Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Bahubay Hotel & Residence, Manado!
Bahubay Hotel & Residence, Manado: My Unfiltered Take (SEO-Powered!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just spent a week at the "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Bahubay Hotel & Residence" in Manado, Indonesia. And 'unbelievable' it was, but not always in the ways they expect. This isn't your polished travel brochure – this is raw, real, and hopefully, helpful. Let's tear this place apart (lovingly, of course) and give you the lowdown.
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First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, The… Work-in-Progress
Okay, landing in Manado is amazing. The airport transfer, thankfully, was seamless. The airport transfer was included (a godsend after a long flight, let me tell you!). Getting to the Bahubay felt like stepping into some tropical paradise. The lobby? Think gleaming marble, massive chandeliers, the works.
Accessibility, though? Mixed bag. They claim they're accessible, and they do have a wheelchair accessible ramp to the reception area and a elevator. Now, getting around the public areas? Pretty good. Wide hallways, easy maneuvering. However, actually getting to the accessible rooms… might require a little maneuvering of your own. I didn't stay in one, but I did poke my head in out of curiosity. They looked good - but it is best to call ahead to ensure the room truly meets your requirements. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I'd advise contacting the hotel directly beforehand to specify your needs. Don't assume "accessible" means the same thing to everyone.
- Score: 7/10 for public areas, 6/10 for potential accessibility in rooms. Call ahead people!
Rooms: Luxury or… Slightly Flawed Luxury?
My "deluxe" room was… well, it was deluxe. Air conditioning was a lifesaver, obviously. Free Wi-Fi, which is listed as "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms," was generally reliable (thank goodness!). Complimentary tea and coffee was a nice touch, as was the free bottled water. Soundproof rooms? Mostly. You'll still hear some hallway chatter, but hey, you're in a hotel!
Now, the imperfections… The bathroom phone (remember those?) I tried calling room service one night. It took several attempts, and the line still sounded like it was run by a tin can and a string. The bathtub looked glorious, but the water pressure was… leisurely. And the blackout curtains? They did a decent job, but a sliver of light always managed to sneak in, turning my early mornings into an unintentional sunrise watching session. Small price to pay I guess.
- Score: 8/10 for the good stuff, 6/10 for the little quirks. Still, you're sleeping like royalty (or at least a very comfortable mid-tier baron).
Dining: A Gastronomic Adventure (with a few bumps in the road)
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting.
Restaurants: There are multiple! Restaurants!
The Asian breakfast was a triumph. The buffet… Oh boy, the breakfast [buffet]! It was a glorious, sprawling affair. Fresh fruit, pastries, noodles, and the most amazing Asian cuisine in restaurant. I absolutely smashed it every morning.
The A la carte in restaurant offerings at the main restaurant were good.
Western food for brunch, in a pinch.
[Restaurant] - The "Soup of the Day" Saga: I remember one day, I ordered the Soup of the Day at the main restaurant. It was… okay. Not amazing, not terrible, just… soup. However, the wait for the soup! It took, literally, forty-five minutes! I thought I'd missed the boat to another country. I then realized it was a cultural thing. They're not exactly focused on rushing you.
Coffee Shop: Good coffee, if a little slow. The staff at the Coffee shop are cheerful and helpful, making it worth it.
Room Service: Pretty standard, good selection, arrived quickly (thank god).
Poolside bar: Perfect for sunset cocktails, and they did a decent Happy hour.
Score: 8/10 overall for the food, 7/10 for service speed. (Those soups!)
Relaxation Station: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Center Wishes
The spa is… heavenly. Seriously. They offer a range of blissful treatments, from Body scrubs to the most Massage. I practically melted into the table. The Pool with view is stunning. The Sauna and Steamroom are fantastic.
The Fitness center is well-equipped. They even had a few weights for me. It was adequate.
- Score: 9/10 for the spa bliss, 7/10 for the gym. (Could use a few more machines, but hey, I can't complain!).
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-Era Considerations
In these crazy times, safety matters. The Bahubay takes it seriously. They have all the usuals: Staff trained in safety protocol, hand sanitizer everywhere, daily disinfection in common areas, anti-viral cleaning products, and rooms sanitized between stays, so, very high quality! They had a sanitized kitchen and tableware items and safe dining setup. I felt pretty safe.
- Score: 9/10 for their safety efforts and precautions against COVID-19.
Things to Do and Getting Around:
Manado is all about diving, exploring, and embracing paradise, but the hotel also has a lot to offer!
- Things to Do: I took a few days and went diving and it was absolutely incredible! The hotel can help arrange tours and diving excursions.
- Getting Around: The Airport transfer was great. The taxi service and other transport options were readily available. The car park [free of charge] was also a nice perk.
Services and Conveniences:
The Bahubay really tries to cover all the bases. They have a concierge, daily housekeeping, laundry service, and currency exchange.
For the Kids:
They claim to be Family/child friendly and offer Babysitting service and Kids facilities,
- Score: 8/10 for services and convenience.
The Final Verdict: Is it "Unbelievable"?
Honestly? Yes, mostly. Bahubay Hotel & Residence is a luxurious, beautiful place. It has its minor flaws, but the pros far outweigh the cons. Is it perfect? No. But is a genuinely lovely place to stay? YES.
My Emotional Reaction:
I was absolutely blown away by the luxury, the location, and the sheer beauty of the place. I was slightly irked by the slow service at times, but hey, you're on vacation!
The Perfect Offer (Because You Asked!):
Tired of the Ordinary? Escape to Paradise at Bahubay Hotel & Residence in Manado!
Indulge in unbelievable luxury, experience the healing touch of our world-class spa, and dive into the vibrant coral reefs.
Exclusive Offer for our first 25 Guests:
- 25% Discount on all rooms
- Complimentary Welcome Drink at our poolside bar
- Free Airport Transfers
- Complimentary Breakfast
Book your stay now and experience the Unbelievable Luxury that awaits you!
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-caffeinated experience of me trying to survive a trip to the Bahubay Hotel and Residence in Manado, Indonesia. And let me tell you, I'm already questioning some life choices.
The Bahubay Blues & Other Indonesian Adventures: A Messy Itinerary (Because Let's Face It, Life's a Mess)
Day 1: Arrival & Deep Dive into "Indonesian Time" (aka, Everything Runs Late)
Morning (Like, Technically… After a 6 AM wake-up call that felt illegal): Arrive at Sam Ratulangi International Airport. The airport is… well, it's an airport. Immigration? Smooth-ish, until I realized I’d forgotten to print the damn visa. Cue the internal screaming. Finally, I got it sorted. Triumph! (Or, at least, a momentary reprieve from the existential dread of international travel.)
Transport: Taxi to Bahubay. The driver? Bless his heart. He drove like he was auditioning for a Fast & Furious movie. We may or may not have narrowly avoided a collision with a chicken. "Indonesian Time" starts immediately. The estimated 45-minute drive actually took closer to an hour and a half. My blood pressure? Let's just say it's still recovering.
Afternoon: Bahubay Check-in & Room Revelation
- Check-in. Okay, the lobby is surprisingly lovely. Glimmers of hope! The staff are all sunshine and smiles. Perhaps this won’t be a complete disaster?
- The Room: Okay, the room… is… a room. It's clean-ish. The air conditioning works (blessedly). The view? Well, let's just say it's a view of the road. Maybe not the Instagram-worthy oasis I was hoping for, but hey, at least there’s a bed. Right? (Cue internal debate about whether to upgrade to a "better" room and possibly bankrupt myself in the process.)
- Anecdote: I swear, during the check-in process, I heard the faint sound of someone practicing the ukulele. And I'm pretty sure the clerk winked at the tune. Manado has character, that's for sure.
Evening: The Search for Dinner & a Lesson in "Spicy"
- Dinner: The concierge suggested a local warung ("small, family-owned restaurant") down the street. I ventured out, armed with Google Translate and a healthy dose of trepidation.
- Culinary Catastrophe (Or, My First Official Spicy Adventure): I ordered something that looked relatively innocuous. "Nasi Goreng," the friendly waiter said. What could go wrong? (Turns out, a LOT.) Holy. Mother. Of. Chili. My mouth was ON FIRE. I think I communicated my distress with increasingly dramatic hand gestures and a face that probably resembled a tomato. The waiter got it. Double the amount of water to the rescue! Lesson learned: "Spicy" in Indonesia is NOT the same as "spicy" at home. Consider myself warned.
Day 2: Diving Deeper (Literally & Figuratively) & the Underwater Wonders
Morning: Prepping for Bunaken Island
- Wake up early (again, thanks to the rooster symphony outside my window). Coffee. Desperately needed.
- The Great Package Deal Debate: Booked a dive trip to Bunaken Island. The hotel offered a slightly cheaper package. It was a "bargain" package. (Translation: I spent more time haggling than I probably spent on the actual dive trip itself.)
- Quick Swim: Decided to head to the hotel pool to have a dip but found green stuff and a lizard. I wonder what the pool is like.
All Day: Bunaken Island – The Underwater Symphony
- The Boat Ride: The boat ride to Bunaken was… an experience. It was a small, crowded boat. The waves were… enthusiastic. Seasickness threatened to rear its ugly head. I made friends with a sweet old lady who kept muttering about wanting to go home.
- The Dive (a.k.a. Where I Proved I'm Not a Mermaid): Okay, the coral reefs? Breathtaking. The fish? Like, a whole rainbow of them. Seriously, it's like someone painted a masterpiece underwater. The diving was amazing. I’d never seen clarity in the sea water like that.
- Anecdote: At one point, I swear a turtle winked at me. Or maybe it was just the pressure. Either way, it was magical. Though, I’m pretty sure I swallowed half the ocean water. And my mask kept fogging up. The underwater world is cool, but the pressure is insane.
- Fishy Delights: We ate a seafood lunch on the beach. Fresh and tasty.
- More Diving? I couldn't get enough of the reefs. I felt sorry for those of us who has never tried diving.
Evening: Post-Dive Exhaustion & Food Coma
- Back at the hotel, I collapsed. Showered, ate and crashed.
Day 3: Exploring Manado & Learning to Embrace the Chaos
- Morning: Manado City Tour
- Wake up. Realize I've slept through the alarm. Hurriedly consume coffee and get ready.
- The Public Market: We went to the Manado Market. Wow. What a sensory overload. The sights, the sounds, the smells… the everything. I did see some things I can never imagine eating there. (I won't describe them.)
- The Church: Holy Spirit is amazing.
- The Museum: I learned a lot about the history and culture of Manado.
- Afternoon: Beach Time & Sunset Glimpses
- The Best Beach: I want to visit the beach again.
- Sunset: The sunset was amazing.
- Evening: Dinner and a Deep Dive into the Local Brew
- Dinner: I went to a great restaurant, had a great meal.
- Local Brew: I tried the local brew. It tasted like… beer. But better.
Day 4: Final Day & Saying Goodbye (For Now?)
- Morning: Last Breakfast & Hotel Shenanigans
- Breakfast: The hotel breakfast buffet. The usual suspects. Eggs. Toast. Fruit. And the realization that I'm probably going to miss this place.
- Room Check-out & Final Photos: Packing up. Taking a last look at my room. The bed, the view, the things I experienced.
- Afternoon: Airport Departure
- Taxi to the airport.
- Saying goodbye. I'm sad to leave.
Post-Script (Because I Can't Help Myself)
- This trip was a rollercoaster. There were moments of pure, unadulterated joy, mixed with moments of pure frustration and a healthy dose of "what have I gotten myself into?" But that's life, isn't it? And Manado, with all its chaos and charm, has definitely stolen a piece of my heart. I'll be back. Probably. (Maybe with a thicker skin for the spice.) And maybe I'll even learn how to scuba dive properly. Until then, wish me luck! I'll definitely need it.
P.S. Don't forget to pack extra patience. You'll need it. And maybe some Pepto-Bismol. Just in case.
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Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Bahubay Hotel & Residence, Manado – Uh, Really? Let's Find Out!
Okay, so "Unbelievable Luxury"? That's a BIG promise. What *actually* makes Bahubay stand out? Is it worth the hype?
Alright, let's unpack this. "Unbelievable Luxury"… yeah, they lay it on thick. Okay, initial thought? The view. The *goddamn* view. Seriously, the photos? They do NOT do it justice. I mean, picture this: waking up to the sunrise over Bunaken Island, the turquoise water shimmering… it’s breathtaking. Literally. I think I actually gasped. And the infinity pool? Pure bliss. Spent a solid three hours floating there, completely forgetting I had emails to answer. Honestly, that alone almost justified the price tag. Almost. So, yeah, the view and the pool? Definitely a win. The service? (More on that later... *nervous laugh*).
The Rooms! Are they as opulent as the website suggests? Spill the beans!
Okay, the rooms. The "opulent" part? Mostly true. My suite (yes, I splurged, don't judge) was ridiculously spacious. Like, you could hold a small yoga class in the bathroom. The bed? Cloud-like. Seriously, I think I sunk in and almost didn't want to get out. The décor? Clean, modern, maybe a *touch* minimalist for my taste (I like a bit more… *flair*), but undeniably stylish. Now, here's the slightly less perfect part: The marble. Oh, the marble. It was *everywhere*. Beautiful, polished, cold, and, after a few hours of wandering around barefoot, made my feet feel like they were slowly turning into ice sculptures. I even got a little cough from the air conditioning trying to manage the temperature on the marble. Stupid marble. Still, a beautiful room, and the view from my massive window? Worth the minor frostbite risk.
Let's talk food. Cuisine? Flavors? Did your tastebuds go on a journey?
Food. Ah, the universal language of vacation satisfaction. The buffet breakfast… mixed bag, really. The selection was enormous – everything from fresh fruit (amazing!) to a weird, vaguely sausage-shaped mystery meat (not so amazing). The pastries? Hit or miss. Some were flaky masterpieces, others… well, let's just say I’m not sure what they were made of, but they definitely weren't croissants. The a la carte options at the restaurants? Better, much better. I had some absolutely divine grilled fish one night. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth good. The Indonesian food was surprisingly authentic, too! But get this…one night, the chef was *off*. And you could just tell. The whole meal felt a little… *meh*. So, yeah, the food is good, with moments of greatness, and a few… let's say "learning opportunities". But hey, when the fish is great, it’s *great*.
Service. That's often the making (or the breaking) of a luxury experience. What's the deal?
Service… ah, here's where things get *interesting*. The staff, bless their hearts, were incredibly polite and generally tried their best. But, and it’s a big but, the execution wasn't always flawless. There were a few… *misunderstandings*. For example, I requested extra towels twice and they never came. Then, the time it took to get a coffee delivered to my room? Let's just say I could have grown my own coffee beans in that time. There were also some minor language barriers. It felt like they really *wanted* to help, but sometimes the message got a little… lost in translation. However, they genuinely seemed to care, and when they *got* things right? They were truly wonderful. One of the waiters, bless his heart, remembered my name and my coffee order, which was remarkable because I was probably the worst customer they had that day! So, mixed bag, but with potential. They're trying! And that counts for something, right?
Okay, enough with the generalities. Any specific *moments* that stand out? Good or bad? Give me some juicy anecdotes!
Oh, do I ever. So...that pool again. I was out there, luxuriating, cocktails flowing, feeling like a queen. Suddenly, a rogue gust of wind (Manado's known for them!) swept a massive beach umbrella *right* into the pool. Like, a full-on, metal-and-fabric explosion. People scattered. I, naturally, was the closest, and ended up with a face full of slightly chlorine-tinged water and a very bewildered expression. It took a good twenty minutes to get the thing out. And you know what? The staff, bless them, were apologetic, helpful, and even brought me a *free* cocktail. Which, in fairness, I totally needed after the near-umbrellageddon. Honestly, it was hilarious. A perfect example of how luxury can sometimes still be… well, a little messy. But hey, the view was still amazing, the air fresh, and the cocktail? Delicious.
Also, I must tell you about the spa experience which I will never forget. The spa itself, beautiful. The massage… not so beautiful. The masseuse was lovely, I think. However, they were very quiet so I wasn't sure, and I felt a lot of pressure and a lot of water. I would not ever get that kind of massage again.
What about activities? Is there anything to *do* at Bahubay besides stare at the ocean and eat fancy food?
Yeah, they offer excursions and watersports. Scuba diving is a big deal in Manado, and Bahubay can arrange it. I'm not much of a diver myself (sharks, you know?), but I heard rave reviews from some guests. They also have snorkeling trips. The hotel also has a gym, which I *intended* to use… but mostly just walked past. There’s a beach, which is nice (though not *pristine* pristine, if you know what I mean – slightly less manicured than the marketing photos suggest). And, of course, you can just… relax. Which, let's be honest, is what I spent most of my time doing. The whole point of something like this is to unwind, right? Right. So, yeah. Lots of options, but mostly I just looked at the view. And, you know, considered my life choices. In a good way!
So, the big question: Would you go back? Is it worth the price tag?
Okay, here’s the deal. It's expensive. Really, really expensive. But… I’m tempted to say yes. Because of the view. Seriously, I miss that view. And the pool. And the potential. They have the bones of something truly incredible. If they iron out a few kinks in the service and maybe work on the consistency of the food… yeah. I would. Maybe. But, yeah, I can see myself going back, especially if I win theAround The World Hotels
