**OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah: Indonesia's BEST Halal Hotel? (Shocking Review Inside!)**
OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah: Indonesia's BEST Halal Hotel? (Shocking Review Inside…and a Few Rambles)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the… well, let's just call it a "unique" experience that is OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah. I'm not going to lie, the "shocking review" tag line felt a little clickbaity, BUT… let's just say the reality was… definitely… something. I’ll try to be objective, but honestly, my emotional rollercoaster reached extreme heights and abysmal depths… sometimes simultaneously.
(Disclaimer: My experience is just one person's and might not reflect everyone's. Your mileage will vary. Prepare accordingly.)
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, the Confusing, and the "Where's the Ramp?"
The promise of a Halal hotel in a location (let’s just say it wasn’t bustling Jakarta… think more… quiet. Maybe even sleepy) piqued my curiosity. Logistically, getting to the hotel was straightforward. Car park [free of charge]? Check! Car park [on-site]? Also check! Although, navigating those parking spaces was like playing a low-stakes game of bumper cars. As far as accessibility goes… well, the website said there were "facilities for disabled guests." I'll be frank, I didn’t have a wheelchair, but the entrance did look a little… challenging. No obvious ramps. Just… stairs. So, if you require specific accessibility, I'd STRONGLY recommend calling ahead to double-check. Elevator: Yes. Thank goodness. My knees are not what they used to be after that flight.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Wonderland (Then a Mild Headache)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Internet! Internet [LAN]! Internet services! Wi-Fi in public areas! Okay, the internet situation was… complicated. Let me just say, I'm a digital nomad, meaning my livelihood depends on the internet. In the room, the Wi-Fi was… well, let's just call it "optimistic." It worked, sometimes. Other times, it was like trying to coax a grumpy cat to sit on your lap. Public areas? Better, but still intermittent. The Internet access – LAN in my room… honestly, I didn’t even try to figure that one out. My brain was already melting from the Wi-Fi shenanigans.
The Room Itself: Sanitized, but Where Were the Pillows?
The room? Cleanliness and safety? Impressive. Rooms sanitized between stays? A definite yes. Anti-viral cleaning products? I'm assuming so, because that place smelled like a hospital (in a good way, in this instance). Room sanitization opt-out available? Unclear, given the… other things. Non-smoking rooms? Yes! Thank heavens. Soundproof rooms? Not quite, sadly. I could clearly hear my neighbor's… let’s just say, their appreciation for Indonesian pop. Air conditioning? Absolutely necessary, and it worked like a champ. Air conditioning in public area? Also yes. Big win.
Now, the downsides: the pillows. Oh, the pillows. They were thin, lumpy, and frankly, made me miss my own pillow back home with a ferocity bordering on grief. Linens: Fine. Nothing to write home about. Daily housekeeping? Spot on. Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed to be happening. Alarm clock? Present and accounted for. Blackout curtains? YES! Crucial for catching up on sleep. Desk? Fine for working on. Laptop workspace? Included in the aforementioned desk. Mirror? Present. Mirror with a hint of reality distortion? Also present. That selfie was not flattering.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure… or a Search for Sustenance?
This is where things got really interesting. The promise of a Halal experience. Asian breakfast? Yes. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Probably. Western breakfast? Also, claimed to be available. Western cuisine in restaurant? Possibly. The reality? Breakfast. The actual breakfast. Well, let's just say it was… varied. My first morning, I requested some eggs and toast. Turns out, toast was a very generous term. Think… slightly toasted, slightly stale, white bread. Eggs? Overcooked. Almost… rubbery. Coffee? Weak. Very, very weak. Breakfast [buffet] was an option…but it felt a bit… limited. A la carte in restaurant? Sure, in theory. In practice? Not much. Snack bar? Existential. Bottle of water: Provided. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Present. Food delivery: Unclear.
More Rambling About Food (Because, Priorities)
Look, I'm a foodie. I love food. And while I understand this is a budget hotel, the breakfast situation was… a low point. I was really hoping to indulge in some flavorful Indonesian cuisine, but it was hard to find. Soup in restaurant? No idea. Salad in restaurant? Unlikely. Desserts in restaurant? I didn’t see any. Happy hour? Nope. Poolside bar? Negative ghost rider. The only salvation? That complimentary bottle of water, which I desperately needed after my breakfast experience.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams Dashed?
Okay, here's where I got genuinely disappointed. Swimming pool? There was one, Swimming pool [outdoor]? Absolutely. Pool with view? Not really. But it looked fun! Fitness center? Yes, and it was… quaint. The equipment appeared to be from the 1970s and barely functional. Gym/fitness? Kind of the same as the fitness center. Sauna, Spa, and Steamroom? The website claimed they existed. I looked. I asked. No luck. Apparently, my quest for a relaxing Spa/sauna experience was doomed. Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage? Again, the website tantalized with these options, but they were nowhere to be found. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt for something that didn't exist.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Blessings and… Well, Things
24-hour Front desk? Praise be! Concierge? Not that I saw. Doorman? Nope. Cash withdrawal? Doubtful. Currency exchange? Forget about it. Convenience store? No dice. Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service? They claimed to offer these. I didn’t use them. Luggage storage? Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery? Could be. Audio-visual equipment for special events, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events? Again, it sounded grand. Cashless payment service? Yes! A modern convenience, thankfully. Doctor/nurse on call? Who knows? Facilities for disabled guests: Unclear. First aid kit? I hope so. Smoking area: Present. If you’re into that. Safety deposit boxes? Check.
For the Kids: Kid-Friendly…ish?
Family/child friendly? Depends on the kid. Babysitting service? Unsure. Kids meal? Also, unclear. There was nothing specifically geared towards children that I saw. But hey, a hotel is a hotel.
Getting Around: Taxi Tango
Airport transfer? I didn't use it, but I saw it advertised. Taxi service? Yes. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station? Yes. The driving situation definitely added to the… let's say, "character" of the experience.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Silver Lining of Sanitize
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property? Yes. Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]? Unclear. Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms? Yes! Security [24-hour]? Seemed to be. Safe dining setup? Probably. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? I hope so! Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: I couldn’t tell. But the place felt clean, which was a relief.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: My Conclusion!
Okay, here's the deal. OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah is… complicated. It has potential. It clearly tries. And hey, it's a Halal hotel, which is important to some. But the execution is… inconsistent.
The Good:
- Incredibly clean rooms.
- Comfortable beds (minus the pillow situation
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary for OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah in Indonesia is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "confessions of a slightly caffeinated, easily distracted human being who just wants a decent nasi goreng." Here. We. Go.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Batik Betrayal (AKA Jakarta, Here I Am!)
- 6:00 AM (ish) - Pre-Flight Panic & the Great Baggage Weight Debate: Ugh. Waking up to a 6 AM flight is a crime against humanity. Coffee. Need. Coffee. Spent a solid hour wrestling with my suitcase, agonizing over which pair of sandals to ditch (Spoiler alert: I kept both. I'm weak). Airport security was a blur of stressed faces and questionable scanner noises. Successfully avoided getting naked for the body scanner, a personal victory.
- 12:00 PM - Touchdown Jakarta! (And Immediate Humidity Hug): Jakarta. The air hits you like a warm, slightly damp, wall. Instantly regretted my decision to wear a t-shirt. The airport… well, let’s just say it’s a prime example of "organized chaos." Found the taxi, navigated the traffic (pray for me), and arrived at OYO 2707 feeling like I'd run a marathon.
- 2:00 PM - Check-in Meltdown & Room Reveal: Okay, so the pictures online looked… well, let's say optimistic. This place is definitely “cozy,” which is code for “small.” The air conditioning groaned to life with the enthusiasm of a grumpy old man. The bedspread? Let’s just say it’s seen better days. But hey, it’s a roof over my head, and I'm not allergic to dust. Small victories, right?
- 3:00 PM - The Batik Debacle: Decided to be a good tourist and venture out for some batik shopping. Found a shop promising "authentic, handmade" batik. The salesman, bless his heart, saw me coming a mile away. Spent an hour bargaining, feeling both exhilarated and utterly exhausted. Ended up buying a scarf. Later discovered it was probably machine-made. My heart… it broke a little. Batik betrayal! But, it's kinda pretty, so…
- 7:00 PM - Street Food Survival & Nasi Goreng Nirvana: Wandered the streets, fueled by a desperate need for food. The smells! Oh, the glorious smells! Found a little warung (small restaurant) and ordered nasi goreng. The first bite was pure, unadulterated joy. So good, I'm pretty sure I almost ate the entire plate. Seriously, people, Indonesian street food… it's a religious experience.
- 8:00 PM - The Mosquito Wars: Returned to my cozy room, armed with insect repellent. The mosquitoes, however, were relentless. They buzzed like tiny, bloodthirsty helicopters. This could be a long night. Added an extra hour to pray they would not bite me.
- 10:00 PM - Journaling and Self-Reflection: Now I sit here, writing in my journal, contemplating the meaning of life, the allure of slightly used bedspreads, and if I should go hunting mosquitoes. Feeling extremely tired, but also strangely excited about tomorrow.
Day 2: Culture Shock & Culinary Adventures
- 7:00 AM - Wakeup Call: The Rooster's Symphony & That Aircon Again: Woke to a cacophony of rooster crows and the AC that sounded like an angry vacuum cleaner. The joys of budget travel, eh? Still, the morning light coming from the window was quite pretty.
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet Attempt: The hotel "breakfast buffet." Let's just say my standards are rapidly lowering, it was rice porridge or a lot of pre-packaged sweet breads. Ate enough to get some fuel, but I'll be heading to a proper warung as soon as possible.
- 9:00 AM - Train Ride to Kota Tua: Time to get to the city. The trains are busy, a mix of the familiar and the strange. This train ride was an experience in itself. Pressed together with my fellow passengers, observing so many different faces, smells, and cultures. It was a sensory overload in the best possible way.
- 11:00 AM - Kota Tua Exploration (and the Great Melaka Tea Shop Mishap): Kota Tua (Old Town) is a charming mishmash of colonial architecture. Took some pictures. Got lost in the chaotic beauty of it all. Stumbled into a tea shop that looked promising. Ordered some tea, only to discover it tasted suspiciously like… dish soap. My face probably gave me away. I paid the shopkeeper and ran away. The tea shop was a betrayal.
- 1:00 PM - Food Stall Extravaganza! Decided to drown my disappointment in deliciousness. Found a food stall. The menu was complete gibberish (my Indonesian is nonexistent). Pointed at something that looked interesting, took a big risk, and it paid off. Some sort of spicy, savory, crunchy thing that was absolutely divine.
- 3:00 PM - Museum Hopping & Mild Cultural Confusion: Wandered through some museums. Tried to absorb the history, the art, the meaning. Honestly, got a little lost and confused at some point. The sheer scale of the place, the language barrier, the heat… it's all a bit overwhelming. Embraced the confusion, but still, a lot of history.
- 5:00 PM - Back to Hotel & Recharged: Returned to my room completely drenched in sweat, feeling a bit "museum-ed out." Took a cold shower (the hot water was being shy) and recharged.
- 7:00 PM - Nasi Goreng Round Two & a Bit More Culture: Found another warung, this time I could order in Indonesian. Enjoying the food, I felt like was actually beginning to understand Indonesian culture.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime Routine: Journal, mosquito swatting, and mentally preparing for another day.
Day 3: The Day I Embraced the Mess
- 7:00 AM – Rise and Grumble and Repeat: Woke up feeling a little better, maybe it'll be easier to find my way, but the bathroom light was not working. I suppose I can brush my teeth in the dark…
- 8:00 AM – More Breakfast of Champions: The breakfast was the same. Another slice of pre-packaged bread and a cup of instant coffee.
- 9:00 AM – The Amazing and Utterly Chaotic Bus Ride: Decided to take public transport. It was a gamble and a total mess. Saw so many things I would not have expected. Lost my way, got stared at, but found my way. I almost did not make it!
- 12:00 PM – "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Adventures: Decided to just… wander. Found myself getting lost, accidentally ended up in a crowded market, and saw a street performance. The performers gestured for me to join. I awkwardly fumbled my way through the dance. Laughed until my stomach hurt. This was the most I'd laughed on the trip.
- 3:00 PM – The Best Ice Coffee Ever: There was a small coffee shop and I had one of the best iced coffees in my life. It was a simple syrup, strong coffee, and a huge splash of milk. It was almost better than the nasi goreng.
- 5:00 PM – Return to the room. That's All: This is where I'll admit to something. I ate street food. I didn't get sick. I didn't regret it. Embraced the chaos. And if I'm honest, I'm kinda starting to love this messy, imperfect trip.
Rambling Thoughts:
- The people here are incredibly friendly, even with the language barrier. Smiles and gestures go a long way.
- The humidity is a constant companion. Prepare to sweat. A lot.
- Pack anti-mosquito spray. Seriously.
- Don’t be afraid to get lost, try new food, and embrace the imperfections.
- My attempts to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia are… comical. But hey, at least I'm trying.
Final Thoughts:
This trip is a work in progress. It's messy, it's imperfect, and I'm probably going to look back on it and cringe. But it's also… real. And that's what matters. I’m learning a lot. I’m pushing my boundaries. My bedspread is still a bit questionable, but I'm starting to appreciate the charm. I'm getting more relaxed, and more and more I am starting to love Indonesia. On to the next adventure!
**OYO 2724 Wisma Wijaya: Jakarta's Hidden Gem? Unbelievable Price & Perks!**
OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah: "BEST Halal Hotel"? Oh Boy... Let's Dive In (and Maybe Regret It!)
So, "BEST Halal Hotel" huh? What's the *actual* deal with OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah?
Okay, buckle up. "BEST" is a strong word. Let’s just say my expectations were, let's see, hovering slightly above a cockroach's appreciation for a stale crumb. The reviews… well, they were a mixed bag, like a buffet where you suspect they ran out of fresh ingredients a week ago. It *is* a Halal hotel – meaning no alcohol, religiously observant staff, and maybe, just maybe, some really awesome Indonesian food. But the "best" part? That's what we’re here to figure out. My personal experience? Let's just say I have, in my life, slept in a cardboard box that looked a little more inviting (at least it didn't try to charge me extra for the air conditioning!).
Halal credentials confirmed! But, like, what *really* makes it "Halal"? Is it just the absence of booze?
Right, so the 'Halal' thing. More than just booze – which, yes, is definitely a no-no. They advertise prayer mats in the rooms, which is thoughtful. There's supposedly a Qibla direction marked on the ceiling (though in my room… let's just say I'm not sure if the compass had a personality of its own). Food is all supposedly Halal-certified, and I *think* I saw staff washing their hands… a lot. The vibe overall is very… conservative. Think of that auntie who always nags you to finish your vegetables, but, like, the hotel version. You know, well intentioned, but perhaps a little overbearing.
The Rooms: What's it *really* like inside? Spill the tea, friend!
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get… *interesting*. The first room I was shown looked like they'd raided the lost-and-found from 1987 and called it "decor." The bedspread… I'm pretty sure my grandma had one just like it, and hers had been through a *lot* of grandkids. The bathroom? Let's just say I’m now fluent in the language of ‘mildew.’ There was a distinct aroma, a symphony of dampness, and a faint echo of… something. I'm still not sure what. Moved rooms (thankfully!) and the second was slightly better. Still, the phrase "basic necessities" comes to mind. Don't expect five-star luxury. Expect… functional, perhaps. And try to avoid looking too closely at the details. Trust me. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Okay, let's talk about the *food*. Is it actually good, or just religiously compliant?
Ah, the food. This is, arguably, the highlight… or at least, the *most edible* part of the experience. The breakfast buffet, while modest, had some decent Indonesian staples. There was nasi goreng (yay!), some kind of mystery meat (less yay, but hey, it was protein!), and a selection of… lukewarm things. The coffee tasted suspiciously like dishwater mixed with sadness, though. The presentation? Let’s say it wasn't Instagram-worthy. But considering everything else, I was actually pleasantly surprised. I mean, I didn't get food poisoning, so that's a win, right? It’s the kind of food that sustains you, but doesn't exactly inspire sonnets.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Or just… there?
The staff… that's a tough one. They were… present. They were polite, definitely. They were also a little… detached. I got the impression they were used to dealing with a lot of things. The front desk guy seemed to have seen it all before in this place, the eyes, the shrug, the “oh well” attitude. Asking for anything extra – like, say, a second towel (a luxury, apparently) – felt like you were committing a major sin. But, in their defense, they were trying. It’s hard to be overly enthusiastic when you’re probably working in a place that's also not that enthusiastic about itself. They were not *unfriendly*, just... subdued. Like, I'm guessing most of the staff is well-intentioned but a bit overstretched.
The Location: Is it actually convenient, or are you stranded in the middle of nowhere?
This really depends on where you need to *be*. Mine was a short trip in a somewhat quiet area, so it was... okay. It wasn't in the central part of town, it wasn't near any of the bustling tourism, mostly residential, and everything felt slightly… sleepy. A long, long walk away from anything remotely exciting. If you’re looking for a base for exploring the area, make sure it's close to where you want to go. Otherwise, you'll be spending a lot of time (and money) in taxis or ride-sharing cars. Or, like me, walking and questioning every life choice.
Okay, so, the final verdict. Would you recommend OYO 2707 Graha Surya Syariah? Be honest!
Here’s the brutal, honest truth: *probably not*. Unless you're on a truly *tight* budget AND prioritize Halal accommodations above all else. If you absolutely *need* a Halal hotel and want a genuinely cheap place to crash, this might be it. Emphasis on *might*. It's functional, it’s Halal, and the food *generally* won't make you regret your life choices. But the 'best'? Absolutely not. It's not a pleasant experience. There are better places to stay, even if you need to stretch your budget a bit. I’d look elsewhere, honestly. Spend a few extra Rupiah and save yourself from a memory you'll probably want to erase. You've been warned! Now I need to go have a strong cup of non-hotel-dishwater coffee to de-stress from the actual experience of being there.
One last question: Any quirks or memorable moments? Spill the tea!
Oh, man, where do I even begin? Okay, this one's a doozy. I ordered room service, and the guy who delivered it kept staring at me like I was… I don't know, a particularly fascinating specimen of humanity? Like he'd never seen a person eat a plate of nasi goreng before. And the air conditioning in my room, as I mentioned, was more suggestion than reality. More like a gentle breeze whispering a suggestion of coolness. Then… oh yeah! One morning, I swear I heard a rooster crowing through the window. IHoneymoon Havenst
