Surabaya's Chicest Stay: Trendy Puri Mas Apt! ✨ (Travelio)
Surabaya's Trendy Puri Mas Apt: Is it Really Chic? A Messy, Honest Review (Travelio) ✨
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Surabaya's supposed "Chicest Stay": Trendy Puri Mas Apt, courtesy of Travelio. I went in with rose-tinted glasses (because hey, "trendy" and "chic"!), and came out… well, let's just say my expectations got a good old-fashioned reality check. This isn't going to be a dry, bullet-point review. This is the real, slightly unhinged, and hopefully helpful, account.
First Impressions (and a little bit of a wobble):
Okay, so "Puri Mas Apt." Sounds fancy, right? Think sleek, minimalist design, panoramic views… right? Well, the building itself is pretty impressive from the outside. Tall, shiny, and definitely in a good location – super accessible from the airport (that's a huge plus, trust me after a marathon of a flight!). But the entrance… a little less supermodel and a little more… friendly giant. You know, those moments where you feel simultaneously underdressed and overdressed? Yeah. Walking into the lobby, I felt that. The staff, though? Super friendly and helpful. Points for that! They were definitely trained in safety protocols (more on that later). And thank god for the Elevator! Lugging my suitcase through that lobby would have broken me.
(Accessibility Woes & Triumphs) – The Wheelchair-Accessible Reality Check:
Now, as someone who likes to travel (and occasionally needs a little extra help getting around), Accessibility is a BIG deal. The website promised “Facilities for disabled guests.” Okay, good start. I'd cautiously give it a B grade here. The building itself has elevators, and the common areas seemed manageable. The Car park [on-site] was easy to get in and out of. However, I didn’t see a dedicated parking bay. I'm guessing the actual apartment accessibility would vary (Travelio is renting out different units, not managing all of them, the apartment layout differs) – so if accessibility is a must-have, double-check with the specific apartment owner/Travelio beforehand. Don’t just take my word for it.
The Room: Where the “Trendy” Meets the… Well, Not Always Chic:
I’m not gonna lie – I got a bit giddy when I saw the pics online. You know the ones: pristine white walls, minimalist furniture, a view! Reality? My room was… okay. Clean, yes! The Daily housekeeping crew were absolute saints. The Anti-viral cleaning products felt like they were doing their job. I mean, my eyes were burning a little bit from the sanitization effort, so there’s that. The Rooms sanitized between stays and Room sanitization opt-out available were reassuring touches in these pandemic times.
Now, let's talk about the Air conditioning… essential in Surabaya's heat, and thankfully, it worked a TREAT. The Blackout curtains? Godsend. The Extra long bed was nice. But the "trendy" vibe? It was there, just…muted, like an Instagram filter applied a bit too heavily. The Mirror was… well, it reflected me. The Sofa was comfy. The Desk? Functional.
And the Bathroom… Ah, the bathroom! It had a Separate shower/bathtub, which is always a win. The Toiletries were decent, but nothing to write home about. The Hair dryer blew air. But… there was a slight, lingering damp smell. Like a ghost of a monsoon. I may have spent a solid five minutes trying to pinpoint where it was coming from. This is what I mean by "less than pristine."
Internet & Tech Troubles (A Modern Traveler's Nightmare, Sort Of):
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the website trumpeted. Fantastic! Except… it was patchy at best. I spent a significant amount of time wrestling with the connection. Stream of consciousness commences… Why is Wi-Fi always a gamble? You'd think, in this day and age, a solid connection would be a basic necessity, like oxygen! There was Internet access – wireless, of course, and the Internet access – LAN as well. I fiddled with both of them. Nothing. I ended up tethering off my phone (which, thank God, had a decent signal). The Laptop workspace wasn’t ideal, I'm not going to lie. I spent the entire time trying to get the internet to work. My productivity tanked. And I have a feeling this isn’t a unique experience.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: (Fueling the Wanderer):
Okay, let's talk food! The apartment itself had a Refrigerator and Coffee/tea maker. The Coffee/tea in restaurant sounded promising. Breakfast [buffet] was something I was looking forward to. But ultimately the restaurants and cafes were located outside of the property, a big minus in my book. The Room service [24-hour] was tempting, but I had to brace myself for another internet situation. It seemed a missed opportunity to not fully capitalize on on-site dining. There was a Convenience store nearby, which was a life-saver.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Spoiler: Mostly Outside the Building):
The building itself boasted a Swimming pool [outdoor] – and it did look pretty incredible. A Pool with view! I was so excited! Did I use it? Nope. I was too busy attempting to get the Wi-Fi to work, and there were a few dodgy-looking characters hanging around it. This isn't the hotel's fault, it is a shared space, but I wasn't feeling it. I also didn't have the time.
There's a Fitness center, which I didn't try. I had a vague feeling that I would be in the minority. There's potential, but you'll mostly be going out. Surabaya being a big city has a lot to offer, but I'd be looking elsewhere for a full resort experience.
Cleanliness & Safety: (A Mixed Bag of Reassurance and… Mild Panic?):
Okay, let’s be serious. Cleanliness and safety are paramount these days. And on this front, Puri Mas does… pretty well. The Staff trained in safety protocol, and I saw the Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property were reassuring. The First aid kit was probably there (I didn't need it, thankfully). The Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms, were, well, present. But here's where the mild panic comes in. The apartment itself felt a little… exposed. Not unsafe, exactly, but not as cocooned as I'd have liked.
Services & Conveniences: (The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"):
Air conditioning in public area: Check. Daily housekeeping: Top marks! Concierge: Super helpful. Elevator: Yes! The Doorman checked in and out of duty shifts so often, it was practically a revolving door.
Cash withdrawal (there was a convenient ATM in the lobby, hooray!) Invoice provided. Cool. Ironing service. A bonus
But I’m a little on the fence about all services. There was a Laundry service, but I didn't want to wait days for my clothes. Luggage storage was fine. The Gift/souvenir shop was a bit underwhelming – which is par for the course in my experience.
For the kids…
- The website mentions "Babysitting service" - so that's great for families!
- Also, the option for "Kids meal" will definitely be appreciated by guests with children.
Getting Around: (Yay for Easy Access!)
As mentioned before the location made getting around easy, and there was Airport transfer!
Overall Verdict – Chic? Maybe. Worth it? Possibly.
So, is Trendy Puri Mas Apt really the chicest stay in Surabaya? Ehhhh, no. It's comfortable, convenient, especially if you arrive at the airport. The location is great. The staff are lovely. The cleanliness is commendable. But the "trendy" factor is a bit… faded. And the Wi-Fi issue is a serious buzzkill.
Here’s the bottom line:
If you're looking for a clean, convenient, and relatively affordable place to stay in Surabaya, and value location above all else, then it's worth considering.
Cody, Wyoming Getaway: Unforgettable Holiday Inn Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my travel itinerary. And trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. We're talking Trendy and Tidy Studio Puri Mas Apt By Travelio Surabaya, Indonesia. Let's see if it lives up to the hype (and my ridiculously high expectations).
Day 1: Arrival & Surabaya Shock (and maybe a little gelato-fueled meltdown)
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Juanda International Airport (SUB). Okay, picture this: bleary-eyed, slightly hungover (thanks, pre-flight cocktails!), clutching my passport like it's a winning lottery ticket. The humidity hits you like a warm, sweaty hug. Not quite the "Instagram-worthy" welcome I was hoping for. Took forever for the Immigration, had to buy a SIM card, then finally found the Grab driver I booked. Felt like a small victory.
- 11:30 AM - Drive to Puri Mas Apt. The traffic… oh, the traffic. It's a chaotic symphony of horns, scooters weaving like drunken bees, and the general feeling that you’re starring in a real-life game of Frogger. My Grab driver, bless his soul, looked unfazed. Me? Clenching my fists in the backseat, muttering prayers to the traffic gods.
- 1:00 PM - Check-in & Apartment Assessment. Right, the moment of truth. The "Trendy and Tidy" promise… Well, it's mostly true. The apartment is…cleanish? Okay, the decor is actually pretty cute, the AC is blasting (THANK YOU, tropical gods!), and the view… well, you can see other apartment blocks. Small victories, people, small victories.
- 1:30 PM - Hunger Games. I'm starving. Like, ravenous. Immediately went to the nearest Indomaret to grab some snacks. Got some weird cracker thing that tastes like cardboard. Immediately regretted it.
- 2:00 PM - The Gelato Debacle. Found a gelato place nearby. Decided to treat myself. Ordered a pistachio and a mango. The pistachio was…off. Like, suspiciously off. The mango, though? Perfection. Absolute, blissful perfection. This led to an internal debate about the meaning of life, the fleeting nature of happiness, and whether I should just order a whole tub of the mango gelato. I did not. (Regret it)
- 4:00 PM - The Nap That Saved Me. Exhaustion finally kicked in. Passed out for a glorious hour and a half. Woke up feeling… slightly less like a zombie.
- 5:30 PM - Exploring the Neighborhood (and Failing Spectacularly). Okay, time to be a tourist. Tried to find the nearest market. Got lost. Miserably so. Ended up wandering the same three streets for a good 45 minutes. Realized I hadn't downloaded an offline map. Doh!
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a Warung (Small Local Restaurant). Finally stumbled upon a local warung. Ordered some Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and iced tea. The Nasi Goreng? Divine. The iced tea? Surprisingly strong. Started sweating. Realized the chili…whoa. This is one spicy Nasi Goreng, and I'm loving it!
- 8:30 PM - Back to the Fortress (Apt) and Internet Anxiety. After a long day of exploring, and failed exploration, I collapsed into my bed. That's when I realized the WiFi was either nonexistent or terribly unreliable. Cue the existential dread. How am I supposed to survive without Instagram?! (Yes, I know, first world problems.)
Day 2: History, Culture, and the Search for a Decent Coffee (and possibly a good WiFi signal)
- 8:00 AM - Wake up feeling confused. What day is it? Am I in a dream? Did I eat enough gelato?
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast of champions (or just leftovers). Ate the rest of the Nasi Goreng from last night. Still amazing. Still sweated. Realized that maybe I'm not cut out for this whole spicy food thing.
- 10:00 AM - House of Sampoerna. I'm determined to be even more cultured today, no matter my mental state. The House of Sampoerna, a gorgeous colonial-era building and a cigarette factory. The building is beautiful, the museum is kinda interesting, and the whole thing smells like…well, cigarettes. (But in a historical, educational way, I swear!)
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Cafe. Found a cute cafe, with a decent coffee! Needed to replenish my energy, after spending the morning learning about the past.
- 1:00 PM - Heroes Monument (Tugu Pahlawan). Visiting the main monument dedicated to those who fought to achieve Indonesia's independence. I have to admit it was rather emotionally moving, considering I was expecting to be bored.
- 3:00 PM - Shopping..or failed shopping. Went to a mall. The mall was too overwhelming.
- 5:00 PM - Attempt to find a rooftop bar. Couldn't find one.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a fancy restaurant. I've earned it.
Day 3: Departure & Reflection (and the lingering smell of spicy food and gelato)
- Morning: Woke up with the feeling of "Is it over already?". Got ready for my departure.
- 11:00 AM :Airport Chaos and Final Thoughts. Final Grab ride to the airport. Traffic was predictably insane. The airport was a madhouse. But you know what? I loved my time in Surabaya.
- 2:00 PM- Take off. Goodbye Surabaya!
Final Thoughts:
Surabaya, you were a rollercoaster! The humidity, the traffic, the questionable gelato, the occasional WiFi breakdown… You tested me. You challenged me. But you also charmed me. The food was incredible. The people were incredibly friendly. And for a brief, fleeting moment, I felt like I was actually living life.
Would I recommend this trip? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to everyone? Probably not. You're gonna sweat. You're gonna get lost. You're gonna eat food that sets your mouth on fire. But you'll also have an adventure. And sometimes, that's all that matters. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a mango gelato craving to address…and definitely a nap to catch up on.
Vivente Gran Canaria: Your Paradise Awaits (Unbelievable Photos!)
1. Alright, spill it. Is this Puri Mas Apt actually ‘trendy’ or just another cookie-cutter apartment?
Okay, fine. Let's be real. "Trendy" is a loaded word, right? Like, what *is* trendy these days anyway? Avocado toast and crippling student debt, apparently.
I will say, compared to some of the other places I've stayed in Surabaya (which, let's just say, involved a lot of questionable floral wallpaper), Puri Mas *does* have a certain… *je ne sais quoi*? It's got the minimalist vibe going on - think clean lines, neutral colours, maybe a strategically placed succulent (which, let's be honest, I probably would've forgotten to water). It's not going to win any architectural awards, but you can tell someone put a bit of thought into the design, unlike the hotel I stayed at last time. Honestly, the first place I stayed had a bathroom that looked like it hadn't seen a cleaning lady since, well, probably the last time it was occupied. So, yeah: definitely *better* than that. But "trendy" is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Definitely, it's a win for anyone escaping the Surabaya traffic.
2. Travelio? Are they reliable? I've had some *interesting* experiences with apartment rentals…
Ah, the eternal question! Look, I'm going to be honest, Travelio is not perfect. They're like that friend who's usually pretty good, but sometimes leaves you hanging with a dodgy date. I used them once, and you know what? It was fine. The communication was on point, the check-in process was smooth (which is a miracle after a long flight, trust me). I booked the apt, and everything was accurate to its description. The location was good too.
But, I will say this: read the reviews! Seriously, scour them like you're searching for buried treasure. Because sometimes, the photos can be *slightly* deceiving. Like that one time I booked a "luxury villa" in Bali with an "ocean view," only to discover the "ocean view" was a sliver of blue peeking out from behind a very overgrown bougainvillea bush. Check the fine print. Be vigilant, my friend. Be vigilant. And if something smells fishy, trust your gut.
3. Location, location, location! What's the deal with the Puri Mas area? Is it near anything cool?
Okay, location is key. And listen, Surabaya isn't *exactly* known as a city of stunning views and vibrant neighbourhoods like maybe, well... Bali is. Puri Mas is... fine. It's generally okay.
It's a bit… *residential*. There's a big shopping mall, the Galaxy Mall – which is good if you're craving western food or a brand new Zara. The traffic getting there is not great, but the mall is good for everything you’d need from food, to clothes, to cinema. The area is a bit away from the city centre (but Surabaya isn’t really walkable city), so plan on using Grab or Go-Jek (the local ride-sharing apps) to get around. I took a Gojek every day. It was a lifesaver. I also find it kind of romantic that you're relying on technology, like you're planning a secret rendezvous! But I digress.
Don't expect to be in the middle of the action, but it's reasonably convenient, as long as you plan your trips, which is a good life skill anyway, and I’d better go and start planning mine now.
4. Okay, the apartment itself. What's it *really* like? Is it clean? Is the Wi-Fi decent? (Crucial question!)
Alright, the apartment itself. This is where things get… *more* specific. This is where my anxiety about the state of my hair starts to play up!
My experience was generally positive, though. It’s generally pretty clean. Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I'm also not a fan of finding mystery stains on the sofa. The place I booked *was* was clean. It’s furnished with basic essentials – a bed, a sofa, a tiny kitchenette (with enough equipment for a light breakfast at best, and not any cooking), maybe a table and chairs. Don't expect a gourmet kitchen, you hear? Seriously, if you're planning on whipping up a five-course meal, this is not the place to do it. Get delivery. Or go out. You’re on holiday. Live a little!
The Wi-Fi? Ah, the internet! It worked, mostly. Sometimes, it was a bit… patchy. I had to, gasp, actually *look* at my partner during breakfast. The horror! Luckily, there was a strong signal for my Instagram.
It had all the essentials, but don't expect the Ritz. Which is fine! It was fine. The apartment was pretty close to what was advertised. In the apartment I was in, there was even a small balcony. It was a win for my mental health.
5. What's the vibe like? Is it a party place or a chill-out zone? (I'm in my *chill* era, you know?)
The vibe? Okay, if you're looking for a rager, you're in the wrong place. This isn't a hostel. Or even a hotel for that matter. This is solid "chill-out zone" territory.
Think quiet evenings in, maybe watching a movie, or (gasp!) reading a book. There's unlikely to be a lot of noise, though with all the apartments in the building you can never fully know, and you're in a city, you probably can't expect quietness. The neighbours, in my experience, were quiet. You can expect to be able to sleep. Mostly.
Overall, it's the kind of place where you can actually get some rest after a long day of navigating the Surabaya traffic (which is a feat in itself). So, yes, good for your chill era. Just don't expect a rave-like atmosphere. You might be disappointed. And I would be too.
6. Anything I should watch out for? Any hidden fees or sneaky surprises?
Ah, the dreaded hidden fees! This is where the paranoia starts to kick in. The key is to READ EVERYTHING. Read the fine print. Check the terms and conditions, not just the pictures of the cute apartment. Make sure you know exactly what's included, what's not, and what the cancellation policy is. Because there's nothing worse than getting blindsided by an unexpected charge. I mean, if you're looking for a surprise, go buy a lottery ticket. Don't trust your accommodation to spring it on you! I remember once I booked a place that seemed amazing, really well-priced, but then the cleaning fee was more expensive than the actual stay. I mean, I *am* a clean person, but it was a bit much. I think it's important to establish the price of everythingAround The World Hotels
