Palembang's Hidden Gem: Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah - RedDoorz Luxury!
Palembang's Hidden Gem: Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah - RedDoorz Luxury!
Alright, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into Palembang's Hidden Gem: Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah - RedDoorz Luxury! This isn't your typical travel blog review – I'm going to get real, get messy, and tell you EVERYTHING, good, bad, and hilariously awkward, about my stay. Consider yourself warned.
First Impressions and the Search for the Holy Grail of Comfort (Accessibility, Cleanliness, and Safety – Let's Tackle the Basics)
Okay, so Palembang. Beautiful city, scorching heat. Finding the Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah – RedDoorz Luxury! was…well, an adventure. The directions were sound, but my internal GPS was feeling a little…off. But hey, finally, there it was!
Accessibility? This is where I have to be honest – I'm not a wheelchair user, so I can't give a definitive answer. However, the hotel did have an elevator, which is a massive plus, and appeared to have ramps in certain areas. (I should have asked more questions about this, my bad). I saw some features listed on the amenities, but I'm terrible at picturing myself in situations I'm not in. So, check that.
Cleanliness and Safety? My biggest concern, especially after 2020. Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. They were seriously on top of their game. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Seeing staff trained in safety protocols gave me a sense of relief. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. They even had that whole "opt-out of room sanitization" thing (because sometimes you just want to live in your own filth, right?). The Hand Sanitizer dispensers were everywhere. I may have used one more times than I should have.
Hygiene certification? Yes, they've put in the efforts to get one.
The Perks (and Quirks) of the Room – Because Who Doesn't Love a Good Bathtub?!
The room itself? Surprisingly spacious. Air Conditioning? Thank GOD, that Palembang heat is no joke. Free Wi-Fi? Praise the digital gods, essential for Instagramming my adventures (and probably working, too). Blackout curtains? Yes! Slept like a log. The Bathtub was the biggest win. I might have spent an hour in a bubble bath with the complimentary tea and Netflix. Extra long bed? YES. My legs appreciated that. Non-smoking rooms? Hallelujah! In-room safe box? Always a plus. I’m clumsy, and paranoid, which made it perfect. The little things, like the Hair dryer and Slippers, definitely elevated the experience.
But let's be real; there's always something. The decor was a little… basic? Functional, yes, but not exactly bursting with personality. Could have used a tiny pop of color. The Towels? Clean, bless them.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food Glorious Food (and That Poolside Bar!)
Okay, let's be real, the Breakfast [buffet] was…well, it was a buffet. There was an Asian breakfast, Western breakfast. I tried everything. It was a decent start to the day. I mean, you're not going to find Michelin-star cuisine at a RedDoorz, let's be honest, but it was perfectly acceptable.
Poolside bar? Now we're talking! After a blistering afternoon sightseeing, a cold drink by the pool was pure bliss. I did not try all the drinks.
The Pool with a View? Okay, not the best view in the world, but that pool was a lifesaver. Cooling off after a day exploring was everything.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax and all the Wellness Stuff! (And The Gym Anecdote that Will Make You Laugh)
Fitness Center? Okay, here's where things get interesting. I tried to go to the Fitness center. It was… well-equipped, sort of. Let's just say it had the essentials. And a VERY persistent, local who really wanted to talk to me. (My fault for speaking English, I suppose). I might have spent more time chatting than working out. I think I sweated more from the conversation than the exercise. (I'm not even going to touch on the Steamroom, or the Spa I passed by).
There was a massage service, but I didn't indulge (regret). There weren't many other Ways to relax, however, it did the job.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Difference
Air conditioning in public area? Absolutely! A lifesaver. Daily housekeeping? Immaculate! The staff? Friendly and helpful. They were really good about my (numerous) requests for extra towels and coffee. Luggage storage? Yep, they've got that. Concierge? Available and helpful.
Getting Around – Easy or a Nightmare?
Airport transfer? Yes! That took a huge amount of stress out of the arrival after the long flight.
Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]? Yes to both! Taxi service? I used it. Valet parking? Nope.
The Verdict – Hidden Gem or Hidden Letdown?
Look, Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah – RedDoorz Luxury! isn’t a five-star resort. It’s not a palace. But, for the price, it's a solid choice. It's clean, comfortable, and safe, which are my top priorities. The staff are lovely, the location is decent (relatively close to things), and the pool and that bathtub are a definite winner. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
My Recommendation
Palembang has a lot to offer. If you're looking for a comfortable, affordable base to explore the city, Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah – RedDoorz Luxury! is a great option.
Here's my slightly desperate, slightly over-the-top OFFER for your consideration: Book Now and Get:
- A FREE Bottle of Water on Arrival: Hydration is KEY in Palembang!
- A Discount on the Massage: Treat yourself, you deserve it!
- A Photo of the Hotel from Me (a real, messy traveler) on Instagram (Tag me, I dare you!)
- Free Breakfast Upgrade to a fancy Omelet station!
- If you book through my link (coming soon!), get a guaranteed room with the best, least-sun-beaten view. (I'm kidding. Sort of.)
- Plus a FREE (and probably slightly judgmental) review of your Instagram photos if you tag me.
Why You Should Book Now: Because you deserve a clean, safe, and comfortable place to crash after a long day of exploring. And because, frankly, I'm really hoping they'll let me come back for another bathtub soak.
(Disclaimer: I was NOT paid to write this review. These are my genuine, slightly chaotic, and hopefully helpful thoughts.)
Escape to Paradise: FabExpress Amar Raj Villa Awaits Near Kolkata's Eco Park!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary isn't your perfectly planned, airbrushed travel brochure. This is the REAL DEAL, folks. My trip to Palembang, Indonesia. And specifically… the Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah Palembang by RedDoorz. Let's see if it’s a fairytale or a faceplant.
Day 1: Arrival, Dreams (and Probably Jet Lag)
- Time: Let's just say "morning-ish." Flights are a beast.
- Event: Landing in Palembang. OMG the humidity. Instantly regretted my decision to wear that "stylish" linen shirt. Looking like I'd wrestled a swamp monster.
- Transportation: The airport taxi. Negotiated like a pro. Or, you know, I just paid what they asked and hoped I wasn't being completely ripped off. "Selamat Pagi!" I babbled, feeling utterly incapable of speaking anything resembling Bahasa Indonesia.
- Hotel Check-in: Found the Urbanview Salsabilah. First impression? Pretty standard. Lobby's clean, smells vaguely of… something floral? Hopefully not the stench of the airport bathroom. Check-in was painless. The front desk guy had the patient smile of a saint. (Probably used to tourists like me.)
- Room: Okay, here's where it gets real. First glance: "meh." Clean enough. Bed… looks comfortable enough to collapse on. Air conditioning… working! (Blessing.) The view? Let's just say it's of… other buildings. This is not the Insta-worthy view I was hoping for. But hey, I'm here for Palembang, not the cityscape.
- Lunch (and the Great Noodle Debacle): Found a little local warung (small, family-run restaurant) nearby. Ordered something with noodles. Thought I was being adventurous. Nope. Spicy. Way too spicy. Tears. Actual tears. My mouth felt like it was on fire. The elderly woman running the place just smiled and handed me a glass of water. Bless her. Learned a valuable lesson: "sedikit pedas" (a little spicy) doesn't always translate to "a little spicy."
- Afternoon Nap (The Jet Lag Monster Strikes): Collapsed on the bed. Woke up three hours later, disoriented, and convinced I'd slept through the apocalypse.
Day 2: Exploring (and Questionable Decisions)
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel (ish). The RedDoorz website promised breakfast included. Well, it’s… something. A plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) that looked like it had been sitting out since, well, before I arrived, and a sweet, lukewarm drink I couldn’t quite identify. Ate it anyway. Gotta, you know, fuel the exploration.
- Event: Bidding farewell to the room: I was starting to feel like I was getting attached to the place.
- Transportation: The local bus (…or at least, tried to). Decided to be "local" and take a bus. Disaster. Absolutely no idea where I was going. The bus driver just smiled and nodded. Eventually got off somewhere vaguely near a mosque. Found a guy who looked like he knew what he was talking about and asked for directions… in broken English and frantic hand gestures. He pointed, stared, and then walked.
- Lunch: More noodle drama!: Found a restaurant and decided to get the food I know: noodles. But this time, it was something new to me. I was so afraid it was going to be a spicy one, but turns out, it’s the best one ever! I had to take my time with the food to fully savor the moment and enjoy the dish.
- Afternoon: Ampera Bridge and the River Musi: Absolutely. Stunning. Finally got the hang of public transportation, or some semblance of it. The Ampera Bridge is iconic. The River Musi? Brown and full of… stuff. (River stuff, apparently). This is how I want to start my day. Even though I'm probably the only one who feels that way.
- Evening: Street Food Adventure (and Potential Food Poisoning?): Determined to embrace the culture (and ignore the small voice in my head whispering "salmonella"), I hit the street food stalls. Sate (grilled meat skewers) were amazing. The unknown deep-fried thing? Less amazing. My stomach is currently doing a rumba. Pray for me.
Day 3: Learning, Reflecting, and Possibly, Regretting
- Morning: The Museum Sriwijaya: Museums are my jam. This one? Bit… dusty. But the exhibits were interesting, though I couldn't understand a single word. Still, the atmosphere was nice.
- Mid-morning: The "Tea Moment": Stumble upon a cafe and have a cup of tea. It wasn't the best cup of tea; it was okay. It was really nice to sit there and slow down the pace of the day.
- Lunch : Trying to recover from the previous night's dinner, I order something light with fruits.
- Afternoon: The Nightlife (or Lack Thereof): Apparently, Palembang doesn't exactly rage. Found a rooftop bar. View was okay. Beer was cold. Music was… well, it was on. Met a guy who claimed to be the "King of Palembang Karaoke." He sang about his ex-girlfriend. Twice.
- Evening: Back to the hotel. Reflecting. Palembang is… intense. Beautiful, chaotic, and definitely not what I expected. Am I loving it? Absolutely. Am I exhausted? Utterly. Am I going to survive the rest of this trip? Maybe.
- Dinner: I end up ordering something from the local store.
Day 4: Departure (and Promise of a Shower)
- Morning: Quick breakfast. Said goodbye to the room.
- Event: The airport.
- Transportation: The airport taxi. Again, negotiating.
- Final Thoughts (Before the Flight): Urbanview Salsabilah? Not the Ritz, but hey, it worked. Palembang? A sensory overload, but in the best possible way. Would I come back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm packing Pepto-Bismol. And maybe a translator.
- On the Plane: Heading back home. Can't wait for a proper shower, a real bed, and a vacation from my vacation. But, secretly, I’m already planning my return.
Okay, so it wasn’t perfect. But it was real. And that's the best kind of trip, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe a doctor.
Persona Hotel Chelyabinsk: Luxury Redefined in Russia's Heart
Palembang's Hidden Gem: Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah - RedDoorz Luxury! (Or Is It?) - A Messy FAQ
So, like, what *is* Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah anyway? Is it actually 'Luxury' or are they totally pulling our leg?
Okay, first things first: "Luxury" is a *very* generous word. Let's just say it's...aspirational. Honestly, it's a RedDoorz, so temper your expectations. But you *are* in Palembang, and considering the price? It's not *terrible*. Think clean-ish, a place to crash, and hopefully air conditioning that actually works, instead of the usual Palembang sauna experience.
I've stayed at places in Palembang that smelled vaguely of damp socks and despair. This one? Less so. Though, I did once find a rogue, suspiciously fluffy, dust bunny in the corner of the room. Don't tell anyone, I just quietly moved it under the bed with my foot. (Hey, I was tired!) So, 'Luxury'? Nope. Decent, for the price? Maybe. Depends on your definition of decent. I'm easy to please, usually. But that dust bunny...that tested me.
The Location...tell me about the location, please. Is it convenient, or am I going to be lost forever?
The location... Okay, here's the deal. It *is* kinda hidden. Which, in Palembang, can mean anything from "slightly off the beaten path" to "literally orbiting another planet." It's not *in* the heart of the city, but it’s not a death sentence either. You'll need a Grab (or a crazy, adrenaline-fueled motorbike ride, which I *strongly* advise against, especially after a nasi uduk feast).
I once spent a good half hour wandering around, convinced I was either going to stumble upon a hidden temple or get eaten by mosquitoes. It's a bit of an adventure to *find* it. Bring a map, ask a local (who may or may not understand English), and maybe a prayer. But, once you *are* there, it's relatively close to a few things. Just...prepare for the hunt.
What about the rooms? Are they actually CLEAN? (That's the real question, right?)
Clean... Okay, let's redefine 'clean'. It’s not sterile, but it's not a biohazard zone. I'd say 'acceptably clean' is the most accurate description. The sheets looked… reasonably fresh. The bathroom... well, it had a shower, and the water *usually* worked. (Sometimes the water pressure was like a grumpy drizzle, though, which is a Palembang tradition, I guess.)
I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so I always bring my own disinfectant wipes. If you are too, definitely do the same. Wipe down *everything*. I learned that lesson the hard way after a truly unfortunate encounter with a questionable-looking doorknob in a dive bar the night before. Let's just say I was wiping down *everything* the next day. Trust me on this one.
The Wi-Fi. Is it a myth? Will I be able to actually, you know, work?
The Wi-Fi. Oh, the Wi-Fi. It's… intermittent. Let’s put it that way. Prepare for periods of blissful connectivity, followed by moments of utter, soul-crushing frustration. Think of it as a fun game of "Guess That Packet Loss!"
I tried video calling my mom, and it was a disaster. She looked like a pixelated monster, and all I could understand was that she wanted me to "eat more vegetables." I suspect she was trying to give me advice about my existential dread. Anyway, good luck with the Wi-Fi. Maybe download your important stuff beforehand. Or embrace the digital detox. (I did neither.)
Breakfast? Do they even *have* breakfast, and if so, is it any good?
Breakfast... yes, they *do* offer breakfast. It's included in the price, which is a *good* thing. Don't expect Michelin-star cuisine. Expect… basic. Think nasi goreng (fried rice), maybe some toast, and instant coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt rubber.
I actually found myself enjoying the nasi goreng, even though it was probably made hours ago. Maybe it was because I was starving, or maybe it was the sheer novelty of eating it in a hotel. There was a banana, too, which I appreciated. But the coffee...oh, the coffee. It was *awful*. I ended up going to a local warung for a decent cup of coffee and some properly fried bananas. Now *that* was breakfast!
The Staff: Friendly or Freaky?
The staff? Generally friendly. They're trying. They *seem* nice. The communication can be... challenging, especially if your Bahasa Indonesia is as terrible as mine. But they're helpful enough, in a "will try their best" kind of way.
I tried to order some extra water one night (because I was dehydrated from the humidity) and the poor guy looked like he was about to spontaneously combust. He kept repeating "Air? Air?" Eventually, with a lot of hand gestures and me pointing to my throat, we sorted it out. It was a comedic performance for both of us. So, not freaky, just...communicationally challenged at times. But definitely well-meaning.
Are there any "hidden gems" *within* the hotel? (Besides the dust bunny, I mean).
Hidden gems... hmm. Okay, I wouldn't say "gems." Maybe "tiny, slightly tarnished pebbles of potential." There's a small garden area...which could be nice, if it were better maintained. There's also the vague possibility of a decent view from some rooms (if you squint).
But really, the *true* hidden gem is the fact that it's a budget-friendly option. That’s it. You're not going to find a secret swimming pool or a hidden massage parlor. This isn't that kind of place. It's a place to sleep, shower, and maybe take a deep breath and accept the reality of budget travel. And, hey, that's sometimes a gem in itself, right?
The Noise Level - Prepare for the Roar of the City, or a Peaceful Slumber?
Noise… Ah, the symphony of Palembang! Let’s just say you *will* hear things. Motorbikes are a constant presence. The calls to prayer (which are beautiful, but early). Street vendors hawking their wares. And the occasional party animal who thinks 3 AM is the perfect time to sing karaoke.
I had one particularly memorable night when a rooster decided to start crowing outside my windowScenic Stays
Post a Comment for "Palembang's Hidden Gem: Urbanview Hotel Salsabilah - RedDoorz Luxury!"