Indonesian Paradise Found: Arbor Biz Hotel Makassar Awaits!
Arbor Biz Hotel Makassar: My Makassar Meanderings (and My Honest Take)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Makassar, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. And smack dab in the middle of it all was the Arbor Biz Hotel. So, let's dive in, shall we? This isn't your perfectly polished brochure; this is the real deal, folks. Consider this your brutally honest, utterly biased, and surprisingly insightful review.
(Disclaimer: I’m a fairly mobile person, so my take on accessibility might not be perfect. But hey, I'll try my best!)
Accessibility: Right, so, from what I could tell, Arbor Biz is trying. They have an elevator (whew!), and some rooms seem designed, so that's a plus. Though getting around Makassar itself? That's a whole other beast. Be prepared for the usual Indonesian sidewalk adventures.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I didn't specifically check for ramps and whatnot, but the places looked okay. More on the food later…
Internet Access: The Eternal Struggle… Solved-ish!
Okay, let's be real, internet in Indonesia can be a rollercoaster. But thank the digital gods, Arbor Biz has Free Wi-Fi in Every. Single. Room!!! And I mean, it actually worked! Plus, there's Internet [LAN] if you're old-school or have a serious need for speed. Internet Services themselves seem legit, I didn't get charged extra for using it (thank you, Arbor Biz!). Wi-Fi in Public Areas? Yep, it was there, but sometimes a little… temperamental. Honestly, the in-room Wi-Fi was the MVP.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & The Spa Conundrum
Alright, this is where things get a little… interesting. Arbor Biz has a Fitness Center. And, I’m gonna be honest, I walked past it. It looked… fitness-y. They boast a Pool with a View, and while the view wasn't exactly Bali-esque, it was a pleasant way to cool off after a scorching day. They have a Sauna and a Steamroom, if you're into that sort of thing. And a Spa! Now, the spa situation… I’m pretty sure there was a Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Massage, Foot Bath, and probably some chanting involved. Look, I wanted a massage, I really did. But my Indonesian wasn't up to par, and the menu was… well, let's just say it was aspirational. I ended up getting a massage IN my room by a local lady. It wasn't perfect, but it was authentic.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid-Conscious Chronicles
Okay, this is where Arbor Biz actually shines. During my stay, they were taking Anti-viral cleaning products seriously. They had Daily disinfection in common areas and Professional-grade sanitizing services. I saw staff diligently using hand sanitizers and wipes everywhere. They were doing a great job. Hand sanitizer was readily available. Rooms sanitized between stays, Room sanitization opt-out available (nice touch!) they were working hard at protecting their guests.
The Foodie Adventures: Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
This is where my tastebuds truly woke up! And where Arbor Biz surprised me.
- Restaurants: Arbor Biz has a few, and they were GOOD. They also had Breakfast [Buffet] – a must for energy, and an Asian breakfast which was excellent. And I mean EXCELLENT.
- A la carte restaurant: The food was authentic and delicious, I loved the Asian cuisine in restaurant.
- Poolside bar: Drinks by the side of the pool were a perfect pick me up! They had Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Happy hour, Desserts in restaurant, Snack bar, International cuisine in restaurant, even Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant and Vegetarian restaurant options.
- Room service [24-hour]: I'm talking late-night cravings, fixed immediately, even for Bottle of water
- Dining: I saw they had Safe dining setup, and they served me with Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
Honestly, the food scene was one of the undeniable highlights.
Services and Conveniences: The Perks of Being a Traveler
Arbor Biz gets it. They understand what's important. Daily housekeeping was on point. The concierge was helpful. The Cash withdrawal was easy. They have an Elevator.
- Business facilities: They had a genuine Meeting/banquet facilities, and Meetings, with access to a Projector/LED display, and even Meeting stationery. I didn't utilize these, but they were there.
- Facilities for disabled guests: While I didn't use them, they advertised the availability.
- Currency exchange: Convenient!
- Doorman: Made me feel like a VIP, even if I wasn't.
- Invoice provided: Easy for business travelers.
- Laundry service: Needed that big time
- Luggage storage: A lifesaver.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a must.
- Smoking area: For those who partake.
- Terrace: A great place for a post-dinner drink.
For the Kids:
I didn't bring any kids, but they do have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal.
Availability in All Rooms: The In-Room Experience
- Additional toilet: Nice touch for groups or those who value extra facilities.
- Air conditioning: Mandatory!
- Alarm clock: Standard.
- Bathrobes: Comfy!
- Bathroom phone: Just in case. ;)
- Bathtub: Perfect for unwinding.
- Blackout curtains: Sleek and relaxing.
- Carpeting: Added comfort
- Closet: Plenty of space for your stuff.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for caffeine lovers.
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated.
- Desk: Perfect for working.
- Extra long bed: Tall people, rejoice!
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key!
- Hair dryer: A lifesaver for anyone with longer hair.
- High floor: I asked for one, and they provided it.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great for families or groups.
- Internet access – LAN: If you need a landline.
- Internet access – wireless: And the Wi-Fi worked wonderfully.
- Ironing facilities: For the wrinkle-averse.
- Laptop workspace: Convenient.
- Linens: Clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar: Well-stocked.
- Mirror: Always.
- Non-smoking: Yes, for me.
- On-demand movies: A bonus!
- Private bathroom: All to yourself.
- Reading light: For late-night reading.
- Refrigerator: For keeping drinks chilled.
- Safety/security feature: Important.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty to choose from.
- Scale: For those who like to weigh themselves.
- Seating area: Relaxing spot.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Shower: Very important.
- Slippers: A perfect finishing touch.
- Smoke detector: Essential for safety.
- Socket near the bed: Super convenient for charging your phone.
- Sofa: Added space.
- Soundproofing: To block out city noise.
- Telephone: Still useful.
- Toiletries: Basic but appreciated.
- Towels: Clean and fluffy.
- Umbrella: You might need it in Makassar.
- Visual alarm: Good for safety.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
- Wi-Fi [free]: As mentioned, it worked great!
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
Getting Around
- Airport transfer: Convenient.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Taxi service: Available.
- Valet parking: Luxury touch.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Super convenient.
- Bicycle parking: No, I didn't bike.
- Car park [free of charge]: A huge bonus in a busy city.
- Car park [on-site].
- Car power charging station: For people on the go!
- Taxi service: Easy to grab.
- Valet parking: Luxury, if you have a car.
**Safety and Security:
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram highlight reel. This is the real Arbor Biz Hotel Makassar itinerary, brought to you by yours truly, a travel mess with a penchant for nasi goreng and questionable decisions. Prepare for a rollercoaster. (Also, I'M still learning, so bear with me, alright?)
Subject: Makassar Mayhem - Arbor Biz & Beyond! (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Stale Batik)
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (aka The “Where's My Luggage?!” Phase)
- 7:00 AM: Arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin Airport (UPG). Jetlagged to hell and back. The pre-departure pep talk about "embracing the local culture" feels a million miles away. All I'm embracing at this moment is the crushing anxiety of missing luggage. Where ARE my socks? (Okay, deep breaths. We can survive without socks.)
- 7:15 AM: Airport chaos. Swarms of people, a guy offering to carry my bag (a very assertive guy), and the lingering scent of something wonderfully fried that I suspect is breakfast. I feel like a lost sheep. A very sweaty, luggage-less sheep.
- 8:00 AM: Taxi to Arbor Biz Hotel Makassar. Driver speaks approximately three words of English (two of them being "yes" and "no"). The traffic is a chaotic ballet of motorbikes and overloaded trucks. I'm starting to think the airport was the easy part.
- 8:30 AM: Check-in. The lobby is surprisingly chic and the staff are super friendly, despite my general state of disarray. The reception lady has the most dazzling smile. I’m already liking Makassar. Almost.
- 9:00 AM: Room exploration. Finally, a haven! Room is small, but clean. AC is blasting like the arctic – a lifesaver. The view is… well, it's a view. Buildings, buildings, and more buildings. I guess I'm not looking at the beaches right now. Okay, new mission: take a nap and pretend I'm organized.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Ugh, nap interrupted by a phone call! It was the hotel. My luggage might be at the airport still. The airport! The trauma! Time for coffee.
- 12:00 PM: This calls for some serious nasi goreng. Found a little warung (street food stall) a few blocks away. OMG. The nasi goreng was sublime. Seriously, the best I've ever had. The chilli hit you in the back of the throat in the best way. Made me cry a little. Okay, maybe a lot a little.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM : Shopping? Sightseeing? No chance. I’m a wreck. My luggage is god knows where. I end up aimlessly wandering, lost in the heat, and feeling utterly clueless. Eventually I just got lost in the back of this incredibly old building with wooden doors for the entire afternoon. Decided to check out the local market and spent hours wandering around it, snapping photos. The colors! The smells! Mind officially blown.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Luggage not found. Ordered some instant noodles because I can’t do anything but eat and mope.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Wandering around. And I ended up at a local seafood restaurant. The grilled fish was amazing. The ambiance? Let's just say it was loud. And wonderfully so. Family dinners all around me, people laughing, the clatter of utensils. It felt… real.
Day 2: Embracing the Chaos (and the Battered Batik)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, still luggage-less. The existential dread is stronger today.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Standard buffet fare, but the pineapple juice is surprisingly good and actually I’m happy.
- 9:00 AM: First actual TOUR. Hopped on a local tour bus (basically a glorified bemo, but whatever). It made me realize the sheer joy of not having to navigate these crazy streets yourself. We visited Fort Rotterdam, a crumbling Dutch fort. The history was fascinating (and slightly depressing). The heat, though, was murderous.
- 11:00 AM: Suddenly I had to buy some clothes. Ended up buying… a batik shirt. It was on the rack and it looked cheap. Fine by me.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch! Ate seafood at a place that looked like it was gonna fall apart. Had grilled fish. It was amazing. I ate it with my hands, and I felt a little less touristy.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The hotel pool is a blessing. Seriously, it's the only thing keeping me sane right now.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. The food was AMAZING. And then I went to bed. That’s it. That’s my day.
Day 3: Toraja Time (A Day Too Short)
- 5:00 AM: Awake. Early start. Feeling surprisingly energized, which is probably the adrenaline of the anticipation.
- 6:00 AM: Long drives. Beautiful scenery, but the roads are… let's call them "character-filled."
- 10:00 AM: This is the most impactful moment of the trip, when the Toraja people showed us their beliefs. It was the funerals. They're a big deal in the Toraja culture. They show respect for their elders. The ceremonies themselves were unlike anything I've ever seen.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Toraja. Some local dish that was… interesting.
- 4:00 PM: Back to Makassar.
Day 4: Farewell to Makassar (And My Luggage?!)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Standard procedure at this point. Luggage? Still no show. Beginning to accept my fate. Buy clothes.
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: One last attempt to find something decent. Last-minute shopping.
- 12:00 AM: Lunch.
- 1:00 PM: Check out. Said goodbye to the staff.
- 3:00 AM: Plane to the next destination.
- 4:00 AM: Bye-bye.
- 5:00 AM: Thinking about how much there is to see, but I’m going to miss it.
Food Notes:
- Nasi Goreng: A constant. I think my stomach is more nasi goreng than human at this point. Absolutely, positively essential. Seek out the warungs.
- Grilled Fish: Everywhere! Delicious! Embrace the spicy sambal.
- Fruit: Mangoes! Watermelons! Pineapples! Eat them all!
Lessons Learned:
- Pack light. (Emphasis on this one.)
- Learn a few basic Indonesian phrases. It makes you feel like less of an idiot.
- Embrace the chaos. It's part of the charm.
- Travel insurance is your friend.
- The people of Makassar? Incredibly kind and welcoming.
- And most importantly? Don't judge a batik shirt by its price tag. Sometimes, the cheap ones are the best.
Okay, that's it. My Makassar odyssey. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't polished, but it was… well, it was mine. Until next time, Makassar! And maybe, just maybe, my luggage will catch up with me someday.
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Okay, so... What *IS* this even about? I'm already confused.
So, uh, will this actually be…helpful? Or am I wasting my time? Be honest.
What's the deal with all the messiness? I like things neat!
Is there a specific topic this is *supposed* to be about? Like, what IS the actual *thing*?
Okay, okay, fine. If you *really* need a hint... Let's say it's about embracing the mess, finding humor in the absurd, and trying (and mostly failing) to make sense of this whole human experience thing. Does that help? Probably not.
You keep saying "I" and "me." Is this... autobiographical? Are you a real person?
What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you? Spill the tea!
What are you most passionate about? (Besides complaining about lukewarm coffee, of course.)
What's the most important thing you've learned in your life so far?
What's your dream? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
