Escape to Paradise: Lembah Indah Resort Awaits in Malang, Indonesia
Escape to Paradise (or Maybe Just a Really Good Resort?) Lembah Indah Malang: A Review That's More "Real" Than "Perfect"
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the iced tea, probably, because, Malang, Indonesia. And the tea is about Lembah Indah Resort. I just got back, and honestly, I'm still processing it. Think "idyllic mountain getaway" mixed with "a slight existential crisis about how much time I spend on my phone." Now, let's dive in, shall we? Forget your templated hotel reviews; we're going full-on us.
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Getting There & Around: The Ups and Downs (Mostly Ups)
Okay, so the accessibility… Let's address the elephant in the room. Or, rather, the lack of an elephant. While they claim to have facilities for disabled guests, I'd suggest you contact them directly and grill them about specifics. I didn't see a ton of ramps, and the terrain is… hilly. Very, very hilly. You are in the mountains, people!
- Airport Transfer: The resort thankfully organized a transfer for me; a godsend after a long flight. Comfortable, air-conditioned – a good start. (Score: 9/10)
- Car Park: Free and on-site and a good area to park, the only fault here is the slopes but it's manageable. (Score: 8/10)
- Getting Around within the resort: This is where things get interesting. Lots of walking. Lots of stairs. They did have golf carts buzzing around, which you could potentially flag down, but relying on them felt a bit… precarious. Plus, they seemed perpetually busy. So, wear comfy shoes. Or, if you, like me, forgot to pack comfy shoes, embrace the pain.
- Taxi service: Available, but I'm not sure how readily available. (Score: 7/10)
Rooms: The Good, the Okay, and the "Did I Leave the Lights On?" (aka The "Available in all rooms" breakdown)
My room? Pretty darn good. Spacious, clean, and bless them, truly dark curtains. That's a win for this light-sensitive vampire.
- Things I adored: The bed (seriously, a cloud!), the complimentary bottled water (Hallelujah!), and the in-room safe box (a must for a paranoid tourist).
- The "meh" moments: The WiFi (more on that later), the lack of an obvious power outlet near the bed (a minor annoyance, but still…), and the fact that the "view" from my window was partially obscured by trees. (Score: 8/10 overall)
- The Details: Additional toilet, Air conditioning (essential!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes (yes!), Bathroom phone (a bit retro, but fun!), Bathtub (hello, relaxation!), Blackout curtains (see above!), Carpeting (comfort!), Closet (storage!), Coffee/tea maker (YES!), Complimentary tea (nice touch!), Daily housekeeping (spotless!), Desk (for all that important…email checking), Extra long bed (yay for tall people, or just people who like to sprawl!), Free bottled water (dehydration is no joke!), Hair dryer (saved my sanity!), High floor (a good view!), In-room safe box (trust is earned!), Interconnecting room(s) available (good for families!), Internet access – LAN (not tested), Internet access – wireless (see WiFi section), Ironing facilities (wrinkle-free living!), Laptop workspace (work, if you must!), Linens (clean and fresh!), Mini bar (temptation!), Mirror (vanity, vanity!), Non-smoking (a must!), On-demand movies (didn't use!), Private bathroom (praise!), Reading light (bookworms unite!), Refrigerator (for midnight snacks!), Safety/security feature (good!), Satellite/cable channels (didn't watch TV!), Scale (brutal honesty with myself!), Seating area (chill time!), Separate shower/bathtub (luxury!), Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed (see above), Sofa (lounging!), Soundproofing (peace!), Telephone, Toiletries, Towels (fluffy!), Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free] (see WiFi section), Window that opens
- Room Decoration: It was lovely, the room was decorated nicely and was well maintained. (Score: 9/10)
Internet: The Great WiFi Paradox
Okay, this is where it gets… complicated. The signs boasted "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Fantastic, right? Wrong. The connection was… patchy. Let's just say I spent a lot of time staring at loading wheels, feeling a growing sense of digital isolation.
- Internet and Internet Services: They have it. But, let's just say it's not the resort's main priority. Expect buffering, and perhaps a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life, like breathing. (Score: 4/10)
- Internet [LAN]: Never even tried it.
(Rant Alert!) I mean, come on, people! We live in the internet age! A solid WiFi connection is practically a human right! It's a dealbreaker, basically!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (and a Few Hiccups)
The food situation at Lembah Indah was a rollercoaster. Some amazing highs, some… let's call them "learning experiences."
- Breakfast [buffet]: The Asian breakfast was fantastic. (Score: 9/10) The Western breakfast was… well, let's just say the bacon could've used some extra crisping. The buffet itself was a massive spread of treats, but the quality varied.
- Restaurants: There are multiple, but I only had a chance to experience the Restaurant, which served Asian and International Cuisine. (Score: 7/10)
- A La Carte: the a-la-carte restaurant food was pretty nice. (Score: 8/10)
- Room service [24-hour]: I took maximum advantage here and got some room service at 3am after a night out at Malang city, the pizza was great! (Score: 10/10)
- Snack bar: Available, but I didn't visit.
- Poolside bar: There was a poolside bar. I wasn't there in the day to experience it, though.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Very good. (Score: 8/10)
- Desserts: the desserts were nice. (Score: 7/10)
- Happy hour: Available! (Score: 8/10)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Paradise Found? Maybe.
Lembah Indah is all about relaxation, or at least, attempting to relax.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool was gorgeous. Seriously, Instagram-worthy. You could get lost in the beauty. (Score: 10/10)
- Spa: Yes, there is one! (Score: 8/10)
- Body scrub The spa offered a body scrub which was the best scrub I had since Thailand! Sighs, I could go back for this alone.
- Body wrap The spa offered a body wrap which was very relaxing.
- Massage: The massages! Heavenly! Do yourself a favor and book one. (Score: 10/10)
- Sauna: The sauna was clean and well-maintained. (Score: 7/10)
- Steamroom: The steamroom was clean and well-maintained. (Score: 7/10)
- Pool with view: Yes, and glorious.
- Gym/fitness: There was a small gym to get some quick lifting done. (Score: 7/10)
- Fitness center: See Gym/fitness.
- Foot bath: The foot bath was very relaxing.
Cleanliness & Safety: Is It Clean? Is It Safe? (Mostly Yes!)
This is a biggie, especially these days. I felt relatively safe and clean.
- Sanitization: Things seemed generally clean. More often than not.
- Hygiene certification: Not sure of the official certifications, but the overall impression was positive. (Score: 8/10)
- Hand sanitizer: Available. (Score: 9/10)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I'd like to think they used them. (Score: 7/10)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seen them doing it.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, as well as having Room sanitization
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the gloriously messy world of my Lembah Indah Malang adventure. This ain't your glossy travel brochure, it's the real, sweaty, mosquito-bitten deal. Consider yourselves warned… and prepare for a lot of exclamation points.
Lembah Indah Resort Malang: My Madcap Itinerary (ish)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Woes (Plus, Why I Brought My Own Pillowcase)
- Morning (Let's be honest, closer to noon): Landed in Malang. Airport chaos, as always. Found myself clinging to my backpack like a lifeline; it contained, crucially, my own pillowcase. Don't judge me! Hotel pillows – a mystery. Anyway, the transfer to Lembah Indah was… scenic. Rolling hills, vibrant green rice paddies… and the distinct feeling I was slowly turning into a popsicle thanks to the air conditioning in the car.
- Afternoon: Check-in & Cabin Fever: Arrived at Lembah Indah. Holy. Moly. This place is STUNNING. Seriously, Instagram-worthy stuff. Booked a cabin with a view – or so they promised! Turns out, "view" equals "distant glimpse of a volcano you probably won't see because of clouds." Still, the air was fresh, and the wooden cabin was charming (after I got over the fear of bugs adopting me as a roommate). Unpacked (pillowcase deployment successful!) and immediately collapsed on the bed. Altitude sickness is a beast. Took a nap and failed spectacularly.
- Evening: Dinner with a View (Maybe?): Headed to the resort restaurant for dinner. The menu was a gamble (when in doubt, order Nasi Goreng!), the service was charmingly relaxed (read: "unhurried"), and the "view" was… well, let's just say the clouds were winning that round. Still, the food was decent, and I managed not to spill anything on my travel-sized, ridiculously expensive, silk scarf. Victory!
Day 2: Waterfall Whimsy & Mountain Mayhem
- Morning: Waterfall Wanderings (and a Near-Death Experience?): Decided to be adventurous and hike to a nearby waterfall. "Easy hike," the receptionist assured me. "Short." Lies. All lies. The trail was muddy, steep, and populated with more mosquitos than I've ever seen in my life. Reached the waterfall after what felt like an eternity. It was GORGEOUS. Crystal clear water, and the mist… oh, the mist! I might have slipped on a rock and thought I was going to meet my maker. Fortunately, I didn’t die. Scraped knees. Pride slightly bruised. Definitely worth it.
- Afternoon: Tea Time & Terrace Terrors: Back at the resort, I attempted to relax on my terrace. The view this time was better--I could almost see the volcano! But… the monkeys! They're crafty little buggers, these monkeys of Lembah Indah. One tried to steal a banana off my plate! I shrieked. It looked offended. We had a staring contest that I obviously lost.
- Evening: Stargazing & Soul Searching (Okay, Mostly Just Stargazing): After a much-needed shower, I attempted stargazing. Lembah Indah gets dark, dark, dark! The stars were incredible. Spent ages just staring up, feeling a bit philosophical. Maybe I should quit my job and become a goat farmer? Nah…
Day 3: The Infinity Pool and My Existential Crisis
- Morning: The Infinity Pool Fiasco: Finally! Time for the famed infinity pool. I was ready. I donned my most flattering swimsuit (which, let's be real, is still just a swimsuit). The pool? Stunning. The view? Even better. Then, I nearly drowned. Not really, but I had a moment of panic when I realized I was out of my depth and couldn't see the bottom! I survived. Spent the rest of the morning alternating between floating bliss and sheer terror.
- Afternoon: Coffee, Contemplation, and a Really Long Walk: After my brush with death (kidding, mostly), I needed caffeine. Found a cute little coffee shop in the resort. Ordered a latte. Sat there, feeling all pensive and sophisticated, and stared out at the volcano. It was still hiding behind clouds. It was enough of a prompt to inspire: I just felt…off. The air was thin. Everything was beautiful, but I was bored and restless. Went for a long walk to try and find something, anything. Still didn't find it, but I did find a herd of cows, which was cool!
- Evening: Farewell Dinner & the Great Packing Debacle: Last dinner at the resort. The food was… good. Packed (a disaster zone). Realized I had forgotten to buy souvenirs. Panicked. Promised myself I'd come back to Lembah Indah someday, but for now, it's time to leave.
Day 4: Departure & Debrief
- Morning: Departure: The trip back was uneventful, thank God. I arrived at the airport, ready to go home, a little sad to leave, a lot exhausted.
- Afternoon: Debrief: Home! Unpacked, made a cup of tea. I still don't know if I saw a real, full volcano view. I do know my pillowcase is still intact. I think the trip was a success!
Final Thoughts:
Lembah Indah is an experience. It's beautiful, it's quirky, it's sometimes a little messy. It's a place where you can feel at peace, and also completely overwhelmed by monkeys. Honestly, I have mixed feelings. It wasn't the perfect trip, it was a messy trip. But it’s also a trip I won't forget. Would I go back? Absolutely. Maybe next time, I'll learn to swim.
(And maybe skip the altitude sickness this round.)
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