Unbelievable Lodge Near 23 Paskal, Bandung: Studio The Lodge Paskal Awaits!
Unbelievable Lodge Near 23 Paskal, Bandung: Studio The Lodge Paskal Awaits! - A Chaotic, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on my stay at Studio The Lodge Paskal. The name itself is a mouthful, kinda like trying to remember where I left my keys this morning. "Unbelievable Lodge Near 23 Paskal" – sounds promising, right? Well, let's dive in and see if it lived up to the hype, shall we? (Spoiler alert: things got interesting).
First Impression: The Arrival Shuffle (and some minor anxiety)
Okay, so finding the place was a minor quest, like something out of a low-budget Indiana Jones movie. Bandung traffic is legendary. But hey, finally, I arrived! The exterior? Pretty standard. Not exactly "jaw-dropping," but hey, I wasn't expecting a palace. The "check-in/out [express]" option was advertised, which I love because I'm impatient. But the lobby… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly pumping with energy. It had a slightly… quiet vibe. Like a museum after hours. You know that feeling when you're not exactly sure where you're supposed to go? Yeah, I felt a bit like that. There was security, which is always a plus, and CCTV cameras everywhere, which is comforting… and also a tad unsettling if you're prone to overthinking.
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (Mostly Okay)
Now, for the important stuff. I've got to say, the elevator was a lifesaver, so points for "Elevator" being available. I didn't see any major issues with accessibility, but I didn't go spelunking around every nook and cranny either. The "Facilities for disabled guests" is listed, but I couldn't quite tell the extent of it, you know? Like, is there a ramp to the pool? A full-blown accessible room? I have no idea, but it's something to inquire about if you're looking for that specifically.
Internet: The Digital Holy Grail (Mostly Reliably Present)
Alright, this is IMPORTANT. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Yes! Bless the internet gods. In reality, the Wifi was solid. Fast enough to post those envious holiday snaps to Instagram of my "breakfast in room" (more on that later). There was also "Internet access – LAN," which felt very old-school, but hey, options are good, right? I never used it, but it's comforting to know it was there, like a safety blanket for the digital age. "Wi-Fi for special events" – guess if you're hosting a conference here, it's got you covered.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitization Nation (and My Own Quirks)
Okay, this is where things get both reassuring and slightly… weird. Pandemic times, right? They are going all-out! "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," and "Rooms sanitized between stays" – excellent! They also had "Hand sanitizer" everywhere. I'm a germaphobe. So I was thrilled. But then, I also brought my own sanitizing wipes and went into full-on "clean freak" mode. I probably wiped down more surfaces than the cleaning crew. Am I neurotic? Maybe. But hey, I survived, right? "Hygiene certification" – good to know. "Staff trained in safety protocol" – even better. They also had "Individually-wrapped food options," which is a nice touch. The "Safe dining setup," "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items," and "Safe dining setup" are clearly taken seriously, and I felt pretty comfortable eating there.
The Room Itself: A Mixed Bag of Comfort and… Challenges
My room, the "Studio," was… well, it was a studio. Small, but functional. The "Air conditioning" was a MUST in the Bandung heat, and the "Blackout curtains" were a godsend for those late-night/early-morning attempts to sleep. "Free bottled water" – always a win! "Coffee/tea maker" – essential for my caffeine habit. Now, the "Bathroom phone"? I'm not sure I've actually used a bathroom phone in this century. Definitely a retro touch! The "Desk" was adequate for some work, but I mainly ended up sprawled across the bed, which I guess explains the "Laptop workspace". I did appreciate the "Slippers," but the "Mirror" placement was a bit… strategic. Let's just say it took a bit of contortion to get a good look.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Pool with a View, or Bust?
The "Swimming pool [outdoor]" was on my list! It offered the promise of a "Pool with a view". I was picturing myself lounging there, cocktail in hand, looking smug at the world, right? Wrong! While the pool was there, the weather wasn't cooperating. It was more like a "pool with a drizzle view," so I didn't get to use it, which was a HUGE bummer. I was also hoping to enjoy a "Body scrub" and "Massage" because I'm a stressed-out human. Other facilities included: "Fitness center," "Gym/fitness," "Spa," "Spa/sauna," and "Steamroom." But, alas, my tired bones didn't make it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (and Some Slight Disappointments)
This is where things got really interesting. "Breakfast [buffet]" - it was decent, but not the "unbelievable" spread I was kinda hoping for (the name sets expectations, people!). There was "Asian breakfast," "Western breakfast," and even a "Vegetarian restaurant" – again, options are good! You could have "Breakfast in room," which, again, I did. It was an amazing way to start the day. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" (and the coffee shop) were a lifeline. I'm completely caffeine-dependent. There was a "Poolside bar" - a place I desperately needed after the wet pool fiasco. Okay, I got a drink. "Snack bar" seemed alright, though I didn't go there. I'm more of a breakfast/dinner person. "Room service [24-hour]" – a definite perk, perfect for those late-night snack attacks when you're staring at the ceiling wondering what you're doing with your life.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Some Things That Don't)
"Daily housekeeping" – bless them. The "Air conditioning in public area" – essential in this climate. "Concierge" – always a helpful presence. "Currency exchange," "Cash withdrawal" and "Convenience store" are helpful but I didn't use them. There wasn't much of a "Gift/souvenir shop," which was unfortunate when I was looking for a cheap souvenir. The "Elevator", again, a lifesaver. They also had "Laundry service" and "Dry cleaning," which I needed considering how much stuff I'd managed to spill on my clothes. (Seriously, I'm a mess). "Luggage storage" – helpful for those early check-ins and late check-outs. The "Safety deposit boxes" and security were important for security. The "Car park [free of charge]" was a bonus, and there's a "Taxi service" if you're feeling ambitious.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Adventures (Maybe? I'm Not a Parent!)
I'm not a parent, so I can't speak to this definitively. But there was a "Babysitting service" (if you trust someone else with your offspring), "Family/child friendly" (okay, but what does that actually mean?), and "Kids facilities." It feels it'll do the job just fine for families.
Getting Around: Navigating the Traffic Tangle
There's "Airport transfer" (very helpful!), "Taxi service," and "Car park [free of charge]." I'm not sure about the "Car power charging station," because I don't own a car. But the "Bicycle parking" is available, which is a nice touch for the environmentally conscious.
Final Verdict: Unbelievable-ish (With a Pinch of Reality)
Okay, so unbelievable might be a slight exaggeration. But I'd say that overall, Studio The Lodge Paskal is a solid option. It's clean, generally well-equipped, and offers a decent range of amenities. The staff were generally helpful and the location is pretty convenient for exploring the area. I might return if only for my "breakfast in room" experience.
Would I recommend it? For sure! Just go in with realistic expectations. It's not the most glamorous place in the world, but it's comfortable, safe, and offers a good base for exploring Bandung. And hey, who knows? Maybe the pool will be sunny for you. And if not? At least you can have your "room service [24-hour]" to wallow in peace!
Aswanaya Bali: Your Dream Indonesian Escape Awaits (Luxury Villas & Unforgettable Experiences)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is… my itinerary for a hot mess of a weekend in Bandung, Indonesia, staying at Studio The Lodge Paskal near 23 Paskal By Travelio. God help us all.
Friday: Arrival and… Existential Dread (and Street Food)
- 14:00 - 15:00: Arrival at Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO). Okay, first thing's first: the airport. It's smaller than my high school cafeteria, which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because you get through it quickly. Curse because the moment you step outside, you're practically swallowed by a swarm of taxi drivers trying to fleece you. Don't panic! Grab a Blue Bird taxi (it's the real deal, not some shady imposter). The ride to Studio The Lodge Paskal should be, technically, 15-20 minutes. Mine took closer to an hour thanks to Friday afternoon traffic. My first emotional reaction? Pure, unadulterated rage. (Traffic… I'm not a fan.)
- 15:00 – 16:00: Check-in and Apartment Assessment. Found the Travelio place. Honestly, the studio itself at Studio The Lodge Paskal is… well, it’s a studio. Not palatial, but clean enough. Okay, the view isn’t the Taj Mahal, but it’ll do. The bed looks comfy, which is crucial because after the travel I'm ready to collapse. Let's see, the air con is… working! Thank the heavens. My first thought: "Is this safe?"
- 16:00 - 17:00: Post-Travel Meltdown (and Snacks). Time for a little… regrouping. Unpack, assess the emotional damage from the airport, and… eat. Because when I'm stressed, I get REALLY hungry. Found a convenience store in the building. Grabbed a bag of those weird, puffy Indonesian snacks (they're addictive, don't even ask). Sipped on a lukewarm bottle of water. Contemplated the meaning of life. The existential dread sets in. The walls are closing in. I suddenly question everything.
- 17:00 - 20:00: Street Food Bonanza at 23 Paskal. Right, push through the existential angst! 23 Paskal is right there, next door! Time for the real fun. Street food, baby! I'm talking everything. I wander around, the smells are insane. Satay, noodles, martabak manis (sweet pancake heaven!), and of course, some questionable-looking mystery meats. Honestly, I probably overate. But when in Bandung, right? My stomach is now a warzone of deliciousness and potential regret. My favourite food? Batagor (fried tofu and fish paste in peanut sauce). I ate, like, four. No regrets.
- 20:00 - 21:00: Evening Walk, Regrets and Promise. Needed to walk off that food coma. Wandered around the area, saw some of the local shops, the night life around there is exciting. I thought about the meaning of life or something, I don't know. Anyway, I went back to the studio, and with that I took a shower after my food bonanza. I regret nothing and promise to enjoy the small things.
Saturday: Volcanoes, Coffee Cravings, and Tourist Trap Traumas.
- 07:00 - 08:00: Wake Up (and Groan). Ugh. Woke up to the sound of… something. The city? My own stomach churning with the remnants of Friday night? Who knows. Coffee, STAT!
- 08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast & Pre Tour Planning. Tried making coffee in the studio (it was weak). Googled the Mount Tangkuban Perahu. The tour to the top? Worth it? Tourist trap? I don't know, but I'm going anyway.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Travel to Tangkuban Perahu (and Mental Preparation). Hired a driver. (Negotiating the price was an adventure in itself. I'm pretty sure I got ripped off, but whatever, I'm on vacation!) The drive was a solid hour or two, filled with… well, more traffic. In fact, it does not have an end. I closed my eyes. I prayed. I sang to myself. The mental preparation: a must.
- 10:00 - 12:00: Tangkuban Perahu Volcano. Okay, finally. Made it. The crater itself is… impressive. Smelly, yes. Sulfur-y, definitely. But also… kind of beautiful? The air is thin and the view is… there. I am happy I was there to see. I think it was worth it, even if it's touristy. I bought a ridiculously overpriced souvenir, obviously.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch near Tangkuban Perahu. More food. I found a little warung (local eatery). The food was good though I could barely speak the language. The experience of eating here was just the best, I actually felt like a traveler.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Back to Bandung. The journey back… the traffic was worse, if that's possible. My driver kept chatting, which was nice and distracting from the anxiety. I got kind of homesick for about 10 seconds.
- 14:00 - 15:00: Coffee Break at a Cafe (because caffeine is life). Found a cute little cafe in Bandung. I ordered a kopi susu (Indonesian coffee with milk). It was perfection. Pure, caffeinated bliss. Sat there, watched the world go by, and planned my afternoon.
- 15:00 - 18:00: Shopping at Factory Outlets. Bandung is known for its factory outlets, so I was prepared to hit at least one. The crowds are insane, and the sales are… hit or miss. Found a few things! Mostly just wandered around, sweating.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Dinner & Sunset. Time for dinner, at a restaurant near the hotel. I picked a restaurant that was cute and served local cuisine, maybe more street food. I enjoyed the sunset here, after dinner. I thought that I found my place, in Bandung.
- 20:00 - Beyond: Karaoke… Maybe? I'm really tired. I might just collapse. Or… maybe karaoke? The adventurous side of me is saying yes… It's a toss-up.
Sunday: Farewell (and a last desperate attempt at joy).
- 08:00 – 09:00 Wake Up (and Face Reality). The trip is (sadly) coming to a close. My body feels like it's been through a blender. But… still alive! Coffee is a non-negotiable.
- 09:00 -10:00 Final Breakfast and Pack. Last breakfast out and get ready to pack all your stuff up. This is when I started to consider the things that I missed, the things that I should have done, and the things that I could have done.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Last minute souvenir hunt. I forgot some little souvenirs for some of my friends back home. I went out of the apartment in a hurry.
- 11:00-12:00: Getting to airport. The most boring part of the whole trip. I did not know what to expect, but here I was. I will have to make sure to make a note of this.
- 12:00: Checking into the airport and Goodbye. No sad faces!
So there you have it. My messy, imperfect, and hopefully hilarious account of Bandung. I'm probably going to need another vacation to recover from this vacation. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? Don't forget to pack your sense of humor and an open mind… and maybe some strong antacids. You'll probably need them. This is something everyone should try.
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