Indonesian Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar Escape!
Indonesian Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar Escape! - A Deep Dive (and a Bit of a Rant)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the supposed "paradise" that is Indonesian Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar Escape! Honestly, the name alone is a mouthful, but hey, if the experience lives up to the hype… well, let's just find out, shall we? This review is going to be less polished travel brochure and more… me rambling, probably. Let's get real, shall we?
First Impressions: Arrival and Accessibility – Did I Nearly Break My Neck?
Okay, so, getting to this place. Accessibility. This is a HUGE thing for me, because I’m… well, I'm not a graceful gazelle. (More like a slightly overweight, easily-tripped sloth). The hotel claims to have “Facilities for disabled guests,” which is reassuring, but I have to say, the initial trek into the lobby… well, let's just say I nearly face-planted. I’m happy to see that there is an elevator. But, there are quite a few steps up to the entrance. And my luggage? Let's just say I was grateful for the friendly (and very strong) doorman. So, while they say accessible, I’d recommend double-checking specifics if you have mobility concerns.
The Check-in/out [express] option is fantastic, a lifesaver if you're like me and have a short attention span. Check-in/out [private] is available. Nice! The Doorman was a total champ. Seriously, that guy deserves a raise.
Rooms: My Fortress of Solitude (Mostly Clean, Mostly… Paradise?)
My Luxurious 2BR. Yeah, I expected luxury! The Air conditioning blasted ice-cold, which was a godsend in Makassar's heat. Air conditioning in all the rooms! Yay! The Blackout curtains were essential for sleeping in (I'm a professional sleeper, you see). Alarm clock? Great. I needed that. The extra long bed was a dream! Linens, and Towels were all top-notch quality!
The Wi-Fi [free] was generally reliable, which is a MUST for someone who can't function without their social media. Internet access – wireless across the place! Excellent. But I wasn't a massive fan of the Internet access – LAN - but, you know, it's there! Thank God for the Complimentary tea because, you know, tea. Speaking of which, I'm still trying to figure out why there wasn't a Coffee/tea maker in the room.
Now, cleanliness. Daily housekeeping was on point. Rooms sanitized between stays, and they seem to be taking the whole Anti-viral cleaning products seriously. Good, because, well, germs. Toiletries were supplied. Huzzah! The Bathroom phone? I can't bring myself to use it.
Honestly? The room was comfortable, clean, and had all the essentials. The safe box was there, so I could lock up my valuables. The Refrigerator kept my Bintang cold (essential), and the Seating area was perfect for sprawling out with a book.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Spa, Sauna… and a Whole Lot of Waiting.
Alright, let's talk about pampering, starting with the fitness center. I’d love to say I used it, but I'm writing this review because I am currently avoiding exercising. The Pool with view looked lovely, and it's a nice outdoor pool! There's a Sauna, Spa, and Steamroom! Nice touches!
This is where I was really pumped. I'm a sucker for a good spa day, but in this paradise, the Massage wasn't quite living up to the hype. I spent an hour paying and waiting to find someone to do the massage. I loved it once I got it!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – My Stomach’s Adventures
Okay, the food. This is a critical part of any hotel experience, and the restaurants seemed promising. Let’s start with the basics!
Restaurants: There is a Vegetarian restaurant, which is great. Coffee shop and Poolside bar. Sounds nice. Breakfast [buffet]. The Asian breakfast was pretty good, but the Western breakfast was… well, it was there. The Desserts in restaurant were amazing! Salad in restaurant? Awesome! The Poolside bar offered some amazing beverages!
Cleanliness and Safety - Are We Safe, People?
This is a big one, especially these days. I was relieved to see the effort. I spotted CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. Fire extinguisher was there. First aid kit? Check! The Staff trained in safety protocol, and there was Security [24-hour]. Well done, Indonesian Paradise, well done!
Services and Conveniences – Is It Super Convenient or just… Okay?
There is a Concierge on hand. Currency exchange (because who brings cash anymore?). Food delivery? Perfect for those lazy days. Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and Ironing service were available, and there's also Luggage storage. I was delighted with this option!
For the Kids - Family Travel?
Family/child friendly! Excellent. The Babysitting service is an option! Plus, there's Kids meal. Definitely something to consider if you're traveling with little ones. Excellent!
Getting Around – From the Airport to… Wherever.
Airport transfer! Huge plus. Car park [free of charge]. Score! Taxi service is available, too. Easy peasy.
Okay, the Really Messy Truth – My Verdict (With a Side of Whining)
Look, is Indonesian Paradise a perfect escape? No. Is it a bad experience? Mostly, no. The location's fantastic, the main benefits worked well. I did feel paradise-adjacent. I could not help but feel that there was more potential!
BUT!
Here’s the Hard Sell (aka, Why You Should Book This Place… Maybe)
Indonesian Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar Escape! It’s your ticket to a Makassar mini-break! If you're looking for a hotel that checks most of the boxes, and you don’t mind a few quirks, I highly recommend it. Book now!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay at Residence Pax Ameglia, Italy
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-organized-with-Times-New-Roman-font travel itinerary. This is the real deal, a messy, hilarious, and hopefully slightly insightful look at my planned (and probably slightly botched) adventure to the Spacious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar By Travelio in Kalegowa, Indonesia. Let's just hope I don't accidentally book a one-way ticket to Vladivostok. Here we go…
The Gloriously Unplanned Makassar Mishap: A Stream-of-Consciousness Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Tango (aka "Where Did My Underwear Go?")
14:30 - Anticipation Bites! (Airport Grind): Okay, the flight landed. I swear, the air conditioning on this flight was trying to freeze my eyeballs. The moment I stepped off, BAM! Humidity slaps you in the face. Makassar, you beautiful, sweaty beast! Currently wrestling with an ancient, probably-cursed suitcase that refuses to relinquish its contents. Where is my lucky travel underwear? Honestly, the important stuff is missing; this trip might be a disaster.
15:00 - The Cab Struggle: Found a taxi! The driver, bless his heart, seemed to think my GPS was a suggestion rather than a command. We went on a scenic route through what I think was someone's backyard. Did he just wave to a chicken? I’m just praying the A/C holds out.
16:00 - Delft Delight (Hopefully): Arrive at the Delft Ciputra. Please, God, let the apartment look like the pictures. (Spoiler alert: In my experience, they never do). Praying the Wi-Fi works. My life (and this itinerary) depend on it. Check-in: Smooth as butter (fingers crossed, I've had some horror stories!). Briefly marvel (or possibly panic, depending on the apartment's state) at the 2BR situation. Is that an actual balcony? Score! First thoughts: Space is GOOD. This place is actually pretty nice!
17:00 - The Great Unpack & Reconnaissance Mission: Unpack! Or rather, attempt to unpack. This is where my organizational skills crumble faster than a cheap biscuit. Locate the missing underwear! Find the coffee I packed. (Crucial for sanity). Then, a quick sweep of the local area. Where's food? Where's water that won't make me sick? My hydration plan has some holes, but if I'm real I can solve that.
18:00 - Local Dinner Dive (Hopefully Edible): Adventure to the nearest warung (local eatery). Pray for safe, delicious food. I'm thinking spicy noodles. Or maybe something deep-fried. Honestly, everything looks good. Pray I don't order something completely wrong and end up with a plate of… well, I don’t know what. But I’ll eat it anyway.
19:30 - Post-Dinner Regret (Optional): Walk back to the apartment. Maybe take a photo of the city at night. Contemplate my life choices. Realize I probably overate and need more ice water.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Caffeine Dependency ("The Coffee Crisis")
- 07:30 - Wake-up Call (and the Coffee Crisis): Awaken! Or, more accurately, drag myself out of bed, feeling the effects of jet lag like a truck. The coffee situation is dire. This is no joke. The good news: found instant coffee! The bad news: it’s the only coffee.
- 08:00 - Breakfast of Champions (Probably Not): Quickie breakfast. I did it, it's the first time in a long time.
- 09:00 - Fort Rotterdam: A Bit of History (and Possibly Mosquitoes): Head to Fort Rotterdam. Soak up some culture. Pretend to understand the significance of everything. Take a lot of pictures. Sweat. Find a shady spot. Get bitten by mosquito. Question my life choices.
- 11:00 - Market Madness: The Pasar Terong Experience: Dive into the Pasar Terong! Colour, chaos, and questionable smells. Attempt to haggle. Probably fail miserably. Buy something I don't need. Regret it later. Love it anyway. This is the moment when you know you're truly in Indonesia!
- 13:00 - Lunchtime! (Again, Hope for the Best): Find a restaurant near the market. Eat something delicious… or maybe slightly terrifying. Pray it was worth it.
- 14:00 - Post-Market Meltdown (Nap Time): Back to the apartment. Collapse on the bed. Nap. Recharge. This travel thing is exhausting, but worth it. Seriously, it is.
- 16:00 - Coffee Quest (Round Two): Coffee situation still critical. Locate better coffee. Or, at least, more coffee. This is a matter of life and death. (Okay, maybe not, but close!)
- 17:30 - Sunset Spectacle (If Possible): Stroll to the waterfront. Watch the sunset. Take a picture. Feel overwhelmingly emotional about the beauty of the world. Or, you know, just enjoy the pretty colours. Either works at this point!
- 19:00 - Dinner and Doubt: Tonight's dinner will be something new. I’ll try the fish. Or maybe a different noodle dish. Or maybe I'll just order room service and collapse in front of the TV. The possibilities are endless… and slightly overwhelming.
Day 3: Island Hopping and Internal Monologue ("The Beautiful and the Beastly")
08:00 - Island Bound: Boat trip to Samal Island. This morning I'm determined.
09:00 - Island Paradise?: The trip to the island is beautiful, the water is shimmering gold. I can't wait for more of this.
10:00 - Relaxing in the Sun: Time for some relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. I'm sure I'm going to love this.
12:00 - Lunch: Grab a lunch. Hope it's good, I'm really hungry and need to remember to drink water.
14:00 - Return: It's been lovely, but I think it's time to go back to the flat and relax.
16:00 - The Deepest Thoughts: I can't believe I'm here. This is more great than I ever expected. I love it and can't wait to see what else Makassar has to offer.
Day 4: Departure Day (and the Panic of Packing):
- 08:00 - Breakfast. Last Time: One last breakfast in the lovely 2BR apartment. Make sure to grab coffee.
- 09:00 - Pack Packing Packing! The Great Packing Panic! Try to remember where I put all my things. Curse my past self for not being more organized. Try to fit everything back into the ancient, possibly-cursed suitcase. Realize it's impossible. Stuff everything in anyway.
- 11:00 - Final Farewell: Walk around the apartment one last time. Say goodbye to the lovely space. Promise myself that I will be back one day.
- 12:00 - Airport Grind Redux: Taxi to the airport. Pray the driver actually knows where he's going. Try not to cry as I leave.
- 14:00 - Goodbye for now Makassar: Final thoughts. Reflect on the experiences. It's been lovely.
Postscript:
So there you have it. A travel itinerary filled with more heart and honesty than perfectly-planned activities. Will things go according to plan? Absolutely not. Because, honestly, the best part of travel is the unexpected. The moments you can't predict, the weird food, the hilarious mishaps, the quiet moments of awe. I'm already looking forward to the stories. Wish me luck! And if you see me wandering around Makassar looking lost, sticky, and slightly bewildered, come say hello. We can share a coffee (hopefully, a good one) and swap travel tales.
Escape to Paradise: Adults-Only Luxury at Ischia's Villa Melodie
Indonesian Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Delft Ciputra Makassar Escape! - Unfiltered FAQs (Because Let's Be Real)
So, is this place *actually* luxurious? Like, "fancy-pants-and-champagne" luxurious, or "clean-sheets-and-enough-hot-water" luxurious?
What's actually *in* the 2-bedroom apartment? Spill the beans!
The Ciputra part of the name…sounds fancy. What's the deal with the location? Is it convenient?
Okay, the swimming pool. Spill. Was it as dreamy as the pictures? Did you actually *use* it?
What about food? Are there good restaurants nearby? And what about the street food?
Anything else I should be aware of before booking this place? Any major downsides?
