Bahowo Lodge

In our plans to dive in the Bunaken Marine Park, we have found this lodge through the TripAdvisor reviews, and after 5 nights there we felt not like being on a hotel or lodge, but spent that time really living on the Bahowo fishermen village. The lodge is in the middle of the village, next door to the local school. Rooms are simple and spacious, aircon works fine, WiFi have almost never failed, and the pool was a very refreshing option at the end of every day. Diving operators to which they work with are very professional, and we have made several tours around the area with their driver/tour guide, which lives in the village. The delicious food was always prepared by hired local residents, and adapted to anyone's tastes. But the best of our stay were really having dinner every night with all the hosts together in a family style, and to listen to Paula and Phill stories about the local habits and culture, as well as the odissey behind 2 English citizens building a lodge in such a small village in Indonesia where tourism have never existed before. There may be better options to stay in a hotel while diving in Bunaken, but if you really want to also live and understand a little bit more about the North Sulawesi way of life, the Bahowo Lodge is the place to stay.

I arrived here after three months in Borneo and it was just like coming home. From the moment I arrived I just relaxed, no more worrying about the next meal or even the next beer! Everything was just easy and effort free. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were spectacular, with so many different choices both vegetarian and not. So many discreet touches like free tea, the trust system for drinks, Marmite for breakfast, meals in a gazebo, the pool, hot showers and a really friendly atmosphere in the local village. With Phil and Paula in charge this is a very professionally run establishment. Little wonder they have so many repeat customers. A remarkable find in Sulawesi, of all places!

love this place! Fantastic staff and owners, some of the best food I have had in Indonesia and close to both a great dive center (they drive you there for free, it takes 5 min-perfect!) and lots of land adventures. Came as a couple, but looking back I realize it would also be great with kids - not least the garden and nice village setting. Perfect for anyone who wants to dive Bunaken, but wants something more interesting than the typical dive center scene.

A perfect place to spend your holidays if you want to relax, have incredible meals, dive at Bunaken and meet nice people. The British owners are really kind and they can offer you many tours around the place. Enjoy Bahowo!

This is a great place to see Sulawesi in a traditional village, from the free range pigs to the friendliest people in Indonesia. The owners Phil and Paula are good hosts, the breakfast is great and the bread is to die for, they also do a good spread in the evening, even if we did have to suffer the regular power cuts, not the fault of the owners though, these were throughout the Manado area. The only real complaint was the general untidiness of the outside areas, it just needed a good brush up, there was a beautiful area for just relaxing outside out room but it was so untidy, also the toilet seat in the bathroom wasn't fastened on at all, it was completely free of the base. On the upside was Raymon the driver who was superb, this guy can drive and he new everyone, very knowledgeable, just can't praise this guy enough, as for the house keeper, buy him a brush and show him how to use it. Overall I would recommend this homestay to friend, but please spend some time on your home, it's time for a little TLC I think