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Things To Do In MesaStila Resort And Spa Magelang, Central Java

 While the Japan Winter 2019 series is put on hold again, I wanted to take the time to write about our stay at MesaStila Resort And Spa in Magelang, Central Java. It was the beginning of July 2022 and we had a school holiday. This is during the time we started traveling again after all the lockdowns and whatnot. The three of us plus a few of our friends decided to book a couple of nights' stay at MesaStila.  

MesaStila Resort And Spa is strategically positioned near the mountains of Central Java. This coffee plantation-turned luxury resort occupies a vast land area and takes pride in its curated authentic traditional Javanese Rumah Joglo villas procured from places all around Java. The resort also features a swimming pool, horse stable, garden and farm, a coffee shop, and of course, a working coffee plantation.

The beauty of same-island travel is that we can drive there. It takes a bit longer, but overall if you count the waiting time for air travel, it's actually better to drive. Our drive from Jakarta to MesaStila took about 8 hours, and that includes a couple of stops at the rest area. We made sure to leave early enough to arrive just in time for the afternoon tea. 

Upon arrival, we dropped off our belongings at the concierge area that used to be a train station (authentic!) and checked in at the reception which used to be the main building for the coffee plantation. So without further ado, here are our top things to do at MesaStila Resort And Spa in Magelang.

Horse Riding

If you ask Miss Kiki, horse riding has got to be the highlight of the trip. She got to meet and ride the two horses, and also visit them and pet them at every opportunity she got. The horse trainer recognized that Miss Kiki has had some riding experience so he let her do some practice too. It's worth noting that every single staff we met at MesaStila was super friendly and we really felt that they were genuinely happy to greet and help us.


Coffee Plantation Tour

For history and coffee buffs, the coffee plantation tour is much recommended. The tour is conducted in English and you can learn not only about how Losari Coffee Plantation ended up being MesaStila, but also about different types of coffee plants and how to differentiate them. The tour ends at the coffee shop and we were treated to coffee beans and palm sugar for snacks.

Smelling the coffee flower

Robusta, Arabica, and Excelsa Coffee Leafs

Manual Coffee Roasting

Light Trekking To Candi Umbul

Though the title is Trekking to Candi Umbul, don't expect much from the destination itself. The remnants of an ancient bathhouse that is now a public bathhouse and we didn't really find it interesting. Instead, enjoy the trip there! Walk over the hills, through the grass, see various plants, and enjoy the cool fresh air. The trekking is kid-friendly, and on the way back we stopped at a local house and enjoyed the resort-provided lunch with a view.

Crossing a bamboo bridge

Enjoying the walk

Beautiful paddy terraces

Near Candi Umbul

Mt. Andong

Light lunch on the way back

Mt. Andong

Mt. Andong

Enjoy the little things in life

DH and Mt. Andong


Soak In The Villa's Bathtub

Most, if not all of the villas at MesaStila boast an oversized bathtub with a view. Soak in one of these and fantasize about being a Javanese royalty back in the day. The bathtub comes with enough hot water to dip in, something that we now know that it is important :D (Ref: Glamping in Kancana Mandira)

Bathtub in Coffee Plantation Villa at MesaStila


Try Jamu And Secang Tea

When you stay at MesaStila, breakfast and afternoon tea is included. Breakfast time is your chance to try a variety of Indonesian jamu, a traditional herbal drink. Our favorites are beras kencur and kunyit asem, which has a sweeter and milder taste. We must say, the jamu at MesaStila is of exceptional quality! During afternoon tea time, give secang tea a try. It's made of secang tree barks and is flavoured with spices. Squeeze in some lime juice and see the colour magic happen!

Miss Kiki Trying Jamu








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