Hotel Review: Quest Hotel Simpang Lima Semarang

Despite the name, this Hotel is closer to Semarang Chinatown than the actual Simpang Lima. The First thing I noticed about this Hotel is how close it is to good restaurants and street food stalls. Across the street, there are Wedang Ronde and Tahu Gimbal stalls. Soto Bokoran, the legendary soto shop is right next door. Within a 5-minute walk, there are Kelengan Pork Satay restaurant and Dharma Boutique Coffee Roastery. 

Famous roads like Gajah Mada, where you can find Krabe Seafood, Rumah Makan Kelapa Gading, and Tahu Pong Gajah Mada is only 10 minutes away by foot through a small road by the river. 

In short, this hotel is a great basecamp for those who are too lazy to drive around, but are craving for delicious food. 

The 3-star hotel itself is still in the affordable range with a price range from Rp. 400,000 per night for a deluxe twin/double room at online travel agents. We stayed in a family room for 3 people, which costs Rp. 750,000 per night. The room has 1 double/queen bed and one single bed, but has no view. Our room is located on the second floor. The family room is slightly larger with 32m2 compared to the regular 26m2, and also includes breakfast. Although breakfast is unnecessary when you're in Semarang and in the Plampitan area. As I mentioned before, delicious food is everywhere at super affordable prices. I'd say choose wisely. 

At first glance, the hotel room is clean and neat. I do appreciate the space and the balcony, despite not being able to open the sliding door as it was locked. Air conditioner worked well and the room was well-lit. The Internet works great and hot water runs smoothly. I had no complaints during my 3-night stays at the hotel. 

Breakfast isn't awesome, but may be useful when you're too lazy to go out in the early hours. They have western fusion selections, bread, omelette, soto and porridge. Some Indonesian / Javanese food is also present. Coffees are poured over, but tea selections are surprisingly plentiful. They even have Butterfly Pea. Restaurant isn't luxurious but the waitresses are helpful and friendly. 

The hotel has a swimming pool which I didn't check out. Waters are on the dispenser, which we filled in the jar placed on the table in the room. This is actually a great idea, because we don't have to ask for bottled water every time. Even though the hotel may be crowded, there is always a parking spot. I didn't have to read about parking, even when I went back to the hotel at night. 

What matters is that Dudu thinks the hotel is okay, and he's able to sleep through the night. The check in and check out process are pretty fast. The only tricky thing about the hotel is how the surrounding roads are mostly one-way streets. When you come by car, there is only one direction to go. 

After trying out different hotels in Semarang, I think this is the one that we will return to. It's not new and definitely far from the ideal cozy luxury accommodation, but it's worth the prize. Its convenient location is definitely the main reason why. 

Check in at:
Quest Hotel Simpang Lima Semarang
Jl. Plampitan No.37-39, Bangunharjo, Kec. Semarang Tengah, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50138
(024) 3520808

Kapan Waktu yang Tepat untuk Menginap di Hotel Airport?

Selama 12 tahun jalan-jalan sama Dudu, saya baru 2 kali menginap di airport hotel. Keduanya di Changi Airport. Eh, Changi kan bagus, banyak tempat istirahat dan kegiatan yang bisa dilakukan. Buat apa menginap?

Jam berangkat yang kurang manusiawi. Jam mendarat yang terlalu malam, jadi MRT sudah tutup. Waktu transit yang kurang dari 12 jam. Tiga hal itu yang biasanya menjadi alasan saya untuk menginap di hotel airport. Selain tentunya karena saya bawa balita.

Tapi emang worth it? 

Where to Stay in Sokcho: James Blue Hostel

“Musim Gugur adalah saat terbaik untuk mengunjungi Korea karena warna daun yang berubah. Pemandangannya indah,” begitu kata James, pemilik James Blue Hostel di Sokcho. Ketika bias Kpop saya, si Yesung, sharing foto daun berguguran di Instagramnya, saya jadi ingat kalau saya belum menulis review penginapan yang satu ini.

Despite what people say, saya masih menemukan kesulitan berkomunikasi dengan orang-orang di Korea, terutama di kota kecil. Termasuk Sokcho, yang satpam bank-nya saja baru menjawab ketika saya nekat bertanya dengan bahasa Korea. Masalahnya karena mau ke Gunung Sorak, kita harus menginap di Sokcho. Terletak di ujung timur Gangwon-do, kota ini terkenal sebagai perbatasan dan karena produk hasil lautnya yang segar. Biasanya orang Korea ke Sokcho untuk menyambut matahari terbit yang pertama di pantainya.

Untung juga kita datang tanggal 1 Januari ketika semua orang sudah checkout.

Menemukan satu penginapan yang nyaman buat anak dan pemilik yang super friendly plus lancar berbahasa Inggris di Sokcho adalah salah satu hal yang paling melegakan. James Blue Guesthouse di Sokcho muncul di urutan teratas website Trip Advisor. Saya memilih stay di sini hanya berdasarkan review orang-orang yang bilang kalo Mr. James bisa berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggris.

Ternyata saya mendapatkan lebih dari pemilik penginapan yang lancar Bahasa Inggris.

Overnight StayThe Sunan Hotel Solo

There’s always first time for everything. Been going back and forth to Java several times, this was the first time we flew in to Adi Sumarmo Airport in Solo. My first time to book the hotel through a mobile application as well. It’s Sunan Hotel, Solo. Our first time staying there and it seems like we’re going to return one day. Why? Check out our reasons below. 

Service and Check-in
We’re in town for a cousin’s wedding. So we flew in on the first flight and arrived at the hotel around 9AM, way before the designated check in time. However, the friendly receptionist at The Sunan Hotel registered us in, so that after we returned from the wedding ceremony at the church we can just ask for the key and entered our room without going through the administration process. I was once told that check-in duration is an important review factor. Well, if that’s true, then this hotel is included on the fast, hassle-free category. I ordered the room through Traveloka, and I don’t print out the confirmation page. The Sunan Hotel Solo is already familiar with the digital world and I only have to mention the name used for booking plus a valid government ID and we’re set for check in in no time.

Discovery Hotel and Convention Ancol

Staycation is the answer to the short-period holiday time. Well at least for us. A sudden invitation to stay overnight at Ancol Dreamland brought us to the doorstep of Discovery Hotel and Convention which is located right next door to Dunia Fantasi.

Upon online booking and phone confirmation, we're set to go for a weekend stay with office colleagues. When you book a room at Discovery Hotel and Convention Ancol, they will send you a free entrance pass for two adults and a car to enter Ancol Dreamland for free. But because I came with a colleague, Andrew is extra charge at the gate. 

The room is spacious, large enough for young kids to wander around. A working table at the corner makes it more business-like than family fun. Bed is comfortably, the type you'd wanna go under the blanket right away. It's a little squeaky, I found out because Dudu moves around in his sleep, but doesn't really disturb his sleep. It has Dufan view although the theme park itself is rather hidden by the trees.

Holiday Inn Express Semarang

While Semarang is our second hometown, it's always hard to find a place to stay.
This time we decided to go for something new.

Our Story
We arrived at 9 AM and the hotel check in is 12 PM, but the receptionist let us put our luggage up front so we're free to walk around. The hotel is 5-minute walk to the city center (Simpang Lima), and it was early enough to explore the city without the traffic and the heat. We returned in the afternoon, to find the room beyond our expectation: It was bigger and nicer than expectation. The view is actually great, but the development next door obstruct our view to Simpang Lima.

Star Hotel Semarang (Previously Best Western)

Visiting the rooftop pool is a must. It gives you a different perspective of Semarang.

Rooftop View at night

(update 2016, on my recent search, I found out that the hotel has taken out the "Best Western" out of its name, so here I updated the name and contacts so not to mislead guests. None of the review below are altered.)

Bedroom

Solo Paragon Hotel & Residences

Located right in the heart of Solo, Solo Paragon is one modern apartment-turned hotel in town. It’s easy to find, you just have to find the tallest building there.

Our Story:

We're tavelling with family of an odd number of 6. So, we're looking for an apartment-type of hotel. That's how we found this "Executive Suite" of Solo Paragon.There’s no lounge whatsoever (we asked upon booking), so staying in a suite means you just get a larger room plus a living room large enough for family gathering. Well, the hotel is more like a service residence afterall. One downside is breakfast not included (it’s Rp. 60k/person if you want to have breakfast). But hey, you’re in Solo, there are plenty of nasi liwet around. Just go down the hotel, walk around and you’ll find many street vendors ready to sell breakfast. 

Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta

Finding cheap good hotels in Jogja isn’t that easy nowadays. So with the prices offered for a place to stay, Tentrem Hotel is one of those you’d pay and be satisfied with what you get in return.

Swimming Pool is across the breakfast area

Our Story:
We booked online and checked in quite late that day. In minutes we’re able to get a room in 2nd floor. The lobby is huge, and for us, it was quite a surprise to find a hotel in the middle of the city of Jogja with a lobby this big. Parking is an easy matter too. Our first impression of the hotel is: “Look, Mom! The elevator has a chair to sit on.” We never get to sit that long cos we’re staying on the 2nd floor. Too bad.

The room is comfortable and spacious. Our view may not be the best (the hotel is building a grand ballroom next door). But Andrew enjoyed the hotel too much that he (for the first time) could only fall asleep on midnight. He set the alarm for 7 the following morning and woke up happy. He loves the breakfast and plays in the playground (it’s raining so we skip the pool) for hours. I ask him what he loves the most about Tentrem, here’s what he has to say: “There are a lot of things to play in the hotel, there’s a table soccer game by the pool and the playground is awesome. The bed is really cool and I love having alarm clock next to my bed.”

Honestly, other than my brother's complaining that this hotel could use a slightly smoother check-in process, and that it only has instant ginger coffee packets in the room, I have nothing to complain about our stay.

Playground

Make The Most of Your Visit:

• Make use of the playground – especially when you visit during the rainy season. The pool is outdoor so the kids playground (which has indoor gym, and creativity corner) is a life saver. Just don’t forget to bring socks to play here.
• Come early for breakfast. When the hotel is full, it’s a little pack during breakfast time. Food selection is awesome though and it’s refilled everytime.
• Take becak to go to Malioboro. It’s not to far, but will be a stretch for walking.

The Table Soccer Game

Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta

Jl A.M, Sangaji, Yogyakarta 55233

Telp. (0274) 6415555

hoteltentrem.com