Luxury Surabaya Studio: Taman Melati's Chic Hideaway (Travelio)

Luxury Surabaya Studio: Taman Melati's Chic Hideaway (Travelio)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because this review of Luxury Surabaya Studio: Taman Melati's Chic Hideaway (Travelio) in Surabaya isn't going to be your average dry, corporate recitation. We're going deep, we're getting real, and we're probably going to wander off-topic a few times. Consider this less a polished travel guide and more a frenzied whisper in your ear from someone who actually stayed there…
First Impressions & The "Chic Hideaway" Vibe: Is it REALLY a Hideaway?
Alright, so "Chic Hideaway" sounds amazing, doesn't it? The kind of place where you imagine sipping cocktails poolside, secretly judging everyone's tan lines, and feeling effortlessly sophisticated. Let me tell you, the vibe is definitely there. From the pictures, it looked so polished, so… Instagrammable. In reality? Well, it leans more “smartly designed apartment in a bustling city” than "isolated sanctuary." You're in a good spot; it's convenient for getting around, but the hideaway part is a bit of a stretch.
Accessibility & The Elevator Saga (or: My Brief Brush with Stairmaster Hell)
Okay, let's hit some practical stuff. They do have an elevator. Phew! Because the thought of lugging my suitcase up… let’s just say I was already picturing myself sprawled dramatically on the lobby floor. (Accessibility isn’t my main concern, but I like knowing it's there). The hotel itself is relatively accessible. The rooms seem spacious enough for wheelchair users. They provide facilities for disabled guests.
Internet: The Lifeline (and My Love/Hate Relationship With It)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Hallelujah! And it was reasonably reliable. I did have ONE minor freak-out where I was certain my precious Instagram feed was going to vanish, but it resolved itself. There’s also an internet LAN connection. Useful (if you brought your wire).
Cleanliness and Safety: Did They Actually Sanitize? (Spoiler: They Seemed To!)
This is HUGE right now, isn't it? Let's be honest, the pandemic has us all side-eyeing everything. They have all the buzzwords: Daily disinfection in common areas, anti-viral cleaning products, rooms sanitized between stays, hand sanitizer available. Did I see them actually doing it? Hard to say. But the room felt clean. And the staff seemed to have their safety protocols down pat. They even had individual wrapped food options. I'm going to assume the best, because… well, I'm not a germaphobe. Just a… highly aware traveler.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Fun (and My Waistline)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. There's a restaurant. And a poolside bar! I love a good poolside bar. The a la carte menu wasn't cheap, but the food was decent. I ate the Asian cuisine with all the available sauces. They also had snack bar. And coffee shop. Breakfast options were pretty good. I am personally not big on salad while on vacation, but they had them. They even had a Vegetarian restaurant. My diet was never really good.
The Pool with the View: My Near-Death Experience (Okay, Maybe Just a Minor Scare)
Alright, the pool with the view is the money shot, right? You've seen the pictures – that shimmering infinity pool, looking out over… well, I didn't see much of a view. But it did look pretty. And I spent about an hour there. I even ordered from the poolside bar. My one complaint? It didn't have to be that deep. I am not a huge swimmer, and I almost lost my ability to swim there. That being said, it was fantastic.
Ways to Relax (and My Complete Failure at it!)
- Fitness center: Did I go? No. I have a fitness center at home… which I don’t use. Still, nice to know it's there.
- Spa/sauna/steamroom: Now, THIS is my jam! The spa was relaxing. I had a massage. It was heavenly. Honestly, I could have stayed there all day. The sauna was…sauna-y. But I do enjoy steaming.
The Rooms: A Haven of Comfort (or a Tiny Box of Convenience?)
The studio itself was… well, a studio. It was clean. Comfy bed, good air conditioning (thank GOD!). You had a refrigerator. I definitely took advantage of the bottle of water (included!) because… Surabaya is HOT. I liked the soundproofing. I needed it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or That Make You Feel Like You're Living in a Robot's World)
- 24-hour Front Desk: Always appreciated.
- Daily Housekeeping: Yup.
- Concierge: Helpful, but also maybe a little…distant.
- Laundry service: Essential for a messy traveler like me.
- Cash withdrawal: Always handy.
- Dry cleaning: Useful, but pricey.
- Food delivery: They had that.
- Safe dining setup They had good sanitizing, but it’s a hotel. I wasn’t expecting a Michelin star restaurant.
- Contactless check-in/out: Modern, but a little… soulless.
Things To Do Around Surabaya
Here's the thing. I didn't do a whole lot of Surabaya sightseeing. I spent most of the time in the spa, by the pool, or in the room. I was there for a quick escape, and that's exactly what I got to do. But the city seems to have a lot to offer.
The Verdict (My Unvarnished Opinion)
Luxury Surabaya Studio: Taman Melati's Chic Hideaway (Travelio)? It's a solid choice. It's not perfect. But it's clean, convenient, and has a nice "vibe." It's a really good place to get away and rest.
The Quirky Perks I Would Like to See
- More local food options right on site.
- A more vibrant outdoor area
- A better, or any, view from the rooftop terrace
- Some quirks and imperfections to make it more personal
A Compelling Offer (and My Secret Pitch):
Tired of the Mundane? Crave a Surabaya Escape? Book the Luxury Surabaya Studio: Taman Melati's Chic Hideaway (Travelio)!
Here's why you SHOULD, according to the crazy person who stayed there:
- Chill factor: Spa time, pool dips, and the chance to de-stress. It's your escape (and my secret haven in Surabaya)!
- Convenience, Pure and Simple: Great location, easy access to everything. Surabaya City is at your fingertips.
- Safety First, Fun Always: They take cleanliness seriously. I found the staff to be nice and helpful.
- Indulge Your Senses: From the delicious breakfast to the relaxing spa treatments, treat yourself.
- You deserve it.
Book Now and get a free drink at the pool bar! (Trust me, you’ll need it after the Surabaya heat!)
Manila Luxury Loft: Burgos Circle & Malls at Your Doorstep!
Okay, buckle up Buttercup, because planning a trip to Surabaya? Let's just say it's not going to be a perfectly streamlined, Instagram-filtered experience. This is going to be real, messy, and probably involve me yelling at a Grab driver at some point. Here we go…
Surabaya Strut: A Totally Honest & Slightly Chaotic Itinerary (Taman Melati By Travelio, May 2024)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Ayam Goreng Anxiety
- Morning (aka the "Oh My God, Did I Pack My Passport?" Hour): Land at Juanda International Airport (SUB). Okay, deep breaths. Jakarta was my starting point, and now I'm in Surabaya! The humidity hits you like a wet, warm blanket. I’m running late, as usual. Scrabbling through my backpack, praying I didn't leave my passport in my other life… or, you know, on the train. Breathe. Found it! Whew.
- Mid-Morning (aka the "Grab or Taxi? The Eternal Dilemma"): The airport hustles, the touts swarming. I swear, they sense fear. Okay, Grab it is. Less negotiation drama. Finally, the app works. The driver, a surprisingly cheerful guy named Agus, arrives in a tiny car that looks suspiciously like it’s held together by duct tape and good vibes. He's blasting what I think is Dangdut music, and I can't understand a word but I'm already vibing.
- Lunch (Ayam Goreng, or Chicken-Fried-Chicken?) Check-in at Taman Melati By Travelio. The apartment? Not quite as chic as the pictures, but clean enough, and the air conditioning is working. Praise the heavens! Okay, now food. I've heard rumors of Ayam Goreng – fried chicken, Surabaya style. I Google "best ayam goreng Surabaya," then immediately become overwhelmed by the countless options. Suddenly, I’m paralyzed by choice. What if I pick the wrong ayam goreng? What if I regret the crispy skin-to-meat ratio? Oh god… the stress! Decide on a place close by. And then I’m stuck wondering what to do with my leftovers, and if I can sneak them into the hotel fridge.
- Afternoon (Finding the "Vibe"): After the Ayam Goreng, a trip to the neighborhood to get acquainted to find some local shop. Stroll through the neighborhood, soaking it up. I'm trying to be "cultured," taking in the sights, the sounds, the smells… mostly the smells of delicious food everywhere, and I’m hungry again. I am distracted by a cat sleeping on top of a motor scooter. I feel the need to take a photo, and instantly get self-conscious. Is that weird? Probably.
- Evening (The First Sunset, and the Internet's Lies): The rooftop pool photo on the Travelio site? Lies. It’s… well, it’s a pool. And it does have a decent view. The sunset is pretty, though, even if it's filtered through a haze of pollution. A final dinner somewhere close…
Day 2: History, Humidity, and a Monumental Meltdown (Maybe Not)
- Morning (The History Bit): Wake up feeling slightly less jet-lagged. Head to the House of Sampoerna, a historic cigarette factory. It's actually pretty cool, in a slightly morbid way. I learn about the history, the architecture, and the sheer skill of the cigarette rollers. My tolerance for history lasts about an hour, but hey, I tried. Plus, the free bus tour is nice, considering the humidity.
- Mid-Morning (The Shopping Spree - or, My Empty Wallet): I try to find the famous clove cigarettes that the House of Sampoerna produce. And I'm looking for batik, all the Batik. I get lost, obviously, a tourist from a Western place, in the middle of the mall with no idea what I'm doing. I stumble into a local shop, get lost in the designs, and probably buy way too much batik material that I'll never wear.
- Lunch (Food Court Frenzy): Okay, food court time. These are always a gamble. I end up with something spicy - too spicy. Tears are streaming down my face. I'm sweating buckets. I can't breathe. Must. Find. Water. And a trash bin to throw away these spicy leftovers.
- Afternoon (Heroic Hysteria) - The Submarine, Again: The Monumen Kapal Selam (Submarine Monument)! Now, I have a phobia of enclosed spaces, so this seemed like the perfect idea. (Note the sarcasm.) It's a HUGE freaking submarine. Crawling through tight, metal corridors, I start to panic. My claustrophobia kicks in. I'm pretty sure I can hear the blood rushing in my ears. I hyperventilate. I want to scream. I want to flee. But I grit my teeth and pretend I'm a seasoned submariner. Barely.
- Evening (Street Food Shenanigans): Okay, I need to redeem myself after the Submarine Fiasco. Head to a night market! I brave the crowds, the smells (both amazing and questionable), and the sheer volume of people. I try everything I can stomach: satay, martabak, sweet tea, and some kind of deep-fried… thing. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a stomach ache later, but it's worth it.
Day 3: Goodbye, Surabaya, and the Lingering Taste of Adventure
- Morning (The Packing Panic): Oh crap, I have to pack? This is the worst part of any trip. I look around the apartment in a state of mild panic. I swear I brought more clothes than I have. Where did all the stuff go? I’m pretty sure I need a bigger suitcase (or a less impulsive shopping strategy).
- Mid-Morning (Souvenir Scramble): Panic-buying souvenirs. I am the worst. I feel like everyone back home is going to hate the stuff I buy them, so I opt for something that might work for everybody. I find some local coffee, a few batik trinkets, and pray that it's enough.
- Lunch (A Final, Heartbreaking Meal): One last Ayam Goreng before heading to the airport. This time, I pick a highly-rated place, hoping to end on a high note. It's delicious, of course. I'm tempted to order a second plate, but I resist.
- Afternoon (The Airport Tango): The airport chaos, the last-minute souvenir shopping, the final wave goodbye. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving something behind.
Final Thoughts:
Surabaya? It's a hot, chaotic, and utterly captivating city. It's not perfect, it's not always pretty, but it's real. I came, I saw, I almost panicked in a submarine. And I'd go back in a heartbeat. Just maybe next time, I’ll bring a bigger suitcase, less anxiety, and more antacids!
Escape to Luxury: Solstice Residence Cyberjaya's Stunning Views Await!
Alright, spill the beans. Is this "Luxury Surabaya Studio" at Taman Melati actually…luxurious? I'm picturing gold-plated taps and a personal butler. (Don't judge my expectations!)
So, Taman Melati… is it as "chic" as they say? Like, am I going to feel like a fashion icon just existing in the hallways?
The kitchen situation. Dishwasher? Oven? Is it even a kitchen, or just a hot plate and a prayer?
I've read reviews about noise... What's the deal? Does it sound like a construction site, or can I actually sleep?
Parking. Is it a pain in the posterior? Because navigating parking in a city, let alone an apartment complex, is a personal hell of mine.
Internet! Is it fast enough to stream cat videos? Because that's a dealbreaker.
And now, the location,location,location! Is it actually convenient? Are the good things nearby or do I need a driver to get everywhere?
Would you stay again? (Be honest!)


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