Yogyakarta's BEST Halal Hotel Near UMY? (RedDoorz Syariah Falisha Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! We’re diving headfirst into the chaotic, wonderfully messy world of the RedDoorz Syariah Falisha – the supposed BEST Halal Hotel Near UMY in Yogyakarta. Forget the perfectly polished travel blogs, this is the real deal. This is me, spilling the tea (and maybe a little bit of that complimentary bottled water) on my experience.
First Impressions: The Accessibility & Vibe Check (and a Near-Disaster)
Finding the place? Easy peasy. It's near UMY, as promised. Accessibility, as in, physically getting there? Fine. Wheelchair accessible? Hmm, not great. The lobby has a slight ramp, but the hallways… let's just say it might be a bit of a squeeze. Still, a plus for having some level of accessibility!
Right off the bat, I was hit with the "Syariah" vibe. Which, let's be honest, is a big draw for many travelers in Yogyakarta. It’s clean, it's… well, respectful. But… and here’s the first messy part… I almost tripped over a stray rug in the lobby and face-planted. My inner monologue was screaming, "FIRST DAY JITTERS!!!" Okay, deep breaths. Focus.
My Room: Sanctuary or Just a Room? (And the Great Blackout Curtain Conspiracy)
The rooms, ah, the rooms. They promised air conditioning (THANK GOD). They delivered. They also promised free Wi-Fi, and guess what? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Yep, I checked. Multiple times.) Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN (for those who like to get really wired in) – check, check, check.
Now, for the IMPORTANT stuff. The blackout curtains .… Blackout curtains! These are crucial! They're a lifesaver for those who've only had a few hours of sleep, which, let's be honest, is a very real possibility. The ones at Falisha? AMAZING. Seriously, pitch black, sleep-until-noon-worthy amazing. I swear, I'd be back for those curtains ALONE!
The bathroom… it was… functional. The towels were clean. The complimentary toiletries were, well, complimentary. Maybe nothing spectacular, but fine. You're not there for the fancy soap; you're there to explore Yogyakarta!
The Amenities: Promises, Promises… and a Sauna I Didn’t Conquer
Okay, let's talk fancy stuff. The spa/sauna… and the swimming pool. Sounds tempting. I managed to actually see the swimming pool [outdoor] but I somehow didn't have time to take a dip. My mental checklist was already overfilled. So I'll take their word for it, it was good. Gym/fitness, and a Fitness center… maybe next time, I'll actually GO!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Halal Heaven? (Mostly…)
Halal is the name of the game at Falisha. This is key. No pork, no alcohol. Wonderful. The Asian cuisine in restaurant? I'd recommend it. The Asian breakfast? I liked it, not the best, but still ok. Coffee/tea in restaurant was perfect to grab a quick cup. They had a decent amount of items on the buffet but it wasn't the best.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beyond the Hotel Walls
This is where Yogyakarta really shines. The hotel is a great basecamp. The concierge helped with arranging a driver (though I also used Grab, which was a lifesaver!).
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping it Real
This is critical. The hotel seemed to be taking the COVID-19 situation seriously. Sanitizing. Masks. The usual. I'm not a germaphobe, but I appreciate the effort.
Services and Conveniences: What Actually Matters
Laundry service: YES! After a few days of exploring, a mountain of sweaty clothes is inevitable. Luggage storage: Always a plus. Daily housekeeping: They kept the place tidy.
Getting Around: The Yogyakarta Shuffle
Car park [free of charge]: Huge win, especially if you're renting a scooter or driving yourself (which you should, at least for a day, the roads here are an adventure!) Airport transfer: They can arrange it. That's it.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
I didn’t have kids with me, but it seemed family-friendly, although I was a bit too occupied to notice specific kids' facilities.
The Verdict: Is RedDoorz Syariah Falisha REALLY the BEST Halal Hotel Near UMY?
Okay, let’s be clear: best is subjective. But, for the price, location, and the overall experience? RedDoorz Syariah Falisha gets a solid thumbs up. It’s not perfect. It's real. It's clean. It’s convenient. And, most importantly, it gave me the perfect place to crash after a day of exploring the incredible chaos and beauty of Yogyakarta.
FINAL RAMBLES & A Compelling Offer:
Look, you're not booking the Ritz. You're booking a clean, comfortable, halal-friendly place to rest your head while you explore one of Southeast Asia's most fascinating cities. And that's exactly what RedDoorz Syariah Falisha delivers.
MY UNMISSABLE OFFER:
Are you ready to dive headfirst into the magic of Yogyakarta? Then, my friend, you need a basecamp that's comfortable, Halal, and perfectly positioned near UMY! Book your stay at RedDoorz Syariah Falisha NOW and get 10% OFF your stay through [YOUR WEBSITE/LINK]! Plus, the first 20 bookings get a FREE traditional Javanese massage at a nearby spa! Don't miss out – Yogyakarta's adventures await!
So, book. Explore. Be messy. Embrace the adventure. And maybe, just maybe, tell me about it afterward!
Unbelievable Tagaytay Villa: 3BR, Private Pool, Highland Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-manicured, Insta-worthy travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-got-sunburnt-and-cried-a-little-bit journey of one person in Yogyakarta. We're at RedDoorz Syariah @ Falisha UMY. Wish me luck.
Day 1: Arrival, Chaos, and a Questionable Guesthouse
- 9:00 AM (GMT+7): Landing in Adisutjipto International Airport. Okay, first hurdle: immigration. I have a massive fear of border control. Always. This time, smooth sailing! Which is weird. Am I too suspicious now? Probably. Anyway, grabbed my luridly bright orange luggage (seriously, why did I buy that?) and met… I think his name was Budi, the driver arranged through the hotel. He was friendly, bless him, even when I spent half the drive staring goggle-eyed out the window at the scooter-packed roads. Total sensory overload.
- 10:30 AM: Arrival at RedDoorz. Now, the pictures online… let's just say they were generous. It's… functional. Clean-ish. The air conditioning is working, which is a win in this humid heat. The "syariah" part? Well, that's just a name, apparently. No glaring rules jumping out and smacking me in the face… yet. Honestly, I'm just glad to find a place to crash.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Unpacking. Or, more accurately, spilling the contents of my suitcase. Found my emergency snacks (chocolate, naturally) and a questionable stain on one of the towels. Sigh. This is going to be a long trip, isn't it? Also, the wifi password turns out to be "welcome." Really? That should be the first sign that this isn't the Ritz.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch… or, the attempt at lunch. Walked out of RedDoorz. Immediately lost in the heat and language barrier. Gave up and retreated to a warung (small local eatery) across the street. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles and vegetables. Turns out it was spicy. Really spicy. My mouth is currently melting. I flagged down a kind-looking teenager and, through a hilarious combination of pointing, miming, and broken Indonesian, managed to get a bottle of lukewarm water. Saved!
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Attempt at a walk. Failed miserably. The heat is oppressive. The traffic is insane. Found a tiny shop selling ridiculously cute cat-themed souvenirs (I'm easily swayed). Bought a ceramic cat and a fan shaped like a mango. Feeling slightly better about life. Back to RedDoorz for some serious AC and a nap.
- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Nap. The most important part of any itinerary, frankly. Woke up feeling slightly less like a soggy noodle.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Decided to be brave and venture out for dinner in the evening. Found a charming, if slightly chaotic, restaurant with twinkling fairy lights. Ordered nasi goreng (fried rice), which was delicious. The friendly staff tried to have a conversation with me in a combination of Indonesian and English. I understood about 10% of it, but it was lovely. They were so patient. They even corrected my pronunciation of "terima kasih" (thank you). Feeling less like a total idiot.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Wandered back to RedDoorz, feeling pleasantly full and slightly less jet-lagged. Now, for an early night. Tomorrow, I'm tackling Borobudur Temple. I'm equal parts excited and terrified. Honestly, I'm just hoping I survive the journey.
Day 2: Borobudur, Beauty, and a Near-Death Experience (of Excitement)
- 4:00 AM: The alarm shrieked. Okay, I know I said early night, BUT the sunrise over Borobudur is apparently legendary. Dragged myself out of bed. The bathroom situation at RedDoorz is… let's be kind and say "rustic." Let's just say I was not thrilled to use it at this hour.
- 5:00 AM: Budi, our driver from yesterday, arrived. He looked incredibly chipper. I, on the other hand, was a walking zombie. The drive took about an hour. The roads are still insane, but at least it's dark and the sun isn't killing us yet.
- 6:00 AM: Reached Borobudur. OMG. It was… breathtaking. Honestly, I almost cried. The sheer scale of the temple, the intricate carvings, the way the sun was painting the stone golden… It’s hard to describe it adequately. I felt a pang of something resembling profound beauty. It was a genuinely humbling experience.
- 6:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Wandered around, getting lost in the details of the carvings. Apparently, the temple tells a story, a Buddhist narrative. I have no idea what's going on, but the sheer craftsmanship is astounding. The tourists grew as soon as the sun was above the horizon. People. Everywhere. A sea of selfie sticks bobbing. I lost the magical, quiet, early morning moment amongst the crowds. Still, the experience was unforgettable.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Coffee and breakfast at a nearby cafe. I swear, the coffee here tastes like rocket fuel, BUT I needed that. Also, the food was good. The view was even better.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The rest of the day was a blur. Back to Reddoorz. Feeling exhausted, but exhilarated. My brain is still processing the experience.
- 1:00 PM: Nap. Another essential element of life.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Decided to take a cooking class! "Nasi Goreng 101," with a hilarious local lady. We did a lot of laughing with a lot of mistakes, but the end result was actually delicious! The spice level was a little more than I could handle, but no one expects perfection.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! I feel like I've been eating non-stop, but hey, it's a cultural immersion, right?
- 8:00 PM - bedtime: Wrote in my journal, and felt a sense of accomplishment. I'm making it through!
Day 3: Sultan's Palace, Batik, and Existential Dread (and a Really Bad Smoothie)
- 9:00 AM: Slept in! Glory!
- 10:00 AM: Visited the Kraton (Sultan's Palace). It's a beautiful complex of traditional Javanese architecture. The guide's English was excellent! I learned a lot about the Sultanate and Javanese culture. Actually fascinating.
- 12:00 PM: Exploring Malioboro Street. Uh oh. It's crowded. Really, really crowded. Street vendors, honking scooters, the general chaos of the city. Lost in the chaos, found a batik workshop. This place was absolutely amazing. The colors, the patterns, the artistry… I was mesmerized. I watched the artists work. I bought a batik scarf so beautiful that I almost felt guilty. Actually, I still do. I'm not sure I deserve it.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch. Found what at first looked like a hip cafe. Ordered a smoothie. It tasted like swamp water. Seriously, it was the worst smoothie of my life. I'm beginning to suspect it was a practical joke.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Attempted to haggle for souvenirs. Got thoroughly and utterly destroyed. I'm terrible at it. I need to learn the local phrases, but also I'm bad at confrontation. The vendor smiled at me while taking all my money. I gave up and bought a miniature gamelan set.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. The food's a treat.
- 8:00 PM: Journaling, and worrying that I'm not having enough experiences.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime.
- 10:00 PM: More journaling.
Day 4: Prambanan, Volcanoes, and the Relentless Feeling That I'm Missing Everything
- 9:00 AM: Prambanan Temple. Absolutely beautiful Hindu Temple, which is the same energy as Borobudur. It's a bit of an easier experience, also, because it is less crowded.
- 12:00 PM: Another local lunch. The chef smiled at me like I was family, which was a wonderful thing.
- 1:00 PM: Trying to visit a volcano site. The tour gets canceled, so I plan my departure from Yogyakarta.
- **5:00
Yogyakarta & RedDoorz Syariah Falisha: The Good, the Bad, and the Utterly Confusing! (FAQ, because let's be real, you NEED answers!)
