All Seasons Bali Legian (Soon Ibis Style) Hotel

This pictures were taken in May 2015 stays.

This is probably the only few All Season left in Accor portfolios.     I think  this is my third stays in this hotel being the first one was in 2010 (when the hotel opened not too long ago).   I have seen "Soon Ibis Style" phrase for the past 1-2 years and it is still there.   So, I am not really sure when the hotel will indeed change to Ibis Style.


The hotel is located in Padma Utara area.   Until recently I think this is the value for money within Accor for the property near the beach on the Kuta/Legian side.  Mercure Legian may be the other option now.  Hence, this properly is quite popular especially among the Australian family due to the proximity to the beach.  You can also easily find food around the hotel area

(Map courtesy of google maps)

If you are looking for something luxurious, this is not the place.   But in my opinion, this property is decent enough is you are looking for budget to mid-range accomodation near the beach in Kuta/Legian area.

For this trip, I was given room at the 3rd floor (which if I am not wrong is the highest floor).   I remember the room at the first floor has an "open"  shower.   It seems I did not get an upgrade althought I am a Le Club Accor Paltinum member.  I recalled the occupancy was quite high.

This is the view of my room which I think very spacious and decent.

The bath room is a bit small but functional

The room has also safe deposit box and water boiler.

The hotel also nice pools and here is the view taken from room.

And last but not the least, although this hotel may be considered as a budget hotel, they haven't forgot to provide a special welcome to the Platinum member.

 

In short, if you are looking for budget accommodation around Legian area with proximity to the beach (and if you Le Club Accor member), All Season Bali Legian may be your option.

I wonder when they will change the name to ibis Style Legian.

Pullman Thamrin Jakarta - Club Lounge

I stayed at Pullman Thamrin Jakarta again early August 2015.   The lounge has opened.    With the opening of the lounge, the Platinum member is no longer able to enjoy breakfast in the restaurant, but only in the lounge.

Here are the pictures of the Club Lounge

Selection of the food and drinks during evening cocktails.

 I did not take the breakfast in the Club Lounge since my rate included breakfast.   However, I wen tot the lounge for a whil to check out.   They served mainly cool cut and I saw this "menu" on the table.   A short chat with the staff, he told me that they are still trying adjusting the breafkfast in the Club Lounge.   Hope it will get  better.

Mercure Legian Bali

On my recent Bali trip (22-26 May 2015), I passed by Mecure Legian which is located not so far away from Pullman Legian.  About 5-10 minutes walk.   This is also means that the hotel is about 5-10 minutes walk to Kuta Beach (at the end of Jalan Pantai Kuta).   The hotel located at the corner of Legian and Melasti.

Here is some photos.  

The hotel from across the street

I like the design of the hotel with "stick out" Balcony.

The hotel has the hanging pool which is at the top of the main hotel entrance.

And this is the hanging pool from the 3rd floor (or 4th floor?)

Lobby area

Another pool

Fitness Center

Restaurant

Other pictures

As I did not stay there, I cannot take the pictures of the room.   Some rooms seem have big balcony.

Personally, I think this is a very interesting hotel to stay and probably value for money.   I will probably stay in this hotel on my next stay in Bali.

Hotel Phoenix, M Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

I have been longing to visit Yogyakarta for the longest time.  However, the last time I tried to visit the city, the Mount Merapi erupted, hence I have to cancel my trip.   So finally on my long break, I decided to spend 3 nights in Yogyakarta rather than spending all my break in Bali.  Not only I want to go to Yogyakarta, but I am also want to stay in the Hotel Phoenix, which supposedly one of the iconic building in the city.

Just to give some perspective.   Yogyakarta is not really a big city.    In fact it is a very small city with only around 600,000 people lives there.   The city is famous because of few reasons.   It is considered as the center of the Javanese culture.   Also, many good (Catholic) schools are in the city since the Dutch colonial times.  Many universities are also in this city, hence the city is also called "Kota Pelajar" (i.e. Student City).  The other reason why many people visits Yogyakarta is because of the proximity with Borobudur Temple  (the largest Buddhist temple in the world?) and Prambanan Temple. 


There are not many International Chain hotels in the city.   There is 1 Sheraton, Melia, and Hyatt in the cities and few Accors properties (M Galery, Novotel, and Ibis).  The rest of the hotels are local chain and locally owned.

The hotel is located in the center of the Yogyakarta.   It is situated just in front of the Tugu which I was told the 0 km point of the city.    Here is the exterior of the hotel

The hotel has 2 buildings..  The front part which you saw on the above pictures is the "original" structure. 

The lobby is quite basic in my opinion for a M-Gallery hotel.  It looks like a old colonial houses rather than hotel which can be an plus point to some people.  As I arrived quite early 8:30am.  I was told the room is not ready, hence I was waiting in the lobby area which have some interesting decors.

The other side of the lobby, you can see part of the dining area.  In fact the dining area has some open area which again can be quite interesting.

The breakfast served is quite basic in my opinion.  But with only around USD 10 and considering you are in small town, then I can accept it.   Here are some photos on the dining area during breakfast.  On one the night (Saturday night), the restaurant has a BBQ dinner.

Never before I see a selection of sugar in this ranges :)

The rooms are located on the second part of the building where there is open courtyard.   My room was on the main building.   The room in the main building are Superior Heritage and Phoenix Executive.  The extension building which is newer has the Deluxe Legacy and Legendary Suite.    Please note, I was told the Superior and Deluxe room does not have bath tube.

Here is the picture of the Phoenix executive room.

Take a note of the picture above the bed.   It is the picture of the original building in 1900s.

 

 It is quite interesting decor in the bath room.  I wonder why they put 2 wooden toys in the bath room.  Then I realized that I can open it and more amenities were inside the toys.

The room has  a small balcony area which is facing the open courtyard and not so far away from main road.  So can be a bit noisy.

  The picture of the open courtyard

Here is the balcony from the courtyard

And here are the pictures of the new building with the swimming pools