Saturday, June 28, 2014

Hotel Review: Aston Jember

Hotel Review: Aston Jember

I visited here in April 2014 for my first visit ever to Jember, East Java. Me and my friends had a two night stay at this hotel because we were going to Tanjung Papuma and also Nusa Barong Island. I think this hotel might be the only 4 star hotel in town and it's fairly new. The building is very new and the room also looks decent and new.

I recommend people who want to visit the Jember City to stay at this hotel if you are willing to spend some more money than staying at some other hotels that might be cheaper than Aston Jember.

The location is greatly and strategically located within the city centre area. Afterall, Jember City is not that big anyway. So, if you are in town and you got a car to move around, you will be fine staying in this hotel.

It is also quite close to the city centre area which has a lot of good foods, like Mie Rama (our favourite).

The hotel lobby is awesome, just like any other 4 star hotel lobby.

This hotel also has a restaurant at lobby level and a restaurant and bar on about level 5 or 6 (I can't remember). On the bar level, you can also find an awesome looking swimming pool and a fitness centre with new looking equipments (took a peek inside but didn't try).

The only downside is it could get a bit noisy at night (in the weekends) if you get a room facing the bar and restaurant and swimming pool. And also somehow you could easily look into other rooms through the non-tinted windows (of course when the rooms are not closed with the curtains).

However, I had a great stay at this hotel. and my rating would be:

9/10

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Hotel Review: Tir Na Nog Gili Trawangan

Hotel Review: Tir Na Nog Gili Trawangan

Hotel Review: Welcome Inn Gili Trawangan

I stayed here in early Jun 2014 for my fourth visit to Gili Trawangan.

Room & Facility: 7/10
The room is alright. For the price, I could have gotten a lttle bit better. I got a two single bed bedroom with a very very basic bathroom. Well, there is a safety deposit box to be used, but it's not something that I need when I am in Gili, that's why I don't use it. The cleanliness of the room is probably only 7/10. Another facility includes a bar that is very crowded and alive at night right in front of the hotel, as a part of the hotel, Tir Na Nog Bar.

Value for Money: 7/10
I was charged about IDR 800.000. Like I said, I could have got a little bit better of facility, especially for the room.

Location: 9/10
If you want a location that is right in the middle of the party, this is it. At night, there are parties going on just outside the hotel. We thought it's gonna be very noisy at night when we try to sleep, but that's not the case. Somehow, the noise didn't get to our room despite the fact that our room is the first room and the closest to the gate to the bar outside.

Staff: 9/10
Staff was really great. We asked for a late checkout. Initially, the staff hesitated because they were fully booked the next day. However, we were given 1 hour late checkout. The staff also helped us organize a glass bottom boat rental for our snorkeling trip to the three gili islans (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air).

Pretty much I would say that there could be other great hotels to stay in Gili Trawangan that could offer better quality with the same price. Would I come back to this hotel to stay? Yes, but only at a discounted price. :)