Lampung's Hidden Gem: Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel - Your Budget-Friendly Paradise!
Lampung's Hidden Gem: Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel - Your Budget-Friendly Paradise!
Lampung's Budget-Friendly Paradise? My Chaotic Adventure at Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions, opinions, and possibly questionable hygiene practices, all centered around my recent stay at Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel in Lampung, Indonesia. Let's be real, I'm usually a luxury hotel kinda gal, but hey, travel is all about embracing the unexpected, right? And honestly, I was so curious about this "budget-friendly paradise." (Spoiler alert: paradise is a strong word, but it definitely had its moments.)
(SEO & Metadata Reminder: We're weaving those keywords in! Lampung, Hostel, Budget, Oemah Ratu Syariah, Accessibility, Cleanliness, Dining, etc.)
First Impressions & Arrival - The Great Accessibility Gamble (And Some Awkward Moments)
Finding the place was the first hurdle. GPS? Semi-helpful. Roads? Let's just say they were… character-building. When I finally lurched into the courtyard, I was greeted by a surprisingly modern, clean-looking building. (Accessibility – Check!) It looked like it was designed with accessibility in mind. (Elevator - Check!) The lobby was bright, and the staff – bless their hearts – were incredibly friendly, even if my Indonesian was… well, let's just say they understood my hand gestures better than my attempted phrases. They did offer assistance. (Doorman – Check!)
Now, about the accessibility… I'd read reviews mentioning wheelchair access, which seemed promising. The common areas were certainly navigable. However, getting into the rooms? A bit of a squeeze for anyone needing more space. My room wasn’t exactly the most spacious. (Facilities for disabled guests – Technically there, but could be improved!)
The Room: A Symphony of Cleanliness (and a Tiny Dose of "Uh Oh")
The room itself was… mixed. (Non-smoking, Air Conditioning – Check!) It was clean! Really clean. (Cleanliness and safety - Major Check!) And I loved the fact that they had those individually-wrapped amenities. (Individually-wrapped food options - Check!) The bed was comfortable, the air conditioning blissful escape from the Lampung heat. (Air conditioning, Daily housekeeping – Check!) They even had a mini bar… though my adventurous side chick brain screamed that I shouldn't touch it. There was a tiny fridge, a kettle for tea, but nothing remarkable.
(Available in all rooms, Bathroom, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. – Check, Check, Check, Check, etc.!)
One tiny issue? The bathroom. The water pressure? Nonexistent. A trickle at best. And the drain? Let’s just say it wasn't exactly pristine. There seemed to be a tiny, tiny, tiny stain on the wall that screamed, "old bathroom!"
(I contemplated this, but ultimately decided to just roll with it. Hey, it's a budget place, right? You can't expect everything to be perfect… and it was probably just some harmless mold… right?)
Internet – The Eternal Struggle (…But Free!)
Internet! (Internet Access, Free Wifi in all rooms – CHECK!) Okay, so let's be honest, the Wi-Fi was… patchy. It worked, mostly, but don't expect lightning-fast speeds. I'm talkin' dial-up nostalgia here, folks. (Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas – Technically all there, but quality variable.) Streaming? Forget about it. Uploading photos of my glorious adventures? Prepare for a long wait. But hey, it's free, and it's enough to check emails and update your Instagram feed.
**(This reminds me, I should’ve checked if there was a *LAN* connection. I didn’t. Oops.)**
Food Glorious Food (or the Quest for a Decent Latte)
The hostel boasted a restaurant. (Restaurants – Check!) Breakfast was included. (Breakfast service, Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast – Check!) It was… simple. A buffet of nasi goreng (fried rice), some fruit (mostly watermelon), and the sweetest, most confusingly flavored coffee I've ever encountered. (Coffee/tea in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant – Check!) Now, let's be clear, I'm a Western breakfast snob. I like my eggs, my bacon, my proper coffee. This wasn't quite that. I spent the morning trying to locate a latte in Lampung.
(A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant – All listed, but with, again, varying degrees of success.)
I did manage to grab a plate of mi goreng once. It was… edible. Again, not the best. Just not quite hitting the mark.
Things to Do: Sun, Sand, and Maybe a Massage (If You’re Lucky!)
The hostel has a swimming pool. (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] – Check!) It was… fine. Clean-ish. You could definitely swim in it. I wanted to splash, so I did. It had a view. (Pool with view – Check!) There were no beach towels.
(Spa, Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Steamroom – All listed, all unavailable. No real "ways to relax" at this place.)
They mentioned a spa, a gym, and a bunch of relaxing activities, but I never found them. Maybe they were under construction? Maybe they were a figment of someone's imagination? The mystery remains.
Cleanliness & Safety – A Mixed Bag (and a Few Question Marks)
The hostel seemed to take cleanliness seriously. (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment – Mixed bag.) Lots of hand sanitizers were readily available, which was reassuring. I saw staff regularly wiping down surfaces.
(Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit – Check!)
However, there were some aspects that made me raise an eyebrow. The "essential condiments" are a question to be answered. The shared stationery was definitely not moved away. I was curious if there was any cashless payment services or hot water linen and laundry washing – they didn’t advertise it. I didn’t see any individually wrapped food options outside of the bathroom amenities.
(Shared stationery removed, Safe dining setup – Questionable. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter – Difficult.)
I did spot all the safety/security features – CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security features, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms. So at least I was safe!
Services & Conveniences – The Essentials… and a Few Surprises!
They had the usual suspects: (Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace – Check!)
I was pleasantly surprised by the presence of a convenience store. (Convenience store – Check!) That came in handy. They also offered currency exchange. (Currency exchange – Check!) They did have a smoking area. (Smoking area – Check!) Oh and the terrace was quite nice.
For the Kids – A Family-Friendly Vibe, But…
The hostel claimed to be family-friendly. (Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal – Listed, but not really in action.) I didn't see any kids' facilities.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking - The Culinary Odyssey (and My Hangry Moments)
Let's talk about dining. The restaurant. The pool-side bar. The coffee shop (that may or may not exist). As I mentioned, it was a culinary adventure, though not always in a good way. There wasn't too much here. Their bar and poolside bar were non-existent. I didn’t get to try their **
Jakarta's HOTTEST 1BR Luxury Haven: L'Avenue Pancoran Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Lampung adventure! Specifically, the OYO 90124 Oemah Ratu Hostel Syariah, and let me tell you, expectations are… well, they're there. I'm a bit of a travel disaster zone, so this is going to be less "smooth itinerary" and more "organized chaos with a touch of existential dread." Here we go:
Days 1-2: Arrival, Adjusting (or Not) and That Damn Wi-Fi
- Morning (Day 1): Landed in Bandar Lampung. The airport? Let's just say it had a certain "rustic charm." Found a Gojek (blessedly cheap motorbike taxi) and got whisked away to Oemah Ratu. The anticipation was KILLING me. Arrived! Hmm, first impressions: clean, a little… monastic? The "Syariah" part is definitely present. No posters of scantily clad beach babes, which, frankly, after the flight, might have been a welcome sight. The reception? Friendly enough, but my Indonesian is rusty, and their English… well, let's call it a work in progress. Negotiated the registration (after a minor panic about needing my passport RIGHT NOW). And got the key to my room.
- Afternoon (Day 1): Room. Okay. Clean. Basic. Honestly, I've slept in worse. Definitely has a "hostel" feel, which probably means I'll be hearing someone snore all night. Unpacked… or rather, dumped my bag. Decided to attempt to conquer the Wi-Fi. This is a critical step. This is how I connect to the world. Took about 20 minutes to get the password straightened out. Then, the connection speed. Let's put it this way: I felt like I was back in the dial-up age. I spent an hour and a half trying to load one Instagram post. The frustration was starting to bubble up. Needed a snack to deal.
- Evening (Day 1): Found a little warung (local food stall) down the street. Ordered nasi goreng (fried rice) and tried to communicate with the vendor. Humorous attempts at charades ensued. SUCCESS! Food was pretty decent, though maybe a tad too spicy for this delicate palate. Back to the hostel. Attempted to upload those Instagram photos again. Gave up. Started reading my book. Snoring from my room neighbor started. Ah well.
- Morning (Day 2): Woke up, survived the night. Wi-fi still a nightmare. Walked down the street looking for coffee. Found a tiny cafe with the best coffee I've had in months. Sat there and people-watched. Watched a kid fall off his scooter. It was hilarious, but I felt bad about it. Coffee saved the morning, for sure.
- Afternoon (Day 2): Attempted to make plans for the day. The Wi-Fi still gave me the middle finger. Decided to embrace the offline life and take a walk around the neighborhood. I wandered and got lost in the laneways. Ended up buying a bunch of those weird, brightly-colored snacks I could barely ID. Good times.
- Evening (Day 2): Ate dinner. My tummy is starting to adjust to Indonesian food, which is a small victory. The room is still clean, which is also a victory. Got a good night's sleep.
Days 3-4: Krakatoa! (The Adventure I've Been Waiting For!)
- Morning (Day 3): The Wi-Fi, dear gods, the Wi-Fi. Still. I am considering hiding in the bathroom to avoid this. Thankfully, I'm scheduled for the Krakatoa tour today and am very excited. This is the whole reason I came to Lampung! Finally escaped the hostel. The journey was a bumpy ride, but that's okay.
- Afternoon (Day 3): Arrived at the harbor, packed into a tiny boat, and off we went! The sea spray, the wind in my hair (what's left of it!), the sheer adventure of it all! Beautiful. The turquoise water, the small islands, the thought of the volcano! We snorkeled near Krakatoa (well, the remnant of the old one). So gorgeous. The water was warm. The fish were neon-bright. And then… the volcano itself.
- Evening (Day 3): The Krakatoa sunset was EPIC. Truly. The colors! Orange, pink, purple… I forgot how much I love nature. The tour was great. But, the Wi-Fi… well, I probably won't be posting about the experience until I get back home.
- Morning (Day 4): Back at the hostel. Exhausted. Sunburned. Happy. I'm getting used to the almost-monastic simplicity of the hostel. Still a bit off-kilter with the Wi-Fi. But, now I have a Krakatoa memory and that's what matters.
- Afternoon (Day 4): Did some souvenir shopping. The bargaining process… is a whole art form. Got ripped off slightly, but whatever. It's the experience that matters.
- Evening (Day 4): One last Indonesian dinner! The spicy food is more tolerable. Starting to feel more comfortable with Indonesian in general. Packing time.
Day 5: Departure and Reflection (or, the Wi-Fi Still Sucks)
- Morning (Day 5): Woke up. The Wi-Fi situation is, predictably, still tragic. I am now convinced it's the hostel's secret weapon, a way to force guests to actually live in the moment. Packing for real now.
- Afternoon (Day 5): Farewell Oemah Ratu! Gojek ride to the airport, feeling a poignant sadness. The journey was more about the experience than anything else.
- Evening (Day 5): Landed back home. Am now uploading the photos. Surprisingly the Wi-Fi back home is working great:). The hostel's Wi-Fi was atrocious, but I'd go back to Lampung in a heartbeat, especially for that Krakatoa sunset, the people I met, and, in a strange way, the minimalist vibe of Oemah Ratu. It was a good adventure and the memories will last!
Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel: Your Questions, My (Slightly Chaotic) Answers!
1. What *seriously* is Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel, and why the heck should I care?
Okay, deep breaths. Oemah Ratu Syariah Hostel (let's just call it Oemah Ratu, yeah?) is this little slice of budget-friendly heaven smack-dab in Lampung. Think clean, comfy, and – yep, the "Syariah" bit – religiously mindful. Which means no open-air parties with questionable beverages. But trust me, that's not a bad thing! Especially if you're, y'know, on a budget and want a chill, wholesome experience. Honestly? I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking, "Oh great, another *too* clean, *too* quiet place." Wrong! It’s got a vibe that’s just… right. It *feels* safe and welcoming from the moment you walk in.
2. Geography 101: Where IS this elusive Oemah Ratu actually located? And is it easy to get to, because I get lost in my own kitchen.
Right, so it’s in Bandar Lampung, which is the capital of Lampung. And look, even *I* managed to find it, and my sense of direction is legendary for its… let's call it "creative interpretation" of maps. It’s thankfully not hidden *too* deep. You can easily grab a Grab (think Indonesian Uber) or a local taxi. Seriously, the hardest part was trying *not* to stare at the incredibly lush scenery on the way there because, DAMN, Lampung is gorgeous! I swear, every turn was a postcard moment.
3. Alright, the dreaded "Budget" word. How much damage am I actually going to do to my wallet?
Now we’re talking! Oemah Ratu is, blessedly, CHEAP. Like, genuinely affordably cheap. Think you can probably stay there for the cost of a fancy coffee a day back where you come from. Seriously. I won't give exact prices because, well, they change, and I'm not your personal price-watcher. Check their website or latest reviews for current rates. But safe to say, it's designed for travelers who want to experience Lampung without completely emptying their bank account so you can afford some of the must-try food.
4. What kind of rooms do they *actually* have? Dorms? Private rooms? Are we talking prison cells or actual comfort?
Oemah Ratu offers both. Dorms, which are brilliant if, like me, you dig the social aspect of hostels. And they have private rooms if you need your own space to, like, do your dramatic readings of Shakespeare (no judgement, I've been tempted). The dorms are clean, they have individual lockers (important!), and the beds are comfy. Okay, maybe not *five-star hotel* comfy, but definitely a solid sleep. And the private rooms? From what I saw peeking in, they were perfectly fine. Definitely NOT prison cells. Think a homey, simple aesthetic.
5. "Syariah" - What does that *actually* mean for me? Is it like, super strict? Are they going to confiscate my travel-sized bottle of gin?
Okay, let's clear this up. "Syariah" in this context means they respect Islamic principles. No alcohol is sold or allowed, no loud partying is the rule. They usually provide prayer mats (sajadah) in the rooms and may have designated prayer spaces. The staff is super respectful and helpful. They're not going to be rifling through your bags looking for contraband. It's about creating a comfortable, respectful atmosphere for everyone. I remember one evening, I was desperately craving a local snack from around a nearby market... I asked the front desk, and within 20 minutes all three kinds of snacks arrived. (Seriously, a life saver when exploring a new place).
6. Food, Glorious Food! Do they have breakfast? Or am I left to fend for myself with instant noodles? (*shudders*)
They often have breakfast included! Usually, it's a simple but filling spread, with local Indonesian treats. Think nasi goreng (fried rice) or some other delicious local dishes. Honestly? It's the perfect fuel to start your Lampung adventures. If breakfast isn't included or if you fancy something else, there are PLENTY of warungs (small, local eateries) nearby. And the food in Lampung? OMG. Get ready for your taste buds to explode. I’m still dreaming about the *sate lilit* I had there. I'm a hopeless foodie, and Lampung did not disappoint.
7. What's the Wi-Fi situation? Because Instagram is calling, and I must answer!
Wi-Fi is usually available, and it's generally pretty decent. Good enough to upload your drool-worthy food photos and, you know, stay in touch with the outside world. I managed to stream a movie one night, so yeah, it's good! But let's be honest: you're in Lampung! Get off your phone and go explore! The real beauty is OUTSIDE. (Although, let’s be real, I still spent a lot of time on my phone… gotta document the trip, right?)
8. What's the vibe like? Is it all backpackers, families, couples, or some weird mix?
It's a mix! Seriously. I met solo travelers, couples, and even a small family. The common thread? Everyone was super friendly and chill. It wasn’t a wild party hostel scene, thankfully. More of a “let’s share travel stories and maybe find a beach to chill on” kind of vibe. I actually had a really lovely conversation with a local woman, who was giving me some amazing tips on where to eat the best *pempek*. It was one of the most delightful things about the whole trip - experiencing that genuine connection.
9. Speaking of adventures! What's there *to do* in Lampung, anyway? Is it just sitting on a beach? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that…)
Okay, Lampung is PACKED with things to do. Beaches, yes! Stunning beaches! Way Kambas National Park (elephants!). Volcanoes! Hiking! Delicious food! I mean, seriously. The staff at Oemah Ratu are usually super helpful**Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Discover Alpensia Pyeongchang's Hidden Paradise!**
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