vegetarian Indonesian dishes, which were very good.

While Indonesian dishes were good, the Western food was a bit lacklustre. So, in a way, I thought it would be much better if they concentrated on local dishes for breakfast with a limited option of Western choices, eggs cooked to order, rather than have ten types of (slightly stale) bread and cakes. Coffee came from a self-serve machine, though, and given the quality of coffee available locally, there was definitely some room for improvement. Overall, I would have breakfast here again!

What to do in the area

I changed from a cheap hotel in South Yogyakarta (Sleepy Raccoon, nice, cheap, cost about a fifth of my room) after two days in the city, so I had already seen Yogyakarta’s main attractions as well as Borobudur, Prambanan and Kota Gede.

The first night, I walked to the House of Raminten ( see below) for an early dinner. Then, I just enjoyed being in a five-star property after roughing it in (nice) hostels since arriving in Indonesia. I ordered a two-hour massage service and had a long chat with the masseuse who was very knowledgeable and talkative.

The next morning, I just continued to enjoy this wonderful property, but when the time came to check out, I got a motorcycle taxi and explored a few coffee roasteries and coffee shops (Kopirelo, Space Roastery, Tanamera).

If you like rather quirky sights and funky drinks (and quite decent food), I recommend walking to the House of Raminten restaurant. It can get packed, so go early or reserve. It isn’t really on the radar of foreign tourists but my hostel recommended it and just by chance, I had been to Hamzah Batik, a huge souvenir emporium run by the late Hamzah Sulaeman who loved Javanese batik and who loved to perform as a stern middle aged woman – Raminten.

The House of Raminten was the restaurant he established in typical Raminten flamboyant style. The decor is completely nuts, the colourful drinks plentiful (no alcohol, mind) and the Javanese food is very decent but definitely seasoned for an Indonesian palate.

Similar historic hotels in Yogyakarta

I don’t really think there are that many venerable historic hotels left in Yogyakarta. Plenty modern five-star ones, none like the Phoenix Hotel.

If you don’t mind being a bit further out from the centre, try the Rumah Pesik Art and Heritage Hotel in Kota Gede. This is an independently run small hotel in a beautiful villa, with traditional Javanese decor flourishes, resembling a museum in part,s but with nicely decorated rooms with Javanese wooden furniture and excellent hospitality, for similar prices compared to the Phoenix Hotel. Beautiful, more Javanese but no pool.

Last not least, the best location of every hotel here has to go to the Ceria Hotel at Alun Alun Yogyakarta. A very short walk to Jl. Malioboro, Beringharjo Bazaar, Vredeburg Fort Museum, the Damri Shuttle to Borobudur… and the Kraton. As central as you can get for tourism. It’s an Art Deco Style hotel reminiscent of the Roemahkoe in Solo, with a somewhat more modern but sympathetic interior update, a bit cheaper than the other two, but no pool.

Overall: Would I stay here again?

Definitely. Although my budget does not stretch to this kind of property for en entire trip, I always try and book a splurge stay, and this was my definitely worth the 60 Euros I paid per night with breakfast. It was cheap by European standards, but comparing it with the similarly vintage Hotel Roemahkoe in Surakarta, the latter was the best value at 15 Euro per night.

Yogyakarta is by many considered the cultural capital of Java, and it receives lots of visitors, most of whom seem to be Indonesian tourists, As such, Yogyakarta has many hotels, including some quite luxurious, but only a few combine heritage and style with luxury as confidently as the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta.

Hotel Details

Name: The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta

Address: Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.9, Cokrodiningratan, Kec. Jetis, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55233, Indonesia

Telephone: +62274566617

Web Site: https://all.accor.com

How to get there: From Yogyakarta’s main station (Yogyakarta Tugu), walk 600m north, or take a taxi. From the airport, there’s actually fairly nice airconditioned public buses running to the hotel. Other than that# it’s fairly central and pretty much every taxi driver will know the location of the hotel.

The Small Print

I visited Indonesia ( 11 days in Java, 3 days in Bali) on my own in May 2025 This trip was entirely self-funded, in terms of fees, flights and accommodation.

Nothing you see here was sponsored, and I did not receive compensation, discounts, or special treatment in exchange for writing it. All my own honest and unbiased opinion. This post does contain affiliate links to the accommodations I stayed in and some alternatives I considered. If you book a hotel using my affiliate links, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please refer to my blog’s Terms and Conditions for further information.

This post reflects my personal opinion and experience and is not a statement of fact about any places or accommodation mentioned in this post. This post (well, my entire blog, except this) is free from generative Artificial Intelligence.