Tangerang Paradise: Luxurious 2BR Branz BSD Apartment Awaits!
Tangerang Paradise: Well, Maybe NOT Pure Paradise… My Branz BSD Apartment Adventure!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. I just got back from a "luxurious" stay at the Branz BSD Apartment, and let me tell you, the brochure definitely had a slightly different vibe than the actual experience. "Paradise" it ain't, but hey, let's dive in, shall we? This isn't going to be your textbook review, because frankly, real life, and especially travel, is never a textbook!
First Impressions & Accessibility - Getting There (and Getting In)
The good news first: getting to Branz BSD was surprisingly painless. Airport transfer was offered, which was a lifesaver after a red-eye. I hopped in, and bam! - straight to the (impressive looking, I must admit) lobby. Now, here's a slight hiccup: while the brochure claimed "facilities for disabled guests," let's just say navigating the ramps felt like an Olympic sport. Not BAD, mind you, but I did have to double-check a few times if I was supposed to climb stairs, like a lost little kid, and thankfully there were elevators which, phew, were even accessible. The building itself definitely attempts to be accessible, it just…needs a little more polish.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Germaphobe's Dream (Maybe?)
This is where Branz BSD really shines. And this is coming from someone who practically carries hand sanitizer as a personality trait. They absolutely hammer the cleanliness thing. They boast about "anti-viral cleaning products," "daily disinfection in common areas," the whole nine yards. I saw staff in masks and gloves everywhere, and I’m pretty sure they were giving the elevator buttons extra love. They even offered "room sanitization opt-out," which, honestly, felt a little too much like they were expecting me to mess things up. I’m not THAT messy! Still, the peace of mind was undeniably welcome. They had "hand sanitizer" like it was going out of style, and I did feel relatively safe.
The Room - My Little Tangerang Bunker (With a Window That Opened!)
Alright, the 2BR apartment. Said to be "luxurious." Let's unpack that. The size, it was decent, spacious. The "extra long bed" was a plus, since I'm a long-legged individual who needs my space. The "blackout curtains" were essential for sleeping off jetlag. And the "complimentary tea" - well, it was instant tea, but hey, it was free.
The bathroom was clean, the toiletries adequate. But the "mirror" was a bit murky, and the "scale" was probably from the 1980s. One of the biggest pluses, and this is huge for me, was the window that opened. Fresh air is my love and passion. Also, there was internet - yay! And an "in-room safe box" - which I didn't actually use because, honestly, what was I going to put in it? My lonely sock collection? There was also a "refrigerator" - thankfully it was empty, so I could stuff it with snacks. My biggest gripe? The "soundproofing" was… debatable. Heard every neighbor get grumpy at 3 AM.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Foodie Fun or Frustration?
Okay, the eating situation. They've got a few options, and it's a mixed bag. A nice "Asian cuisine in restaurant." They advertise an "à la carte in restaurant" and "buffet," which I sadly thought I would have to skip on, I’m not sure how I managed to. The "Asian breakfast" was actually pretty dang good, with a decent "Asian cuisine" variety; it's the only meal that actually felt like it was up to par, and the "bottle of water" they gave me was a lifesaver! The "poolside bar" also offered a selection of drinks but the "coffee" was a little watery (I am from the coffee-obsessed state of Seattle, I’m allowed to complain). The "coffee shop," I never quite found.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Spa Dreams Shattered?
I'll be straight with you: I was really looking forward to the spa. The brochure had me picturing myself, draped in a fluffy robe, enjoying a "body scrub" and "massage." And you know what? The spa… was disappointing. It was barely there. A tiny room that felt a bit neglected. The "Pool with view" - well, the view was okay, but nothing earth-shattering. The "swimming pool [outdoor]" was clean and refreshing, though. I did spy the "Fitness center" – it looked okay, but I was more in the mood of getting pampered. Let's just say, the "spa experience" was more like a "pretend you're at a spa" experience.
Services and Conveniences - The Good, The Bad, and the Maybe?
They had all the usual suspects: "concierge," "laundry service," "daily housekeeping," the works. "Air conditioning in public areas" – thankfully, because it was HOT. The "convenience store" came in handy, and I did see "cash withdrawal" – all helpful stuff! But… here’s a story. I tried to use the "dry cleaning" service. I literally handed in my most expensive jacket, I asked for it on the day before I left – and it came back ruined. As in, the stitching disintegrated. Let me tell you, I put up one hell of a stink! The staff apologized profusely, obviously, and offered compensation (a free massage… that I didn't actually want). The good side is that they do have "contactless check-in/out."
For the Kids - I Don't Know, I Don't Have Kids!
I didn’t see many kids, which means "babysitting service" and "kids meal" were irrelevant to my experience, but the place seemed family-friendly. The "family/child-friendly" label would have been a little bit over the top for me, but hey, who am I?
Getting Around - The Taxi Tango
Easy. There was "car park [on-site]" (free!), "valet parking," and "taxi service." Getting around was simple, but I never took the advice from concierge
Internet and Connectivity - Wi-Fi Woes and LAN Lessons
The "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" was a bit of a lie. The speed was… well, let's just say I’m still waiting for a video to buffer. I did manage to connect to "Internet access – wireless," but it dropped out more often than I'd like. I never even tried the "Internet access – LAN," because who even has a LAN cable anymore? Oh, and the "Wi-Fi for special events" must have been on a different network.
Final Verdict - A Messy, Honest, and Mostly Positive Review!
So, would I recommend Branz BSD Apartment? Hmm… it's complicated. It's not a bad place. The cleanliness is top-notch, the location is decent. But the "luxurious" part is a stretch. It's more like… a mostly luxurious experience.
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. We're going full-on, glorious, chaotic travel diary here, and we're starting with the Exquisite 2BR at Branz BSD Apartment by Travelio in Tangerang. Let's get this show on the road!
The Tangerang Tango: A Messy, Glorious Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the Apartment That Almost Wasn’t (and Then Was…Mostly)
- 7:00 AM (ish) - The Great Jakarta Airport Dash: Seriously, Jakarta's airport is a beast. Finding the Grab ride was a challenge, I'm pretty sure I almost hugged a luggage trolley in desperation. Sweat, sunscreen, and the vague feeling of impending chaos – that's what greeted me at the start of my Indonesian journey.
- 9:00 AM - The Branz BSD Reveal: Finally! The apartment. Oh, the apartment…Pictures online are like a first date – they always look better than reality, right? Okay, it WAS pretty. Modern, clean lines, that gorgeous view. But then…the AC. Or rather, the lack of. My first thoughts were, "Am I going to sweat out my entire body weight in the next few hours?" Turns out, yes. But! After a frantic phone call (bless the Travelio support!), the AC guy miraculously appeared. Crisis averted! (ish).
- 10:00 AM - Apartment Exploration and the Fridge of Dreams: The apartment felt like a dream. Seriously, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a balcony to die for! Then I opened the fridge. Now, I'm no culinary genius, but the tiny selection of complimentary food items made me feel like a food-based king. A few snacks, a couple of water bottles… it was a start to feeling like the house was my own.
- 11:00 AM - BSD City Orientation (aka, Getting Utterly and Completely Lost): "BSD City" sounds so grand and organized. Wrong. It's a sprawling maze of roads, roundabouts, and shopping malls. I decided to be ambitious and walk (because, exercise). I asked a kind street vendor for directions to a cafe. He just laughed. (Indonesian hospitality is amazing, but sometimes, the directions…well, it’s another story). I walked for an hour, only to realize I was (probably) going in circles.
- 1:00 PM - Food, Glorious Food (and A Moment of Utter Blisssssss): Hunger finally kicked in. I stumbled upon a local warung (small eatery). The aroma hit me first - the smell of spices and simmering broth. The best mie ayam Bakso that I've ever had. Simple, perfect, and made me forget all about the AC drama and the navigational fiasco. This was what travel was all about!
- 3:00 PM - The Nap That Saved My Sanity: Jet lag is a beast. I napped. A long, glorious nap. And the AC was fixed! Victory!
- 6:00 PM - Sunset on the Balcony… and the First Mosquito Encounter: The view from the balcony was breathtaking. The cityscape of Tangerang in the sunset. The sun painting a warm glow onto the city. But, as the sky turned crimson, so did my ankles. Mosquitoes. The tiny winged devils. I battled them. I lost. But the sunset was worth it.
- 8:00 PM - Dinner and a Quick Reality Check: I order some takeout Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and had a full-on Netflix binge. The apartment felt like home. A home with some surprisingly aggressive insect roommates, but still, home.
- 9:30 PM - The Late-Night Internet Struggle: The internet was a bit patchy, and I was getting frustrated. But then, a thought popped into my head: You're in Indonesia! Embrace the imperfections! So, I gritted my teeth, refreshed the page again, and managed to make it through.
Day 2: The Mall, The Market, and the Unexpected Chicken-Noodle-Soup Obsession
- 9:00 AM - The BSD Shopping Mall: A Labyrinth of Air Conditioning and Consumerism. BSD shopping malls are HUGE. Like, lose-your-sense-of-direction HUGE. Navigating was an adventure in itself. From international brands to local shops, everything was on offer. I got a massage to ease the tension from the previous day.
- 11:00 AM - A Trip to the Traditional Market: A Symphony of Senses. The chaos! The smells! The colours! The local market was a feast for the senses. I was fascinated by the energy. The sellers were smiling, calling out to customers, and haggling with a kind of playful intensity that made me smile. I picked up some fresh dragon fruit. It was the most delicious dragon fruit I've ever had in my life.
- 1:00 PM - The Unexpected Chicken-Noodle-Soup Obsession: I just couldn't get enough of it. I found a local warung that made the most divine chicken-noodle-soup. It was the perfect blend of spices, the noodles were just right, and the chicken was tender.
- 3:00 PM - Relaxation by the Pool: Back to the Apartment and went to take a dip in the pool – the building had an amazing one. After some lounging and swimming, I felt rejuvenated.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Cocktail… and Mosquito Round Two: Armed with mosquito repellent this time, I sipped on a makeshift cocktail (rum and juice from the fridge) on the balcony, watching the sun dip below the skyline. The mosquitoes, however, were relentless.
- 8:00 PM - A quiet night at home. The apartment was proving to be a comfortable base to explore and unwind.
- 9:30 PM - The Reality of Travel: Some days are messy, some are perfect, and some are just…a little bit chaotic, but that's what makes it worthwhile.
Day 3: Departure (with a Sprinkle of Sadness and a Craving for More)
- 9:00 AM - Last Morning, Last Breakfast: I ate my last breakfast, made the most of having this incredible basecamp. Sad. So sad to go away.
- 11:00 AM - Time to leave. Said my goodbyes, with a heavy heart. This apartment was perfect, it had its own story.
- 12:00 PM - The Journey Home: The airport again. More rush, more traffic, more waiting. The trip was over. But Indonesia will keep my heart.
Final Thoughts:
The Exquisite 2BR at Branz BSD Apartment was more than just a place to stay. It was a home base for my Tangerang adventure. Yes, there were hiccups. The AC drama. The mosquito battles. The wrong turns. But that's what made it real. The comfort of the apartment and the incredible culinary experience of the local food made Tangerang a true adventure. I can't wait to return! And maybe, just maybe, the AC will work perfectly next time. (Fingers crossed!) This trip was a beautiful, messy, fantastic mess. And that's exactly how it should be.
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Tangerang Paradise: Branz BSD Apartment FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, I Have Opinions)
Okay, so... Branz BSD. Is it *actually* paradise? Because the marketing photos are... well, you know. Shiny.
Paradise? Look, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's Tangerang. Not the Maldives. But honestly? For Tangerang, *yes*, it's pretty damn good. I mean, compared to my old shoebox apartment in Gading Serpong, this place feels like a freaking palace. You get that initial "ooh, shiny!" feeling for sure. The lobby is gorgeous, all minimalist chic. It's designed to impress, and it totally works... until you start living there, and the reality filter kicks in.
The *actual* test? Moving day. Oh, the moving day! Remember that, like, two-bedroom apartment you thought was spacious? Suddenly, with all your worldly possessions crammed inside, it's like a slightly nicer episode of "Hoarders: Apartment Edition." I swear, my cat, Mittens, took one look at the living room and just *yowled*. She was probably thinking, "This is a prison... a *beautiful* prison, but still..."
Seriously, the marketing is slick. How *modern* is modern, really? Like, does the toilet flush without a week-long battle?
Okay, let's talk plumbing. Because, honestly, it’s the silent hero (or villain) of apartment living. The good news: the plumbing is *mostly* decent. The toilet *mostly* flushes. There was, however, that one time... Okay, *two* times, actually... where I had a minor plumbing crisis that involved way too much water and a frantic phone call to the building management. To their credit, they were on it quickly. But still. Gives you a healthy respect for the little things, you know? Like a working toilet. The air conditioning is top-notch though. That's a huge plus in Tangerang's humidity. Never underestimate the power of a cool breeze.
What's the deal with the Branz BSD swimming pool? Is it Instagram-worthy? (Asking for a friend... who *is* me.)
Instagram-worthy? *Absolutely*. The pool area is gorgeous. Infinity pool, sun loungers, the whole shebang. You can totally get those envy-inducing photos. The water is pristine, the views are... well, they're of other buildings, but hey, it's still a nice view. But here's the *real* tea: going there on a weekend is like swimming in a bowl of ramen. Seriously! It's packed. And the kids? Oh, the kids. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but sometimes I just want to float in blissful silence. So weekday afternoons are your friend. That's when you can actually relax and pretend you're on a tropical island... until you hear the construction noise from the next building over. It's Tangerang. You can't escape it entirely.
The gym... Is it actually equipped, or just a glorified room with a treadmill and a sad-looking dumbbell set?
The gym's decent. Not a world-class fitness center, but it has enough to get a decent workout in. Cardio machines, free weights, some weight machines... It's functional. My biggest beef? The *air conditioning*. Sometimes, it's freezing. Like, Arctic Circle freezing. Other times? You're sweating buckets within five minutes. No in-between. It's a gamble every time I go.
And you know what? People hog machines. I swear, I see people on the treadmill *for an hour* browsing Facebook. Come on! And the grunting? Oh, the grunting! It's like a symphony of exertion in there. But hey, it's a gym. You adapt. You learn to zone out. You bring your own headphones and a healthy dose of passive aggression. I still think it is better than nothing, but sometimes, I just skip the gym and hit the pool instead. More relaxing and less drama, you know?
What about noise? Is it a haven of tranquility or a concrete jungle symphony?
Okay, noise. Living in an apartment in a city... there will be noise. Especially in Tangerang. Traffic is constant. Construction is always happening *somewhere*. You get used to it. The Branz is pretty well-insulated, so you don't get the full brunt of the outside world. But you hear the occasional party from neighbors. You hear the kids running around. You hear the garbage trucks in the early morning. It's life. That's what apartment living is like, so it's not too loud. Well, except when my upstairs neighbor decides to practice his drumming at 2 in the morning. That was a *fun* phone call to the security guards. "Hello? Yes, there seems to be a drummer from hell living above me..."
Transportation-wise, how is it? Do you need a car to survive?
Survive? No, you don't *need* a car to survive. But do you *want* a car? Probably. Getting around is doable with Grab, Gojek, etc., but traffic in BSD can be brutal. Especially during rush hour. So, yeah, a car would be nice. But hey, walking around the complex is lovely. I have discovered that I genuinely enjoy walking to the grocery store, but there's a lot of walking. So, make sure you have some good shoes. Not those cheap ones.
Let's get to the big question: is the price worth it? Are you happy with the value?
Worth the price? Ugh, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Okay, look, luxury is relative. Compared to the other options in Tangerang, Branz is a decent value. You're paying for the amenities, the security, the (mostly) modern everything. But you're also living in Tangerang. Let's not pretend we're living in Manhattan, alright? I *am* happy, though. I love how convenient the place is and love the location. I'm able to get to the mall very easily and it's made my life easier. I wish I had an extra room for all my stuff, but other than that, it works out.
Would I recommend it? Yes. But with caveats, people! It's not perfect. It's not a fairy tale. It's Tangerang. But for what it promises, Branz BSD delivers. Mostly. And sometimes, that's good enough.
Anything else I should know before I move in? Any secret tips or hidden gems?
Okay, real talk time. Here are some Branz BSD realities:
- Learn the security guard's name. They're honestly great, better than the apartment management, so be nice to them. Low Price Hotel Blog
