Harris Surabaya: Unbeatable Deals & Luxury Await!
Harris Surabaya: My Braindump on Deals, Dreams, and Dodgy Elevator Music (with SEO!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just spent a week at the Harris Surabaya and I'm ready to spill the tea (hopefully it's complimentary, they do advertise that). This review isn't going to be some dry, corporate brochure-speak. We're getting real. We're getting raw. We're talking about the actual highs and lows of a stay that's supposed to be all about "unbeatable deals & luxury." So, is it truly luxurious, or just… well? Let's dive in.
SEO First, Because Let's Be Honest, I Want You To Find This:
- Harris Surabaya Review: (Yeah, duh, gotta say it)
- Surabaya Hotels: (Gotta compete)
- Luxury Hotel Surabaya: (Reaching for the stars, even if the ceiling fan in my room was a bit shaky)
- Harris Hotel Surabaya Deals: (That's what we're here for, right?)
- Surabaya Hotel with Pool: (Vital. Absolutely vital.)
- Hotel with Spa Surabaya: (Treat yo'self!)
- Family-Friendly Hotel Surabaya: (For those of you wrangling tiny humans)
- Accessible Hotel Surabaya: (Important! We'll get to that)
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Like My Love Life
Okay, let's start with the important stuff. Accessibility. The Harris Surabaya does make an effort. The elevator is decent, thank goodness, because nobody wants to climb a million flights of stairs after a day of Surabaya heat. There are facilities for disabled guests, but I didn't personally test them… I'm just saying they claim to have them! (More details on ramps, accessible restrooms and the like are always welcomed during booking!). The exterior corridor is… well, it’s an exterior corridor. Nothing fancy, but functional.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I did not check it specifically, however I did see some signs that are intended for the disabled guests.
Internet: The Lifeline (Mostly Free!)
THANK GOD FOR Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and the Wi-Fi in public areas. I mean, can you imagine being stuck, hotel bounded, without access to memes and travel blogs? Horrifying. The Internet access [LAN] is there too, in case you're some sort of ancient tech guru. The Internet services were decent. No buffering during my Netflix binges, which is a major win in my book.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe, But Maybe Not Super Clean?
Alright, let's be real. After the past few years of… well, you know… I’m super sensitive about cleanliness. The good news: Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer stations everywhere you look, and Staff trained in safety protocol. They take their Hygiene certification seriously. I even saw them spraying a fog of anti-viral cleaning products around! But… and it's a small but… the corners of my room… let's just say they weren't exactly gleaming clean. I'm not a germaphobe. But I did find a stray hair in the bathroom that wasn't mine. Still… rooms sanitized between stays. Professional-grade sanitizing services. Individually-wrapped food options. Solid. They’re trying.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (Mostly Good Food)
Let's be honest, a hotel lives or dies by its food. And the Harris Surabaya offers… variety.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, so the Buffet in restaurant was… okay. They offered Asian breakfast, and Western breakfast. The usual eggs, bacon, toast situation. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. The juice selection? A little… suspiciously orange.
- Poolside bar: This was a highlight! Sipping a cocktail by the pool with a view (see below). That's living. The Happy hour deals were pretty darn attractive.
- Restaurants: They have a few, including a Vegetarian restaurant (yay!). They also had Asian cuisine in restaurant. And International cuisine in restaurant. Options are always good, right? Note: they have Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant.
- Room service: I used the Room service [24-hour] more than I care to admit. Afternoons of jet lag, you see?. The menu was extensive, which was a plus.
A memory: one day I ordered a bottle of water at the restaurant, and the staff didn't bring a glass. I guess they really value the water economy in Surabaya.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I did not request it, and neither did the staff, so I'm not super sure.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreamin'
This is where the "luxury" part kinda shines.
- Swimming pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous, especially the Pool with view. Seriously, the cityscape at sunset? Chef's kiss.
- Spa/sauna: Now, this is where it gets good. I indulged in a Body scrub and a Massage. Pure bliss. They also have a Spa, a Sauna, and a Steamroom.
- Fitness center: I attempted to use the Gym/fitness center. Emphasis on "attempted." Let's just say I'm more of a pool lounger than a treadmill warrior.
Side note: One day, whilst I was relaxing in the sauna, the elevator music started playing. I was so close to the end of my zen-like state: not that close.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They've got a lot:
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank goodness.
- Business facilities: For the workaholics out there, the Business facilities are there. They have Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Meeting stationery.
- Concierge: Helpful!
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always cleaned and refreshed.
- Elevator: A lifesaver!!
- Facilities for disabled guests: As mentioned.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: You can come here with that embarrassing stain from the flight, and they'll make you look awesome.
- Luggage storage.
- Smoking area
- Cash withdrawal
- Convenience store
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Safe deposit boxes
- Doorman
- Safety/security feature
- Car park [free of charge], Valet parking, Taxi service
- Front desk [24-hour], Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]
For the Kids: Family Fun Factor
They have a Babysitting service, which is great if you need a few hours of adult time. They are Family/child friendly, with Kids facilities and a Kids meal.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Convenient.
- Car park [free of charge]
- Car park [on-site]: Parking is a win
- Taxi service
Available in all rooms: the list!
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, 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, 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.
Room Rundown: Mostly Okay, With Some Quirks
The room itself was… adequate. Air conditioning was a must, and it worked. They had Blackout curtains (bless!). Coffee/tea maker. Free bottled water. The Bed was comfy enough. However, a few small issues: the shower pressure was a bit weak, and the TV channels were a bit limited. I did not spot the bathroom phone. But honestly, the Wi-Fi [free] made up for a lot. The Seating area was a nice touch. I liked the Window that opens. The Desk, made getting some work done easy.
**The
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hotel Colonial Hermosillo's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your sterile, perfectly polished travel brochure. This is me, messy and caffeine-fueled, trying to navigate the HARRIS Hotel & Conventions Bundaran Satelit Surabaya Indonesia. Prepare for the glorious train wreck that is my attempt at a schedule:
Surabaya with a Side of Whine (And Maybe Some Good Food) – The Itinerary of a Slightly Disorganized Soul
Day 1: Arrival, Expectations, and the Great Swimming Pool Debate
14:00 - Arrival & Check-in: Ugh, the flight. Always the flight. Stuck next to a guy who apparently thought my armrest was public property AND snored like a rusty chainsaw. Finally, glory! The HARRIS lobby! It’s… bright. Like retina-searingly bright. Is that a good thing? I'm still wrestling with the after-effects of a questionable airplane coffee. Smooth check-in, thankfully. My room – let’s hope it’s not haunted. (I swear, I always think that.) Fingers crossed for a good view. (Update: the view is of… other buildings. Surabaya, you are a city of rectangles.)
15:00 - Room Recon & Immediate Regret about Packing: Okay, room check-in. Everything is clean (yay!). Mini-fridge… sigh… stocked with things I'm definitely going to pay too much for. Bathroom – always the crucial test. Clean, good water pressure… score! Wait, a hairdryer! Why did I even bother packing mine? (Seriously, I should probably just adopt a minimalist lifestyle. That's the dream. Probably never happening.)
16:00 - The Great Swimming Pool Question: Alright, this is important. The brochure promised a beautiful pool. That's a MUST. Right? I mean a pool is the ultimate hotel marker. But first… a nap. Maybe. OR, should I immediately conquer the pool?? I'm torn. Actually, I'm exhausted. Nap wins. (Note to self: pack earplugs for the inevitable construction sounds.)
17:30 - Pool Reconnaissance (Delayed): Finally awake. Must…find…pool… and if it's as good as the pictures, I'm spending the rest of the day there. (Or at least until my skin starts to resemble a prune.)
- The Verdict: The pool is… fine. It's not the infinity pool of my dreams, but it's clean. The water temp is perfect (not too cold not too hot), and I can see a bar. This is going to be my heaven for the next few hours.
19:00 - Dinner at something local: The hotel restaurant looks… fine. but I want the real Surabaya experience. Time to venture out! (And pray I don't get lost…) Should probably check out a local restaurant. I've heard Nasi Rawon is a must-try. Sigh… Wish me luck with the navigation. This could be the beginning of a beautiful cultural experience… or a desperate search for Wi-fi.
21:00 - Dinner (and the aftermath): I found a little warung recommended by the concierge (bless him/her!). The Nasi Rawon was divine. Honestly, the flavor explosion in my mouth was worth the minor language barrier and the questionable use of plastic cutlery. (Okay, it wasn't that questionable. Just… you know…) Feeling pleasantly full and slightly overwhelmed by the sheer business of the street. Back to the hotel now, exhausted but happy.
Day 2: Culture, Confusion, and the Quest for Authentic Coffee
08:00 - Wake-up & Regret about the Late Night Snack: Okay, I definitely devoured that entire bag of chips at 2 AM. WHY? Now I have a puffy face and a slight stomach ache. Brilliant. Breakfast time. Hopefully, they have good coffee. (Coffee is life).
- Breakfast Verdict: Breakfast buffet is pretty good. Variety of food to chose from.
- Coffee Verdict: Ok, I need to find better coffee after this trip.
09:30 - A Venture into Cultural Immersion: Today, I'm attempting to be cultured. Gonna try to go to the House of Sampoerna, a cigarette museum. I know, I know. But the architecture is supposed to be amazing. (And it's air-conditioned, and after trying to navigate the traffic in Surabaya, I need that.) Also, I need to work on my negotiation skills. The taxi driver tried to overcharge me.
11:00 - The House of Sampoerna – A Sensory Overload (in a good way): Wow. Okay, the architecture is incredible. Plus, this place is HUGE. It's like another world. And it's an actual working factory, I think. Seeing the hundreds of women carefully rolling cigarettes was fascinating. (And, yes, the smell of tobacco is strong, so if you hate that, this place might not be for you.)
13:00 - Lunch Attempt (and the Lost-in-Translation Moment): Okay, I've worked up an appetite. Time to try another warung. (Google translate, engage!) I tried to order something that looked like "spicy noodles." I think. What arrived was something that could have been spicy noodles, but it was also… an experience. Think: noodles, chili paste, and a mystery meat. I'm still not entirely sure what I ate. (But it was delicious!)
14:30 - The Shopping Spree: Okay, let's go to a mall. I need a gift for myself. And a t-shirt. And maybe a new pair of sandals.
17:00 - Back to the Hotel, Contemplating my Life Choices: A little weary and broke. I can't buy everything. Decided to just go back to the hotel.
19:00 - Dinner, Reflections, and a Plea for More Coffee: Back in the hotel restaurant. My feet ache. My brain is fried. I'm considering ordering a burger. Or maybe just a really strong cup of coffee. Definitely coffee. (Did I mention I love coffee?)
Day 3: Departure, Memories, and the Unanswered Questions
07:00 - Breakfast (and a farewell to the buffet): Last breakfast! Gotta get my fill of that mini-donuts.
08:30 - Packing and the Realization that I Can't Pack Anything: Ah, the joy of packing. I've got a collection of "souvenirs" – which are mostly things I really like.
10:00 - Final Swim (and a Moment of Peace): One last dip in the pool. This time, I'm armed with a good book and a sense of quiet contentment. (Okay, maybe not quiet. There's a screaming kid nearby.)
11:00 - Check Out and Goodbye: Check-out was smooth.
12:00 - The Airport, the Aftermath and the Realizations: The airport is its own special kind of chaos. But I survived.
Surabaya, you were… an experience. The food was incredible. The traffic was terrifying. The people were warm and welcoming. I'm still not entirely sure what I ate for lunch yesterday. And I'm pretty sure I need to sleep for a week. But I'll be back. I promise. Maybe next time, I'll actually learn some of the language. Maybe. (Probably not.) But I'll definitely bring more coffee.
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Harris Surabaya: Deals, Luxury... and My Sanity? A Messy FAQ
Alright, so "Unbeatable Deals"? What's the REAL deal? And should I even care?
Luxury, huh? What does that *actually* mean at Harris Surabaya? Is it just a fancy lobby and then, boom, disappointment?
Tell me about breakfast. Because breakfast is important. Really, really important.
What about the staff? Are they actually helpful, or just pretending? Because I *hate* fake helpfulness.
Is the location any good? Because being stuck in the middle of nowhere ruins a good hotel, even with the best deals.
Okay, so let's get to the nitty-gritty: Swimming pool? Gym? Are these things even worth bothering with?
Anything else I should know? Secret tips, hidden gems, and things I *absolutely* need to avoid? Spill the tea, please!
