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

Adventure Time Christmas With Finn & Jake

We visited the playground on its last weekend on Gandaria City (thanks to a Twitter quiz for the free tickets). 

Land of Ooo Playground - it's FUN!

We didn’t get a chance to experience the meet and greet of Finn and Jake, but we did try  the playground. It’s not as big as we had expected and there are only three items on the playground: the pink-colored princess bridge, the ball-throwing game and the slide area. I thought my son was too old for that.

Cimory On The Valley

By now, I assume people know Cimory. After expanding its Puncak branch, Cimory moves to open another one in Central Java, on the mountainous region of Bawen. 

Restaurant and Playground

Where exactly is Bawen? It’s between Semarang and Salatiga, somewhere near Ungaran. In the near future, when the toll road is open, Cimory will be easier to find. In the meantime, from Semarang, you can just go on the toll road, exit Ungaran and go towards Salatiga. You won’t miss Cimory.

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

Jakarta Kids Run

Running For Kids? Why not?

So, the other day we brave ourselves (or rather Andrew did) to do a morning run.

http://dunialari.com/jakartakidsrun2013/

Kids warming up, led by instructor

Running preparation

There are two categories: Running with parents for 3-6 years old and Kids Running for 7-12 years old. Registration was quite easy through online and bank transfer for payment. The day before, we stopped by fX to pick up his running gear and number. We arrived on the day at around 6 AM, and register again. Warming up started and 6.30ish and by 7, the little kids are running with their parents. 

The First HI-5 Mall Show Ever In Indonesia

Hi-5 are Ainsley, Lauren, Mary, Dasem dan Stevie. Kids are familiar with them, thanks to the Australian TV Show. Now they are coming to perform LIVE in Jakarta. 

If you're a Hi-5 fan, you'd be excited. Even if you're not a Hi-5 fan (like my 7-year-old son who didn't know who are these people before coming to their show), this show is still as entertaining.