Unbelievable Rainbow Views: Wisma Rainbow Pekanbaru's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Rainbow Views: Wisma Rainbow Pekanbaru - More Than Meets the Eye… Or Does It? (A Very Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Wisma Rainbow Pekanbaru. And let me tell you, it’s an experience. Not always the experience I expected, mind you, but an experience nonetheless. This isn't one of those meticulously crafted, corporate-speak reviews. This is real. Think of it as…therapy, for me and possibly for you.
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Let's rip the band-aid off and dive in.
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle (The Good, The Okay, and the “Hmmm…”)
Right off the bat, Unbelievable Rainbow Views is… a name. It sets a certain expectation, doesn’t it? Rainbow! Magical vistas! Well, I saw a rainbow, sure. Once. During a quick downpour that lasted all of 20 seconds. But the view? Let's just say it's more "Pekanbaru cityscape" than "Cascading Himalayan Majesty."
The accessibility… Well, that's where things get interesting. And by interesting, I mean… a little complicated. Listed as "Facilities for disabled guests," which is great. The elevator is a lifesaver (essential, really!), but I didn’t thoroughly investigate the specifics. I'm not disabled, but I do admire the effort. So, potential guests with accessibility needs, maybe do a deeper dive on that before you book. Sorry to be vague, but that's the truth. I didn't actually need any of the accessible features, but the fact they exist is definitely a plus.
Internet Access - The Lifeline (Mostly!)
Thank GOD for the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and the Wi-Fi in public areas. Because if you're anything like me, being cut off from the internet is a fate worse than… well, a lukewarm buffet. And the internet? Mostly solid. I managed to upload a few selfies. The Internet [LAN]… I didn't touch it. I’m not THAT old school.
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Normal (with some caveats)
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room… or the microscopic bug in the air. Cleanliness and safety are clearly a priority. I appreciated the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer being everywhere, and the staff trained in safety protocol. My room had the option of Room sanitization opt-out available, but…nah. I let ‘em scrub. My paranoia levels are still pretty high.
Here's where the caveat kicks in. While the intention is there, execution… well, it felt a little… patchy, at times. One day – and I swear this is true – I found two hand sanitizers in the hallway: one near the elevator, and one, randomly, next to a potted plant. Now, that's either commitment, or a happy accident. I’m going with the accident.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Rollercoaster Ride
The Restaurants… Oh, the restaurants. I need a moment to process.
The Asian breakfast was… a thing. Let's just say it was a generous interpretation of "Asian." It felt like a buffet hastily assembled from whatever was left in the kitchen. One morning I swear I saw a half-eaten banana peel amongst the… "offerings." Buffet in restaurant… Yes and NO.
The Asian cuisine in restaurant… Look, they tried. I ate some noodles. They were… noodles. I mean, they weren't bad, exactly. They just weren't… memorable. The coffee? Coffee/tea in restaurant – standard fare. Coffee shop – non-existent.
The Poolside bar – I’m sensing a pattern now, right? – was a highlight, in the sense that I could stare at the pool and drink something cold and fizzy for a bit. Happy hour was, well, relatively happy.
And this is where the true drama unfolded. One night, I ordered room service [24-hour]. I was starving. It was, like, 3 AM. My options dwindled down to: A la carte in restaurant that was empty and desolate, Snack bar – closed. I ordered a burger, and it was the worst burger I’ve ever had in my life. I’m not exaggerating. I could feel the sinew. The bun disintegrated. The fries were lukewarm and limp. I called for Bottle of water to wash my despair down. It was slightly better than the burger.
This is where I made a mistake. In my hunger and desperation, I ordered Vegetarian restaurant, also empty, and ordered what I could. It was… again, very generous. I still have no idea what it was, and it haunts my dreams.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (The Spa Saga)
Okay, this is where things got… interesting. I was REALLY looking forward to the Spa. Spa/sauna. Spa – yes. There was one. Sauna - YES! Steamroom. Yes, also there. The Pool with view. There was a pool. Was there a view? Well, see my earlier comments about the Pekanbaru cityscape.
I had a Body scrub and Body wrap. Let me tell you, the scrub was… invigorating. The wrap? Well, it was warm. And the masseuse? Lovely. Kind, gentle, and… slightly distracted. She seemed to be humming along to something only she could hear. Maybe it was the music of the pool view?
I did not use the Fitness center, but I did walk past it. Looked… adequate. The Foot bath… honestly, I didn’t even know existed.
The Room: My Temporary Fortress (and the quirks)
Let's talk about my room. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone (seriously? Who uses those?), Bathtub (yay!), Blackout curtains (essential!), Carpeting (a bit dated). Closet, Coffee/tea maker (bless!). Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (thank you, amazing!), Desk, Extra long bed, (YES!), Free bottled water (vital), Hair dryer (yay!). High floor (mine was!), In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless (crucial!), Ironing facilities (unused), Laptop workspace (used), Linens, Mini bar (didn’t touch it), Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies (YES!!), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels. Scale (judgemental, in my opinion). Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (score!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing (needed!), Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella (luckily unused), Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens (thank goodness!).
I also noted Interconnecting room(s) available. I think that would be perfect for the family.
The room itself was…fine. Clean. Functional. A bit… generic. But, hey, it was a roof over my head. And oh, the Room decorations? Sparse. Minimalist. Let’s just say there was room for improvement on the decorating front.
Services and Conveniences: Bits and Bobs
There's a Concierge (helpful!), Dry cleaning, Elevator (praise be!), Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, and a convenience store.
For the Kids & Other Considerations
As for the kiddies, Family/child friendly is listed, and they offered a Babysitting service. I didn't use these, so can't personally vouch for the quality. Seems alright.
Getting Around
I used the Taxi service. It was… functional.
The Verdict: Is Rainbow Worth the Clouds?
Look. Wisma Rainbow Pekanbaru is… well, it’s an experience. It's not perfect. It has its flaws. The food can be a gamble. The "views" aren't going to blow your mind.
But… it has a certain charm. The staff, despite some hiccups, genuinely try. They seem to care. The rooms are decent. The sauna is fantastic. And the Wi-Fi? The Wi-Fi is a lifesaver.
Would I recommend it? Yes, with caveats. If you're looking for absolute luxury, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're open to a bit of a quirky adventure—if
Refinement Motel Taichung: Taiwan's Hidden Gem? (You Won't Believe Room #7!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL. We're diving headfirst into Wisma Rainbow in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, and things are gonna get… well, let’s just say unpredictable.
Day 1: Arrival and the Case of the Questionable Pillow
- 8:00 AM (Jakarta –ish): The flight. Lord, the flight. Delayed, of course. Sat next to a guy who snored like a rusty chainsaw. Tried to sleep, but the turbulence kept trying to launch me into the overhead bins. Not a great omen, honestly.
- 11:00 AM (Pekanbaru Arrival –ish): Finally landed. The humidity hits you like a wet blanket. And the taxi driver? Let's just say his driving style could be charitably described as "enthusiastic." Got to Wisma Rainbow. It’s… charmingly… well-worn. Check-in was a breeze, the receptionist's English was basic, and mine… even more.
- 12:00 PM (Room Reconnaissance): Okay, the room. Let's be honest, it's a bit lived-in. The aircon sounds like a dying walrus. But the bed… ah, the bed. The sheets looked clean, it was a welcome surprise but the pillow…oh God, the pillow. It felt like a brick wrapped in a sweaty sock. Seriously, I think it was stuffed with gravel. Debating whether to sleep with it or use it as a weapon. Decided to sleep with it anyway, now my neck hurt.
- 1:00 PM (Lunch Quest): Walked around the area looking for food. Ended up in a warung (small local eatery) that smelled amazing. Ordered some Nasi Goreng (fried rice). It was so spicy, my face turned the color of a ripe tomato. But it was AMAZING. Ate it with my hands, because hey, when in Rome (or, you know, Pekanbaru).
- 2:00 PM (Afternoon Nap (sort of)): Attempted nap. The dying walrus aircon, the questionable pillow (still the bane of my existence), and the general street noise made it a struggle. But hey, I closed my eyes, and at least I was safe from the outside world. Was awaken by a cat. Ugh
- 4:00 PM (Exploring the neighborhood): Wandered around, got a bit lost (shocking, I know). Found a local market. The smells! The colors! The sheer chaos! It was a sensory overload in the BEST way. I bought some fruit I couldn’t identify.
- 6:00 PM (Dinner, Revisited): Back to the warung. Needed something milder. Ordered Sate Ayam (chicken satay). Still delicious. Still spicy, but more manageable.
- 7:30 PM – Onward (Survival Mode): Watched some TV (mostly static). Tried to decipher the local news. Got completely, utterly, wonderfully confused. Early night. Praying for a less-gravelly pillow experience.
Day 2: The Temple, the Towel, and the Existential Dread of Laundry
- 8:00 AM (Breakfast, maybe?): Managed to find some toast and surprisingly decent coffee at a little cafe. Coffee saved my life. That pillow… still haunting me.
- 9:00 AM (Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment at the local Temple): I decided to venture and see the local temple. I walked from my hotel, and for a second I got really lost, and the sky was getting darker and I was sweating like I just ran a marathon. I asked a random local, who, to my relief, knew English. At the temple. It was beautiful. The colors, the architecture… the serenity. For a little while, I forgot about the pillow. This was quite possibly the most peaceful moment of the entire trip.
- 11:00 AM (The Towel Debacle): Back at the hotel. Opened my backpack to find…my towel. The one I thought I packed. It was gone. Gone, vanished, disappeared into the aether. Now I have a massive dilemma. Do I… a) use the questionable provided 'towel' that looks more like a rag? b) brave the local shops and buy a new one, knowing I'll probably get lost and sweat buckets in the process? c) embrace the drying-off-with-t-shirt life? I chose the first and went with a rag. It was not a good decision.
- 12:00 PM (Lunch and Laundry Ponderings): Found a local Bakso (meatball soup) place. Cheap, cheerful, and delicious. But the laundry situation loomed. Do I… handwash? Pay exorbitant hotel prices? Send it out and pray it comes back? I opted to do laundry myself. A decision I would later regret.
- 1:00 PM (Laundry Misery): The water was cold. The soap was… not what I expected. My clothes are now… a slightly different shade of a formerly pristine set of colours. I hung my clothes. Now my room is humid and smells like… well, slightly soapy, but still.
- 2:00 PM (Afternoon Exploration (attempted): Back to the streets, determined to find a decent shop. Got lost again (surprise!). Finally found a store. Bought… a new pillow. And yes, you guessed it, new towel. Success!
- 4:00 PM (Wandering and Wondering): Wandered around a while further. I saw a local guy selling birds. It was… fascinating. Then I saw some kids playing football in the street. It was chaotic and wonderful. It made me smile.
- 6:00 PM (Dinner and Deciding if I can sleep): Dinner at a different warung. Ordered something I didn't know and it came. It was okay, but I still missed Nasi Goreng. My new pillow now seems to be… slightly less brick-like? Perhaps I will sleep tonight!
- 7:30 PM – Onward (Post-Laundry Existential Crisis): My clothes are still damp. My room smells faintly of detergent. And I have a feeling that tomorrow, I will start to feel homesick.
Day 3: The River, the Relief, and the Realization That Time is a Lie
- 9:00 AM (The River Trip): Went on a boat trip down the Siak River. A truly captivating sight. The boats, the buildings along the riverbank, the way the light played on the water. It was beautiful. I truly forgot about everything during the river trip.
- 11:00 AM (Finding a Massage): Found a massage parlor. Heaven. My body thanked me. I fell asleep during the massage.
- 1:00 PM (Lunch, a Familiar Delight): Back to my favorite warung. This time, I was a pro at the Nasi Goreng.
- 3:00 PM (Packing Prep?): Realized I leave tomorrow. Started packing… and realizing how much STUFF I bought. How did I accumulate so many knick-knacks in just a few days?
- 4:00 PM (Neighborhood Goodbye): Walked around the neighborhood one last time. Said goodbye to the warungs, the streets, the humidity.
- 6:00 PM (Farewell Dinner, a Toast): A final dinner. To Nasi Goreng. To the surprisingly kind people. To the questionable pillow. To the adventure.
- 7:30 PM – Onward (Airport Anticipation, and a Realization): Back to the hotel, and I started going through my stuff and realized that time… is a lie. How did these few days feel like a lifetime? Realized that I needed to start taking photos before I leave.
This is just a snapshot. It's messy, it's subjective, it's imperfect. But that's the point. Travel isn't supposed to be perfect. It's supposed to be lived. And Wisma Rainbow, with all its quirks and imperfections, gave me something real to experience. I will come back, only I won't be sleeping on that pillow.
Escape to Paradise: Azaya Villas Resort, Chiang Mai Awaits
Unbelievable Rainbow Views: Wisma Rainbow Pekanbaru - FAQ...ish (Prepare for Ramble!)
Okay, okay, so *where* even IS this 'Wisma Rainbow'? And is it actually...rainbowy?
Alright, settle in, folks. Wisma Rainbow is in Pekanbaru. I think. Honestly, navigating Indonesian addresses feels like a quest worthy of Indiana Jones. It's Pekanbaru, though, for sure. Now, the rainbow thing? That's the real kicker. No, it's not *literally* a building painted in every color imaginable (though wouldn't *that* be something?!). It's about... the views. Specifically, sunsets and sunrises. And the way the light catches the city, reflecting off buildings... sometimes forming something that *feels* like a rainbow. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic, but I *swear* I saw a near-perfect arc of color when I was up there once. Just... wow.
Is it a hotel? A hostel? WHAT IS IT, and can I actually stay there?!
Yeah, it's a guesthouse, a *wisma*. You *can* stay there. Rooms are… well, they are what they are. Let's just say, don’t expect luxury. Think clean-ish, functional, and cheap. The real luxury is the sunrise/sunset situation. Honestly, the room itself? I spent very little time in it. I was either frantically trying to catch the light or passed out from exhaustion after having *tried* to catch the light. (Jet lag is a cruel mistress.)
What's the *best* time to see these alleged rainbows? Don't give me that 'when the light is right' B.S. Tell me SPECIFICALLY!
Okay, okay, fine. Be that way. The *best* time is probably sunrise or sunset (duh, I know, I *know*). But here's the *real* secret. It depends on the weather. Clouds are your friend. Not ALL clouds, mind you. Those grey, depressing ones that just spew rain? No. You want the fluffy, painterly clouds that the sun can bounce off of. If you see those… RUN. Run to the roof, run to the window, run anywhere you can see the sky! Honestly, I'd call it the moment to call it the best part of the trip. Don't be lazy.
Do they have a restaurant? Cause I get hangry.
Nope. No restaurant. No room service. You're on your own, buddy. Which brings me to a story… (brace yourselves, it's a long one). My first trip, I was so determined to get the perfect sunrise shot, I didn't eat. All day I prepped. I got the camera settings just right. I practiced my tripod placement. I was *ready*. I got to the rooftop, camera primed… and then the hunger hit. Like a tidal wave. I hadn't eaten *anything*! My stomach started growling so loud, I swear I could hear it over the ambient city noise. I scoured my bag for a snack. Nothing. Empty. I had even forgotten to even drink water after all day walking. The sun started to rise. The sky turned all sorts of gorgeous shades of pink and orange… and I felt like I was going to pass out. Then the sun hit, the angle of the city, and it felt like someone had turned a light on. But my body was not feeling it! So, yeah, bring snacks. Lots of snacks. And water. Learn from my food-deprived, rainbow-chasing misery.
What's the vibe like? Is it crowded? Is it just a bunch of other Instagrammers?
The vibe is... well, chill. It's not overrun with tourists (yet). You might find a few other people with cameras, but it's mostly locals and budget travelers. The rooftop is usually pretty quiet, which is a *huge* bonus. I went during peak season and it wasn't packed. Thank goodness! You can actually *enjoy* the view. No jostling, no selfie sticks in your face. Which, as a photographer, I *love*. You know, unless *I'm* the one messing up the shot.
Is it worth it, even if I’m not a hardcore photographer?
Absolutely. Even if you just want to sit on that rooftop with a cup of coffee (make sure you pack that one too!), watch the sky change color, and feel... well, feel *something* besides the humdrum of everyday life. That is worth every single penny. Forget the Instagram shots. Forget the perfect lighting. Just be present. Be there. And let the "rainbow" views – literally or emotionally – wash over you. Honestly? It's a memory that still gives me goosebumps. Go. Just go. And maybe… bring a snack. Seriously.
Any pro tips? Gimme the inside scoop!
Okay, here's the real deal. * **Bring earplugs:** Traffic noise, it's a thing. Especially the honking. * **Learn basic Indonesian phrases:** It's always appreciated, even if your pronunciation is atrocious (mine is). "Terima kasih" (thank you) goes a long way. * **Embrace the chaos:** Things don't always go according to plan. Roads might be blocked. The sun might be hidden by clouds. But that's life, right? Just roll with it. * **Don’t bother, trying to find good food!:** Just order delivery. * **Don't be afraid to get lost:** It's part of the adventure. And sometimes, you find the best things when you're *not* trying to find them. * **Stay hydrated:** That Pekanbaru heat will zap you. And drink water! * **And finally, the most important tip:** Don't be afraid to look up at the sky! You never know when a rainbow might appear… or something that feels like it.
What's the absolute WORST thing about this place? Be honest!
Hmm… Okay, let me think. The cockroach I spotted once in the (very basic) bathroom? The questionable smell of the air conditioning? No, no, the *worst* thing… is leaving. Seriously! You get used to that view. You crave it. You yearn for it. And then you have to go back to the "real world." And that reality? It's just not as… rainbowy. Okay, I'm being dramatic again. But it's true. Leaving Wisma Rainbow is bittersweet. You'll miss it.
