BUDGET

Hotel Patrisia : Clean, sparse rooms, all with private {some Western) bathrooms and two beds. Higher rate buys air-con and TV.

Mess Hijas : Every room at this business-traveller favourite includes air-con, TV and Western bathroom, many with hot water, plus a friendly, efficient vibe throughout.

Hotel Merpati : Budget rooms include air-con and private mandi. Good value are the main-building rooms from 126,000Rp with minibar, hot/cold shower and free wi-fi in the lobby.

Hotel Queen : Simple rooms here all have air-con and TV. The cheapest rooms share spotless bathrooms with Western toilets.

Ateng Konse : Bright rooms include air-con, TV, private bathroom and homely frills like bedspread, water dispenser and curtains.

More budget options: Hosanna inn :Above Berjaya Tour, most rooms have snared bath and no windows. Smoking is restricted to the terrace.

Hotel Surya : Reliable rooms with air-con, TV and private bathroom with shower.

MIDRANGE & TOP END

Many hotels offer substantial discounts at airport kiosks

Central Hotel : Ignore that ground-floor barber shop: Central's no clip joint. Weathered standard rooms include hot-water shower, air-con and extraordinarily helpful staff. Pricier renovated rooms add style.

Hotel Kapuas Dharma : Midrange sibling of Hotel Kapuas offers comforts including hot-water shower, minibar and elevator at value rates.

Kartika Hotel : Riverside terrace, bright yellow decor, modern ftirnishings, tennis court: advantage Kartika.

Hotel Kapuas : Posh rooms in a resort setting with fitness centre, vast pool and bar.

Hotel Kini : A new wing opened in 2009 adding more large, comfortable rooms, often discounted by 25%. Suites shine.

Hotel Santika : Angle for 30% discounts at this branch of a national chain offering relaxed elegance in swanky rooms. The 3rd-floor features a lounge with live music. Nonsmoking rooms available.

Grand Mahkota Hotel : This contender for Pontianak's best puts luxury furnishings and original art in each room and offers steep weekend discounts. Swimming pool under construction during our visit. Nonsmoking rooms are available.

Bintang Hotel :aliable waterfront rooms with friendly staff, jn-room wi-fi with voucher, and travel agent on site.

Hotel Nuansa Indah : Opposite pamai Terminal, Nuansa Indah's new wing features a huge pool, fitness centre, plus free wi-fi in its swish lobby and 24-hour coffee shop. Simple to stylish rooms are good value and just a short walk to the beach. Nonsmoking rooms are available.

Hotel Grand Tiga Mustika : Rooms at this self-proclaimed 'three-star plus with four-star facilities' hotel include wired internet access, minibar, kettle, international TV and Chinese furnishings bordering on kitsch. For nonguests, pool packages (per person 30,000Rp weekdays, 40,000Rp weekends) include choice of meal or snack.

Adika Hotel Bahtera : This three-star predecessor of Hotel Menara Bahtera (below) features wi-fi in public areas and free cabled internet among in-room comforts, Shared facilities include swimming pool and business centre.

Hotel Menara Bahtera : This sophisticated new four-star tower just behind Adika Hotel Bahtera (above) has wi-fi in the lobby and free cabled internet in the rooms.

Hotel Mega Lestari : Plush newbie has must-see staircase murals from Michelangelo to Les Miserables. Its richly furnished rooms, 20m pool, glass elevator with seaview, free wifi in the lobby and 24-hour coffee shop, frequently come with 20% discounts. Nonsmoking rooms are available.