Escape to Paradise: OYO 91303 Puri Dennis Medan Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: OYO 91303 Puri Dennis Medan Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: OYO 91303 Puri Dennis Medan Awaits! - A Seriously Honest Review (and Maybe You Should Book It?)
Alright, buckle up, because we're about to dive headfirst into the… well, let's call it the "Paradise" promised by Escape to Paradise: OYO 91303 Puri Dennis Medan. Don’t expect a polished press release. This is real life reviews.
First things first: Location, Location, Location… and Accessibility!
Okay, Medan. It’s hot. Really hot. And if you’re picturing a tropical oasis perfectly located, well, let’s just say you’ll want to do your homework on that. As for Escape to Paradise itself: Accessibility? Well, they say "Facilities for disabled guests" exist. But folks, I'm skeptical. No specific mentions of wheelchair access, which is a glaring red flag. So if you need serious accessibility, probably skip this one.
(Rambling about Heat and Hope)
I arrived sweating. My clothes stuck to my skin. That's Medan! I was hoping for a hidden gem. You always hope, right? Maybe a cool, refreshing oasis. Let's see if Escape to Paradise delivers…
The Inside Scoop: Rooms, Rooms, and… Rooms! (And the Internet)
Let's get practical, starting with the most important things, Rooms:
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank goodness!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes (fancy!), Bathroom phone (weird, but okay), Bathtub, Blackout curtains (essential!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (yes!), Desk, Extra long bed (for us tall folks!), Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (…really?), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Internet: They scream about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And they aren't lying. You can't see the internet, but it definitely exists! We'll come to that later, but the Internet [LAN], is also present, for the techies! And more Internet services are available.
The WiFi: A Love Story, or a Technological Tragedy?
Okay, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!… Look, it works. Mostly. Sometimes it dips out at the worst possible moment, like when you're trying to order food and you're starving. Then again, if you're trying to escape everything and be at peace… then it could be perfect! There's Wi-Fi in public areas, which seems more reliable. So, pack a good book and be prepared to embrace digital detox days with love? Or, you know, bring a hotspot.
Relaxation (and Maybe a Body Scrub?) - Getting Down to the Good Stuff!
This is where Escape to Paradise gets… interesting. They list all sorts of things that sound amazing! Let's break it down, shall we?
- Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]
Important Note: I didn't personally experience all of these. (My bank account isn't that rich!) But the thought of a Pool with a view, a Sauna, and a Massage… Yep, sign me up! But, I'm a real person, so I can't completely guarantee you a perfect experience, because that's just life.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition!
This is where things get serious. Especially now! They are doing something right:
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
I noticed they were cleaning a lot. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Physical distancing was… attempted. I felt reasonably safe. Which is a massive relief these days.
(A Quick Food Fumble)
I have to rant a bit about the food because I feel like it's an important part of the experience.
Dining: Food, Glorious Food… or Not?
Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
OKAY, so, SO MUCH FOOD! Escape to Paradise is going for the full buffet experience, as well. I opted for the room service which was convenient, but the options were a bit “meh.” Okay-ish soup, a slightly sad salad, and the coffee tasted like it had been brewing since the dawn of time. Honestly, the coffee shop saved the day for a quick morning caffeine fix. But the Asian breakfast, the Asian cuisine in restaurant, and the International cuisine in restaurant are all things I wished I had got a chance to try.
Services and Conveniences: Perks or Perplexities?
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
WOW! That's a lot of extras! Daily housekeeping which was fantastic. The concierge was helpful, but not overly enthusiastic. The cash withdrawal was useful (I forgot to get local currency). Dry cleaning and laundry service saved me from a wardrobe of wrinkled clothes. Food delivery was a life-saver when the in-house food wasn't cutting it!
(Anecdote: The Shrine of Annoyingly Loud Roosters)
There's a weird little shrine nearby. It's cute. Except, there are these roosters. And they are LOUD. And they do not care if you're trying to sleep. On the other hand, it's just part of the adventure, right? Embrace the local culture, even if it wakes you up at 5:00 AM.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You!)
- For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I don’t have kids to judge, but it looks like they try.
Getting Around: Easier Said Than Done
- Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
The Airport transfer was great! The Car park was on-site and free. Bike parking is available, too. Getting a taxi was easy.
The Good, the Bad, and the Potentially Glorious
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Pets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms.
Let's not forget fire safety. They have Fire extinguishers and have a front desk 24 hours.
My Honest Opinion: The Verdict (and Why You Might Want to Book)
- The Good: Cleanliness is clearly a priority. The rooms are good, and the basics are all there: good
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive HEADFIRST into the glorious, questionable, and potentially spicy adventure that is my trip to Medan, Indonesia! More specifically… OYO 91303 Puri Dennis. Let's be real, the "Dennis" already sets a certain expectation, doesn't it? Fingers crossed it’s not too “Dennis the Menace.”
Day 1: Arrival, Ramen Regrets, and the Questionable Charm of Puri Dennis (aka, Where the Toilet Paper Might Be a Mystery)
- Morning (6:00 AM - 8:00 AM - or whenever the heck I can peel myself out of bed after a terrible flight): Land in Medan, bleary-eyed and clutching my carry-on like it's my last earthly possession. The airport… well, it's an airport. Smells faintly of jet fuel and… something else? Spice? Doubtful. Probably just anticipation. Or fear. My stomach is already doing a nervous tango, probably from the in-flight coffee. I’m gonna need a good cup of joe ASAP.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Immigration. Pray to the gods of efficiency that this doesn't take forever. My passport photo is from a particularly unflattering angle, so I might get side-eyed. Wish me luck!
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Grab a taxi to OYO 91303 Puri Dennis. This is where the real adventure begins. I'm envisioning a charming guesthouse, perhaps with a courtyard, maybe even a friendly cat. Mostly, I’m just hoping the AC works because I’m a sweaty mess.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Check into Puri Dennis. Okay, first impressions… Let's just say "charming" might be a stretch. The lobby… exists. The staff… well, they are present. Deep breath. Let's make the best of it. Room inspection time! (Fingers crossed the bed doesn’t spontaneously combust.)
- Lunch (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Okay, so I was STARVING. Found a place that claimed to have "Authentic Japanese Ramen." I got way too excited. Big mistake. Massive regret. The broth tasted suspiciously like dish soap. The noodles were… gummy. My stomach is still staging a protest. Lesson learned: stick to the local cuisine… even if it looks questionable.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Bed rest and recover from the ramen trauma. Maybe explore the local shops around the hotel. Pray that nothing is closed because of the local customs.
- Late Afternoon and Evening (4:00 PM - 10:00 PM): I had to experience a local market. The smells alone were overwhelming - incense, fried food, the faint aroma of something… not quite edible. The energy was electric! So much noise, so many people, so much… everything. I ended up buying a weird fruit I couldn’t name but the lady convinced me it was good. (Spoiler: it wasn’t. But the experience was worth it!) Dinner: Trying authentic Indonesian food. Might actually get a bit of sleep tonight. Pray for no bed bugs.
Day 2: Lake Toba and the Unexpected Beauty of… Dirt Roads?
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Rise and shine! (If the roosters and questionable traffic noises allow it.) Breakfast at… wherever I can find it. Possibly smuggled instant coffee and a stale biscuit.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Arrange transport to Lake Toba. This is THE big one! Ferry? Bus? Praying for "comfortable" and getting… something else entirely. I mean, the adventure is part of the travel, isn't it? Tell myself that again.
- All Day (9:00 AM - 7:00 PM): The JOURNEY to Lake Toba itself. Hours… on what I’m praying is a paved road. Expecting bumpy roads and questionable driving skills (based on my taxi experience). Maybe get a good book? Snacks? Anything to keep my stomach from revolting.
- Around Noonish: Lunch at a roadside eatery. Deep breath. Order something I can at least pronounce. Here goes nothing!
- Afternoon: Arrived at Lake Toba. Holy. Mother. Of. Lakes. The sheer scale of it… breathtaking. The air, the scenery… it’s worth the trip. I spent the whole afternoon wandering around. Even the dirty roads had an undeniable charm. Got some of the best photos I've ever taken.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Found a quaint little restaurant on the lake. Dinner and sunset. Pure. Bliss.
- Evening (10:00 PM Onward): Back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. (Hopefully, I’ll be sleeping.) Before heading back to OYO 91303 Puri Dennis. Praying the bed bugs aren't as hungry as I was at the Ramen place.
Day 3: Medan City, Street Food, and the Ongoing Bathroom Mystery
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Wake up! (Hopefully, with all my limbs still attached.) Breakfast: Back to the instant coffee and biscuit plan?
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Head back to Medan. More travel! (Joy!)
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Back in Medan, time for street food! My stomach is starting to get acclimated to the local cuisine, so I'm feeling brave. Trying everything! Let's see what I regret this time!
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Explore the city. Visit a temple or two. Maybe the Maimun Palace. Soak it all in. Medan's got a vibe. I'm starting to get it!
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Take a nap. (Again. I need sleep. Seriously.)
- Evening (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Take a nap. (Again. I need sleep. Seriously.)
- Evening (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Dinner. Try a new restaurant. Something… safer this time?
- Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Final exploration of Medan. Buy souvenirs. Maybe some batik fabric. Anything to help remember this trip.
- Evening (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Pack. Prepare for my flight.
- Evening (10:00 PM Onward): Final thoughts. The bathrooms in Puri Dennis are still a mystery. I'm not even sure if they have proper toilet paper. Oh well! It has been a journey!
Day 4: Departure (and the Lingering Smell of Adventure)
- Morning (6:00 AM - 7:00 AM): Wake up (hopefully not feeling too sorry for myself). Last breakfast. Last check of the room for… well, anything I might have forgotten.
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Taxi to the airport.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Flight home. Reflect on the highs, the lows, the questionable food choices, and the unforgettable experience that was Medan.
Post-Trip:
- De-brief with friends and family. Show off the photos. Tell the stories!
- Wash all the clothes I wore… repeatedly. (Just in case.)
- Start planning the next adventure! (Any recommendations?)
This is it! My Medan adventure. The good, the bad, the potentially-illness-inducing… and I wouldn't trade it for anything! (Except maybe, you know, a slightly cleaner bathroom at Puri Dennis.) Wish me luck!
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Escape to Paradise: OYO 91303 Puri Dennis Medan Awaits! - You Asked, I (Maybe) Answered...
Okay, so *Paradise*...is that stretching it a bit?
Look, let's be honest, when you see "Paradise" in the name, your brain probably conjures up images of glistening beaches, cocktails with little umbrellas, and maybe a Hemsworth brother or two. Puri Dennis Medan... is *not* that. It's a... well, it's a place to stay in Medan. A *functional* place. Paradise? Debatable. More like "Escape from Having to Sleep in the Airport," maybe. But hey, I've seen worse. My ex-boyfriend's apartment, for instance. This is, at least, arguably CLEANER.
I remember arriving completely exhausted after a 12-hour flight. I just wanted to collapse. The lobby... well, it *had* a lobby. And a chair. And a somewhat bewildered-looking receptionist who spoke limited English. She was probably thinking, "Another one? Seriously?" It was a far cry from the glossy brochure promises, but considering my disheveled state and the chaos of the Medan airport, I was just happy to be inside.
What's the actual *room* like? Spill the tea!
Right, the room. Okay, so imagine a room. A *room* room. The kind with four walls. There was a bed, which, thankfully, *did* have a mattress. And clean-ish sheets (essential!). A TV, that played Indonesian channels, which, given my Indonesian proficiency (zero), proved less exciting than staring at the ceiling. The air conditioning? Kind of a gamble. Some days it worked flawlessly, creating a blissful arctic chill. Other days... well, let's just say I practiced my sun salutations *indoors*.
The bathroom...ah, the bathroom. It's where things got *interesting*. The shower was a bit of a commitment. More of a gentle drizzle, than a full-on downpour. The water pressure was... optimistic. And the *smell*...well, let's just say it wasn't exactly lavender fields. Sometimes, I swear I could smell the remnants of previous occupants. It added a certain *character*, I suppose. You're not there for the luxury, you're there...to exist. To be. To maybe, eventually, sleep.
My first night? The AC conked out. It was like sleeping in a sauna. I think I almost hallucinated a talking gecko. I eventually found the courage to call reception at 3 AM (after much internal debate), who, bless their cotton socks, sent someone up. Problem solved... for about an hour. Then, the gecko seemed like a better option.
Is the location convenient? (And is there... food?)
Location, yes, actually. Pretty decent. It's close to some...stuff. I mean, Medan is a busy city, so "convenient" is relative. But it's near the train station, which, at least, gives you the option of *leaving* Medan. Which, after a few days, you might consider. There are also some local eateries nearby.
Food. Okay, food. *That's* the real treasure. Forget the hotel restaurant. You *have* to go out. Walk a few blocks. Embrace the chaos. Find the warungs (local food stalls). Try the Nasi Goreng. Thank me later. Seriously. Delicious, cheap...and probably safe! (Don't quote me on that. My stomach survived, but everyone's different.) I still dream about the nasi goreng I had near the hotel, even now. That, my friends, was paradise. The hotel breakfast? Let's just say I stuck with the instant coffee and pre-packaged biscuits.
The "cleanliness" – how clean are we talking? Be brutally honest.
Brutally honest? Okay. "Clean" is a relative term. Let's just say I wasn't running around licking the floors. But, it wasn't *filthy*. It was… functional. I'm guessing they *tried*. You could definitely tell they weren't exactly running a Five-Star operation. There might be a suspicious stain or two on the carpet. The bathroom, as mentioned, was a *situation*. You could probably find a stray hair or two.
Look, I'm a germaphobe (okay, a little bit), and I survived. I didn't get sick. I brought my own sanitizing wipes, and I used them. *Liberally*. On everything. The bed, the surfaces, the remote control. If you're expecting pristine perfection, this isn't it. But if you're looking for a place to crash after a long day of exploring Medan, and you're not *too* precious, you'll be fine. Just bring the wipes. TRUST ME.
What's the *best* thing about this place?
The price, probably. You're not going to break the bank staying here. And the location, as previously established. The *best* thing, though? The sheer, unadulterated *experience*. Staying at Puri Dennis Medan isn't just about the room; it's about embracing the messy, the imperfect, the REAL. It's about stepping outside your comfort zone. It's about eating amazing street food. It's about laughing at the air conditioning. It's about learning to appreciate the little things, like a decent shower (eventually).
Looking back, I wouldn't trade the experience. It's a story. A story I can tell, filled with gecko-induced nightmares, surprisingly delicious nasi goreng and a healthy dose of "well, that was… interesting." And hey, it's cheaper than therapy.
Would you recommend it? (Be honest!)
Okay, here’s the deal. Would I recommend Puri Dennis Medan to everyone? Absolutely not. If you're expecting luxury, white-glove service, and perfection, run away. Run far away. If you're the type who needs a perfectly spotless bathroom and consistent water pressure, this is not your jam.
But if you're adventurous, on a budget, and willing to embrace the *slightly* chaotic, the *not-quite-perfect* nature of it all? Then, yeah, give it a shot. It's an experience. It's a story. And who knows, maybe you'll find your own little slice of paradise, even amidst the questionable air conditioning.
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