Shakilla House 6B: Your Dream Syariah Escape in Cianjur Puncak!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of [Insert Hotel Name Here], and trust me, it’s a wild ride. Buckle up, it's gonna get messy. I’m talking real talk, not some corporate-speak fluff. We're gonna poke around the good, the bad, and the "wait, is that… a shrine?" (Spoiler: it might be).
First Impressions & Getting Around (The Basics & The Bumps)
Okay, the first thing you immediately notice? The accessibility, is it good? Well, they've got some boxes ticked. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, but, and there’s always a but, right? I saw signs, elevators, but navigating the actual vibe of the place… felt a bit like trying to herd cats. Still, a plus for effort. They even have facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge win. Don’t necessarily rely on everything being perfectly seamless, but the intention is there.
The airport transfer was a total lifesaver. Especially after a red-eye. Paid a bit extra, but worth every penny to skip the taxi haggling. And speaking of taxis, they have a taxi service onsite too. Handy. Plus car park [free of charge], car park [on-site], and valet parking - options galore! And, hey, a car power charging station! Very 2024. Very eco-conscious.
The check-in/out [express] option? A HUGE win. Seriously. I, personally, am not a fan of chit-chat when I'm bone-tired and just want to lie down. Fast and efficient is the name of the game. They also offered check-in/out [private] which, frankly, I’m not entirely sure about. Is it just for VIPs? For people who hate eye contact? Hmm…
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (And the Occasional Minor Annoyance)
Right, the rooms. Let's get real. Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Check. Blackout curtains? Double check! Finally, some damn sleep! The real star here, though, was the extra long bed. Like, I felt like I could actually stretch. Glorious! They also have interconnecting rooms - useful for families or if you’re planning a… ahem… noisy gathering.
Wi-Fi [free]? Absolutely. And it actually worked. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Big bonus points. They also had Internet [LAN] if you’re a dinosaur who still rocks the ethernet cable. The Internet itself was decent, and they offered various Internet services. Plus you get the all-important laptop workspace. I got some work done, but let's be honest, I spent most of the time watching on-demand movies (what's on?!) and admiring the window that opens. Small pleasures.
The Imperfections:
- The mirror placement in my bathroom was… off. You know how you just know something is ever so slightly crooked? It was like that.
- The complimentary tea was… well, it was tea. Nothing to write home about.
- No pets allowed. Boo. (Sorry, but I like to travel with my pupper!)
Cleanliness, Safety, and Those Pandemic-Era Precautions (It's a Good Sign!)
Okay, let's be honest: the pandemic has changed everything. And this hotel seems to have taken it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization opt-out available (interesting…), rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol? All good signs. I saw hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and they’re really pushing for physical distancing. Lots of little things that make you feel like you're not just another statistic.
More importantly: smoke detector, smoke alarms, and a fire extinguisher. It’s good to see that they take this seriously.
Food, Glorious Food (And the Occasional Hiccup)
Alright, let's talk food. This is where things got… interesting. I had Asian breakfast (because, you know, travelling) with Asian cuisine in restaurant. They had a Breakfast [buffet] and also Breakfast service (in the room if you want to be lazy, like me). The breakfast was good, not epic but better than a lot of other places I've been.
- I found them to be pretty good, not a Michelin star but something that I would easily eat any day.
- I was pretty happy when there was a Vegetarian restaurant and a Western restaurant!
Dining Details:
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes!
- Bottle of water: Yes!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Coffee shop: Yes!
- Poolside bar: I wish, but didn't see this.
- Restaurants: Yes!
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes!
Things to Do (Relaxation, Fun, and… a Shrine?)
Okay, I'm gonna be real with you. I went to this hotel to chill. And they've got options.
- Spa
- Sauna
- Steamroom
- Massage
- Body scrub
This is where they really shine. They have Body wrap, Foot bath, and Gym/fitness. And yes, I spent HOURS in the Spa/sauna. Worth every single penny. I felt like a new human being when leaving.
Oh, and then I stumbled upon a… shrine. Yep. Didn't expect that. A bit weird, but hey, adds to the character, right?
The "For the Kids" Section (Or, How to Avoid Small Humans)
I’m not a parent, so I’ll be honest, I didn’t really pay attention to this part. But I poked around. There's babysitting service, family/child friendly amenities, and Kids facilities.
Services and Conveniences (The Bits That Make Life Easier)
Now, this is where the hotel really starts piling on the good stuff. Daily housekeeping! Praise be! Laundry service and dry cleaning. Concierge that actually helps. They even have a convenience store, which is clutch for late-night snacks and forgotten toiletries.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Doorman
- Elevator
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
The Verdict: Should You Book It?
Alright, deep breath. Is this hotel perfect? Nope. Was it a truly enjoyable experience? Heck yes.
The Good Stuff:
- Fantastic spa and relaxation facilities.
- Good location (depending on what you're looking for as I was looking for a good place to rest and relax and this was perfect for it!).
- Good Wi-Fi, especially in the rooms.
- They seem to take safety and cleanliness seriously.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Some minor quirks in the room setup.
- The menu at the restaurant can get old quickly.
My Recommendation:
If you want a relaxing getaway with a great spa experience, then YES, you should book this hotel. It will exceed your expectations, especially if you’ve been looking for a place to finally unwind and relax.
And now, the offer!
Tired of the grind? Craving some serious "me time"?
[Insert Hotel Name Here] is the answer! Imagine this: melting into a hot stone massage, sipping cocktails poolside with a view, and finally getting some real uninterrupted sleep. Book your stay now and get:
- A complimentary spa treatment (because you deserve it!).
- Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability), so you can maximize your relaxation time.
- A welcome drink at the bar - cheers to you!
Book now, and let us help you rediscover your inner peace!
Dubai's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Home Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your glossy travel brochure. This is me, me, and my impending chaos, heading to Shakilla House 6B Syariah Cigalumpit Cianjur Puncak Indonesia. Let's see if I even make it there in one piece, mentally or physically.
Shakilla House Shenanigans: The Puncak Pilgrimage (or, How NOT to Be a Travel Influencer)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Luggage Lament (or, "Why Do I Own So Much Stuff?")
- Morning (and the impending doom of packing): Okay, so I'm supposed to be "ready" by 8 am. HA! "Ready" in my world means frantically rummaging through a mountain of clothes I haven't worn since the early aughts, muttering about "practical layering" whilst simultaneously grabbing the sequined crop top I swear I'll wear "somewhere." It's like a psychological profile of a disaster zone. Found my passport… after a minor heart attack. Checked the weather. Rain. Naturally. I grab an umbrella, but also five pairs of shoes. I'm sure I'll need them.
- Mid-Day (The Taxi of Terror): Theoretically, a taxi is picking me up at noon. Realistically, that's likely a suggestion. By 1 pm, I'm practically vibrating with impatience, imagining the driver got eaten by a rogue llama (which, let's be honest, wouldn't be the weirdest thing). Finally, the car arrives. It's…compact. We’re a family of four, with luggage. I'm pretty sure the driver takes a peek at the car and is questioning the wisdom of his life choices.
- Afternoon (The Road to Puncak: A Rollercoaster, Literally): The drive to Cianjur? Let's call it "Character Building." Twisty roads, honking horns, and the sheer audacity of the Indonesian drivers. I am absolutely not a fan of my stomach's new dance routine. Managed to get the driver to stop for some "refreshments," by which I mean: I need to consume something to quell the nausea. Thankfully, I'm wearing a shirt I can blow up into a balloon if needed.
- Evening (Shakilla House & The Great Expectations): We arrive! Shakilla House looks… pretty decent. The air is crisp, the views, when they aren't shrouded in mist… well, the photos online weren't lying. I'm happy. The actual house? Well, it's a bit more… lived-in than the pictures. Let's just say, the "rustic charm" is definitely present. There’s a small cockroach. I panic a bit, then I'm getting used to it. I spent an hour deciding which of the three sofas I'd claim for my own. (Spoiler: I chose the one with the slightly less suspicious stain.) After a quick dinner of something fried and vaguely delicious, it's a desperate scramble to unpack, followed by a well-deserved collapse into bed.
Day 2: Gotta Love Puncak!
- Morning (The Coffee Conundrum): I'm up early, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed! Or… at least, I try to be. There's a "breaching" coffee machine here. I don't know what it is, but I need some coffee. The first attempt produces a watery, brown liquid that tastes vaguely of burnt tires. My skills are a disaster. After three attempts I find some instant coffee. Victory!
- Mid-Day (The Tea Plantation Trauma): Okay, so the plan was a visit to the tea plantations. Sounds lovely, right? Sunlight, rolling green hills, the scent of fresh tea… Reality: Steep hills, muddy paths, and a near-death experience involving a rogue motorbike. I swear, I could feel my life flash before my eyes as I wrestled with my umbrella in a sudden downpour. Also, I'm pretty sure one of the workers just laughed at me. But the tea? Amazing. Worth it.
- Afternoon (The Picture Perfect?) Trying to get a picture somewhere is like trying to capture a unicorn. The clouds keep rolling in. Half the time I cannot see the mountains. After what feels like hours, I actually get a nice, clear view, and I feel the urge snap a photo. That's when my phone's storage fills up. Seriously?!
- Evening (A Bit of Peace). I spend the evening with a book, but I'm so drained. I have no words. I'm in the house. I grab an extra blanket. I can actually breathe in the fresh air, and the sheer beauty is still there even though I'm exhausted.
Day 3: The Rambling Adventure and Farewell (ish)
- Morning (The Waterfall Fiasco): Okay, so I thought a waterfall would be a good idea. "Refreshing," they said. "Beautiful," they proclaimed. Me? I slipped on a moss-covered rock and almost ended up a human popsicle. My pants are ruined, and my pride is slightly bruised. I'm pretty sure the local monkeys are still laughing.
- Mid-Day (The Food Frenzy): I stumble upon a local warung (small restaurant). The aroma of spices is intoxicating. Embrace the chaos! I order something I can't pronounce, which the cook seems to enjoy. She winks at me. It's all I can do to try to hold back the tears. It's delicious. Spicy. Amazing. My stomach is questionable. It's great.
- Afternoon (Packing: A Study in Denial): Time to pack. Let the emotional unraveling commence. Do I really need all these clothes? Of course! What if… what if I'm invited to a gala? Or required for some random adventure? I'll "sort through it all" later. Probably.
- Evening (The Departure Dilemma): Reluctantly, I'm back in the car. Heading back towards the city. The drive is still a rollercoaster of nausea and near-death experiences. I'm actually sad to leave. Weird, right? I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Puncak. I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing, but I know I'm happy I did it.
Day 4: Back Home The drive back goes very well. I'm exhausted but happy. I'm still happy I got an experience with the locals. I'm still questioning the fashion.
Post-Script: (A Promise to Always Be Myself)
This trip was messy. I overpacked. I got lost. I spent far too much money on coffee. I was at times an utter disaster. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Because that's me. The real, imperfect, slightly neurotic, hopelessly optimistic me. And I wouldn’t change a thing. (Well, maybe next time, I'll pack fewer shoes.)
Unbelievable Bao Loc Views: Hilltop Bungalow Paradise (Homilá Bảo Lộc)
Is learning ukulele *really* as easy as everyone says?
Hahaha. Oh, bless your heart. No. Not exactly. People *say* that. They're probably ukulele salespeople, or maybe they just have incredibly nimble fingers and a soul that's perfectly in tune with stringed instruments. I am NOT one of them. I bought a ukulele, brimming with optimism! Thought I'd be strumming Hawaiian tunes by sunset. Nope. My fingers felt like sausages attacking the frets. My first attempt at a C chord sounded more like a dying cat. And the first time I tried to change chords? Forget about it. The song was long over by the time I managed to fumble my way to the next one. The reality? It's a bit of a climb. But listen, a *fun* climb. You know, the kind where you're constantly tripping over your own feet but laughing the whole way because at least you *tried* to climb that damn mountain.
Okay, so what *is* the hardest part?
For me? The chords. All of them. Especially the ones that require more than two fingers. My pinky finger seems to have a mind of its own. It does this weird twitchy thing when I try to stretch it across the fretboard. And D's? Ugh. The D chord. A personal nemesis. I've spent HOURS (okay, maybe days... okay, definitely weeks) wrestling with that tiny, three-finger monstrosity. I've yelled at my ukulele. I've threatened to throw it out the window. But then… then you get it *right*. Just once. And that tiny, perfect D chord? It's like winning the lottery! You feel this surge of pure, unadulterated *triumph*. Until the next chord change, of course…
What kind of ukulele should I get?
Alright, here's where I made a gigantic mistake. I just wandered into a music store – big mistake numero uno! – and grabbed the cutest one. It was bright yellow, and I thought it looked like a banana. Aesthetics over practicality, people! Don't be like me! The size depends on your size... literally! If you’re tiny, a soprano. Regular? Concert. Big? Tenor (though, I've heard they're like, the guitar players' ukulele). Do your research! Read reviews! Don’t be swayed by the banana-yellow allure. Consider the budget too, if it's all the same to you. A cheap one might be okay to start, but it’ll likely be a pain in the behind to play. Get something decent, even used. And for the love of all that is holy, get a tuner! Seriously, you'll thank me. You’ll spend less time sounding like a screeching banshee and more time… well, still sounding like a beginner, but a *slightly* less terrible one.
Is there a good way to teach myself? Lessons? Books? YouTube?
Everything! Throw everything at it! Books are good for the basics – like, here are the chords, here's how to hold it, blah, blah, blah. (I mean, you *must* learn your basic chords). YouTube is your best friend. Seriously. There are a gazillion ukulele tutorials. Some are amazing, some are… less so. Find a teacher who meshes with you. I tried one in person, and it was a disaster. The teacher called me a "slow study." Ouch. Talk about killing the mood! So, I went back to YouTube and a bunch of apps which is great to learn at your own pace. The best part is there are tons of resources for free. Don't stress. It's supposed to be fun and take the time you need!
What about strumming patterns? They look so… complicated.
Strumming patterns...are the bain of my existence. Okay, okay, I'm being dramatic. I eventually got the hang of "down, down, up, up, down, up" – it became my all-purpose strum. Then, I tried to learn a slightly more complex pattern and I almost threw my ukulele out the window *again*. Honestly, at first, I would often just sing and strum down. That's it. Don't overthink it at the beginning. Start simple. Eventually, you can work your way up to the fancy stuff. You'll stumble around, you'll mess up. It's okay! No one expects you to be Jake Shimabukuro on day one. Just keep strumming, even if it sounds like a dying cat (again). And hey, if you're playing for fun, do it! Just keep strumming and don't worry about the right rhythm!
I keep getting frustrated. Should I quit?
Look, if I quit every time I got frustrated, I'd have quit everything. This ukulele journey has so many ups and downs. There were days when I felt like I was making progress, and days when I wanted to bury the damn thing in the backyard. But you know what? I didn't quit. Because even though it's hard, and I sometimes sound like a poorly tuned kazoo, it's also *fun*. There's something incredibly satisfying about strumming a chord that finally sounds right, or nailing a simple song. So, take a break if you feel like it. Come back tomorrow. Or the next day. Don't quit because it's hard. Quit if you're no longer enjoying it. But give it a chance. You might surprise yourself. And maybe, just maybe, you'll become the next ukulele rockstar. Or, you know, learn to play "Riptide" without completely butchering it, which is still a win in my book.
What's the best song to start with?
"Riptide," by Vance Joy. Everybody plays it. It's almost a cliche. But you know what? It's got easy chords, and it sounds pretty darn good on a ukulele. And, if you're like me, you'll probably stumble through it for a year before it starts to sound halfway decent. Then you will get a taste of victory, then start on the next one. Which is the *best* part about playing! After "Riptide", there are a million others. You pick what makes you happy.
Any other advice?
Yeah. Lower your expectations. You're not going to be a virtuoso overnight. Embrace the awkwardness. Laugh at yourself. Practice (a little, at least). And most importantly, have fun! Oh, and don't be afraid to sing off-key. No one cares. Seriously. No one.Hotels Near Your
