Urbanest Inn Slipi: Jakarta's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel? (You WON'T Believe This!)
Urbanest Inn Slipi: Jakarta's Secret Oasis? (Or Just a Really Solid Hotel? Let's Find Out!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe some coffee, it's early) on Urbanest Inn Slipi. Is it Jakarta's "BEST HIDDEN GEM"? The hype is real, the price is competitive, and honestly, after my stay, I'm still digesting everything. So, let's dive in, shall we? Prepare yourself, it’s going to get a little messy, a little real, because that's how I roll.
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the “Could Be Better”
Right off the bat, the accessibility situation is… mixed. They definitely have some facilities for disabled guests (think elevators, ramps, etc.), which is GREAT. BUT, and this is a HUGE but, the details on specific wheelchair-friendly room features are a little fuzzy on the website. Always, ALWAYS double-check with the hotel directly if you have specific needs. I'm talking about things like grab bars, roll-in showers, and lowered sinks. Don't assume! I learned that lesson the hard way on a completely disastrous trip to… well, never mind. Let's just say I'm extra cautious now.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (and Sane!)
Okay, THIS is where Urbanest Inn Slipi shines! In the post-pandemic world, cleanliness is KING (or queen, or non-binary royalty – inclusivity points!). The hotel seemingly understands this. I’m talking:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Double-check!
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Ding ding ding!
- Hand sanitizer everywhere I looked? Yep, I felt safer than being at my own home.
I even noticed staff wearing masks and those things that measure your temperature with no contact, which is reassuring. BUT here's a TINY, nitpicky gripe: while the common areas were spotless, my room, while clean, didn't quite have that "brand new, freshly sanitized" smell. It was more of a "clean hotel room" smell. Not a deal-breaker, but a small detail that would have bumped up my experience.
Beyond the cleaning, the hotel takes its security seriously. 24-hour front desk, security, CCTV in common areas and outside. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms – all present and accounted for. I actually forgot my key card one night (oops!), and the security guard was polite. Makes a girl feel safe, you know?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (with Some Hiccups)
Alright, let's talk about what truly matters: FUEL. The on-site restaurant offers Asian and International cuisine. I had a fantastic Nasi Goreng (fried rice) at the restaurant – it was legit, and I'm a picky eater! The breakfast buffet was a pretty standard affair. I wished there were more local fruits available. The coffee shop was, however, extremely convenient for that all important morning caffeine fix. I also felt the buffet could benefit from more labeling for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, etc.). Coffee/tea in the restaurant was a life-saver! I can't function without it. I really wanted to try the "happy hour," but I ended up being at the hotel too early to take advantage of the opportunity sadly. I still think that poolside bar would have been great!
One VERY thoughtful touch: Individually-wrapped food options are available, a clear nod to hygiene concerns – smart move, Urbanest.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Urbanest Inn Slipi offers pretty much everything you'd expect, and some things you might not:
- Air conditioning in public areas? Naturally. Jakarta heat is no joke!
- Concierge? Yes! Very helpful.
- Currency exchange? Yep.
- Daily housekeeping? Yep, another win! My room was always spotless after the maids visited, but, even so, my room still lacked some of the freshness I was craving.
- Free car park? YES! That's a major win in Jakarta
- Facilities for disabled guests? Mentioned before, but worth repeating.
- Laundry service? Available and efficient.
- Luggage storage? Saved me a few headaches.
- Wi-fi for special events? Check!
Now, the not-so-perfect stuff:
- No food delivery from outside of the hotel. (I'm a massive fan of the food delivery services!)
- The internet speed? A little inconsistent sometimes. Not a deal-breaker, but if you're relying on video calls, be aware. (Thankfully, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a major plus, I do need to mention that.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Not a Spa Paradise, But Still Alright
Here's the truth: Urbanest Inn Slipi isn't a full-blown spa resort. There’s a fitness center to keep you active, and a swimming pool [outdoor] with a pretty decent view. I spent a glorious afternoon lounging by the pool, reading my book and soaking up the sun – pure bliss! But the absence of a full spa experience? No spa, sauna, steamroom, or fancy treatments. This is a solid place to crash after a long day of exploring Jakarta, but if you want to pamper yourself, look elsewhere.
Rooms: Comfy but Not Revolutionary
The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. I had a non-smoking room (thank goodness!), with air conditioning, a desk, a mini-bar, and a TV with satellite/cable channels. Let me ramble for a moment and describe the room in greater detail for you: the bed felt like a cloud, the pillows were fluffy heaven, the blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in. The Wi-Fi [free] was great, but the occasional drop-out was annoying. The bathroom was clean, with complimentary toiletries, but it wasn't exactly spa-like. I really appreciated the hair dryer, but also the mirror.
Getting Around: Relatively Easy
Urbanest Inn Slipi offers airport transfer (worth checking prices on, sometimes ride-sharing is cheaper). They also have taxi service. Getting around Jakarta can be a bit of a headache, but the hotel's central location helps.
For the Kids: Okay, But Not a Focus
While Urbanest Inn Slipi is family/child friendly, they don't have a ton of dedicated kid facilities or a dedicated babysitting service. No major complaints here, but if you're traveling with little ones, just keep that in mind.
The Verdict? Is Urbanest Inn Slipi Really a Hidden Gem?
Honestly? It depends on what you're looking for. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a damn good, solid, clean, convenient, and relatively affordable hotel.
- The Good: Immaculate cleanliness, friendly staff, convenient location, tasty food, a pool to relax by. Value for money is excellent.
- The Okay: Room décor is a bit basic, no full-blown spa, Internet can be spotty. The breakfast buffet could be improved. Accessibility could be better.
- The Not-So-Great: Internet could be faster.
So, the "Hidden Gem" claim? I'd say… it's a slightly exaggerated description. But I'd recommend it! It's an excellent choice for business travelers, couples, or anyone looking for a comfortable and safe base to explore Jakarta.
My Quirky Rating: 8/10 - I'd happily stay here again. It may not be a perfect diamond, but it's definitely a polished gem.
READY TO BOOK YOUR ESCAPE AT URBANEST INN SLIPI? HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD!
Tired of the same old boring hotel experiences? Craving a trip where convenience meets comfort, and safety is paramount? Look no further than Urbanest Inn Slipi – your gateway to an unforgettable Jakarta adventure.
Here's what makes Urbanest Inn Slipi the perfect choice:
- Unbeatable Cleanliness: We're talking next-level sanitization protocols, so you can breathe easy and relax. We take your safety seriously!
- Location, Location, Location: Centrally located, making it simple to reach Jakarta's most exciting attractions. Avoid the traffic and enjoy your stay.
- Delicious Dining, On-Site!! Our restaurant serves mouth-watering Asian and International cuisine (that Nasi Goreng is LIFE!) with options for every taste. Start your day right with our breakfast.
- Stress-Free Stay: Enjoy our seamless check-in/out process, helpful concierge services, and a host of conveniences that make your trip effortless.
- Unbeatable Value: Get all this plus competitive prices.
Exclusive Offer:
[Insert limited-time offer here! Examples include:]
- **Book now and receive a complimentary breakfast buffet and welcome
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-organized travel brochure. This is my attempt at surviving Urbanest Inn House Slipi in Jakarta, and trust me, it's a rollercoaster. Prepare for emotional whiplash, questionable decisions, and more caffeine than a caffeinated squirrel on a sugar rush.
Operation: Survive Slipi (and Maybe Fall in Love with Jakarta… or At Least Tolerate It)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Scavenger Hunt for WIFI
14:00 – ARRIVAL. (Or rather, Disembarkation.) Landed in Jakarta. The air hits you like a wall of humidity and exhaust fumes. Seriously, my hair instantly formed a permanent wave reminiscent of a poorly-executed perm from the 80s. Found the taxi stand and a guy who looked like he hadn’t slept since the dawn of time. Negotiated (badly) a price and off we went… which meant sitting in traffic for an hour. I swear, even the motorbikes look stressed.
15:00 – URBANEST CHECK-IN. (Or, the Battle for the Keycard.) Urbanest. Welcoming lobby, somewhat. The receptionists are kind but seem perpetually exhausted. "Welcome to Jakarta!" they chirp. I'm pretty sure that's code for "Good luck, you'll need it." The room itself? Clean-ish. The air-con is working, praise the Gods of AC! Crucially, the window offers a bleak view of a massive, ominous-looking building. Aesthetics: debatable.
16:00 – WIFI Quest Begins. The moment every millennial fears: the dreaded, elusive WiFi. Armed with all my gadgets, I embark on a quest across the labyrinthine hotel corridors, a modern-day Indiana Jones, except instead of a whip, I have my phone. Found a signal! It works! For three minutes! Panic. Back to the lobby. Banged my head on the "Do Not Enter" sign. This is going well. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, managed to snag a stable connection in the lobby. Small victories, people! Small victories!
17:00 – Room Reconnaissance & The Shower Dilemma. Back in my room. Time to unpack. The moment I noticed the water pressure in that bathroom…I knew this was gonna be a problem. It's barely a trickle, folks. Seriously, I’m pretty sure I get better showers in a water park. On the plus side, the complimentary soap smells like something vaguely floral.
18:00 – Dinner: Street Food Gamble. Okay, time to live dangerously. I'm craving something real. Abandoning any pretense of caution, I venture out to a street food stall suggested by the hotel staff. The smells! The chaos! The sheer number of motorbikes! I choose something that looks like it involves noodles and some sort of protein. Praying it's not made of anything… unusual. (Update: It was delicious! I think. My stomach is cautiously optimistic.)
19:00 – Evening Reflection (and Exhaustion). Back in the room, exhausted. Jakarta is intense. Reflecting on the day. The humidity, the traffic, the sensory overload… It's a LOT. But there's also a vibrant energy, a certain je ne sais quoi that keeps you hooked. Maybe, just maybe, I'll survive this. Maybe. Time to crash. Praying the air-con doesn't die.
Day 2: Temples, Traffic and Tummy Troubles – Oh My!
07:00 - Wake Up! or, "the sun just blasted through your windows, enjoy your morning."
08:00 – Breakfast: The Buffet and the Bargain. Buffet breakfast in the hotel. The usual suspects: rice, noodles, something vaguely resembling scrambled eggs (suspect), and an assortment of pastries that look suspiciously like they've been sitting there since last week. Forced myself to eat something. Gotta keep up my energy levels.
09:00 – The Journey to Menteng. Decided to be adventurous and visit Menteng. The trip wasn't worth to describe.
12:00 – Exploring the Historical Side of Menteng. Walking around Menteng, that's a different story. The old buildings are stunning, the atmosphere quiet, and I almost felt I was back in Europe. The only problem is, here comes the traffic. I swear, these two cities are competing on who can create more traffic.
13:00 – The Great Food Poisoning Scare. Back to the hotel. Bad news, my tummy is not feeling great. I'm blaming the noodles from last night, or maybe the scrambled eggs? Who knows. This is when I remember the toilet paper situation. Did I pack enough?? Panic sets in.
14:00 – Napping and Netflix. Managed to take a nap. The hotel has Netflix and I decided to watch something light and refreshing. Then, more of the same.
17:00 – Dinner: Back to Safety. Playing it safe tonight. Ordering room service. Something bland and easily digestible. It’s come to this, sadly.
19:00 – Conclusion. Jakarta, you are a beast. But also… intriguing. Tomorrow, I face the unknown. And hopefully, my stomach will cooperate.
Day 3: The Grand Finale (and an Unexpected Connection)
08:00 – The Rise and Shine (Against My Will). Sunlight, the eternal enemy of sleep. But hey, the air-con is still chugging along, so I can't complain too much.
09:00 – The Hotel Gym (An Utter Failure). Okay, I thought, time to be proactive. The hotel gym is… well, it exists. I made it two minutes on the treadmill before I was convinced I was going to pass out in a puddle of sweat. Defeated, but at least I tried?
10:00 – Laundry Day. Finally. My clothes need a wash. Finding the laundry service. The hotel is a labyrinth, but I did it!
16:00 – Farewell Dinner. Decided to have a final dinner at the hotel's restaurant before I leave. The food isn’t bad!
18:00 – The Airport, the End! Farewell to Jakarta.
Post-Trip Ramblings…
So, did I "love" Jakarta? Not exactly. But did I experience something truly unique, something that challenged me, frustrated me, and occasionally, genuinely thrilled me? Absolutely. Urbanest Inn House Slipi was a mixed bag, let's be honest. But it provided a safe base from which to explore the madness. And you know what? I'd go back. Maybe next time I'll remember to bring my own toilet paper. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn to navigate the motorbike chaos. Or not. Either way, Jakarta, you’ve made an impression.
Uncover the Hidden Gem of Monnaber Vell, Spain: You Won't Believe This!
Alright, alright, spill the tea! What's the *actual* deal with Urbanest Inn Slipi? Is it REALLY some secret paradise?
Okay, so "secret paradise" might be a tad... dramatic. Let's just say it's a quirky, surprisingly decent, little hotel that feels a million miles away from the usual Jakarta chaos. It’s tucked away, almost… embarrassed, a real “blink and you'll miss it” kind of place. The rooms? They're clean, mostly. The AC works... sometimes. (More on *that* later.) But the *vibe*? Unexpectedly chill. Think hipster-lite meets budget-friendly. It's not the Four Seasons, people. It's a place to, like, actually *live* for a couple of days. And, for the price? Yeah, it's pretty darn good. The "hidden gem" label? Earned. Kinda.
So, the rooms. Give me the nitty-gritty. Spacious? Cozy? Do they have... bed bugs? (Please, no bed bugs.)
Okay, bed bugs. Deep breaths. I didn't see any. Thank GOD. The rooms? They're… functional. They're not massive, but they're not shoe boxes either. Think Ikea-chic meets hostel-esque, but with your own private bathroom. Mine was… let's just say it had its *own* personality. The shower pressure? Weak. The hot water? A temperamental diva. But the bed? Actually, surprisingly comfy. And they had AC. That's crucial, because Jakarta is a humid beast. Though, the *efficiency* of that AC was... a different story. Sometimes it blew arctic gusts. Other times? I might as well have been sunbathing. It was like playing the lottery of chill.
The location – is it actually convenient? Slipi isn't exactly *Central* Jakarta, is it?
Convenient *enough*. Slipi is… okay. It’s not right in the thick of things, which, honestly, is a *relief* sometimes. Traffic in Jakarta is a special kind of purgatory. Getting to the hotel? A bit of a trek from the airport, but not a nightmare. Getting around once you're there? Grab or Gojek are your best friends. They're cheap, readily available, and save you from a potential nervous breakdown in Jakarta traffic. You might have to explain to the driver exactly *where* the hotel is, because seriously, it's like they're trying to hide it. BUT! There are malls nearby, street food galore, and easy access to the Monas (the big obelisk thing). So, not perfect, but definitely passable. I'm willing to walk a little for a good vibe and a cheap price, and this one had the right mix for me.
Let’s talk about the staff. Are they helpful? Friendly? Or will I be silently judging them every time I need something?
Okay, the staff... They *try*. They truly, genuinely try. It's not always perfect, but they’re always *there*. The receptionists? Smile a lot. The housekeeping? They work HARD, I swear. (And sometimes they forget to give you more toilet paper. You learn to hoard.) I had a minor AC meltdown (see above). I called a few times to have it fixed and they send someone promptly, which was great, though the repair wasn't always perfect. But the key thing is that they're *present*. And that, honestly, goes a long way. Plus, everyone there seemed happy. Which is… unusual for hotel staff, you know? Like, are they caffeinated? Secretly robots? Who knows, but I will take it; the smiles and eagerness made it a very pleasant experience.
The breakfast situation? Worth getting out of bed for? Or just grab something on the street?
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. They have a buffet, a fairly modest one. Eggs, some sort of Indonesian staples (nasi goreng, mie goreng), toast, a fruit plate that looked… optimistic. Coffee (the lifeblood of any functioning human). It wasn’t Michelin-star quality, let's be clear. But it was… sufficient. Fuel. The important part. I wouldn't *specifically* recommend Urbanest for the breakfast alone. But it's *free*. And considering the price of the hotel, it's a massive win. Plus... it's a GREAT place to people-watch. The mix of guests is fantastic -- locals, budget travelers, backpackers, business people. It's like a tiny microcosm of Jakarta itself. This is where I'd grade it a B+, it's the place where I met the guy that told me about the best local street food, solidifies its value.
Okay, spill the beans. What was the *one* thing that really stood out, good or bad? The defining Urbanest Inn experience?
Alright, here's the story. Picture this: It's 3 AM. I'm jolted awake by what sounds like a small hurricane INSIDE my AC unit. It's rattling, it's hissing, it's generally losing its mind. I stumble out of bed, half-asleep, and try to turn it off. But it's possessed. It's GROWLING at me. It's a creature from the black lagoon! I call reception. They send someone up. Nice guy. He tinkers. He fiddles. He apologizes profusely while my room *slowly* transforms into a sauna. He leaves. The AC then proceeds to give a final dramatic, death rattle, and expires, leaving the entire room at a balmy 30 degrees Celsius (that’s, like, hot). I'm melting. I am officially ready to write a one-star review. I go to reception, sleep-deprived and ready to unleash my inner Karen. The nice receptionist, bless her heart, hears me out, apologizes *again*, and without a blink, offers me *another, better room*. She gave me a room on the *top floor*, which was so quiet and cool that I slept like a baby. The problem was fixed. In the end, it was the quick and helpful service that really made it for me. It's the imperfections that made it more than just a hotel experience. It made it real. It was good, in a totally chaotic way.
Would you recommend Urbanest Inn Slipi? The final verdict!
Look. If you're expecting luxury, five-star everything, go somewhere else. If you're on a serious budget and want a clean, comfortable, surprisingly charming place to crash in Jakarta, then yes. Absolutely. Go for it. Embrace the quirks. Prepare to battle the occasionally rogue AC unit. Pack your sense of humor. Because Urbanest Inn Slipi? It’s not perfect. But it’s a genuine, lived-in, kinda-wonderful experience. It's a taste of real Jakarta without the tourist traps. Will I goHotelicity
