Ibis Samarinda: Unbeatable Deals & Luxurious Stays Await!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this review of the Ibis Samarinda is gonna be less "polished brochure" and more "best friend giving you the lowdown." Prepare for some real talk, because, let's face it, nobody wants to read another robotic hotel review. I'm aiming for something that gives you the raw, unfiltered truth, with all the quirks and imperfections included.
Ibis Samarinda: Unbeatable Deals & Luxurious Stays Await! (…Is it though?) A Real Review.
So, I've been tasked with dissecting Ibis Samarinda. "Unbeatable Deals & Luxurious Stays"? Alright, I'm game. My first impressions? Well, Samarinda itself is… an experience. It's not exactly the Eiffel Tower, you know? But hey, that's part of the fun. I wasn't expecting Michelin stars, I was expecting something. And Ibis, well, it is an Ibis. Let's break it down, starting with…
Accessibility, Because We All Gotta Get Around (and Some of Us Need Extra Help!)
- Accessibility: Alright, let's be honest: I didn't roll in on wheels. But I did give the lobby a good once-over. The elevator was there, thankfully not locked into some secret, inaccessible corner. (Good start, Ibis!). I didn't dive deep into every nook and cranny, but the public areas seemed pretty navigable. Always call ahead, though. Don't rely on some random reviewer's gut feeling!
- Wheelchair accessible: See above. Needs direct confirmation, but from appearance it might work?
- Facilities for disabled guests: I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're trying. Always inquire directly about specifics.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because Germs Are NOT My Friends)
- Cleanliness and safety: Big tick. I'm paranoid about hotels. Not a germaphobe, but come on, we're all a little wary, right? Ibis Samarinda clearly takes it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, I didn't see a spray bottle labeled "Anti-Viral Cleaning Products" flashing disco lights. But the staff seemed to be diligently cleaning, and the place felt clean. That's a win in my book.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep, staff were at it. Good.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Bless them. Seriously, I'm a fan.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Important. Important.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Crucial. I have no patience for the "wipe-down-the-counter-and-call-it-done" approach.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They certainly appeared to be. More on this later.
- First aid kit: Gotta have one!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential.
- Hygiene certification: Looked like they were trying.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Excellent.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed. It's a hotel, not a mosh pit.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Let's hope so!
- Safe dining setup: Yes, and they made an effort.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Fingers crossed!
- Sterilizing equipment: Again, hopefully.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know.
- Smoke alarms: Yes!
- Fire extinguisher: Present and accounted for!
- Security [24-hour]: Felt secure. There was a feeling of security.
- CCTV in common areas: Yep. Watching us. Always watching.
- CCTV outside property: They love the cameras, and I'm ok with that.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Because, Hello, Food!)
Let's talk about food. This is where things get… interesting.
- Restaurants: Yes, plural! This is a good sign.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, here's my confession. I am a sucker for a hotel buffet. I love them. I will judge a hotel hard on their breakfast. This one was… adequate. It wasn't a culinary masterpiece, but there was stuff. Eggs, toast (of varying quality), some fruit that looked suspiciously like it had been sitting out all morning. But hey, it was something. Fuel for your day!
- Asian breakfast: I didn't find something specifically and overtly "Asian," but then again, I wasn't expecting a full-blown Peking duck breakfast.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yep, pretty standard fare. Something for everyone.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Essential.
- Breakfast service: Yes, they had it.
- A la carte in restaurant: Likely an option, but I stuck to the buffet.
- Buffet in restaurant: See, I'm all in.
- Bar: Yes, a bar. Because, travel.
- Poolside bar: Nope - nothing like that. Pity.
- Snack bar: The hotel offered a small snack bar.
- Room service [24-hour]: Big plus!
- Coffee shop: I did not see one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Dessert was pretty average (but hey, it's dessert!).
- Bottle of water: Present in the room, appreciated.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Always a nice option.
- Vegetarian restaurant: no.
- Soup in restaurant: Had it one night, not bad.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
"Unbeatable Deals" and "Luxurious Stays" – Really?
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. "Unbeatable Deals" and "Luxurious Stays."
- Unbeatable Deals: The prices were reasonable. Let's put it like that. I got what I paid for.
- Luxurious Stays: Nope. Not quite. It's an Ibis, not the Ritz. Don't expect marble floors and diamond-encrusted taps. But it was comfortable.
- My Truth: The hotel felt clean and functional, ideal for your basic needs.
Services and Conveniences (The Nitty-Gritty)
- Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Business facilities: Yes, they had them.
- Cash withdrawal: Pretty standard.
- Concierge: Present. I didn't need much help, but they seemed friendly.
- Convenience store: Nope - at least I didn't see one.
- Currency exchange: Possible, check with the front desk.
- Daily housekeeping: Spot on.
- Doorman: There was a security staff.
- Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See accessibility section.
- Food delivery: Yes, there were options on the hotel's phone.
- Gift/souvenir shop: I didn't see anything like that.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service: Yes.
- Laundry service: Yep.
- Luggage storage: They'll hold your bags.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: No visible ones.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Probably.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events:
- Contactless check-in/out: Available, which is a plus.
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent! Free Parking!
- Car park [on-site]: Car park!
- Invoice provided: They do, which is helpful.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes, there were options.
- On-site event hosting: Possibly.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (The "Fun" Stuff)
Okay, here's where things get a little… limited. Ibis Samarinda isn't exactly a resort.
- Fitness center: Yes! Small, but a gym! Basic, but functional.
- Gym/fitness: Same as above.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: They have a pool! It's small, but it's there.
Okay, the Real Deal… The Room!
- Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathroom phone: Nope.
- Bathtub: No.
- Blackout curtains: Yes, thank goodness.
- Closet: Functional. *
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to Samarinda, Indonesia on a wing and a prayer (and hopefully a working internet connection). This is not going to be pretty. Prepare yourselves. IBIS SAMARINDA: A MESSY, GLORIOUS ADVENTURE (Maybe)
Day 1: The Great Kalimantan Awakening (aka, Jet Lagged to Hell)
6:00 AM (ish) - Jakarta to Samarinda: The Pre-Dawn Shuffle
- Okay, so first off, woke up in Jakarta at some ungodly hour (blame the time change, the dodgy hotel, or just my general inability to adult). Airport was a zoo. Smells of stale coffee, jet fuel, and something I really didn't want to identify. Found a seat, almost lost it to a rogue suitcase, and chugged the strongest coffee I could find. It was still weak. Jakarta airport needs a caffeine intervention.
9:00 AM (ish) - Arrival in Samarinda – Oh Boy, Here We GO
- Stepped off the plane…and BAM! Humidity. It hits you like a wet, tropical blanket. Instantly. The airport itself seemed…smaller than the hype I built up on the plane. More like a really large bus stop. Immigration was painless, surprisingly. Then the hunt for the taxi began. My phone died, of course.
10:00 AM - Taxi Tussle & Hotel Check-In Disaster!
Negotiated a taxi. Or at least, I thought I did. Ended up feeling like a prize idiot as the driver clearly padded the price. Whatever. I was hot, tired, and needed the hotel.
The hotel. Ibis Samarinda. So, the good news: it exists. The bad news? My online booking got…messed up. The room they gave me smelled faintly of…well, I'm not sure, but it wasn't potpourri. The aircon sounded like a dying walrus. The toilet…well let’s just say I’m bringing hand sanitizer with me everywhere.
11:00 AM - Room Debrief & Existential Crisis
- Collapsed on the bed. Briefly considered turning round and flying back. Then remembered the whole reason why I came here. Deep breaths. Right. Unpack. Find the adapters. Charge the phone. Pray for WIFI.
1:00 PM - First Samarinda Meal: A Culinary Adventure (Or Possibly Food Poisoning)
- Okay, so I stumbled into the local warung (small, family-run restaurant) next door. Ordered something that looked appealing – honestly, I have no idea what it was. It involved rice, some kind of questionable meats and a LOT of chili. It was…spicy. My mouth is still on fire. But the locals were friendly, smiled a lot, and made me feel slightly less like an alien.
2:30 PM - Nap time!
- Attempted nap. Woke up to the walrus-aircon. Feeling grumpy. And hungry. (I have a big appetite, I’m always hungry, it's a problem).
4:00 PM - Stroll Around Town (and a Little Shop) : The Local Vibe!
- Decided I needed some light exercise, so I had a walk around. Wandered around the streets around the hotel. Saw the local shops and market. I don’t understand much of the language, but the friendliness of the locals is all I need.
7:00 PM Dinner : The Aftermath of a Spicy Experience
- Decided to sit down at a different place. The food was better. I feel much better after the meal.
9:00 PM : Sleep
- Sleep, glorious sleep! Praying the walrus-aircon doesn't eat me.
Day 2: River Life, Roadblocks, and the Search for Sanity
8:00 AM: Awaken to the Sound of… Something
- Whatever that noise was outside my window, it was persistent. Definitely not a relaxing bird song. Maybe a truck? Maybe a chain saw? Who knows. I am starting to miss the predictability of my life back home.
9:30 AM - The Mahakam River Cruise: Floating in Wonder (and Mild Anxiety)
Okay, this was the main event! Booked a half-day cruise on the Mahakam River. The river itself is massive. I went to the top deck. The sheer scale of the river is breathtaking after all the chaos. Beautiful. Though, I did get a little seasick (I don't do well on boats), but I powered through. The scenery was incredible: lush jungle on either side, traditional longboats, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife (maybe a monkey? I can't be sure).
The Perfect Moment: The most amazing thing for me was seeing the sunset on the way back, the reflection of the clouds on the river was amazing!
2:00 PM - Roadblocks and Rambles: Back to Basics
- Getting back from the cruise involved a chaotic taxi ride. The driver looked like he'd seen things. We hit traffic. Traffic I tell you. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally made it back.
- Wandering around more of the city.
7:00 PM - Dinner & Drinks (and Reflections):
- Found a little place with some decent food. I feel slightly more settled in, now. Started to relax a little.
- I reflected on the day. Realised that I have to let go of the familiar and just roll with it.
Day 3: Farewell Samarinda (And a Plea for a Decent Coffee)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Disaster (Okay, Maybe Not a Disaster, Just…Underwhelming)
- The hotel breakfast. Let's just say it was…minimalist. Weak coffee. Weird jam. A single, lonely egg. I think I’ll have to go outside for some breakfast.
- 9:00 AM - Last Ditch Souvenir Hunt
- Hit up the local market, looking for gifts, feeling the pressure to buy something…anything! Ended up with some batik fabric and a questionable wooden carving of a monkey.
- 10:00 AM - One Last Walk
- Went to the parks. Enjoyed the scenery.
- 11:00 AM - Check-Out, Breathe and Run away
- Goodbye, Ibis Samarinda. Goodbye, Samarinda. You were…an experience. And I really need a strong coffee.
- 13:00 PM - Departure
- Boarding the flight. Back to the real world.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and sometimes outright chaotic. But it was also amazing. I faced my fears. Ate food that challenged me. Met people who made me feel welcome. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm bringing my own coffee maker, and probably a hazmat suit. And a translator. And maybe a therapist. But mostly, I'm bringing an open mind and a sense of adventure. Samarinda, you were…something.
Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (JU92A)
So, What's the Big Deal About Ibis Samarinda Anyway? (Seriously, Is It Worth It?)
Where *Exactly* is This Ibis Thing Located? 'Cause Getting Lost is My Specialty...
What Are the Rooms Like? Are We Talking Tiny Shoeboxes or… Not?
Breakfast? Is It Worth Dragging Myself Out of Bed For? (Because, Coffee.)
What About Other Food? Is There a Restaurant/Bar? Are the Prices Robbery?
Does It Have a Pool? (Because I Like Pools.)
Wi-Fi? Free? Fast? (My Life Depends On It.)
Is There Parking? (Because Driving in Samarinda...)
Okay, Give Me a Real Story. Tell Me About a Time You Stayed There! (The Good, the Bad, and the Hilarious!)
