Backpacker Kawah Ijen, Homestay & Dormitory Backpacker Kawah Ijen

Good location. Kind staff. They have a cool map of the area on the wall with highlighted tourist attractions beyond the usual (ijen, bromo, tumpak sewu). Java is beautiful and has a lot to explore.
I booked a bed in the dorm room for 80k. Good price for an AC room in the area. I left because I couldn't stomach the condition of the place: dust, mold, etc. The bunks are not very sturdy. They also don't have curtains on the beds or the windows, so outside light infiltrates the room during the night. Bring an eye mask if you stay here!

We booked the shared trip ijen crater.
—————————————
TL;TR;
— health certificate — > just to make money.
— ⁠guide not really needed (but regulation says it’s mandatory)
— driver disrespectful! (Thats actually why I write the reference… thats a no go for me)
— ⁠i would not book here again.
—————————————
Well it’s a cheap price BUT.
— driver was too late.
— ⁠health certificate is just to make money! We just got one without even doing a check but we paid for it.
— ⁠we had to run after the equipment we should have got hand over (they would have let us walk up in the dark without headlights, if we would not have said something)
— ⁠we had to ask specifically for the water which was included else we would not have got it (it’s only 0.5l just that your aware… and they will not give you an additional one, even if you ask for it before the start)
— ⁠our guide was everywhere but with us (he showed up from time to time)
— ⁠our group was split all over the place.
— ⁠guide didn’t really speak English.
— ⁠guide didn’t gave us ANY additional information AT ALL…like where the mining is happening, about the blue fire, general facts… ZERO…
— ⁠our guide lost one of our group on the way back!
— ⁠the driver was super rude! A guy had 3k (three! ) to less money with him and the driver said super angry he will leaving him at the parking lot with no ride back! And he was kinda serious… im sure the guy would have given him the 3k as soon they would have been back.

Okayish hostel. The location is far from the ferry harbour but otherwise happening places are nearby.
Front desk guy keeps a fake smile on his face and everytime I had a question about stuff, he had to go ask her owner. Hostel should probably give some decision making power to the front desk. Rooms are good for the price and food is inexpensive. Basically a stop to start your Ijen tour, that’s it. There is no hostel vibe otherwise.