Malang's BEST Halal Hotel? RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana Review!
Malang's BEST Halal Hotel? RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana in Malang! This ain't your sterile, corporate hotel review; this is me, raw and real, spilling the tea on this supposed BEST Halal Hotel. Prepare for some serious vibes.
Metadata & SEO Jabberwocky (because algorithms, ugh):
- Title: RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana: Malang's Halal Haven? A Messy But Honest Review!
- Keywords: Malang Hotel, Halal Hotel Malang, RedDoorz, RedDoorz Syariah, Simpang Gajayana, Malang Accommodation, Indonesia Travel, Budget Hotel, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Cleanliness, Safety, Indonesian Hotel Review.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, the Bad, and the "I'm Confused"):
Okay, so pulling up to this place…it's RedDoorz, so let's temper expectations, yeah? Don't go expecting the Ritz. But the Syariah part, promising adherence to Islamic principles, that's what I was really curious about. First good thing? The guy at the front desk. Super friendly. Really helpful (a refreshing change from some other places).
Accessibility: So, I noticed some ramp access, which is a HUGE plus! Wheelchair Accessible? They say yes. Now, I didn't personally use a wheelchair, but I did see a few things that gave me pause. The lobby seemed navigable enough, but the hallways…they looked a tad narrow in places. I'd call ahead and specify your needs, just to be 100% sure. They have an Elevator, which is crucial. Facilities for Disabled Guests? Again, they claim it, but I'd want specifics before booking.
Getting Around: Car Park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]. Yes, both. Which is essential in Malang, where parking can be a nightmare. Taxi service is readily available.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Anxiety-Inducing Section):
Alright, let's get the serious stuff out of the way. Especially since we’re talking about a place that claims to be about Halal practices. Cleanliness and safety, well, they try. Hand sanitizer dispensers were placed around in common areas. The staff is trained in safety protocol, I even saw them scrubbing those public elevator buttons. Daily disinfection in common areas, according to the sign, but you know…it’s always a question!
Anti-viral cleaning products, Individually-wrapped food options…these are all positive signs, especially post-pandemic. I liked that they had a first aid kit, a good indicator of any hotel. Doctor/nurse on call is there, the more comprehensive safety steps, the better
Room sanitization opt-out available, thank you, because sometimes, you just don't want all the scrubbing. Room sanitized between stays. They also said they use professional-grade sanitizing services. This is very important.
Safety/Security. CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher. YES to all of this. Because let's face it, peace of mind is priceless.
The Room Itself (Where I Lived, Ate, and Questioned My Life Choices):
Available in all rooms: I ended up having Air conditioning (thank GOD!), a Blackout curtains, definitely a life-saver. Bathtub was there, Bathroom phone, Towels, Toiletries and they were actually decent quality. The TV had Satellite/cable channels, some of which were even…interesting.
Additional things: A Coffee/tea maker. Complimentary tea, always a good thing. Refrigerator, a HUGE bonus in the Indonesian heat. A Hair dryer. A In-room safe box. Mini bar, though it wasn't amazing, it was fine. Mirror. A Non-smoking room. Reading light. Telephone. Slippers, comfortable ones! Socket near the bed, thank the heavens. Wake-up service. and, of course Wi-Fi [free].
Room-specific details (that I loved and hated):
My room was… well, not huge, but functional. I got a double bed (or maybe it was an extra long bed?) and a space where I can relax. The Linens and Towels were clean. The Desk was good enough for my laptop, and there was a Laptop workspace. No serious complaints here.
The little things that made me smile: Good Air conditioning, thank you Lord. The Free bottled water. Plenty of Internet access, Internet access – wireless. Things that needed work: Some of the decor was…a bit dated. Minor things, nothing to get in a flap about.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Belly's Report):
Here's where things get interesting. This is supposed to be a Halal Hotel, right? So, no booze, got it. But what is on the menu?
Restaurants: Restaurants. They have one! It’s a A la carte in restaurant and Buffet in restaurant, and the food was… hit or miss. They also have a Coffee shop, yay for caffeine. I sampled the Asian cuisine in restaurant, and the Western cuisine in restaurant. Some of the International cuisine in restaurant was actually pretty good. They also have a Poolside bar.
Things I actually liked: The Asian breakfast. They had quite a few Desserts in restaurant. The service was pretty good.
Things that bugged me: It can get so busy.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Spa Day? Maybe Not):
Okay, so the website promised a Fitness center, a Massage, Spa/sauna, Steamroom and a Swimming pool. I can confirm the Swimming pool [outdoor], the Pool with view was actually quite nice.
Things I looked for but didn't find Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath.
Services and Conveniences (The "Getting Stuff Done" Section):
Okay, this is where a hotel either shines or crumbles.
Services and conveniences. Air conditioning in public area. Nice. Breakfast service, excellent. Cash withdrawal is a plus. Contactless check-in/out. Good for safety. Daily housekeeping. Elevator. Helpful for me. Facilities for disabled guests I'm not sure. Food delivery. Useful. Laundry service. Essential. Luggage storage. Also handy. Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars. For the business travelers. Safety deposit boxes. For your valuables. Smoking area. Gotta have it. Terrace. Nice for a beer. Wi-Fi for special events. Important.
For the Kids (I Didn't Have Any, But Here's the Deal):
For the kids, Babysitting service. A definite plus. Family/child friendly. Kids meal. I spotted a few families with kids, so yes!
The Verdict (My Honest-to-Goodness Opinion):
So, is RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana the BEST Halal Hotel in Malang? That's a tough one. It's certainly a decent option, especially if you're on a budget.
Pros: Cleanliness and safety were good. Wheelchair accessibility is trying, and it's family-friendly. And the staff and the food were okay.
Cons: No major complaints.
Would I go back? Maybe. If I were looking for a convenient, clean, and affordable Halal-friendly option, then yes. But if I wanted true luxury and a truly unforgettable experience? Probably not.
Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Shell Hotel Zhuhai Deal!
Alright, buckles up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on this epic (and highly subjective) RedDoorz Malang adventure. Forget the perfectly polished travel blogs, this is the real, rumbling, slightly-crazed me trying to navigate Malang, Indonesia… and praying I don't get altitude sickness from all that sayur (that's veggies, you know, for the uninitiated).
Day 1: Arrival of the Clumsy Tourist & Culinary Confusion
- 9:00 AM (give or take an hour, because sleep is a precious commodity): Landed at Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport (MLG). Oh, the airport! It's charmingly small, which is a nice way of saying "easy to get lost in if you're me." Found myself in a mini-meltdown trying to figure out the taxi situation. Ended up overpaying, I'm sure. A true testament to my travel prowess.
- 10:00 AM: Finally, blissfully checked into RedDoorz Syariah @ Jalan Simpang Gajayana. Honestly, the room is… adequate. Clean enough, which is the main thing, right? The aircon is a bit grumpy, though. It's like it only wants to work for short bursts. Still, a bed is a bed after a long flight.
- 11:00 AM: The quest for breakfast begins! Google Maps led me to a local warung (small eatery). The language barrier was REAL. I pointed, I gestured, I probably embarrassed myself beyond redemption. Ended up with…something resembling noodles. Pretty sure it had chili in it. My mouth is currently on fire. Lesson learned: learn basic Indonesian phrases before you arrive.
- 1:00 PM: Stumbled upon a local market. Sensory overload! The smells, the colours, the sheer bustle… It's intoxicating and a little overwhelming. Nearly got run over by a motorbike, but hey, that's Indonesia, baby! Bought some questionable-looking fruit. Will probably regret this later.
- 3:00 PM: Nap time. That chili totally knocked me out.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! I bravely ventured out again, this time with a phrasebook. Success! I ordered nasi goreng (fried rice) and it was AMAZING. Like, seriously good. I could eat that every day. (Which, knowing me, I probably will). Sat and people watched. The sheer volume of scooters is dizzying. Where are they all going?!
- 8:00 PM: Back to the RedDoorz. Jet lag is hitting. Trying to watch a movie, but the room is super echoey. And that grumpy aircon still isn't cooperating. Sigh.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Trying Not to Get Eaten by Monkeys
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up. That nasi goreng coma wore off. Time to get serious. A proper shower and a dose of coffee.
- 9:00 AM: Determined to be cultural, I hired a grab car to go to the Singosari Temple. The roads are rough, but, I was so ready to see some history. The temple itself is impressive, but the real star of the show? The monkeys! They're everywhere, plotting their next banana theft. I swear, one of them eyeballed my water bottle like it was a gold nugget. They're adorable and terrifying at the same time.
- 11:00 AM: Time for tea! Or coffee. Or whatever caffeine can drag me to. Found a lovely little tea plantation. The views are stunning, rolling green hills for miles. Tried some jasmine tea. I'm not a tea person, but this. This was smooth and pleasant.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back in the market. This time I found a delicious chicken with rice. This is way better than those noodles.
- 2:00 PM: More temple touring. The Arjuna statue. So. Much. Stone. It's all so ancient and mysterious. Very cool, even if my feet are starting to ache.
- 4:00 PM: Shopping! Souvenirs, trinkets. I love shopping. The markets are so much fun. I need to start carrying a bigger bag!
- 6:00 PM: Thinking of hitting up that noodle place again. Oh my gosh, I'm such a creature of habit. But that's okay. It's my vacation.
- 8:00 PM: Back at the RedDoorz. My phone's about to die. Thinking of buying a portable charger.
Day 3: Food Coma, Farewell (and Maybe a Little Regret)
- 9:00 AM (I’ve stopped caring about the time): Woke up this morning from a deep sleep. I'm not sure what's up with the aircon. A/C is broken.
- 10:00 AM: The market! One. Last. Time. Need more snacks for the journey. I'm obsessed with this crunchy, sweet snack.
- 12:00 PM: Time to depart! I need to go now. Goodbye Malang. Goodbye, delicious food. Goodbye to the monkeys.
- 12:30 PM: The taxi ride back to the airport was so much faster than expected. One last view of the Malang scenery.
- 1:00 PM: Waiting at the airport. I should have bought more souvenirs.
Overall Impressions:
Malang is fantastic. It's chaotic, it's vibrant, it's delicious, and it's sometimes slightly bewildering. RedDoorz, well, it's a perfectly decent base camp. Could be cleaner, but it's not a disaster. The staff are friendly enough. The location is okay-ish. Would I come again? Absolutely. I'm already dreaming of that nasi goreng. And maybe this time, I'll learn more than "thank you." Don't regret anything, I just know I will be back again.
Fortaleza Getaway: Unbeatable Luxury at LIVE IN FORTALEZA Hotel!
RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana: The Malang Hotel Saga (Because, Let's Be Real, Reviews Need Some *Flavor*)
Okay, spill the beans! Is this place *actually* halal? And is that a *good* thing?
Alright, alright, let's get to the heart of it. "Syariah" means strictly following Islamic principles. The RedDoorz Syariah in Malang *claims* to be halal, and I'd say they're trying. You won't find alcohol (thank goodness, my liver can only handle so much), and the food they *say* is halal (more on that later). Whether they're PERFECTLY halal... well, that's between them and Allah, I guess. But it's definitely geared towards a Muslim clientele, so you can breathe a little easier about the pork situation – NOT a problem!
The Rooms... Are They *Actually* Clean? Because Travel Horror Stories, You Know?
Cleanliness... oh, this is where things get *interesting*. Look, I've stayed in places where you'd swear a family of dust bunnies had taken up permanent residence. I've also stayed in places so pristine you're afraid to breathe too hard. This RedDoorz? Somewhere in the middle. Let’s just say, *bring your own wipes*. I'd give it a solid "meh" on the cleanliness scale. The sheets *looked* clean, which is the most important part, right? I did find a stray hair in the bathroom, but honestly, for the price, I wasn't expecting surgical-grade sterility. My inner germaphobe did *not* have a complete meltdown. That’s a win, I guess.
The Wi-Fi. Is It a Lie? Because I Need My Netflix.
Ah, the internet, the modern-day lifeline. The Wi-Fi... well, it’s there. Sometimes. It’s like a moody teenager. I tried streaming Netflix, and let's just say it stuttered more than my Indonesian. Expect it to cut out at the most crucial moments. Seriously, don't bank on it for anything mission-critical. Pack a good book, or even better, download your shows *before* you arrive. Learn from my mistakes, people! I spent way too much time staring at a buffering screen.
Breakfast: The Most Important Meal (Especially After a Long Trip)... Is It Any Good? And is it even free?
Okay, the breakfast... This is where things get *very* RedDoorz-esque. Breakfast is included, which is A HUGE win in my book. But, let's just say it's... *basic*. Don't expect a gourmet spread. It's the kind of breakfast you eat because it’s there, not because you *crave* it. I’m talking nasi goreng (fried rice – surprisingly tasty!), maybe some bread, some fruit (sometimes questionable), and coffee that tasted like brown water. But you know what? I’m not a food snob. It filled the hole in my stomach. And let's face it – you're not staying here for the Michelin stars. You're staying because it's affordable and gets the job done.
Location, Location, Location! Is it Actually Convenient?
The location is *decent*. It's close to the Gajayana Stadium (if you're into that), and there are some warungs (local eateries) nearby where you can grab a proper meal. Not the most glam location, but it gets you closer to the center of Malang. Taxis and online ride-hailing services are readily available, which is a huge plus. Getting around was easy. I walked to a few places and got a Gojek easily for everything else. It worked for me.
Okay, But Did You *Enjoy* It? Would You Stay Again? Dish the Dirt!
Alright, time for the truth bomb. Did I *love* it? No. Was it the most luxurious hotel experience of my life? Absolutely not. Did it have its flaws? Oh, yes, my friends. But... would I stay again? Probably. Look, it's a budget hotel. You get what you pay for. The staff were friendly (in that Indonesian, overly-polite way), the price was right, and it was a safe place to rest my head. It's a perfectly adequate place to crash for a night or two while exploring Malang. Just don't go in with sky-high expectations. Manage your expectations and you won’t be disappointed. I went in knowing I was paying budget prices for a budget hotel. And that's exactly what I got.
Parking: Do I need to fight for a spot? Or is it easy peasy?
Parking... Ugh. Honestly, I didn't even have a car. I got around with Gojek and taxis. But from what I could see, the parking situation looked... tight. It's a busy area, and space is at a premium. I wouldn’t want to deal with it myself, to be honest. But again, that is the price you pay. I’d assume it's doable, but maybe not the most stress-free experience, especially if you arrive late at night. Plan accordingly!
The Staff: Friendly or Forgettable?
Staff, oh the staff! They were... *there*. Polite, helpful with basic requests, but not exactly memorable. They weren't *bad*, just... standard hotel staff. The type who greet you with a smile and can point you in the direction of the nearest warung. No complaints, no accolades. Just... functional. Which, honestly, is often all you need at this price point. They got the job done. I just wouldn’t bet on them becoming your new best friends. But then again, you’re probably not hoping for that either.
Is there a lift? Because stairs and luggage are a *nightmare*.
Thankfully, yes! A lift! Thank heavens. Lugging your luggage up multiple flights of stairs in the Indonesian heat? No thanks. I'm all about the lifts, especially after a day of exploring. So, yes, there is a lift, making accessibility much easier. Small win, but a win nonetheless.
Anything Else I Should Know Before Booking? Any Hidden Gems or Deal-Breakers?
Okay, final thoughts! DonKyoto's Hidden Gem: Miro Hachijo Genmachi Tei - You HAVE to See This!
Post a Comment for "Malang's BEST Halal Hotel? RedDoorz Syariah Simpang Gajayana Review!"