Unbelievable Balikpapan Luxury! RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House Awaits!
Unbelievable Balikpapan Luxury? Hold Your Horses… A Review of RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House Awaits! (SEO-Optimized Disaster Class)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sterile, corporate review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth – the good, the bad, and the really questionable – about Balikpapan's (allegedly) luxury offering: RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions because, honestly, after my stay, I'm still not sure if I need a vacation from my vacation.
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Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the… Slightly Confusing
They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. Now, I wasn't personally testing this, but the website mentioned it. Important note: I'd suggest calling ahead and clarifying specifically what "facilities" entail. Because, you know, words are cheap. Wheelchair accessibility seems plausible from the outside, but I’m an able-bodied person, so don’t take my word as gospel!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I think there was an attempt at a lounge area, near the (in)famous pool. Seemed physically accessible, but the concept of "lounge" was… loosely interpreted. (More on the pool later.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or, My Attempt at Bliss)
- Spa? Maybe Not: The website promised a spa with stuff like body wraps, scrubs and "spa-sauna." In my experience, it had a vague association with the word 'spa'. Think more "room with a massage table and a questionable aroma." I skipped the body wrap. Didn't want to get wrapped up in anything more than I already was.
- Fitness Center: Okay, the gym. This was a real gem. Imagine a tiny, overheated room crammed with equipment that looked like it was salvaged from a nuclear fallout shelter in the 80s. I saw a couple of treadmills eyeing me suspiciously, one lonely elliptical, and some weights that probably contributed to my impending shoulder injury just by looking at them. I lasted all of 5 minutes. Let's be honest, I probably got more exercise dodging the questionable food in the restaurant.
- Pool with a View…? Now, the pool. This was the centerpiece, the crown jewel, the… okay, the pool. The website promised a "pool with a view." And technically, they weren't lying. The "view" was of… some other buildings, and a small patch of sky (assuming you could catch enough air above the haze). The water was… well, let’s just say it had a certain je ne sais quoi of chlorine and something else… something faintly… organic. I tentatively dipped a toe in and quickly decided to admire it from afar. The poolside bar promised drinks. I'm not sure if it delivered. (Did I mention the heat?)
(Important Emotional Detour - Poolside Meltdown Potential)
I really wanted to have a "relaxing" vacation. A moment of peace away from the chaos. And the pool… I walked towards it expecting a splash of luxury, instead I got a splash of… disappointment. I almost cried. Okay, I might have shed a tear. Don't judge me.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Great Sanitization Scramble
They're trying, bless their hearts. They say they use anti-viral cleaning products, sanitize everything, and the staff has safety training. They also have hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I appreciated the effort, especially considering the state of the world. I did see staff cleaning in some common areas, and they seemed dedicated to it. But, with the sheer volume of people, it seemed almost… futile. Still, the effort was there.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Adventure in Culinary Courage
- Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, they had a buffet. It was… an experience. Asian breakfast options, Western options… a culinary gamble, to be honest. On day one I thought "This is going to be great!" On day two, I was less enthusiastic. I stuck to pre-packaged bread and (mystery) jam. The coffee… let's just say it needed a serious intervention. And the buffet? Well, let’s just say it had a certain "lived-in" feel by the time I got to it. They also had breakfast-in room, but I figured I was safe.
- Restaurants and Bars: There was a restaurant with an "Asian cuisine" element. I’m not sure if they called it Asian fusion, but everything seemed…fused. The menu was vast, the execution… less so. The bar was a dimly lit corner that seemed to have seen better days. Cocktails were… interesting.
- Snack Bar/Coffee Shop: There was a coffee shop. Or, at least, a place where coffee was attempted. Snacks were available. Mostly things in wrappers. Good for a last-minute craving.
(Emotional Reaction - Food as a Metaphor for Life?)
The food. Oh, the food. It wasn’t horrendous, per se. But it wasn’t… good. It was a constant reminder that I was on vacation. It was a constant reminder that, as a human, I needed to sustain myself. It was like… eating the potential of a meal. The flavors were there, but they were… muted. Kind of like my excitement for the vacation after the first couple of days wearing off.
Services and Conveniences: The "Things You Might Need"… Maybe
- Air Conditioning: Yes, thank GOD. It was a lifesaver.
- Cash Withdrawal/Currency Exchange: Yep. The hotel had those, essential for a traveler.
- Concierge: The concierge was… well, they were present. (They weren't super helpful in my case. I asked for a good restaurant, and ended up trying that buffet.)
- Daily Housekeeping: Housekeeping staff were lovely, and definitely trying, they did a good job keeping things tidy.
- Elevator: Yay, an elevator! Especially good if you end up with a room on a higher floor.
- Laundry and Dry Cleaning: Available. And probably needed.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: I saw some spaces that could potentially work for meetings.
- Airport Transfer: They offered this. I didn't use it, but an easy way to get around.
For the Kids:
- Family/child-friendly? Yes! Maybe. They claim it is. Didn’t see any kids actually around so… grain of salt.
Available in all Rooms: The Bare Necessities (and Some Surprises)
- Air Conditioning: A must-have in Balikpapan (and a blessing on my trip).
- Free Wi-Fi: Yes, and it mostly worked.
- Fridge: Nice.
- TV with Satellite/Cable: Yep.
- Hair Dryer: The hair dryer was a life saver! I need it to dry my wet hair.
(Quirky Observation - The Room Itself)
The room was… functional. Cleanish. The bed was comfortable enough, in a “give-me-something-to-lie-down-on-after-that-pool-experience” way. The bathroom, well it had one. The shower… well, it worked. I think I was expecting the Ritz after the website, but it was more of a… perfectly adequate… motel room. The Blackout Curtains were a life saver!
Getting Around:
- Car Park (free of charge): Yes. Free parking.
- Taxi Service: Available.
The Verdict:
Okay, the moment of truth. Would I recommend RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House? Hmmm… It wasn't awful. It wasn't the shining beacon of luxury promised (unless your definition of luxury involves slightly-questionable pool water, a questionable gym, and a buffet that tests the limits of your digestive system). It’s a solid, moderately priced place to stay if you have a few must-haves. It's not a bad option. It's a… functional option. Don't go expecting paradise, and you might just find yourself… relatively content? The staff try hard, but sometimes, effort just isn't enough. So, 2.5 out of 5 stars. Maybe 3 if you're really tired.
Tian Yuan Tower: Hangzhou's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Balikpapan adventure, or, you know, what passed for an adventure. Base of operations: RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House. Don't judge the name – it sounded good at 3 AM when I booked it between frantic job applications and a questionable bowl of instant noodles. Here we go…
Balikpapan Belly-Flop… a.k.a. My Very Real Itinerary (Attempt)
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and the Mystery of the Missing Towel
- Morning (or what I hoped would be morning): Bleary-eyed arrival at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport (which, by the way, sounds way cooler than it is). Passport control? Smooth. Bagel from the "airport cafe"? Stale. First impression: Indonesia is already testing my limits. Grabbed a Blue Bird taxi - finally, something that actually exists, unlike that 'luxury' taxi I saw on the airport's website (eye roll). Road trip begins!
- Mid-Morning (and the Great Towel Conspiracy): Arrived at RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House. Ah, yes. The room… It smelled vaguely of… something. Let's go with "tropical air with a side of potential mildew." Check-in was painless, yay! Then… the search for the towel. It wasn't there. Cue my internal meltdown. This is a hotel thing, right? Turns out, it was a very, very thin hand towel. That's not gonna cut it. I'm a towel person!
- Lunch (and the Nasi Goreng Revelation): Wandered out, slightly damp from the lack of a proper towel situation. Found a local warung (small restaurant) and ordered the only thing I could remotely decipher on the menu: Nasi Goreng. Oh. My. God. It was a symphony of flavors. I'm talking perfectly cooked rice, that fried egg with a runny yolk, a hint of sweet soy… my taste buds did a happy dance. Suddenly, the towel situation seemed… less dire.
- Afternoon (the City Exploration-ish): Walked. Got hot. Couldn't find any air conditioning. Saw a random group of people playing a kind of volleyball on a beach. Seemed fun. Maybe next time. Got delightfully lost. Gave up and bought a cheap soda. Decided to take a nap at the guest house.
- Evening (The Night Market and Regret): Attempted to find the night market. Got lost. Realized I had only brought my phone. Ended up eating at a dodgy seafood place that looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the last millennium. Ordered some grilled fish. Ended up with some kind of spiky, bony creature. Ate it, though, what am I supposed to do?
Day 2: The Oil Refinery Experience (and My Moral Dilemma)
- Morning (the quest for caffeine): Coffee. Important stuff. Apparently finding decent coffee is a whole thing in this town. Eventually found a local cafe, which provided a decent cup of joe (thank god).
- Mid-Morning (the Oil Refinery Tour, or: Am I Supporting something Evil?): Balikpapan is an oil town, people. So, I thought, "Hey! Immerse yourself! Learn something!" Booked the tour with slightly mixed feelings. The tour guide was very enthusiastic and the refinery was… massive. Think, endless metal tubes, and the smell of petroleum. Fascinating in a "this could destroy the planet" kind of way. Honestly? I felt weird. Like I was supporting the very thing that was making the planet slowly choke. It was a moral maze. I should have spent the day cleaning up plastic on the beach.
- Lunch (and the food coma): Went back to the warung for more Nasi Goreng. The best meal I had.
- Afternoon (the beach that wasn't): Tried to find a beach. Failed. Got hot. Bought another soda. Watched the clouds.
- Evening (The Great Towel Conspiracy, Part 2): Still no towel. Complained again. Got a bigger towel! Victory! Ate noodles and watched TV.
Day 3: Departure (and Promises of a Return… Maybe)
- Morning (the Balikpapan Goodbye): Woke up feeling… well, not exactly refreshed. The lack of perfect sleep and constant heat had taken its toll. Said farewell to my "friend" from the Guest House and promised (to myself) a better night's sleep next time.
- The Airport Rush: Last-minute souvenir shopping (ended up with a batik shirt that’s probably a small size). The airport was an organized chaos. Got my boarding pass, and sat at the gate.
- The Final Verdict: Balikpapan was… an experience. A messy, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately real experience. Would I go back? Maybe. I think I am a changed person. I’ll be more prepared next time: A real bath towel, sunscreen, and maybe a crash course in Indonesian.
- P.S. (because I am not done): I still can't find a good beach. Oh, and someone get me the numbers of the local laundromats.
Unbelievable Balikpapan Luxury! RedDoorz Plus @ Pelita Guest House: Let's Get Real!
So, what *is* this "Unbelievable Balikpapan Luxury" thing? Is it actually, you know... *luxury*?
**The Real Deal Anecdote:** I arrived utterly exhausted. Delayed flight, lost luggage (grrrr!). I was a mess. The front desk guy, Bless his heart, just *knew.* He offered me a welcome drink (some fruity concoction, perfectly chilled) and helped me sort out a laundry service. Later, when my suitcase finally arrived, he even *carried* it to my room. That level of service? Priceless. It saved me... well, it saved my sanity.
What's the *actual* room like? Don't give me brochure speak! Spill the beans!
**Quirky Observation:** The walls. They weren't paper thin, but you *could* hear a bit of what was going on in the hallway. Let's just say I got *very* familiar with the sounds of Indonesian soap operas during the off-hours. And the occasional door slam. Ah, the symphony of travel!
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast! This is crucial.
**Emotional Reaction:** Honestly? After the first couple of days, the breakfast was fine. It filled a hole. It meant I didn't have to go wandering around bleary-eyed and desperately searching for a cafe. It did the job. And sometimes, that’s all you need. I found myself looking forward to it, weirdly. It felt… familiar. Not amazing, but… comforting.
Okay, location, location, location! How far from... everything?
**Messier Structure & Occasional Rambles:** So, the location is… fine. Not perfect. But *nothing’s* perfect, is it? It's a trade-off. Quiet versus convenience. I tend to prefer the quiet now. After all, I only want to listen to my Indonesian drama shows in peace! Getting a taxi in the rain? A nightmare. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right? Or at least, that’s what I tell myself.
Would you recommend it... honestly? Given all the… imperfections?
**Stronger Emotional Reaction:** I actually *liked* it! I arrived stressed, and left… well, less stressed. That’s a win in my book. The whole experience was… comforting. I felt safe. That might sound weird for a review of a budget hotel, but it's true.
Any pro tips for surviving (and maybe enjoying) a stay?
**Pro Tip 2: Download the Grab app.** Trust me. You’ll thank me later.
**Pro Tip 3: Bring bug spray.** The mosquitos are relentless. And the itch is… unforgettable.
**Pro Tip 4: Embrace the chaos.** Balikpapan is… energetic. Let go of your expectations and enjoy the ride (and the food).
**Pro Tip 5: Be nice to the staff.** They genuinely work hard and are incredibly helpful. A smile and a "terima kasih" (thank you) go a long way. And if you see that front desk guy? Tell him he did good. He really did. He probably saved my trip.
