Indonesian Paradise Found: Luxury Awaits at POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten!
Indonesian Paradise Found: Luxury Awaits at POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten!
Indonesian Paradise Found (Maybe?): My Wild Ride at POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten! (A Review That's All Over the Place)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just clawed my way back from what I can only describe as… an experience at the POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten. And honestly, I'm still unpacking the emotional baggage. They say paradise awaits. Well, it's certainly… somewhere in the building. Let's dive in, shall we? This is gonna be a hot mess, just like my luggage after the trip.
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First Impressions: The Accessibility Gauntlet (and a Few Wobbly Knees)
So, the first thing – and I'm saying this as someone who trips over air – accessibility. They say they're accessible. Elevator? Check. Ramps? Yep, got those. But navigating the sprawling layout felt a bit like a scavenger hunt designed by a slightly sadistic architect. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I can say with absolute certainty that some of the distances felt… epic. The lobby, huge! The pool? A trek. And the "accessible" bathroom in my room? More on that later. Let's just say, it involved a certain amount of navigational grace bordering on the absurd. Accessibility Score: A solid B- for effort, needs some polish. Consider bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes.
The Fortress of Cleanliness & Safety: Did They Sanitize With Lasers?!
Okay, this is where POSCO really shines. In a post-pandemic world, I'm basically a germaphobe disguised as a free-spirited traveler. And this place? They get it. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double-Check. Staff trained in safety protocols? They seemed to be operating on a level of cleanliness paranoia that I secretly, deeply, appreciated. Seriously, I saw a guy sterilizing the elevator buttons. Cleanliness Score: A+! I'd eat off the floor…if it weren’t for my crippling germophobia. Plus, they had hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. Bless them.
The Room: A Tale of Blackout Curtains and Slightly Questionable Plumbing
My room… well, it was a mixed bag. On the plus side – and this is a big one – FREE WI-FI IN ALL ROOMS! Thank you, digital gods! Also, blackout curtains. Heavenly, blackout curtains. I could sleep through a nuclear winter in those things. The bed was comfy, the air conditioning was a glorious arctic blast, and I even had a little desk to work on (though I mostly used it to balance my takeout containers). Oh, and the complimentary bottle of water. A must-have.
Now, for the less-than-stellar: The "accessible" bathroom. Let's just say the shower configuration required a degree of contortionism that I'm not sure is humanly possible without a degree in acrobatics. And the hot water? Sporadic, bordering on the nonexistent. I think I saw a plumber lurking in the hallway, but I’m not sure. I’m pretty sure I just imagined him. Room Score: B-. Excellent blackout curtains, questionable shower.
Dining, Drinking and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with Unexpected Pitfalls)
The food situation at POSCO was… a rollercoaster. The Asian breakfast? Delicious. I devoured the nasi goreng and the fresh fruit like a starving man. However, I had a particularly disastrous encounter with the "International cuisine" restaurant. I ordered a steak that was so overcooked, it could have doubled as a hockey puck. I'm not kidding. And the a la carte menu? Overpriced, even for a luxury hotel. My advice: Stick to the Asian food and pray for the best. But the Poolside Bar? Decent cocktails, even if the service could be a little slow at times. Food Score: C+, with a strong recommendation for the breakfast buffet. They also had a snack bar? Which was handy, so points for convenience.
Ways to Relax: Drowning My Steak Trauma in the Pool (and Maybe a Sauna)
Did I mention the pool? The swimming pool [outdoor] was gorgeous. Pool with view? You betcha. I spent a good chunk of my time floating around, trying to forget about the steak. They also had a spa/sauna: I did venture into the sauna, feeling a bit self-conscious, I didn't get to try out the Steamroom or the foot bath. Ways to Relax Score: A. Pool saved the day!
Things to Do (Besides Avoiding the Steak):
Besides the pool, the hotel offered a bunch of stuff. Fitness center? Yup, there was one. Gym/fitness? Same thing. I didn't go – I was too busy recovering from the steak trauma – but I saw people using it. They had Massage and Spa options. I wanted to get a Body scrub and a Body wrap, but I never got around to it, so I skipped the Kids facilities.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Helpfulness and the Slightly Clueless
They had all the usual suspects: 24-hour front desk, laundry service, daily housekeeping, concierge, and so on. The staff were generally friendly and tried their best, but there were moments when things felt a bit… discombobulated. I asked about booking a taxi, and the concierge stared blankly at me for a good minute. Apparently, the concept of “taxi” was a bit lost in translation. Eventually, they figured it out. The elevator was reliable, at least. Services Score: B- for effort, C+ for execution.
For the Kids (and The Big Kids at Heart):
The hotel seemed pretty family-friendly. They had Babysitting service they could have provided Kids meal as well.
Getting Around: The Airport Shuffle and the Parking Puzzle
They offered Airport transfer which was very helpful. The hotel boasts Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] so I don’t have to worry about having a ride. Their services have a Taxi service and Valet parking.
The Verdict: A Bit of a Rollercoaster, But Worth the Ride? (Maybe)
So, would I recommend POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten? It's complicated. For the price, it's hard to complain. The cleanliness and the pool definitely make it attractive. But there are definitely some areas – notably the consistency of service and the culinary offerings – where they could definitely up their game. Overall, the verdict is: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Come prepared for some quirks, bring your own plumbing supplies, and maybe pack a healthy dose of patience. But hey, you might just have a blast. Now if you excuse me, I need to go find a good nasi goreng.
Bangalore's Hidden Gem: Akshaya Patra & Treebo Hotel Near Bull Temple!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten itinerary? It's less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunken diary entry after three too many Bintangs." Let's dive in. And who knows, maybe we'll actually arrive somewhere.
POSCO E&C HOTEL Banten: The Slightly Unhinged Itinerary
(Because, let's be honest, planning is a suggestion, not a rule.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle (or, Why I Suddenly Resemble a Pack Mule)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Departure from wherever the hell I am: Okay, so getting here was a mission. My flight was delayed. Again. Honestly, I'm starting to think airlines just invent delays to mess with me personally. Got a lukewarm coffee from, who knows where.
- 12:00 PM - Arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta: The usual chaos. Smells like a mix of exhaust fumes and…I don't know, existential dread? Passport control went okay, though I definitely thought I lost my luggage. For like, five glorious seconds. Then I realized it was just REALLY heavy. Did I overpack? Absolutely. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. You never know when you'll need three different types of sunscreen and a ukulele. True story.
- 1:00 PM - The Taxi Tango: Now, figuring out the taxi situation was a comedy of errors. Haggling? Forget it. My bargaining skills are rusty. Spent an hour, a LOT of sweat, and finally, a taxi driver with a suspiciously optimistic mustache agreed on a rate. Note to self: learn some Indonesian phrases, starting with “How much?" and ending with “This is highway robbery!".
- 3:00 PM - Check-in at POSCO E&C Hotel: Finally! The promised sanctuary. The outside looked promising, gleaming in the sun. Now, a hotel room. And the room… it's fine. The AC works. The bed looks comfy. Am I already plotting to nap? Probably.
- 4:00 PM - Exploring the Hotel (more or less by stumbling into everything): Found the pool! It's, uh, turquoise. Very tropical. The gym, I think I'll skip. The lobby looks promising for people-watching. I wonder if they have good WiFi and can handle my ridiculous Instagram habit?
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: The Indonesian Food Adventure Begins: Okay, so there are several restaurants? Can't decide. I'm craving something spicy. Pray for me.
Day 2: Banten's Bites and Bureaucracy (and a dash of existential dread)
- 9:00 AM - (Attempted) Breakfast at the Hotel: The buffet. A glorious, chaotic buffet. Tried everything, ended up with a plate piled precariously high. Overate. Regret? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.
- 10:00 AM - The Mysterious Cilegon City Tour: I'm off to Cilegon. I'm sure I'll remember to enjoy the views. I'm actually very excited to go.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch: The Street-Food Gamble Okay, so this is probably a bad idea. But I'm feeling adventurous. Found the most amazing little street vendor at the corner of the street with some questionable looking food. I bought it. It was delicious.
- 1:00 PM - Back to the Hotel: Naptime. The only time I have to myself.
Day 3: The Beach, The Beach, The Beach! And My Deep-Seated Fear of Sand
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast: Another buffet bonanza. I swear I can already feel my waistband expanding.
- 10:00 AM - Pantai Anyer: I'm going to the beach! I packed the sunblock! And the ukulele! I'm ready to go!
- 12:00 PM - Beach Time Shenanigans: Okay, so the beach is… well, it's sand. Everywhere. I like the ocean, but sand? It gets in everything. I'm also worried about sunburn, so I'm cloaked in SPF 50, looking like a ghost. Did I mention the beach? The water is so refreshing. I spent another hour trying to build a sandcastle that would last longer than two minutes before a massive wave came and ruined it.
- 3:00 PM - Beach Snacks and Contemplation: I think I have some sand somewhere. I need a snack.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Back to the Hotel, and more Indonesian Delights: Found some Nasi Goreng that blew my mind! This is what I call a good journey.
Day 4: The Farewell (and the Questionable Gift Shop Run)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast: I'm officially addicted to the buffet. The hotel staff will probably stage an intervention soon.
- 10:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt: The gift shop. Let's just say I'm not known for my restraint. I did pick up a batik shirt and a ceramic cat. I'm not sure why, but it felt important at the time.
- 12:00 PM - Check-out and Departure Prep: Farewell, hotel room! You were a haven of air conditioning and questionable room service choices.
- 2:00 PM - Airport Debriefing: Jakarta airport, here I come. I'm leaving like I arrived: exhausted, slightly sunburned, with a suitcase overflowing with memories and the lingering aroma of Indonesian spices.
- 4:00 - The Flight: Will the flight even be on time?
Important Notes:
- Transportation: See above. Public transport is an adventure. Taxis are the wild west.
- Food: Embrace the unknown! Try everything! (And maybe pack some antacids.)
- Language: Learn a few basic phrases. My Indonesian vocabulary is currently limited to "Hello," "Thank you," and "Where is the bathroom?"
- Mood: Be prepared for anything. Expect the unexpected. Don't take yourself too seriously. And most importantly, have fun, even (or especially) when things go wrong.
- Most important, I might have forgotten something; so, sorry!
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