Lower Budget Accommodations
Maluku Divers has always assisted people wishing to explore Ambon on a lower budget, through sharing information and helping with bookings at local homestays. Since the Maluku Divers Resort moved to Laha village, two homestays have opened in the local vicinity and Maluku Divers can assist with reservations for individual guests. These homestays are generally comfortable enough and the families who run them are warm and welcoming, however the facilities are very basic and can be subject to long power cuts, which can be uncomfortable at night.
Divers staying at alternative accommodation will need to arrange their own transport to and from the resort in time to catch the departure of the dive vessel. Meal provisions are also affected, but usually homestays have local warungs close by, so food can be acquired in the village, or a meal package taken with Maluku Divers.
Inevitably staying at this alternative accommodation will not be as convenient as staying at the Maluku Divers Resort, however it does enable divers to experience the island of Ambon on a slightly lower budget.
Michael’s Homestay
Michael is a great friend of Maluku Divers. Most divers who visit Ambon will meet Michael, as he is the Tourism Representative at Ambon airport, meaning he meets and greets all international guests as they arrive in the terminal in Ambon. Michael’s homestay houses three rooms, two double bedrooms and one twin room. They are fan rooms and share a bathroom with separate shower. Maluku Divers helped Michael develop his homestay facility by donating a shower and helping with the bathroom. Rates at Michael’s homestay start at Rp100,000 per person per night.
Not only does Michael have a great homestay and a lovely personality, he is also a very talented musician and it is quite possible to hear Michael serenading Maluku Divers guests in the resort restaurant. Michael’s traditional Ambonese songs were chosen by Tony Wu as backing for his “Ambon Beneath the Waves” video.
Michael’s Homestay
Maluku Divers
Syifa Homestay
Syifa homestay has recently opened in Laha and is the first homestay to have air conditioning in some of the rooms. Inevitably this only works when the government power supply is connected, but this airconditioning and the fact that several rooms have basic en-suite bathrooms, means that the homestay is a little more expensive, with rooms ranging from Rp200,000 through to Rp300,000 per night.
Syifa homestay has a nice little terrace on the front of the building and a pretty garden at the rear, overlooking the bay towards Ambon City. It is located a little closer than Michael’s, the transfer to the Maluku Divers Resort takes about five minutes, but the location in the village means that guests will experience the sights and sounds of the local community in the evening and sometimes a party at night too.
Syifa Homestay
Maluku Divers
