The Rinra Hotel
Makassar, South Sulawesi

Set on the Makassar waterfront with sweeping views across the Java Sea, The Rinra is the city’s smartest hotel and an easy choice for travellers passing through South Sulawesi. Makassar is the starting point for most journeys into the island’s interior, whether heading north to Toraja or east to Sengkang, and The Rinra provides a comfortable, contemporary base to pause and regroup before the next adventure.

Rooms are airy and well-appointed, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing either sea or city views. Décor is sleek but not sterile with polished timber, soft fabrics and neutral tones create a calm, modern feel. The best rooms come with balconies for enjoying Makassar’s fiery sunsets, while spacious bathrooms and large beds make overnight stays genuinely restorative.

The hotel has several restaurants and bars, with menus that move easily between Indonesian flavours and international staples. The all-day dining option is convenient for those arriving on late flights, while the rooftop pool bar is a sociable spot for cocktails with the sea spread out below. Breakfast is extensive, offering everything from tropical fruit to freshly made noodles.

There’s a large infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a well-equipped gym and an in-house spa offering a range of massages and treatments. Service is attentive without being overbearing, with staff used to catering for both international travellers and local business guests.

While The Rinra doesn’t carry the cultural charm of Sulawesi’s highlands or the barefoot appeal of its island resorts, it does deliver comfort and reliability in a city where stylish options are limited. For an overnight in Makassar, whether on arrival, before an early morning transfer or as a breather between journeys, this is a solid and surprisingly polished choice.

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign.
Robert Louis Stevenson