Luxury Bandung Living: Emerald Tower Bion Apartel South Tower Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glittering (hopefully!) world of Luxury Bandung Living: Emerald Tower Bion Apartel South Tower Awaits! This isn’t your boring, cookie-cutter review, it's going to be a chaotic, potentially rambling, and definitely opinionated deep dive. Think of it as a travel journal written after a few too many cups of Bandung coffee.
First things first: The Grand Illusion (and Maybe the Reality) - The Basics
Before we get all judge-y, let's lay the groundwork. We're talking about an Apartel, which means a blend of apartment and hotel – potentially cool, potentially a hot mess, depending on the execution. "South Tower Awaits!"… sounds exciting, like finding the entrance to a secret lair. Let’s hope it delivers more James Bond and less Austin Powers.
SEO Alert! (Okay, Enough with the Jargon!)
Yes, I'll sprinkle in those SEO keywords like glitter on a questionable craft project. We'll talk about "Bandung luxury hotels," "Bion Apartel," "South Tower," "Bandung facilities," "wheelchair accessibility Bandung," "Bandung spa," "Bandung restaurants," you get the idea.
The Accessibility Angle: Stumbling Blocks or Smooth Sailing?
Accessibility can make or break a stay. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I do appreciate places that actually think about it.
Wheelchair accessible: Gotta check. They claim to be, but let's see. Easy access is key. Wide doorways? Ramps? Elevators that actually work? We'll need concrete details, not just the promise of "facilities for disabled guests." Because "facilities for disabled guests" can mean anything from a wonky ramp to a dusty outhouse. I'll update this section if I can get specifics.
Access: Elevator access, and door widths, and all that good stuff. Also, are there steps everywhere? Because that's a dealbreaker for many.
Getting Around: Airport transfer? Check. Car park (free of charge/on-site/valet parking)? Check, check, check! But is it easy to get around within the complex? Another thing that's crucial for overall comfort and convenience.
The Inside: The Good, The Bad, and the Oh-So-Comfy?
Let's wander the halls and see what we find inside these supposed luxury rooms.
Available in All Rooms: (The Wishlist) Air Conditioning (THANK GOD!), Alarm clock (meh), Bathrobes (yes, please!), Bathroom phone (…why?), Bathtub (essential for long soaks!), Blackout curtains (bliss!), Carpeting (iffy, needs to be kept clean), Closet (duh), Coffee/tea maker (hallelujah!), Complimentary tea (another win!), Daily housekeeping (absolutely necessary for my sanity!), Desk (useful!), Extra long bed (good!), Free bottled water (hydrate, people!), Hair dryer (a must!), High floor (for the views!), In-room safe box (safety!), Interconnecting room(s) available (for families or traveling with a group), Internet access – LAN (who still uses this?), Internet access – wireless (obviously!), Ironing facilities (wrinkles = no!), Laptop workspace (a blessing for working while traveling), Linens (crisp and clean, ideally!), Mini bar (temptation central!), Mirror (for looking fabulous!), Non-smoking (essential!), On-demand movies (for those Netflix binges!), Private bathroom (yes), Reading light (yay!), Refrigerator (keeping the Bintang cold!), Safety/security feature ("What feature?"), Satellite/cable channels (entertainment!), Scale (…do I really want to know?), Seating area (comfy!), Separate shower/bathtub (luxury!), Shower (important!), Slippers (YES!), Smoke detector (SAFETY!), Socket near the bed (strategic!), Sofa (good for lounging), Soundproofing (please!), Telephone (old school!), Toiletries (the little bottles!), Towels (fluffy!), Umbrella (Bandung rain is no joke!), Visual alarm (for all people), Wake-up service (useful!), Wi-Fi free, Window that opens (fresh air!).
Room Decorations: Now, this is where things get personal. Does the interior make you feel like you're in a sterile, generic box? Or does it ooze some kind of local charm? (Here's hoping it's not tacky. I'm looking at you, Elvis-themed hotel rooms!). If I'm getting "luxury," I want more than just a bed and a TV.
The Bathroom Scene: Is it clean? Is the water pressure good? Are the toiletries decent (or are they those tiny, stingy ones you have to fight with)? A bad bathroom can ruin a whole stay. I need to know if I'm getting a spa-like experience or a public restroom nightmare.
Ways to Relax (Beyond the Bed): Spa, Sauna, and So Much More!
Alright, let's get to the fun stuff, eh? Can you actually relax here? The answer better be a resounding YES.
The Spa: This is crucial. Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. A good spa can wash away all the stress of travel faster than you can say "Bali belly". This is where you pay extra, but it's worth it. I'm picturing myself getting a serious foot bath and scrub, then a massage where all the knots in my shoulders magically disappear.
Fitness Center/Gym: Okay, so maybe you want to earn that spa day. Is the gym decent? Does it have the basics (treadmill, weights, etc.)? Nobody wants a gym that's basically a converted closet.
Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: A pool is essential if you're in a warm climate. Is it clean? Is it crowded? Is the view worth a selfie? (Important questions, people!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure!
Food! This could be make or break. Because I'm a foodie. So…
Restaurants: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Variety is the spice of life! I need options. And I need those options to be delicious. (I'm already salivating at the idea of that Asian buffet.)
Alternative meal arrangement: This is great for those with dietary needs or fussy eaters. More flexible the better.
Bars: Bar, Poolside bar, Happy hour. A well-stocked bar is a must. Bonus points for a poolside bar where I can sip a cocktail while working on my tan (responsibly, of course!).
Breakfast: Breakfast in room, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast takeaway service, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast. Is it good? Is it plentiful? Can I get it delivered to my room (because laziness is a virtue sometimes)? My expectations are high. I want a proper breakfast spread.
Room service [24-hour]: Crucial for late-night snack cravings or when you've hit peak relaxation and can't bear to leave your room.
Cleanliness and Safety: Living in the “New Normal”
Let's face it: traveling in the post-pandemic world requires a bit of extra vigilance.
Cleanliness protocols: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. Are they actually doing all this? I need to see it, people. Not just a sign saying "We're clean!"
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Essential. You never know when you'll need a little medical attention. Peace of mind with these would be great!
Safety/security feature, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]. Are the elevators safe? Are the hallways dimly lit? Is there security? These things matter.
The Nitty-Gritty: Services and Conveniences
Let's see what extras we get for the luxury price tag.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol, Staff trained in safety protocol
- Cashless payment service: Modern! Convenient!
- Concierge: A good concierge is worth their weight in gold. Help with booking tours, getting recommendations, and generally making your life easier? YES PLEASE!
- Daily housekeeping: I need my room to be magically clean after I leave. (And, you know, maybe the bed made.)
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Because nobody wants to
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is raw, unfiltered me in the Redliving Apartemen Emerald Tower Bion Apartel 2 Tower South Bandung Indonesia – and believe me, it's gonna be a ride.
Operation: Bandung Bliss or Band-ung Blues? (Let's find out!)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Almighty Nasi Goreng
- Morning (aka, the Pre-Trip Meltdown): Okay, so I'm supposed to be excited. Indonesia! Bandung! But right now, it's 4 am, I'm at the airport, and my internal monologue is screaming. Did I pack enough sunscreen? Did I accidentally leave my passport in the fridge? (Narrator: She did not). Flights are the worst. But hey, at least I'm not stuck in that purgatory known as economy class… oh wait.
- Afternoon (The Arrival): Touchdown in Bandung. Humidity hits you like a wall. And then, the taxi driver decides to take the scenic route. Which turns out to be scenic and bumper-to-bumper. Good thing I packed my noise-canceling headphones, because the cacophony of horns, hawkers, and general chaos is already enough to make me want to retreat back into the sterile safety of my hotel room and watch Netflix.
- Afternoon (Getting settled): Finally! Redliving Apartemen Emerald Tower Bion Apartel 2! The name alone is an accomplishment to pronounce after a 20 hours flight. The apartment… fine. Clean enough. The view is… well, it could be nice if it wasn't blocked by another tower. Also, the wifi is about as fast as a sloth on a treadmill. But hey, at least the bed looks comfortable! No, wait, there's a cockroach! OMG, I need a drink.
- Evening (Food coma of Champions): Right now, I'm starving, and I heard a small restaurant near the hotel that serves the best Nasi Goreng. I would actually venture on a quest, and my god, the stuff tasted like heaven. I have never tasted, and still have yet to taste such a fantastic dish. No regrets at all. Finished everything. The only thing I regret is my inability to eat more. Now I'm tired. I'll probably pass out and my head will hit the pillow.
Day 2: Kawah Putih, Insta-Regret, and a Misadventure in the Rain
- Morning (The Clouded Paradise): Kawah Putih! The White Crater! Instagram promised me ethereal beauty. Actual reality? Well, it's beautiful, sure. But also freezing cold, crowded with selfie-stick wielding tourists, and smells a bit like sulfurous farts of a thousand angry demons. (Note to self: Pack a better scarf next time). Did I mention I also forgot to bring the sunblock and the sky is super cloudy?
- Afternoon (Downpour & Lost in translation): So, remember that beautiful Bandung rain I was dreaming of? Yeah, it arrived. In full force. I'm now trapped under a tiny bus stop attempting to communicate with a local about how to get a taxi, with what is left of my Indonesian. I'm pretty sure I just accidentally asked him if he wanted to trade hats. When in Rome, right?
- Evening (Dinner Fails and Hotel Re-Entry): Okay, so the taxi adventure was a disaster. I got back to the hotel drenched, exhausted and hungry. The restaurant recommended by people on the internet? Closed. Ordered room service. It was bland. Almost everything tasted like cardboard. I miss home, I miss my dog, I miss a decent pizza. Oh, and the wifi is still terrible. I'm going to spend the rest of the night, contemplating all bad decisions I've made in my life until finally I fall asleep.
Day 3: The Laughter of Children, the Beauty of Tea Plantations, and the lingering Taste of "Interesting" Food
- Morning (Tea Fields and Tiny Hands): I decided to venture outside. I found a tea plantation. Lush greenery spread as far as the eye can see. The air is crisp, and the scent of tea hangs in the air. I feel a smile creep onto my face. I walk into an open-air school and hear the giggles of children. I am in awe of the children. I feel like I'm watching a Disney movie. Everything is so wholesome. I want to stay here forever.
- Afternoon (Food, Mis-Adventure, And Regret): On a completely different note, I ventured out to find what's called "Traditional food." I have no idea what I was doing, and honestly, no idea what the food was called but it looked pretty. But as I got closer, I realized it smelled… interesting. Like, "what's this thing rotting in my fridge" interesting. But, I'm someone who doesn't like to say no to any food, and it was only 5 bucks! I sat down to take a bite. My face did a weird thing. It scrunched up. It started to make me want to hurl! I put the food back on the table and ordered something else.
- Evening (The Comfort of Recognition): Okay, so I had a very bad experience. I'm now in bed, and I feel like I could use a hug. The only thing here that I recognize is this amazing bed. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Day 4: (Maybe) Heading Home?
- Morning (Last Minute Panic): Okay, I wake up and I'm on a flight home in 2 hours. Panic! What did I miss? What didn't I do? I have all these aspirations, but I don't have any energy. I should have bought more souvenirs! Well, it's too late. Oh wait, is that my plane?
- Afternoon (Airport Meltdown): Yes, the plane is mine. The journey is over. I'm sad that I wasn't able to do more. But I'm also glad I'm going home, and have some great memories to think about.
- Evening (The Journey Home): Home. Now I'm in my own bed. I am going to sleep.
Final Thoughts:
Bandung was… an experience. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, but somewhere amongst the humidity, the cockroach, the weird food, and the lost-in-translation moments, I found something. Maybe a different perspective. Definitely a few stories to tell. Would I go back? Maybe. But first, I need a holiday to recover from my holiday. And maybe a therapist. Just in case.
Unbelievable! This Blitar Hotel Blew My Mind (SUPER OYO 91618 Review)
Emerald Tower: Bandung Bliss or Just Another Brick in the Wall? (My Honest Answers)
Okay, so what *is* Emerald Tower, anyway? Is it really as "luxury" as they say? Spill the tea!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the "luxury" label is a minefield. Emerald Tower, specifically the South Tower Awaits – that’s what we’re talking about, right? – is this... well, it's an apartel, meaning a hybrid of apartment and hotel. Think fancy-ish digs with hotel-style services. My take? It's *trying* for luxury. Some of the finishes are top-notch, the lobby sparkles, and the views from the higher floors? Absolutely breathtaking. Especially at sunset. I swear, I spent an entire weekend just staring out the window, watching the sky turn into a painting. Pure bliss, honestly. But... (and you knew there was a but, didn’t you?)… it’s not *perfect* luxury. More like "luxury lite," if that makes sense.
One time, I’m talking about this seriously nice suite, mind you, and the air conditioning… it just… gave up. Right in the middle of a Bandung heat wave. I called reception (which is, of course, a hallmark of apartel life), and they were, bless their hearts, super apologetic. But the fix? Took a solid 6 hours. Six hours of sweating like a pig in paradise. So yeah. Luxury with a side of perspiration. But hey, at least they gave me a free dessert voucher. A very small, very delicious consolation prize.
What about the location? Is it convenient? I hate wasting time in traffic.
Location, location, location! It’s sort of a mixed bag here, folks. Emerald Tower’s smack-dab in the middle of Bandung, which is great for getting around. You’re close to everything, theoretically. Shopping, food, cultural attractions… they’re all within reach. The problem? Bandung traffic. Oh boy. That traffic.
I once spent *three hours* trying to get from the tower to a cafe that was, according to Google Maps, a mere 15-minute drive. Three! Hours! I could have flown to Jakarta and back in that time. My blood pressure was through the roof. I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes, stuck in a perpetual gridlock of scooters and minivans. But then again, other times, you can breeze through. It really depends on the day, the time, and frankly, the whims of the traffic gods. Pack a good book, a podcast, and maybe a therapist’s phone number, just in case.
What amenities are offered? Does it have a pool? And is it any good?
Oh, the amenities! This where things get interesting. Yes, there *is* a pool. And yes, it *is* pretty. It's got this infinity edge thing going on, which is nice for Instagram, and the view from the pool? Okay, it’s not bad, it’s okay. But… and there’s always a but, isn’t there? Sometimes it's packed. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. Especially on weekends.
I mean, I get it. Everyone wants to feel fancy. But trying to swim laps when you’re dodging splashing toddlers and selfie-stick wielding teens? Not exactly my idea of a zen experience. (And don't even *start* me on the time I saw someone trying to deep-fry something poolside... I'm still traumatized.)
They also have a gym. I’ve been there. Once. It’s decent. Mostly, it smelled of sweat and ambition, which is fine. They have a restaurant, too. The food is…well, it’s food. It’s edible. Let’s leave it at that. Breakfast is included, which is a plus. But don't get too excited. Standard fare. But hey, free food! And, importantly, they have a 24-hour concierge, which is handy for things like… well, calling for help when your air-con decides to go on strike, as I previously mentioned.
How are the rooms themselves? Are they comfortable?
The rooms… Ah, the sanctuary! The rooms are generally lovely. Spacious, well-decorated, and with those aforementioned breathtaking views. I love a good view! The beds? Super comfortable. I sank into them like a marshmallow in hot chocolate. Seriously, I could have happily spent a week just hibernating in that bed.
The bathrooms are pretty swanky, too. Nice showers, plentiful hot water. (Although, and I can't stress this enough, check the water pressure *immediately* after you check in! I once had a shower that delivered less water than a leaky faucet. Again, a call to reception, a bit of a wait, and eventually, things were sorted. But still.)
Here's the real kicker, though. One time, I booked a "deluxe suite." Sounded amazing, right? Picture this: a *huge* living area, floor-to-ceiling windows, a jacuzzi tub… Then, I arrived and it smelled… weird. Not like bad, but like… something had been left out in the sun for too long. Could have been the cleaning products? Whatever it was, it was a bit off-putting. I had to open all the windows and let the fresh Bandung air in (which, by the way, is *amazing* when the traffic isn’t spewing fumes). But yeah, slight imperfection. You'll get that sometimes. Still, overall, very comfortable.
Is it kid-friendly? I travel with a small army (aka, my kids).
Kid-friendly? Hmm… Depends. They *allow* kids. They *tolerate* kids. They… don’t exactly roll out the red carpet, either. There isn't really anything aimed at kids. No dedicated play areas, no kids' club. The pool, as I mentioned, can get a bit chaotic.
If your kids are the type who can entertain themselves (bless you if they are!), then it’s probably fine. The rooms are big enough to accommodate a family, and there's enough space for the little ones to run around. But if you need a bit more hand-holding, or a kids’ play area, you might want to look elsewhere. Think about it, the main attraction is probably the view. Will the kids care? Maybe. But, the potential for a poolside melt-down is real.
What's the overall vibe? Is it a good place to relax? Or a place to be seen?
The vibe? It’s a bit of both, honestly. They try for luxury, but it's less "exclusive private club" and more "upscale business hotel with a nice view". You’ll see a mix of people. Business travelers, families on vacation, couples on romantic getaways, and people like me, who just need a break from the chaos.
The lobby has a certain air of… well, let's call it "quiet sophistication". People are often dressed up, orCheap Hotel Search
