**Surabaya's BEST Syariah Guest House: Unbeatable OYO Deals!**
Surabaya's BEST Syariah Guest House: Unbeatable OYO Deals? … Let's Dive In! (A Messy but Honest Review)
Okay, okay, let's be real. "Surabaya's BEST Syariah Guest House: Unbeatable OYO Deals!" That's a mouthful. And frankly, it sets the expectations HIGH. I'm here to tell you, after my recent stay… well, let's just say it's not quite the glossy brochure fantasy, but hey, nothing ever is, is it? This is a review folks, not a fairy tale. So buckle up, because we're going to poke around the good, the bad, and the gloriously meh of this place.
Accessibility - (Struggling to Find the Remote, Anyone?)
Okay, first impressions. The OYO app promised wheelchair accessibility. Promises, promises… Finding the actual access was a bit of a hunt. The lobby itself was fine, but navigating the corridors felt like playing real-life Tetris with furniture. It was doable, but not exactly smooth sailing. I gave props for the elevator, though. Score one for effort!
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges - (Where's the Menu, Dude?)
I didn't see any specific "accessible restaurant" signs, and the layout of the potential dining areas looked a little…tight. Honestly, I was too tired after the travel to go searching for a hidden entrance. This needs improvement, big time.
Wheelchair Accessible - (More Like Wheelchair Potentially Accessible)
See above. Good intentions, maybe not flawless execution. I'm giving it a solid "C" for effort.
Internet Access - (The WiFi Whisperer's Verdict)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! That's a HUGE win in my book. Especially since I had a deadline and had a ton of work to do. It was reliable, in most of the time, and I could actually work without pulling my hair out. Seriously, a godsend. And there's even LAN internet for the old-school gamers among us.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax - (Spa Day…Maybe?)
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room. This place is selling a spa, a fitness center, and a swimming pool. I went in expecting serious pampering. What I got was a… different experience. Let’s start with the spa: I found the spa area. I found the receptionist. I asked about a massage. "Sorry, not today." It was closed. Apparently, there was a staff issue or something. My dreams of a body wrap and a relaxing sauna session? Shattered. The fitness center… well, let's just say my sneakers might have seen more action than its equipment. The pool looked inviting from afar– it had a view! But honestly, after the spa letdown, I just wasn’t in the mood. Definitely a massive letdown on the "relax" front. I was secretly hoping for a foot bath to relax after a day of travel. Sigh.
Cleanliness and Safety - (Hallelujah for Hand Sanitizer!)
This is where things got a LOT better. I was REALLY impressed with the hygiene measures. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE? Check. The staff were all masked up and very vigilant. I felt safe, which is a HUGE relief these days. The room was spotless, despite my best efforts to mess it up. And the individually-wrapped food options were a nice touch. Score one important victory for the hotel so far!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - (The Foodie's Fortunes)
Breakfast was included, and that's always a bonus. It was a buffet. I LOVE buffet breakfasts. There was a reasonable selection of Asian and Western options. The coffee was decent, which is essential for a grumpy traveller like myself. The restaurants mentioned? Well, I didn't see any open outside of breakfast (and that's a whole other story). The snack bar was a mystery. And the 'happy hour' mentioned in the listing? Non-existent during my stay. Looks like the hotel really needs to focus on their offerings.
Services and Conveniences - (Lost in Translation… and the Laundry Room)
Air conditioning? Absolutely. Daily housekeeping? Yep, and they were great! The staff were overall very helpful, and the concierge was particularly awesome. However, requesting laundry service was like entering a different dimension. The laundry never came back. I needed my clothes for the next day, so I wore the same shirt, and wore the same pants. I even wore the same underwear the next day. It was embarrassing!
For the Kids - (Family Friendly, But Bring Your Own Fun?)
They mention family-friendly. Babysitting, even! But I can’t really comment on the value of this because I didn’t have any children with me during my stay, but it's worth looking into if you need those services.
Access - (CCTV and All That Jazz)
Security seemed solid. CCTV cameras everywhere, 24-hour security… I felt safe wandering around, which is always crucial.
Available in All Rooms - (The Room Itself: A Mixed Bag)
Okay, the rooms themselves… some good, some not-so-good. I liked the air conditioning (essential in Surabaya!), the blackout curtains are a HUGE lifesaver and the free Wi-fi. But… the toiletries? Basic. The pillows? Less than fluffy (bring your own, seriously). The mini-bar? Barely stocked. I kept thinking, "This place feels almost there, but it’s like they just ran out of energy to make it REALLY top-notch." The separate shower and bathtub were a nice touch. Plus, the bed was comfy… after I added a pillow. The internet access was great.
Getting Around - (Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezy)
Airport transfer? Available. Car park? Free! Taxi service? Easy to arrange. Transportation was a breeze, which is a massive plus in a busy city like Surabaya.
My Final Verdict:
Is it the "BEST" syariah guest house? Ehhhh… maybe not. Are the OYO deals unbeatable? Potentially, if you're snagging a good price. This place has potential, and it's trying really hard. The cleanliness, the security, and the free Wi-Fi are major wins. However, the hit-or-miss amenities, and questionable service levels require some serious work.
Would I stay again? Maybe. If I was on a budget, needed a clean and safe place to crash, and wasn’t expecting a spa day, then absolutely. Just manage your expectations, bring your own pillow, and pack your own snacks!
Escape to the Swiss Alps: Schnider's Cozy B&B & Cafe Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. We're going to Surabaya, Indonesia. And not just any Surabaya. We're hitting the hallowed halls of Super OYO Capital O 3905 Graha 100 Guest House Syariah. Prepare yourself for a journey, because I'm not just laying out an itinerary, I'm practically experiencing it with you, probably while simultaneously misplacing my passport.
DAY 1: Arrival and the Great Indonesian Air Conditioning Conundrum (aka, My Sweat-Drenched Saga)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up. Or rather, be violently ejected from a dream where I was fluent in Bahasa Indonesia and ordering delicious street food. Prepare for the horrors of international travel – baggage, getting lost in the airport, and that soul-crushing feeling of remembering you left your phone charger at home. (TRUE STORY, GUYS. ALWAYS HAPPENS.)
- 7:00 AM: Arrive at Juanda International Airport (SUB). The air… it's thick. Like, you could spread it on toast. Immigration? Pray for a friendly officer. (I’m aiming for the kind who finds my terrible jokes funny, but realistic expectations may be… low). Grab a taxi, haggling fiercely because apparently I'm bargaining expert. (I'm not). Destination: Graha 100, baby!
- 8:00 AM: Check-in. Anticipation. Prayers of air conditioning efficiency.
- 8:15 AM: The room. Let's be honest, my expectations are calibrated for "basic, but functional" and "ideally, not a murder scene." Pray to Allah for a working air conditioner! (Important note: This is a Syariah guest house, remember? Respect the rules. No boozing in the room. No questionable activities. Just… respect.)
- 8:30 AM: Air Conditioning Assessment. (A key part of the itinerary, people!). Fingers crossed, people! Let's see if it can conquer the sticky humidity that's already turned my clothes into a second skin. If not, you'll find me huddled near the window, silently judging the local climate.
- 8:45 AM: This A/C is a lie. The room feels only slightly less humid than a volcanic island. I'm already sweating through my travel shirt (which, let's be real, probably has a thousand wrinkles already). I'm going to complain, but first, I need to shower.
- 9:00 AM: Shower. (Hopefully with hot water. Again, basic needs.) The hope is for the A/C to be fixed during the shower.
- 9:30 AM: Back to the room! The A/C is still useless. Time to negotiate. I swear, this is what makes travel fun, right? (lie…).
- 10:00 AM: Successfully (or just mostly) negotiated an A/C upgrade! Now I'm off to make some memories (and hopefully, not more sweat)
- 10:30 AM: Explore. Grab some local food. Let's find some delicious street food. I’m craving things I can't even pronounce yet. Recommendations welcome!
- 12:00 PM: Time for lunch. Let's eat some local food somewhere nearby. Something flavorful, affordable, and ideally, doesn't cause immediate intestinal distress. Wish me luck.
- 1:00 PM: Rest. Maybe a nap. The humidity is exhausting. Or maybe start writing a postcard.
- 2:00 PM: Visit the house's mosque, Praying and reflecting.
- 3:00 PM: Go to shopping malls.
- 5:00 PM: Explore. Find some local life.
DAY 2: Culture, Cravings, and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Actually, this time, I'm awake because the AC has finally gotten its act together (or maybe I just got used to the swamp). The feeling of not being constantly damp is glorious.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast. Assuming Graha 100 offers breakfast (which I really hope they do), something light and hopefully Indonesian. I'm picturing nasi goreng, because, honestly, that's what I picture for everything in Indonesia.
- 8:30 AM: Time to explore Surabaya. Start with the House of Sampoerna (cigarette museum and a beautiful colonial building). The smells might be a bit much for a non-smoker like myself, but hey, culture!
- 9:30 AM: Find that perfect Indonesian coffee! If I have to walk to the ends of the earth for a good cup of Kopi Tubruk, I will. (Okay, maybe not the ends of the earth, but… a few blocks.)
- 10:30 AM: Go to Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan). I'm hoping to learn some history, pay my respects, and maybe take some moody photos of the structure. It's important to be a respectful tourist, after all…
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. This time, I'm going to be adventurous. I'm thinking maybe gado-gado, but I might regret that decision later.
- 1:00 PM: Visit Surabaya's Chinatown. Find some local souvenirs, and soak up some more sights.
- 3:00 PM: Rest time. Maybe I can catch to the local movie.
- 5:00 PM: Find my way to dinner. I'm hoping for seafood tonight (or something that doesn't have a face). Maybe I can try some street food again. And maybe, just maybe, find a decent coffee to end the day.
DAY 3: Departure and Last-Minute Existential Crises
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. (Ideally before the cleaning staff barges in.) A final inspection of the air conditioning unit. Does it still work? Did it change?
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast, again! Reflect on the trip while eating.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. The dreaded task. I swear, I always manage to overpack.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir hunt. Did I forget anything? Did I actually buy that batik scarf for Aunt Mildred?
- 11:00 AM: Head to the airport, Surabaya!
- 12:00 PM: Check in and wait for the flight.
- 1:00 PM: The flight will be boarding.
This itinerary is a suggestion, a guideline, a whisper in the wind. Things will go wrong. I will get lost. I will probably mispronounce everything. But, you know what? That's what makes travel… travel. It's messy, it's unpredictable, and it's full of moments that'll make you laugh (or cry, depending on the AC). Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to start packing. Wish me luck. And someone, please, pray for decent coffee.
Escape to Paradise: Majestic Hotel Tramore Awaits!
Surabaya's BEST Syariah Guest House (and Those Wild OYO Deals!) - FAQs (with a side of my Brain Dump)
Okay, so "BEST Syariah Guest House" – What's the real deal? Is it actually *good*? I need the truth, not marketing fluff!
Alright, alright, buckle up. "Best" is a subjective beast, right? But honestly? For the price point, and considering it's *Syariah* (meaning, adhering to Islamic principles… think no booze, separate prayer rooms, that kind of thing), I was surprisingly impressed. I mean, I went in expecting, well, *basic*. You know, clean sheets, a functional bathroom, and maybe *maybe* a decent air conditioner. But the one I stayed at, specifically the "Rumah Syariah Indah" (not a real name, but you get the gist!), it was actually… lovely. It felt homey. I'm talking proper Indonesian furniture, even a little garden area. My initial reaction? "Wow, okay, *this* is better than that dodgy hostel I stayed at last time!". And that's saying something. It was peaceful. Which, after battling the Surabaya traffic, was a godsend. Consider me a convert… mostly. (More on the "mostly" later…)
Tell me about those "Unbeatable OYO Deals"! Are they… really? Or just a trap? My budget is basically *zero*...
OYO, OYO, OYO. Where do I even BEGIN?! Okay, first, the deals. They're real. *Seriously* real. I once scored a room for, like, the price of a *kopi susu* (sweet iced coffee) and a plate of *nasi goreng* (fried rice). I almost felt guilty! The catch? Well, it's a *mixed bag*. You know, like a bag of… questionable candy. Some are absolute gems. Clean, well-maintained, perfectly fine! Others… well, let's just say my encounter with a cockroach the size of my thumb at one OYO almost made me check out and sleep in the *becak* (pedicab) outside. I kid, I kid… mostly. The deals are generally reliable, but read the reviews, people! Read them like your life depends on it. Seriously.
What's the *Syariah* thing all about? I'm not Muslim, will it be awkward? Will I be judgey-eyed?
Okay, so the *Syariah* aspect… it really depends on *you*, honestly. I'm not Muslim, and I didn't feel at all judged. The staff at the guest houses I stayed at were super friendly and welcoming. They're used to dealing with non-Muslims. Just, you know, be respectful. Dress modestly (covering shoulders and knees is generally a good idea) and avoid bringing alcohol or pork products onto the premises. Basically, be a decent human being. You’ll be fine. The prayer rooms are usually separate, which, frankly, is kind of nice. It forces a little bit of peace and quiet. A welcome change from the usual tourist chaos. Also, the food! Often halal. The food is AMAZING! You can't go wrong.
Okay, so room options? Anything other than "bed in a box"? I like a balcony for dramatic contemplation of cityscapes.
Balconies? Maybe *dreaming*. Seriously, don't expect luxury. You're usually getting a small, clean room. Bed, maybe a desk, maybe a small TV (with questionable channels – think endless soap operas). Some have air conditioning (a *must* in Surabaya!), some don't. Some have en-suite bathrooms, some share. Read the fine print, people! OYO listings are notoriously… vague. Check photos thoroughly. Look for things like "private bathroom," "air conditioning," and "wifi." If you see "family room" it could mean anything from a suite to two beds shoved together in a closet, but don't get your hopes up. I've had a few experiences. One room felt like a glorified storage unit, another was surprisingly large with a nice little sitting area. I'm still traumatized by the storage unit. Just, temper your expectations. The dramatic cityscape contemplation *might* happen, if you squint REALLY hard from a tiny, dusty single pane window.
Tell me about the downsides. There *have* to be downsides! Is there anything I should REALLY watch out for?
Okay, the downsides… let's be honest. The downsides are… well, they exist. First: Consistency is a *struggle*. One OYO might be amazing, the next… less so. Think Russian roulette with cleanliness and amenities. And the reviews! Oh, the reviews! Take them with a grain of salt, but read them. REALLY read them. Second: WiFi can be spotty. Like, dial-up internet spotty. Prepare for the internet dark ages, or invest in a local SIM card. Third: Noise Surabaya is a city that NEVER sleeps. Traffic, prayer calls, stray cats doing... things... all night long. Bring earplugs, and maybe a sedative (kidding… mostly). Fourth: Location. Some of these guest houses are… let's say, "off the beaten path." Check maps! You don't want to be stuck in a dodgy alley at 3 AM. And fifth: Communication. English might be limited. Knowing a few basic Indonesian phrases will *vastly* improve your experience. "Terima kasih" (thank you), "mau kemana?" (where are you going – useful for taxi negotiation) and "toiletnya dimana?" (where's the toilet? Very important!). And sixth – this deserves its own story… THE BED BUGS. (See below)
Okay, spill the tea! Any *really* bad experiences? Bed bugs, perhaps?
Oh, the bed bugs. Where. Do. I. *BEGIN*? This was at the "Rumah Syariah Aman," (also not real, but I'm trying to protect the innocent… or at least the vaguely negligent). I thought I'd lucked out. Cheap price, good reviews… HA! First night, all good. Second night… itching. Subtle, barely noticeable. Third night… FULL-BLOWN ITCHING MADNESS. I woke up covered in bites. My body was basically a giant, itchy, red map of Surabaya. Initially, I thought “Mosquitoes! That’s all! Just the mozzies!” But it got worse. Much, much worse. I pulled back the sheets… and there they were. The little bastards. Bed bugs, in all their blood-sucking glory. I freaked. I mean, *properly* freaked. I had to strip down, wash EVERYTHING… twice. I took all my clothes to the laundry and told them BURN IT. All because of a few cheap guest house nights! The worst part was, the staff, while apologetic, seemed… unfazed. You know, the "happens all the time" vibe. Lesson learned: inspect that bed! Look for tiny, dark spots on the mattress seams. And, if you see them… *RUN*!
My friend says the food is amazing. What's good to eat around there?Cheap Hotel Search
