Global Nanpa

Indonesia hotel guide : Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya

Like usual I only portray a small selection of hotels where I recently stayed at and that I find worth mentioning. I will update the list several times per year.

Jakarta

1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, Jl. Hr Rasuna Said

Best place to stay in Jakarta like in Bangkok as well. Staff is their most valuable asset, the interior is also sweet although it is not the newest anymore and not of the highest class. They have a French manager and things are European influenced which I regard as welcome.

http://www.vimeo.com/11382340

2. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, Jl. Mh Thamrin

The flashiest place currently around and it was just completely renovated with a multi-million dollar budget. They have the hardware but lack the software. As I got told from Four Seasons a large part of their staff is fresh hired, about half of them lack character and downgrade your joy about the extremely stylish rooms which are perfect.

http://www.vimeo.com/11385319

3. GRAND HYATT, Jl. Mh Thamrin

Very established place. Although everything in there looks artificial and cold, look beyond that initial bummer. The location is great, you know what your are getting for a certain price, you can collect points and there are always interesting people around. Management there is very cool and stable.

http://www.vimeo.com/5130865

4. HOTEL MULIA, Jl. Asia Afrika Senayan

Very popular hotel among expats. Place is best known for its bar CJs. The hotel is surprisingly well maintained and people around are friendly. The golden glitz is not my design taste though.

http://www.vimeo.com/12322602

5. SHANGRI-LA, Jl. Sudirman

Hotel looks a bit run-down and older, but it is always fun there and relaxed. They have BATS, the Chi Spa, good restaurants like the japanese one and there is always something happening at Shangri-la. A place that should not be missed.

http://www.vimeo.com/1451993

Bali

1. MAYA UBUD, jl. Gunung Sari Peliatan, Ubud

The wife of the Indonesian president stayed there. The most charming place to stay at the most beautiful area of Bali : Ubud. A great place to chill out and relax for a few days.

http://www.vimeo.com/11376792

2. FOUR SEASONS, Jimbaran Bay

Not the best Four Seasons, but one of the best hotels on Bali. The garden is huge and beautiful. Jimbaran beach isn’t beautiful like all Bali beaches but the location is one of the best.

http://www.vimeo.com/11393338

3. AMANKILA, Manggis

One of the most expensive places to stay on Bali. If you like it secluded and private, Candi Dasa/Manggis might be ideal for you. The service is supposed to be superb. The hotel design and villas look fine but not fantastic for the price.

4. DISINI VILLAS, Jalan Mertasari 28, Seminyak

Excellent price/value deal in Seminyak. You have a nice villa with pool and plenty of space.

http://www.vimeo.com/6890531

5. GRAND HYATT, Nusa Dua

One of the best places in Nusa Dua. The beach sucks, but the garden and pool of the hotel is beautiful.

http://www.vimeo.com/6769742

6. KARMA KANDARA, Jalan Villa Kandara Banjar Ungusan

Nice view but that’s about it. Overprized.

http://www.vimeo.com/6871860

7. LE JARDIN VILLAS, Jalan Sarinande No. 7

Good price/value place in Seminyak. Staff tried to screw me on my second visit, so I am not neutral anymore.

http://www.vimeo.com/5098216

Lombok

1. OBEROI HOTEL, Medana beach

Best place to stay on Lombok. The gardeners did a fantastic job. Lombok is good for a long weekend visit : there is not much to do and Gili Islands are overrated.

http://www.vimeo.com/5494992

Yogyakarta

1. HYATT REGENCY, Jalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar

Magical place. I could easily spend there weeks. Time is passing fast in Yogyakarta. Staff is the friendliest I ever encountered in Indonesia. The hotel looks like a Borobudur temple. The pool is beautiful, almost like a small adventure theme park. The rooms are simple but sufficient. The whole atmosphere is hard to describe. I love that place.

http://www.vimeo.com/11365365

Bandung

1. HYATT REGENCY, Jalan Sumatera No. 51

Best place to stay in Bandung. The Hyatt Group is really strong in Indonesia. Bandung is underrated, lots of things to do and I will have a closer look next time.

Surabaya

1. SHANGRI-LA hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120

Very charming, colorful and open place. No stupid security checks like in Jakarta and the place allows you to experience the true Indonesian hospitality character.

http://www.vimeo.com/5359484

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I only review a small selection of hotels I recently stayed at. Keep looking for updates. I will update this list several times per year.
Bangkok :

1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, 155 Ratchadamri Road

Inner city located medium sized top-notch hotel. A lot of the rooms have recently undergone renovations. If you prefer not to stay at the riverside and moreover if you don’t like the Sukhumvit area (anymore), Ratchadamri Road is the place to be. Excellent inner city location, great service and staff, beautiful designed rooms and  charming, modern traditional Thai atmosphere.

http://www.vimeo.com/6870076

2. PENINSULA, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Riverside

Best luxury hotel at the riverside. I will update after a stay there.

http://www.vimeo.com/13603815

3. SHANGRI-LA, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, Riverside

Best prive/value hotel at the riverside. The whole complex became really huge, the new Krung Thep wing is spectacular and offers beautiful rooms with amazing views. Staff is super-friendly, spa and swimming pool are among the best in the city.

http://www.vimeo.com/8513047

4. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 48 Oriental Avenue, Riverside

The most famous and one of the most expensive hotels in Bangkok. I tried to figure out what makes this place so famous : It’s the service and prestige, not the rooms, restaurants or other facilities. They employ an immense number of staff considering the amount of guests, you even get your own butler. Everyone I met from the hotel was super-friendly and the room was excellent too. The location can be a big obstacle depending on what you are planning to do. A place only for wealthy, respectful holiday makers and if for business then for meetings/conferences in that area only. The type of people I met at the swimming pool were not my cup of tea and that’s the place were you really get to know the hotel guests.

http://www.vimeo.com/8507191

5. DREAM HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 15

A very stylish hotel. The colors used look really cool and when switching on the blue light bulbs in your room, you really might feel like in a surreal dream. Interesting contempory design mixed with traditional art. They have everything most people would ask for : good location, stylish room, comfortable bed, big plasma TV,  free Wifi, friendly staff and it is not too expensive. They now have an additional building which is a bit more quiet but not as optimal located like the old building at the corner and without a bar. The new building has 2 additional dream suites. The Dream Hotel often organizes special events and they are an attractive location for lots of media guys to host parts of their show there. New manager is Italian Mr. Fabiano, very friendly guy.

http://www.vimeo.com/5352115

6. MAC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 7

Excellent price/value deal. You can get a brand-new, very nice equipped junior suite for only around 3000 Baht per day. If you want to save money, live comfortable and want to be located in the centre of naughty BKK life, this hotel is a good option. They only have 62 rooms, so I guess they mostly will be fully booked during high season.

http://www.vimeo.com/6856357

7. GRAND MAJESTIC HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 2

This hotel is extremely popular among sex tourists. It is located very close to Nana Plaza, Soi 4. The price/value is excellent, staff is friendly and the rooms are fine. My overall experience was very good.

http://www.vimeo.com/6844651

8. PRESIDENT SOLITAIRE, Sukhumvit Soi 11

The location Sukhumvit Soi 11 is good, pretty close to all kinds of action on Sukhumvit. Bed Supperclub and St. Moritz are close too. The Ananda Spa next to it is part of the hotel. A lot of European tourists stay in general in hotels on Sukhumvit Soi 11. The room interior of the President Solitaire is nice, thai style and the marble bathroom fits to the design.

http://www.vimeo.com/2431348

9. MADUZI HOTEL, Asoke station

One of the most secluded and safest inner city boutique hotels in BKK. Gates are always closed, guests by invitation only. Interior is spectacular, very lovely items which look quiet expensive. Therapeutic bed/matrace, Bose sound system, interesting paintings. They have an excellent french chef too. Staff feels like a family managed hotel, very professional behavior and dresses. Expensive hotel and taxi drivers always have difficulties finding and entering it.

http://www.vimeo.com/2430938

10. CITI CHIC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 13

Excellent price/value hotel. A veranda room only costs around 2500 Baht. The hotel is located between Dream (Sukh. 15) and President Solitaire (Sukh. 11) and it is a lot cheaper. The interior is nice, chic and an amazing deal for the money. But you get what you pay for - negative remarks : the water is not getting really hot and I like it hot. Using the nice looking bathtub was out of the question because the temperature wasn’t what i like. Noises are another problem. On the veranda (those 3 rooms are all ground flor) you can hear your neighbors and if someone above you takes a shower (thanks when doing that at 3 am), you can hear it as well but it is not very loud, so don’t get frightened.

http://www.vimeo.com/2432330

11. ROYAL PRESIDENT APARTMENTS, Sukhumvit Soi 15

This serviced apartment place is behind the Dream hotel. The rooms have a large kitchen and living room. There is a little shop next to it where you can buy the things for your refrigerator.
Disadvantage is that it looks older and the interior is a bit worn out. Still, don’t get me wrong, it is a good place to stay. The male staff here is very friendly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHLXQXUxOU

12. ASCOTT, 187 South Sathorn Road

Those serviced apartments are ideal for people who are more focused on the Sathorn area or are working in that business district. The interior of the apartment is beautiful, the rooms are huge, the bathroom is excellent. However the location is simply a problem if you plan to be more active outside the Sathorn area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuX4LU56d1w

13. JW MARRIOTT, Sukhumvit Soi 2

This hotel is next to Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP). If your room is on the “right” (or maybe wrong side for you ? ) side of the hotel, you can look down on Nana plaza and the infamous Nana parking lot / Nana hotel. The hotel has nothing I feel attached to. The staff isn’t that friendly and tried to screw me several times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7l0jYnAhxw

Pattaya :

1. DUSIT D2, Second Road

Currently the worlds most ultimate pimpin crib. THE main reason for me to visit Pattaya again, although Angeles City already is a lot better for pimpin. AC is simply 5 to 10 years away from being able to create such a place. The design, materials, swimming pool, restaurant, spa and whole standard, especially the D’ king suite, completely knocks out Bangkok’s Dream Hotel suite. Manager (”guru”) is Italian Mr. Paolo Randone : a very friendly and style-focused guy.

http://www.vimeo.com/8304673

2. PATTAYA BAY RESORT, Second Road, Soi 15, behind shopping mall The Avenue

Excellent price/value relation, friendly staff, nice equipped rooms. Only negative thing is that the location is a bit far away from the walking street action but they offer a free shuttle service.

http://www.vimeo.com/2321031

3. MARRIOTT, 218 M. 10 Beach Road

The best thing about the Marriott is its ideal location next to Walking Street and shopping malls. The rooms are rather small and older looking. It is quiet expensive when you compare that with other places which don’t look worse. Staff was quite unfriendly, maybe I simply didn’t had luck there. But location is really important in Pattaya and that speaks for the Marriott.

4. GALAXY SUITES, Soi Diamond

I got a 50% discount there, so it was very cheap for me. The general rate already is cheap, but the price is also mainly the only good thing about it. Rooms are small, the doors and walls very thin and the safe very tiny. It is on Soi Diamond, over Heaven above agogo. At least the gogo is a good one. I won’t stay there again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkrZdtU9NA

Koh Samui :

1. FOUR SEASONS, 219 Moo 5, Angthong

Best place to stay on Koh Samui but secluded and far away from all sorts of other activities on Koh Samui. After having had that place in direct comparison to the Shangri-la Boracay, the Shangri-la is playing in a total different, much much higher league. The whole island Koh Samui cannot compete with Boracay, although being larger and offering a broader selection of activites.

http://www.vimeo.com/8609480

2. CHAWENG REGENT, Chaweng beach

Well located hotel at Chaweng were most of the action is happening. The hotel is ok for what you pay and staff is friendly too.

http://www.vimeo.com/8600363

3. CENTRAL SAMUI VILLAGE, Butterfly Gardens

The location is very isolated. I made a big mistake staying there. Their partner hotel at Chaweng beach is good, but the one at the Butterfly garden is simply too far away if you plan to go to the busier beach areas like Chaweng and Lamai beach where you also find the best restaurants, massage places. The little villas at Samui village were still fine though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAhfWWJoHo

Chiang Mai :

1. CHEDI HOTEL, 123 Charoen Prathet Road

This hotel belongs to the GHM group who are known for their extravagant designs.
It is difficult to explain this hotel in words, you have to see and experience it yourself. The Four Seasons in comparison there is very secluded, while the Chedi lies at the river at an ideal location to go out to the city centre. It depends on what you plan for doing in Chiang Mai.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOtZtFDrMdM
Other good hotels close to the Chedi are the YAANG COME VILLAGE, the DUSIT D2 or the new SHANGRI-LA hotel. The DHARA DEVI (MANDARIN ORIENTAL) and the FOUR SEASONS are more secluded and higher priced but absolutely spectacular.

2. VIANGBUA MANSION, 3/1 Viangbua Rd., Chang Puek

If you like a good price/value apartment, this is a recommendable place. However the location is not so close to the city centre.
You can get rooms for $22 ! Excellent place for longer stays.

Phuket :

1. CLUB BAMBOO, 247 Nanai Road, Patong Beach

This small boutique resort lies on the hill close to Patong beach where you can enjoy many activities. If you like it quiet and secluded – avoid Patong beach. The bungalows are satisfying and the staff is very friendly. Bangla road is where the nightlife action is going on. I never was a big fan of Phuket. I don’t understand how it became the No.2 vacation spot of Thailand : maybe it was the international airport and movies like “The Beach”….

Hua Hin :

1. AKA RESORT, Moo 7, Baan Nhang Hiang, Hin Lek Fai

One of the Top 3 resorts currently in Hua Hin. Chiva Som in comparison is ridiculous expensive and AKA is clearly the better deal for money. The villas are really nice, quiet and perfect for a few relaxing days. The outdoor spa is a good one too. More than 50% of the guests are German. Hua Hin is full of Germans in general, but for me the place is worth at best a 3-day-long weekend visit.

http://www.vimeo.com/2443620

Koh Chang :

1. BARALI RESORT, Klong Prao Beach

For me personally it is the most lovely located resort on this island. I like the Klong Prao beach. Koh Chang is more quiet than Samui in general. The island has no airport, you have to fly over Trat and then take the ferry which makes it more stressful than hitting Samui. The villas at the resort are fine but not that new anymore, staff is friendly and price level reasonable. The design of the whole complex is beautiful.

http://www.vimeo.com/2441202

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Here I shortly review a few of the hotels I recently stayed at.
These are mostly high-end, luxury hotels. You will be able to stay in that area for a tiny fraction of those price levels if you like to.

Manila :

1. MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ayala Avenue Corner Makati Avenue, Makati City

Optimal location, easy access to Glorietta mall and Greenbelt. Makati is the business district and the wealthiest area of the Philippines. The price level here is very high compared to the other parts of Manila.  Interior of the room and the service is excellent as usual in the Shangri-la. Their challenger is the Peninsula and the Dusit Thani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiwGPUKb8

2. EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ortigas Center

Also a good Shangri-la, a lot cheaper in price. I prefer to stay in Makati City I have to admit. The interior also looks a bit older here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW12xyI4F8A

Angeles City :

1. LEWIS GRAND HOTEL

I highly recommend this hotel, excellent price/value deal. Currently my favorite hotel in AC. The design is simple and pure, the staff is mostly helpful and professional. LGH feels like the Shangri-la of Angeles City. The pool is a good one as well. They created the whole place very green with palm trees and the whole dirt/waste around in AC is not visible from the hotel.

http://www.vimeo.com/2336269

2. PACIFIC BREEZE HOTEL

Excellent price/value hotel with an ideal location close to the middle of Fields Avenue. Daily room rates range from $40 to $90. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Water pressure and cleanliness of the water is a general problem in AC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zktu67tyQ

3. ANGELES BEACH CLUB (ABC) HOTEL

Quite luxurious and an expensive hotel for AC. I was very satisfied with my stay there. They are the first hotel in the Philippines to offer helicopter transports and trips. Owner Gerard is known for his innovative events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thoJPONnLbg

Boracay :

1. SHANGRI-LA, north-west end

THE most beautiful beach resort I ever saw in my entire life. This resort is like a dream come true. I was wondering how it is possible to charge more than double the price for a hotel than the second most exclusive place on Boracay but when I checked out the entire complex, I realized what degree of luxury they have created there. It is the most beautiful beach resort that currently exists on this planet in my eyes, the problem is that I am actually not a beach person. You can stay at more expensive places on the Maledives or on Hawaii but you won’t be getting THAT class. It probably even beats the Amanpulo close to Palawan Islands because it is brand-new. Staff is fantastic. The CHI spa is very remarkable as well. Lots of guests from China are there. The only Filipino people who can afford it are somehow connected with the government (hello corruption…).

http://www.globalnanpa.com/blog/?p=37

2. REGENCY HOTEL

Very central located hotel, it also has the broadest beachfront of all hotels. Rooms are ok for this standard. The service staff wasn’t friendly at all to me - my youtube video might be the reason for it…Location is important on Boracay as walking along the whole beach can take you a long time and especially in the evening this is not fun. It really depends on what you look for. If you want it more isolated and luxurious, stay at the new Shangri-la in the north.
There are of course dozens of other good places to stay and a lot are only 1/3 of the Regency price. Boracay is a pretty established place already and price levels on this island are much higher than on other islands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2jYjLh66w

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