Elmi is actually an "out-of-date" hotel and not commonly-known by younger people, particularly non-Surabaya inhabitants.
My first visit here was in late 2010, only to attend a meeting (not staying here). However, I was really impressed with their food (fried noodle, fried prawn, etc). Almost like home-cooking cuisines. It's a rare occassion for me to find good Indonesian foods in hotels.
In mid 2011, I had a business travel to Surabaya, and this time I chose Elmi for my stay. I enjoyed a good dinner in their coffee shop. The next morning, I also enjoyed a good breakfast here.
However, it must be acknowledged, that this hotel is aging, and every parts of the building are clearly showing its age, exterior, lobby, lift/elevator, dining area, and the room itself.
The bed furniture has been quite worn-out, so it made small rickety noises. I also observed some ants in the wall.
But if you are looking for a good food, this hotel is worthy for your stay. As a 3-star hotel, Elmi has a much superior food compared to international chain-hotels in Surabaya, such as Novotel or Ibis.
Additionally, the hotel is located in the center of Surabaya, so you won't have troubles on accessibility to places of interest in the town.
- Elmi Hotel Surabaya
