RedDoorz Near Ciputra World Mall: Surabaya's BEST Hotel Deal?
RedDoorz Near Ciputra World Mall: Surabaya's BEST Hotel Deal?
RedDoorz Near Ciputra World Mall: Surabaya's BEST deal? Maybe. (A Messy Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the RedDoorz near Ciputra World Mall in Surabaya. This isn't your sterile, robot-written travel guide. This is real. I'm talking sweat, slightly fuzzy memories, and the unvarnished truth about whether this place lives up to the hype (and the price tag).
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First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good and… the Less Good):
Okay, so first things first. The location is pretty damn good. Right near Ciputra World Mall? Yes, please! Shopping, food, all the usual suspects are practically on your doorstep. That's a huge win. Makes getting around a breeze, especially if you're not keen on navigating Surabaya's glorious (and chaotic) traffic.
Accessibility? Well… it's a mixed bag. They say they cater to disabled guests. There's an elevator (thank GOD), and the common areas looked reasonably accessible. BUT, and it's a big but, I wasn't in a wheelchair, so my perception is limited. It's always worth double-checking specifics with the hotel directly, because "accessible" can mean different things to different people. I'd suggest calling to confirm the type of rooms and amenities available before booking.
Rooms: Air Conditioning, and… Carpeting (Oh, the Carpet!)
The rooms… well, they’re a mixed bag too. They’re not exactly luxurious, let's be honest. But they're functional. The air conditioning works (crucial in Surabaya), the bed was…adequate, and they have the basics covered: air conditioning, free wifi, a desk (for pretending to work), and a TV. (Satellite/cable channels, yay!).
BUT. The carpeting. Oh, the carpeting. I'm not sure what era it hailed from, but let's just say it had seen things. Maybe a few spilled drinks, perhaps a rogue suitcase or two. Anyway, if you're a stickler for pristine carpets, this ain’t the place. (I am, admittedly, kinda weird about carpets.) Honestly, I'd rather have hardwood or tile. But hey, it's clean enough, and the room was made up daily. Which is always a bonus. And they had blackout curtains! Praise the travel gods for those.
Internet - The Ever-Present Anxiety:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! A modern-day essential, right? I mean, I need to keep up with the world (and post pictures of my adventures). And the speed of Wi-Fi is often a deciding factor. Thank god it did its service just well.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Stuff That Really Matters):
Okay, here's where RedDoorz redeems itself (a little). In the age of… well, everything, I am a bit of a germaphobe. They appear to take hygiene seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere (thank you!), daily disinfection of common areas, and the staff seemed to be following safety protocols. They had anti-viral cleaning products. I could see it being cleaned well.
Food, Glorious Food (And Maybe a Few Regrets):
Right, let's talk food, because honestly, that's high on my list of priorities. They offer breakfast. Buffet-style. I, admittedly, went for that the first day. A pretty standard Asian and Western mix. So, take breakfast in the room service.
There is a coffee shop. Coffee/tea in the restaurants, and some desserts (but I didn’t try them). A bar nearby, but I didn’t see a pool bar.
I would have expected there to be more dining options at the property (considering being near a shopping mall).
Things to do (Or, How to Not Go Totally Stir-Crazy):
This is where the location shines. Ciputra World Mall (again, right there!) is your entertainment hub. Shops, restaurants, a cinema – you're set. They also have a fitness center. Look, I didn't use it, but it was there! Apparently, there's a sauna, too. In reality, I was more inclined to simply get a massage (which they do offer) and let someone else do the work.
The "Amenities" - Because sometimes you need a Scrub:
Let's get superficial for a second. They have a spa! (Spa/sauna listed). I didn't indulge in a full-blown spa day, but I did get a massage. And it was… okay. The therapist was clearly well-trained. But the ambiance was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t the world-class spa experience of my dreams. It was more of a functional massage that did the job. I’m not complaining.
Everything Else (The Random Bits):
- Doorman: Yes, there was a doorman. Always a nice touch. Made me feel marginally more important than I actually am.
- 24-Hour Front Desk: Essential. Always.
- Car Park (Free of Charge): BONUS! That's a major win in any city.
- Laundry Service/Dry Cleaning: Excellent for keeping your travel wardrobe (relatively) presentable.
- Safe Deposit Boxes: For your valuables (and possibly your sanity).
The Verdict (The Rambling Conclusion):
So, is RedDoorz Near Ciputra World Mall the "BEST DEAL" in Surabaya? That’s a tough one. Best is subjective. It’s definitely a good deal, especially if you value location, convenience, and are on a budget. It's not luxurious, but it's clean, safe, and functional.
Would I go back? Perhaps. For budget-conscious travel. It gets the job done. And those blackout curtains? Absolute lifesavers. I'd probably go with a higher-level room, perhaps one with a better view, next time (if such a creature exists!).
Istanbul's Hidden Gem: Zalel Hotels Laleli - Unbelievable Luxury!Okay, buckle up, buttercup! Because this isn't your perfectly Pinterest-curated travel itinerary. This is the REAL Surabaya experience, warts and all, starting – for the sake of this exercise – from a RedDoorz near Mall Ciputra World Surabaya. God help us all.
Surabaya: The Scrappy City (and Me, Trying Not to Get Lost)
Day 1: Arrival, Sensory Overload, and Existential Dread (Just Kidding… Kinda)
Morning (ish) - 8:00 AM: Arrive at Juanda International Airport (SUB). Okay, so first hurdle: the visa situation. Did I actually print that confirmation? (Checks frantically in my bag. Yep, miraculously. Feeling smug for a brief, shining moment). The queue for immigration… dear Lord, it's a thing. Think slow-motion stampede of weary travelers. This is where you start questioning all your life choices. Eventually, I make it through, collect my bag (which thankfully didn't end up in Timbuktu), and stumble out into the humid embrace of Surabaya.
Morning/Early Afternoon - 9:30 AM: Grab a Grab (or a Blue Bird taxi, if I'm feeling brave). The traffic is… intense. Surabaya's a city that truly believes in the power of the horn. It's a concerto of beeps and blasts. I’m pretty sure I aged about five years during this 45-minute taxi ride. The driver, a guy with a charmingly crooked smile, tried to converse (mostly in Indonesian, which, oops), and I just kept smiling and nodding. International relations at its finest.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon - 10:45 AM: FINALLY, arrived at RedDoorz. The room? Let's just say "budget-friendly" is accurate. But hey, it's got a bed. And hopefully, the AC works (a crucial factor in surviving this tropical climate). Quick freshen-up. The bathroom situation… well, let's just say I'm getting intimate with a squat toilet. It's going to be an adventure, isn't it?
Afternoon - 12:00 PM: Lunch at nearby Mall Ciputra World Surabaya. Because air conditioning. A huge comfort after such a journey with the traffic. It's all a bit… overwhelming. The food court is a whirlwind of smells and shouting. I opt for something vaguely recognizable – Nasi Goreng (fried rice) from a stall with a long line. The portion is massive. The chili? Definitely packing a punch. My face is sweating, I'm fanning myself like a proper tourist, and I'm loving it. It is so good!
Afternoon - 2:00 PM: Shopping. Because, you know, I'm a tourist. I head back into the mall, brave the bustling crowds, and browse the shops. I buy a cheap, brightly colored t-shirt because, why not? This is the moment, I think, when I embrace the chaos.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening - 4:00 PM: Stroll around the mall and just watch people. One thing Surabaya is good at, it's the crowds. This is a perfect place to just sit and watch people. The people here are very different there and there is always something.
Evening - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Back at the Mall for food. Indonesian food is amazing. But tonight's a pizza night. Because, sometimes you just need pizza.
Evening - 8:00 PM: Back at the RedDoorz. Exhausted but buzzing. The bed is calling my name, but I'm also strangely happy. This city… it’s a lot. But it's also kind of… wonderful.
Day 2: History, Culture, and Near-Disaster (The Story of an Indonesian Taxi Ride)
Morning - 8:00 AM: Wake up, slightly less jet-lagged. Attempt a shower (fingers crossed the water pressure is decent).
Morning - 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The RedDoorz doesn’t offer breakfast, so I head out to a local warung. The food is cheap and delicious. My Indonesian vocabulary is growing slowly, mostly consisting of "terima kasih" (thank you), "tidak pedas" (not spicy, a prayer more than a command).
Morning - 10:00 AM: "Surabaya Submarine Monument (Monumen Kapal Selam)" time! (This is the plan, anyway). Getting there? THAT's the challenge. Decide on bluebird taxi. Again. The traffic. Oh, the traffic. There are mopeds weaving in and out like caffeinated insects. The driver is blasting dangdut music. And I mean, blasting. I’m not sure what the lyrics mean, but I’m pretty sure it’s about heartbreak and longing.
Morning/Early Afternoon - 11:30 AM: Arrive at the submarine memorial. It's a hulking Russian-built submarine, now landlocked. It's really amazing! The inside is cramped and claustrophobic, but it's a fascinating glimpse into the past. The sheer size of the thing, the details… they are all so impressive.
Afternoon - 1:00 PM: A near-disaster. Trying to navigate back to the RedDoorz using Google Maps. First, I walk in the wrong direction. I get a little lost in the narrow streets, and I thought the small streets got more complicated than I remembered. I'm sweating buckets. I'm starting to panic. This is where I almost lost it. But eventually, I sort of manage to hail a taxi (after a lot of frantic waving). It's like I survived the apocalypse, honestly.
Afternoon - 2:00 PM: Back at the RedDoorz. Need to recover with a cold drink and some serious air conditioning. I'm learning that the key to surviving Surabaya is frequent breaks and hydration.
Afternoon - 3:00 PM: Rest. I just needed to unwind after the hectic journey. The rest is a must or I will be losing it again.
Late Afternoon - 4:00 PM: Head back to the Mall Ciputra World. Because I enjoy the air conditioning and a small cup of ice cream.
Evening - 6:00 PM: Dinner. Trying a new warung, this time. I point at things on the menu and hope for the best. The dish arrives. It's delicious. I have no idea what it is, but it's DELICIOUS. This place is amazing!
Evening - 8:00 PM: Back at the RedDoorz. Reflecting on the day. Surreal and amazing. Then I fall into a dead sleep almost instantly.
Day 3: Farewell, Surabaya! (With a Side of Regret and a Dash of Hope)
Morning - 8:00 AM: Wake up. Final Breakfast at a local warung. Try something new. It's spicy, but good. Again, it is a delicious food here.
Morning - 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Grab a batik shirt for good measure.
Morning - 10:00 AM: Pack. Try to cram everything back into my suitcase. Wish I'd bought more batik shirts.
Morning - 11:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the friendly staff at RedDoorz. They are the best!
Late Morning - 12:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. Traffic. Of course. But this time, I'm prepared. Deep breaths. I've survived. I've learned. I've eaten things I can't pronounce. I'm starting to understand a tiny bit of Bahasa Indonesia.
Afternoon - 1:00 PM: Airport. Waiting. The airport lounge is a welcome oasis of calm.
Afternoon - 2:00 PM: Reflecting on everything. Surabaya is a chaotic, challenging place. But it's also vibrant, fascinating, and full of heart. Do I regret anything. Yes, I wish I had more time. I will come back again.
Afternoon - 3:00 PM: Flight. Goodbye, Surabaya! Until we meet again!
Important Notes:
- This itinerary is a suggestion, a framework. Feel free to abandon the plan at any point. Surabaya is a city that thrives on spontaneity.
- Embrace the chaos. Really.
- Learn a few basic Indonesian phrases (like "terima kasih" - thank you, "berapa harga?" - how much does this cost?). It goes a long way.
- Stay hydrated. Seriously.
- Don't be afraid to get lost. That's where the real adventures happen.
- And most importantly: have fun! Surabaya is an experience, and a messy, wonderful one at that.
So, is RedDoorz Near Ciputra World Mall *really* the best bang for your buck in Surabaya? Seems too good to be true...
Alright, let's be real. "BEST DEAL" is a bold claim, right? I went in with a massive dose of skepticism. I mean, you’re practically *begging* for a moldy smell and a cockroach convention at that price point, right? I'm not gonna lie, my first reaction was… *suspicious*. I was armed with a can of disinfectant spray and a prayer. (Okay, maybe two prayers.)
But. And this is a big BUT… it wasn't *horrible*. It wasn’t glamorous by any stretch of the imagination – think, your slightly-less-glamorous backpacker cousin's digs after they've been on the road for six months, maybe? – BUT, for the price? I'm starting to see the light. It's not a *palace*, people. Keep your expectations reasonable. But… it's a decent basecamp.
How close *is* “Near Ciputra World Mall”? Like, actually close? Because “near” can be a real subjective term, you know?
Okay, this is where RedDoorz actually *shines*. The location is seriously clutch. I'm talking, you can *literally* see Ciputra World (okay, maybe not *literally* literally, but it's a very short walk). I’m talking, stumbling-home-from-a-food-coma walk. I’m talking, "Did I leave my credit card there?" walk.
I’m pretty sure I could’ve rolled myself there. (Don't judge. The food court is *amazing*.) The proximity to the mall is the biggest selling point, no question. Forget navigating Surabaya traffic - that alone is worth the price of admission! You're spoiled. And by spoiled, I mean perfectly positioned for maximum shopping and eating potential. It's just… convenient.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they prison cells? Or… livable? Tell me the truth!
Alright, brace yourself for a little… realism. The rooms are... functional. Think minimalist. Think, IKEA's 'starter kit' approach to hotel rooms.
Mine had a bed (a bed!), a tiny desk that barely fit my laptop, a TV (that, let’s be honest, I didn't even *try* to figure out how to get working), and a bathroom that… well, it was a bathroom. It had a toilet (yay!), a shower (with hot water! Miraculous!), and a sink (to brush your teeth!).
Don’t expect luxury. Don't expect fluffy robes and chocolates on your pillow. Don't expect a spa. But you *can* expect a clean-ish space to sleep, shower, and escape the Surabaya heat, and that’s often good enough. I did a happy dance when the AC worked, because honestly, that's a win.
The bathroom situation… what's the verdict? Clean? Gross? Questionable? Spill!
Okay, the bathroom. This is always the make-or-break moment, right? I HATE a gross bathroom. I REALLY, REALLY hate it. I went in expecting the worst. Okay, so… they weren't pristine. They weren’t sparkling. There was a certain level of… lived-in-ness. A slight musty smell, maybe? But! (There's always a but, right?) It wasn't actively *nasty*. The shower worked, the water was hot (a HUGE plus!), and the toilet flushed. And look, for the price, I could live with that.
Pro tip: bring your own flip-flops for the shower. Trust me on this one. And maybe some extra antibacterial wipes. Just in case. Gotta be prepared, people.
What about amenities? Anything besides a bed and a not-horrible bathroom?
Honestly, don't expect a ton. There’s probably Wi-Fi (I think I actually managed to connect, eventually). They *might* have a tiny lobby. A small coffee shop *possibly* (though I didn't venture). I think they *mentioned* breakfast, but I was so traumatized by a previous hotel brekkie I'm not sure I ever investigated. The focus here is on the basics. You're paying for a room, a location, and not much else.
There's no pool, no gym, no room service (thank goodness, I’d probably just order a pizza and eat the whole thing alone.) It's bare bones, people. Don't go expecting the Ritz. Expect a solid place for a shower and to sleep, at a crazy price.
How clean is clean, really? Be honest. Did you find any… friends?
Okay, the cleanliness… This is where the reviews are VERY mixed, like a mixed plate of gado gado, some good some bad. I get it. Expectations are low, it's cheap, so you prepare yourself. I'm a bit of a clean freak, so I'm *usually* the first to notice… things.
I inspected EVERYTHING when I got there. Under the bed. Behind the curtains. Everything.
It wasn't spotless. It certainly wasn't a hospital. There were a few dust bunnies (which, honestly, felt kinda cozy in a weird way – like, "Oh, hi, old friend!"). BUT. And this is a crucial "but". I didn't find any unwelcome guests. No roaches. No creepy crawlies. Nothing that made me want to run screaming into the Surabaya night. So, while I wouldn't eat off the floor, the room was basically clean-ish. Which, for the price, I deemed an absolute victory. I mean, I've stayed in hotels that cost *ten times* as much that were dirtier. So, yeah... triumph!
The staff! Are they helpful? Friendly? Or just… there?
The staff were pleasant, not effusively friendly, but perfectly… fine. The front desk folks spoke decent English (which is always a relief when you're struggling with Bahasa). They were helpful with basic questions (like, "Where's the mall?") and didn't try to up-sell me on anything unnecessary, which is always a plus.
They’re efficient. They’re not going to be your best friend, but they’ll get the job done. Consider them pleasant and professional, and you won't be disappointed.
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