Hyatt Place Makassar: Your Indonesian Paradise Awaits!
Hyatt Place Makassar: My Honestly-Wobbly Indonesian Paradise (and Why You Should Probably Book It)
Okay, let's be real. Planning a trip to Makassar, Indonesia, can feel a bit like navigating a crowded marketplace – overwhelming, exciting, and potentially leading you astray (in a good way, of course!). But if you're after a comfortable, convenient, and relatively hassle-free basecamp, the Hyatt Place Makassar is seriously worth a look. They keep saying "Your Indonesian Paradise Awaits!" and… well, it's not quite paradise, but it's definitely a solid starting point.
Accessibility: Making Life Easier (Mostly):
Right off the bat, I gotta say, the Hyatt Place Makassar understands accessibility. Wheelchair accessible ramps and elevators are a blessing, especially after a day of exploring the city. They’ve got facilities for disabled guests, which I didn't need, but it's fantastic they're thinking about everyone. Of course, like any place, it's not perfectly smooth sailing. Ahem… I encountered a minor hiccup in the hallway, but nothing a quick maneuver couldn't handle. So yes accessibility gets a thumbs up.
Cleanliness and Safety: Breathing Easier (Post-Pandemic Blues):
Look, post-pandemic, we're all obsessing a little about cleanliness, right? The Hyatt Place Makassar gets this. Massive points for the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection of the common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. They're not messing around. I felt seriously safe. They even have hand sanitizer available all over the place. It's good to see they are trying very hard.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (And a Few Misses):
Okay, let's talk about the food. This is where things get a little… interesting. They boast a whole pile of options like A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], which is a real thing, and plenty of Asian cuisine in restaurant. The Western cuisine in restaurant is also available. I'm a massive fan of good food!
The breakfast buffet was… okay. The scrambled eggs were a little… rubbery. But the coffee and tea in the restaurant was decent, and the fresh fruit was a welcome touch. Definitely grab a bottle of water on your way to your room, because the Indonesian heat can be a killer. The Poolside bar is a lifesaver for a relaxing beverage after a day of experiencing the city.
One thing I missed? A truly killer local snack bar. They have a snack bar, but it wasn't quite the authentic experience I was craving. Oh well. Can't win 'em all.
Rooms: Your Personal Oasis (with a Few Quirks):
My room? Comfortable. Modern. Air conditioning that works like a charm, which is absolutely essential in Makassar. The Wi-Fi [free] was pretty reliable – a lifesaver for staying connected. They have Bathrobes and Slippers, which are little luxuries.
The bed was pretty good. I loved the Blackout curtains – essential for getting a decent sleep in the heat. And that view… absolutely nothing special, but a window that opens is a total bonus for fresh air. But there was one tiny thing, the bathroom… was a little compact. It had everything you needed, like the shower and the toiletries. Yet, I'm not sure I'd want to spend all day in there (or maybe I would, who am I to judge?!).
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easy (Seriously):
Daily housekeeping is a huge plus. It's just nice to come back to a tidy room after a day of exploring. They also offer laundry service and dry cleaning which is essential. The concierge was helpful with directions and recommendations, even if they seemed a little overworked at times. It's all good, though.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Rest and Rejuvenation (or Not):
Okay, here's my honest take: I didn't make much use of the facilities. There's a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a spa. The pool with view looks lovely, but I was mostly out in the city. I did a short session at the Spa, but it wasn't anything special. It's there, though, for those days when you just need to chill.
Internet: Stay Connected (Mostly):
They have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, and also Internet access – LAN if you need it. I used the Wi-Fi on my laptop, and it was fast, which the word Internet is. So that's cool!
Getting Around & Other Bits:
They offer an Airport transfer, which is fantastic, especially when you're arriving after a long flight. They've got Car park [free of charge] if you need to park. Taxi service is also accessible.
For the Kids:
There's a Babysitting service and Family/child friendly options are available at the Hyatt Place Makassar.
My Honest Verdict (and a Quirky Anecdote):
Look, the Hyatt Place Makassar isn't perfect. It's not a five-star, mind-blowing experience. But it is a very solid, reliable, and comfortable hotel. It's clean, safe, and convenient. You can get away from the madness of the town centre and it is very refreshing!
And here's a little anecdote to prove it… after a particularly hectic day of exploring, I was SO desperate for a good night's sleep, and I decided a bath would work! So, I filled the bathtub, grabbed a book, and sank in. Halfway through, I heard a faint dripping sound…it was the faucet. The water was still filling! I was in danger of overflowing! I swear, I nearly drowned my book, but the point is, mistakes are real, and it's also incredibly charming. And the staff were very helpful!
My Offer: Book Now and Escape to Makassar's Delights!
Ready to experience Makassar? Hyatt Place Makassar offers genuine value for your money. Book now and receive:
- Guaranteed Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected and share your incredible journey.
- Complimentary Breakfast: Start your day with a proper buffet breakfast (even if the eggs are sometimes a little rubbery).
- Flexible Booking Options: Stay on your desired dates with no-hassle changes.
- Prime Location: Easily explore Makassar's bustling streets, local attractions, and cultural sites.
- 24/7 Support: Experienced hotel staff, available 24/7 for your needs.
Don't wait! Makassar is calling. Book your stay now and prepare for an adventure! You won't regret it. Or maybe you will…but probably you won't! It's a great place to be!
Johor Bahru's Carnelian Tower: Unbelievable Sunset Views From Your Balcony!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-packaged itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, and utterly unpredictable reality of a trip to Makassar, Indonesia, with a solid base camp at the Hyatt Place. Prepare for emotional whiplash, questionable decisions, and copious amounts of nasi goreng. Here goes nothing:
Makassar Mayhem: A Hyatt Place Hustle (with a healthy dose of "what have I gotten myself into?")
Day 1: Arrival and the Jakarta-Makassar Shuffle (aka, "I'm Pretty Sure My Brain Is Pudding")
Morning (Jakarta, the Gateway to Nowhere):
- Woke up in a sweat puddle in a Jakarta airport hotel. Seriously, why are hotel rooms in Indonesia allergic to air conditioning? Already feeling the humidity clinging to me like a needy ex. Ordered some "American breakfast," which resulted in a plate of rubbery eggs and a suspicious sausage. Ate it anyway. Gotta build up those Indonesian adventure calories, right?
- Plane delay. Of course. Spent an hour staring at the screaming toddler across from me, contemplating the existential dread of travel. Found a surprisingly good (and heavily-spiced) instant noodle stall. My emotional state improved significantly.
- Boarding the plane to Makassar! The anticipation starts to grow. Staring at the sky, I start imagining. What is Makassar like?
Afternoon (Makassar - Welcome to… Somewhere):
- Touched down in Makassar! The air hit me like a humid brick. Instantly regretted my long-sleeved shirt.
- Hustled through the airport – which was surprisingly efficient – and finally, a taxi! The driver, a man named Budi, offered a friendly smile and a wild ride. He seemed to think speed bumps were optional.
- Checked into the Hyatt Place. Clean, cool, and blessedly air-conditioned. The room, a haven. Took a glorious, soul-restoring shower. This might be the only moment of perfect stillness I get all day.
- Major Misjudgment Alert: Decided to "bravely" walk to a nearby restaurant recommended by a travel blog. Brave, my foot. Nearly got run over by a scooter approximately 800 times in the first 5 minutes. The chaotic symphony of horns, beeping, and shouting was… intense. Realized my comfort zone had shrunk significantly in the last hour.
- Dinner at a "local" warung (small eatery). Ordered something that looked delicious. Turns out it was… spicy. Like, tear-inducing, nose-running spicy. But the flavor was incredible, and I'm pretty sure I'm already addicted to Indonesian chili paste.
Evening:
- Collapsed back in the hotel room, defeated but strangely exhilarated. Made a mental note to bring earplugs.
- Tried to watch some TV, but the only English channels were airing infomercials for miracle mops. Gave up and ordered room service. (Fried rice. Can't go wrong, right?)
- Stared out the window at the city lights, feeling a strange combination of jet lag, awe, and existential confusion. Makassar, you beautiful, terrifying beast.
Day 2: Exploring and Existentialism (and a Near Disaster with a Mango)
Morning (The Makassar Hustle Begins):
- Woke up surprisingly refreshed (thanks, glorious air conditioning!). Ate a decent breakfast at the hotel. They had these little pastries shaped like tiny croissants. They were good, but not mind-blowing.
- Took a Grab (Indonesian Uber) to Fort Rotterdam. Okay, that was cool. The fort itself is beautiful, a testament to history. Walked the perimeter with the hot sun beating down on my head. It felt like a movie scene.
- Got caught in a minor downpour. The rain was warm, which was unexpectedly pleasant. Found shelter under a giant Banyan tree. Briefly considered becoming a tree-hugger.
Afternoon: (The Great Mango Incident):
- Decided to embrace the local culture and buy a mango from a street vendor. The mango looked perfect. Bright yellow, ripe, juicy.
- Tried to eat the mango like a civilized human. (Yeah, right.) Mango juice went everywhere. Face, hands, shirt, shorts. The poor vendor, watching this spectacle, politely giggled. I looked less like a seasoned traveler and more like a toddler who had just wrestled a fruit.
- The mango, though, was divine. Sweet, tangy, perfect. For a brief, glorious moment, I forgot my self-consciousness. Then got the mango stuck in my teeth.
- Found myself desperately wishing I had packed a napkin. Or, you know, some semblance of coordination.
Afternoon (continued):
- Important Note: Realized I was starting to enjoy the chaos. Embraced the messy, spontaneous, and slightly embarrassing aspects of travel.
- Decided I needed to relax, so went to the beach.
- The beach, however, proved to be another kind of adventure. More on that tomorrow.
- Dinner at a local restaurant. Attempted to order "ikan bakar" (grilled fish). The waiter, bless his heart, was incredibly patient with my mangled Indonesian. Ate it anyway. It was delicious.
- Checked in to my room. I'm exhausted but smiling.
Evening:
- Back in the hotel. Wrote some notes. I am smiling.
- Ordered another room service, including ice cream. Ate it in bed.
- Played with my phone. I am trying to get an Indonesian SIM card.
- Sleep, sweet, blessed sleep.
Day 3: Beaches, Boats, and a Near Death Experience with a Fish Head (Maybe)
Morning (Back to the Beach - With a Vengeance):
- Went back to the beach. The chaos continues.
- Rested. The sun was beautiful, but be carefull.
- Back to the hotel.
Afternoon (Lunch and a Fishy Situation):
- Went to a restaurant. I ordered a fish head.
- It may not have been a near-death experience, but biting into that fish head was certainly a culinary adventure. I'm still not sure if I liked it.
Evening:
- Back in the hotel.
- I will remember Makassar for a long time.
Day 4: Departure (and a newfound appreciation for routine)
Morning:
- Last breakfast at the Hyatt Place. Ate the pastries. They were still good.
- Spent an hour staring out the window, feeling a strange mixture of sadness and relief.
- Checked out. Saying goodbye to the air conditioner felt like saying goodbye to a friend.
Afternoon:
- Budi, my friendly, speed bump-disrespecting taxi driver, was waiting. The ride to the airport was… lively.
- Boarding the plane. Jakarta-bound. Reflecting on the chaos, the heat, the delicious food, and the sheer absurdity of it all.
Evening:
- Back in Jakarta. Back to the airport hotel.
- Back to the world where things are… a little less messy.
- Suddenly, the "American breakfast" seems almost appealing. Almost.
- Already planning my return.
Final Thoughts: Makassar, you were a wild ride. I got lost, got sunburnt, ate things I didn’t understand, and made an absolute fool of myself more times than I can count. But… I loved it. I loved the chaos, the energy, and the raw, unfiltered experience of it all. The Hyatt Place was a great base, a comfortable haven in the middle of the storm. And yeah, maybe I'll pack a few more napkins next time. But you know what? I wouldn't trade the messy, mango-juice-splattered memories for anything. Makassar, I'll be back (hopefully with fewer near-death experiences with fish heads). Wish me luck and prepare your self for unexpected trip in Makassar!
Lake Garda Dream: Your Private Terrace Awaits! (Stunning Bungalow)
Hyatt Place Makassar: Okay, Let's Talk About This… (My Very Honest Take)
Is Hyatt Place Makassar actually... nice? Like, *really* nice?
Okay, honesty time. Yes, it's nice. But "nice" is a slippery slope, isn't it? It's not the Ritz, you know? I wouldn't bring my grandma expecting marble floors and liveried butlers (although she *would* love the proximity to the mall, more on that later...). It’s clean, modern, and definitely a step up from, like, a roadside motel. The lobby is all sleek lines and that generic "hotel scent" – you know the one. But, and this is a big but, it's *comfortable*. I, a notoriously picky sleeper, actually got a decent night's rest. That's saying something! My room wasn't massive – perfectly adequate. Okay maybe slightly *too* adequate. But hey, you're in Makassar, not Monaco.
What's the deal with the location? Is it… convenient?
Oh, the location. Let’s talk location! It’s… mixed. Good news: it’s practically *attached* to a big shopping mall. Like, *right there*. Bad news: welcome to Makassar traffic. Seriously, it can be a beast. So, if you're into shopping, movies, and air conditioning, you're golden. If you're trying to get anywhere else, pray to the traffic gods. My Uber driver looked genuinely traumatized when I mentioned wanting to go to Losari Beach (which, by the way, is amazing but… a journey). He sighed, muttered something about “kemacetan” (traffic, for you non-Indonesian speakers), and then we were off on our epic adventure. So, convenient *for the mall*, less convenient for… life. But hey, at least you can always grab a quick snack at the food court when you're stuck in traffic. silver linings people!
The Breakfast... is it any good? I'm a breakfast snob.
Okay, breakfast. Here's the deal. I'm a breakfast snob. A *major* one. I'm talking, "I judge a hotel by its omelet station" kind of snob. The Hyatt Place Makassar breakfast? It's… fine. It’s not going to blow your mind. But it's plentiful. You've got your eggs (cooked to order, which is a win!), your nasi goreng (always a win!), some pastries that may or may not have seen better days, and, thankfully, a decent coffee machine. It gets the job done. I loaded up on the nasi goreng every morning. That's my truth. Also, pro-tip: the fruit selection is pretty good. Get your fill of those delicious Indonesian mangoes! Don't expect the best omelet of your life, but you won't starve. And sometimes, that's all you need, right?
Okay, what about the rooms? Are they actually comfortable? Do they have… enough outlets?
Rooms! Crucial. Okay, here is my real take. The rooms are… adequate. They are clean, yes. Modern-ish, yes. Comfortable *enough*, yes. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty though. The bed? Perfectly fine. Pillow situation? Meh. Hit and miss. I always travel with my favorite pillow so I was good to go. The air conditioning worked like a champ. The wifi was solid...most of the time. And the outlests? A blessing and a curse. They are there, but not *everywhere*. Bring a travel adapter and maybe a power strip if you're a serious tech-head (like me, constantly charging phone, tablet, laptop, portable charger, and the kitchen sink...kidding!). The lighting was… adequate. Let's leave it at that. The bathroom was compact, the water pressure was good, and the shower had the right amount of hot water (a small victory in Indonesian hotels, sometimes).
What about the staff? Are they friendly? (Because sometimes, that makes *all* the difference.)
The staff? Bless their hearts. They are SO friendly! Seriously. Everyone, from the front desk to the breakfast servers, was genuinely lovely. Their English wasn't perfect, and my Indonesian is… well, let's just say I mostly communicated with hand gestures and the occasional "terima kasih" (thank you). But the effort was there. The smiles were genuine. I had one slightly disastrous experience with a laundry order (I accidentally left a red shirt in a load of whites – disaster!), and the staff were *mortified* and went above and beyond to try and fix it. They even offered to replace the ruined shirt! (They couldn't, but the gesture was appreciated!) So yes, the staff are fantastic. They make up for any minor deficiencies the hotel might have. They gave the impression to genuinely *care* about your stay. And seriously, that’s a HUGE deal.
Is there a pool? Because, you know, that's important.
Yes! There is a pool! And… it's okay. It's not the infinity pool of your dreams, overlooking the turquoise ocean. It's a perfectly functional rectangle of water, surrounded by a few sun loungers. It was clean, cool, and a welcome respite from the Makassar heat. I spent a couple of afternoons lounging by the pool, reading a book and trying to forget the existential dread of checking my emails. There was, however, one slightly awkward moment. I'm not a big fan of overly loud music around the pool. And the hotel seemed to have a penchant for playing relentless pop music, that didn't sync with my relaxed mood. I eventually asked the pool attendant to turn it down, and he was super nice about it. So, yes, there's a pool. Use it! But maybe bring your own headphones. Or embrace the chaos – who knows, maybe you'll discover a new favorite pop song!
How's the gym? Because I'm a *serious* fitness enthusiast (or at least, I try to be).
The gym, ah, the gym. Let's just say, it gets the job done. It's not state-of-the-art, and it's not exactly overflowing with equipment. But! It has the basics: treadmills (working, thank goodness!), some weight machines, and a few free weights. It's small, but clean. I managed to get my workout in. Did I feel intimidated? No. Did I manage to do my full routine? Mostly. Definitely not the fanciest gym I've ever seen, but hey, you're in Makassar, not Silicon Valley. The important thing is, you can get a sweat on if you want to. And honestly, after eating my weight in nasi goreng, I *needed* that workout.
