i have home 3,5km below crater m.locon.a old minahasa two flor woods house as a start point to explore Tomohon tourism its was only a hobby a give above.^^ and this is some of they story
opinion of my frends from wells ^^ “Vian is an excellent host, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A person who taught us so much about Indonesian culture in just two short days and a wealth of knowledge if you want to hike or visit local attractions like the volcanoes and lakes. Tomohon is a great little town, very friendly people and many restaurants and a delicious food market. Staying with Vian is very much a homestay arrangement. The accomodation is a normal Indonesian family house, this means a shared squat toilet and no shower or sink (bucket) and a very basic bedroom. This is not a '5 star hotel' as Vian jokes! This is an authentic experience and Vian and his family are very hospitable and many of his relatives arrived with vegan food when we mentioned that we were not meat eaters. What the accomodation lacked in value, quality and comfort, it was made up for by delicious homecooked meals and pure kindness. This is not your average Air B&B experience and for that reason it's not for everyone. The family rise early and there can be load music and lots of laughter and shouting throughout the day. If you're looking for comfort and a chill, there are plenty of hotels in the area. If you are looking for a real rustic travel experience and lots of smiles, go for Vian's place.”...
from women name ina germeny...Before I will go into details, I want to underline: Vian was an amazing host. Already before I arrived, he was so anxious to inform me about Tomohon,the area around and Indonesien standards. In addition he gives me some advice how to get there and what i have to notice. Yeah, i really felt safe and welcome. And also during my stay (i was there for three nights) he took such an offer, showing me around and to help me planning my trip. Apart from that vian provided me an insight into the local live. By visiting his family, i also come in contact with locals and i didn't feel lonely anymore. For me it was such an amazing time: i had a nice quiet room, tasty food and i got to know so hearty people. I really want to thank you!!! So if you want to become acquainted with the tradition of the minahasa culture, you have to stay with vian. I can promise, you will enjoy it!
Martin Koref
Havlickuv Brod, Vysocina Region, Czech Republic
Dec 2016 2 Nights
Confirmed Stay - Would Stay With vian Again
Me and my friend stayed with Vian two nights and we definitely had great time. Eventhough Vian was busy at work, he was nice to arrange delicious indonesian breakfast with his mom for us and we also spent most of the time with his friends who showed us around, took us for Christmas dinner and helped us to climb Mt. Lokon. Thank you so much Vian!
Daniel Q.
01-07-2017
5.4 / 10
A very disappointing experience which put a dark cloud over my holiday. I normally don't write negative reviews but in this case I think other people should be aware before booking and the owners should make significant improvements in future. The price is low and the accommodation basic, but to be honest it is still far too high for what you get. There were several issues but the main problem was people coming in and out of the house late at night and - even worse - two of the people who live there having an argument at 3.30am. No chance to get any sleep.
Christian Hunter
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Sep 2017 Nights almost a weeks
Confirmed Stay - Would Stay With vian Again
The location of Apelez house is in a very nice and natural surroundings. The views on volcano's and hilly Forrest is splendid.
I have come to stay a view days and enjoy the family like atmosphere a lot.
Oktavianus and his family are very nice people. I can recommend this nice place to anyone.
润
Vian, the host's description is accurate. He warned me before I booked place about the fact that it's a simple Asian family style room. I wasn't going for a satisfactory sleep so it was fine for me. What meets exactly what I was expecting is that the house is in some native neighborhood, made it easier for me to explore the local life and meet and talk to local people. The night I checked in is New Year's Eve, I can easily observe how local people celebrated the moment from the balcony of the house, really got what I expected. Vian is fantastic, hospitable, responsible, quick in responding messages. He invited me to his family celebrating event on the first day of 2018, I talked with he and his family, eating the celebrating food. Wonderful. Vian took me a tour around the Tomohan town, and offered a taxi service to send me to the airport when I left.
Dari Hong Kong · Januari 2018 ·
Caroline
We had such a lovely time In Vian's place! It was a great experience. His family and friends were amazingly welcoming. I really recommend staying there!
Dari London, Inggris · Agustus 2017 ·
Alan Fink , (AR)
Basic place.....one of the most authentic experience in all Sulawesi!
This particular place made us an incredible stay in Tomohon. resuming ... the place is very basic, as you can read on the reviews. But the good things started the same night when we arrived to the place, we met Vien (the owner) he took us to his home where we eat with him and his mother. He is very funny, very friendly, open minded, knowledgeable person. we met his family and his amazing mom, where she took us to a funeral ceremony (very authentic), then we met some friends of him, where they invited us to ate and drink the traditional drink, we hiked with his friend to the volcano where we saw amazing views. we spent with him one of the most authentic experience in all Sulawesi!
Vian must to improve the place haha, but the experience that we found was one of the most authentic in all Sulawesi!
Claudia Santos
Porto, Porto District, Portugal
Aug 2018 1 Night
Confirmed Stay - Would Stay With vian Again
We stay 2 days with Vian and his family and we were treated like family. We had such an amazing experience in tomohon and what made it special was Vian and Mum Non :)
Terima kasih
Christian ,frencs prancis
Nous avons aimé Tomohon, mais séjour gâché par l’habitat
Heu... pas grand chose
Pas où peu d’accueil. Établissement poussiéreux et sale un peu comme s’il n’avait pas été habité depuis plusieurs années. La salle de bain (!) donne sur le toit, n’a pas de plafond, pas de porte et pas de lumière. Et ça mouille quand il pleut. La chambre est en bois , au dessus d’une salle informatique de 8 postes à haut parleurs efficaces qui fonctionnent même la nuit... et à 4 heures du matin, les jeux de foot, ça énerve. Le prix payé (200 000), est complètement disproportionné par rapport à d’autres types de logements que nous avons eus.
Ion Maleas
Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
26 References • Member since 2011
Aug 2018 3 Nights
Confirmed Stay - Would Stay With vian Again
Vian was a super accommodating and knowledgeable host. He knew, and was happy to share, many things about the local Minahasa culture, and Indonesian history and politics in general. We stayed in his sisters house in Kakaskasen, and we were very lucky since his mother was cooking amazing food! We were unlucky to miss the Flower Festival but Vian was quite involved in it and I would definitely suggest staying with him for any of the next festivals! Thank you Vian and next time I'll see you for the festival! ;)
Quah William , singapura
Very homely homestay
I didn't stay at the property in Kinilow but in Kakaskasen. It was a very homely place where the family was very friendly and even brought me to the church and some visiting of family during the Good Friday and Easter break I was there. Vian is a great guy who brought me around and suggested places to go and guides. Non the family matriarch was also kind to me and always kept me fed! Also, the place is near to Mahawu and Lokon, and there is quite a lovely stroll to see the farmlands and children playing around the house. Access to the bus terminal is also easy from the main road! One last thing is that the place is also a laundry so you can get your clothes washed and pressed!
Staying in the wooden attic, the floor creaks when you walk around. The toilet light was not working which makes it a pain to use it at night. Also, I can imagine that if the weather was a little hotter, it might get quite stuffy without a fan.
Arndt Vetter 12 minggu yang lalu
The owner is very friendly, but his homestay is only for those who enjoy zero comfort and can stand the dirt, dust and noise.
Aufa Shiddiq
Senen, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, Indonesia
Sep 2017
Positive
when I post a public trip to Tomohon, Vian offering me a couch to stay. my decicion to stay with him is a good decicion. Actually, his house is a homestay with minahasa traditional house style but there is a free room for couchsurfers. I really enjoy staying with vian and hang out together with him and his family as well. He know everything about tomohon. Thanks
WanderingTom , britis uk england
Basic and enjoyable
The owner Vian was great, very friendly and knowledgeable. He even invited me to join his family for food in the evening. The other staff I met were great too. It is very basic, no luxuries, and the traditional building is a little worn down. For me that was part of the fun of staying here, but it might no be your choice if you prefer comfort.
There was some sand/grit in the bedroom and on the bed when I arrived which should have been cleared up. Apart from that, its very basic but fine considering the price. The toilet is basic and there is no shower
Irene V.
Torino, Piemonte, Italy
Aug 2018
Recommends vian
Vian insisted to host me in Tomohon for the Flower Festival, but I already had a host in Manado so I had to decline his offer, but we managed to meet and he took me, Belen, Joan and his two guests to a great family party (50 years anniversary) where everyone was so welcoming, offering us lots of food and singing karaoke. Thanks again, it was really nice meeting you even if shortly.
Elisabeth Marcel
Besançon, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France
Jun 2017
Positive
We were hosted 3 days in Vian's homestay and Vian was very helpful with us. He brought us to his mother's house and sister's house and we spent a memorable time there chatting, singing, laughing... and the following day to à friend's birthday.
Thank you for all.
Elisabeth and Serge
Omah Kontainer 49 minggu yang lalu
if you want to experice staying in the old traditional house of tomohon overlooking the majestic lokon volcanic mountain on budget travel, you should stay here. Doddy and family as the housrle keeper are so friendly whilst vian as a host a man with a know how to explore the hidden path of tomohon.
Martin Simunek
Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Nov 2018
Recommends vian
Vian quickly accepted my last minute request and we had much fun with the people in his house, they helped me cook the bat and snake, we were also speaking long into the night. Can only recommend.
