Escape to Paradise: Your Serene Yogyakarta Oasis Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Yogyakarta's Oasis - A Messy, Honest Review (and Why You REALLY Need to Book Now!)
Okay, so you're looking for a Yogyakarta getaway, eh? Forget the generic hotel chains. Let me tell you about "Escape to Paradise." Yeah, the name is a bit… optimistic. But hey, after spending a week there, I can honestly say, it's mostly earned it. And you, my friend, need this. You really need this. Let's dive in, brutally honest style.
First Impressions (and the Jet Lag Blues):
Accessibility: I really want to mention how accessible it is. The ramps are everywhere, and elevators are easy to find. This place is a haven for guests with mobility challenges.
Getting There & Getting Around: The airport transfer? Smooth as butter. They were waiting, smiling, with a sign. Score. Then the free car park is a lifesaver. Yogyakarta traffic? Let's just say "character-building." And that car power charging station? Brilliant, especially if you're eco-conscious (and let's face it, who isn't these days?). Taxi service is available, but the whole experience is much better with their arranged airport transfer.
Check-in/out [express]: Smooth and, yeah, quick. No endless paper shuffling. Perfect after a long flight.
The Vibe: Serene, But Not Too Serene
The entrance gives off a very serene vibe—lush gardens, trickling water features. It felt like an escape. The lobby is spacious, cool. They have a Doorman so everything is very polished. Plus, they have, an Elevator. Score!
Rooms - The Sanctuary (Mostly)
Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water This is great. I usually bring my own but this is such a great add on.
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
My room? Spotless. Really. And the air conditioning? A godsend after exploring in the Yogyakarta heat. The bathroom, though? The separate shower/bathtub was AMAZING, I really wish I had a bath every day. But it was, a bit of a maze. I think I spent the first five minutes just figuring out where everything was – slightly chaotic, but in a charming way. The blackout curtains? Lifesavers. Seriously, absolute lifesavers. Rooms Sanitization: The rooms are sanitized between stays, with room sanitization opt-out available. That's the one thing missing, and I am glad to see it now.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked. Unlike some hotels… The free Wi-Fi didn't let me down. The free Internet access – LAN is really good too.
The Food: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly Delicious)
Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
The breakfast buffet was a feast. Asian and Western options, freshly baked pastries, the works. Their Asian breakfast was a must-try. The restaurant, well, it's a bit of a chameleon. International cuisine, Asian cuisine, veggie options galore. I'm a HUGE coffee person. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes and it was great. I'm quite happy with that. The desserts though? Oh, my. Definitely indulge. The poolside bar is a must. Honestly, it was bliss.
The Spa: The "Massage That Almost Killed Me" Anecdote
Okay, here’s where things got really good. They have a Spa, Spa sauna, and steamroom. I'm talking sauna, steamroom, body scrub, body wrap, massage – the whole shebang. And there's a foot bath! I think I need a professional foot bath now.
Look, I've had massages before. But this one? This one was epic. I opted for the deep tissue and, folks, it was intense. I swear, the masseuse was channeling all the stress I'd accumulated over the past decade into my back. At first, I thought I was going to die. I was just thinking about quitting. I can't deny the masseuse was doing her magic. Afterward, I felt like… reborn. Seriously. My muscles were screaming, but in a good way. I hobbled back to my room, but the next day? Bliss. I felt like I'd shed a layer of my weary self. That massage alone is worth the price of admission. It's the kind of experience you tell stories about for years.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax:
- Fitness center
- Gym/fitness
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
This place is built for relaxation. The outdoor swimming pool? Gorgeous, and the pool with view is even more stunning. The Fitness center has all the things.
Cleanliness & Safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Doctor/nurse on call
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Shared stationery removed
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
They really take cleanliness seriously. I saw staff constantly sanitizing, even in areas I wouldn't have expected. It's comforting, especially these days.
Services and Conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
The "Could Be Better" Bits:
Okay, no place is perfect.
- The coffee shop could have had more options.
- The website wasn't always super clear about pricing.
- And, okay, the signage could be clearer, but that's a minor quibble.
My Honest Verdict:
Would I go back? Absolutely. Escape to Paradise isn’t just a hotel; it's an experience. It's a little rough around the edges, but
Escape to Paradise: Green Tree Inn, Haikou's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to embark on a trip with yours truly… and it's gonna be a glorious, slightly chaotic mess. We're talking Yogyakarta, Indonesia, baby, specifically holed up in a "Peaceful Room" at the Barsa City Apartment by Ciputra. Let's see what the heck we get up to.
YOGYAKARTA: OPERATION "FIND INNER PEACE (AND AMAZING FOOD)" - A MESSY ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Pillow Coma
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Ugh, the airport. So many people, so much… airport. Thankfully, the Grab driver (bless his soul) was already waiting. He zipped us through the traffic, blessedly, and we finally arrived at Barsa City Apartment. First impression? Not quite "peaceful," more like… "efficient." But the room… the PEACEFUL ROOM? Let's find out.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Check-in. Slightly confusing, because my Bahasa Indonesia is limited to "Terima kasih" (thank you, which I overuse), and the receptionist’s English was, shall we say, “developing.” But we got through it! Key in hand, suitcases thudding, and… oh glorious feeling… into the room! Okay, the "peaceful" part is debatable. It's clean, sure. And the bed looks… forgiving.
- 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: The Great Pillow Coma. I collapsed. Face-planted. Slept for approximately four hours. Jet lag is a monster. Woke up with a crick in my neck and a mild panic attack. Food, I need food!
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The hunt for sustenance! Google Maps promised some local Warungs (small, casual restaurants) nearby. Armed with my rapidly depleting battery and a yearning for Nasi Goreng, I ventured forth. My first attempt? Nope. Closed. The second? A dog (probably a street dog) barked at me and the third the smell of something frying in a pan that smelled good but was also a bit… suspect. Gave up and retreated.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back in the room. Ordering room service, which was a questionable looking fried rice, that was a blessing. Still, I am hungry. The room is now officially less "peaceful" and more "crumb-covered". I’m starting to understand why people love travelling. I felt better.
- 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Netflix and… existential dread? The "peaceful" room feels less like a sanctuary and more like a gilded cage. I watched two episodes of a show about, I can't even tell you, the plot got lost in the comfort of the bed.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Another attempt for food! This time, success! Found a tiny Warung a little further away and the Nasi Goreng was… chef’s kiss - it was the most wonderful thing I had eaten!! I want to marry the chef. The joy in that simple meal. Amazing.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Walked back to the apartment feeling full and utterly content. The city lights twinkled, the smells of cooking wafted through the air, maybe Yogyakarta isn't so bad. Maybe.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime: Contemplating the logistics of a full itinerary. Realizing my ambition may have outstripped my ability. Sleep. Hopefully, peace.
Day 2: Temples, Traffic, and That Damn Coffee
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up! So, a terrible night's sleep. The AC is either freezing or broken, and the street noise is… persistent. I'm going to need a lot of caffeine.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The apartment's breakfast is… a buffet of beige. The coffee tastes like sadness. Seriously, I've had better coffee from a gas station. I will not be going back.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Borobudur Temple! I hired a driver (thank god, because navigating Indonesian traffic looks like a real-life Mario Kart track). The temple itself? Mind-blowing. The sheer scale, the intricate carvings… yeah, it was worth the trip. My reaction? A mixture of awe, sunburn, and mild dehydration from the heat. I could have stayed there, it was amazing.
- A Little Anecdote: On the way back, our driver gets stuck in a traffic jam. Turns out, there's a wedding. We’re stuck in standstill. Then, the traffic parted and suddenly a whole parade started. There were dancers and music, and people handing out sweets. It was completely chaotic and joyous and everything I love about travelling.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a restaurant near the apartment. The Gado-Gado (Indonesian salad) was pretty good, but the real star was the iced teh manis (sweet tea). Seriously, I could drink that stuff all day.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Prambanan Temple. Similar to Borobudur – impressive architecture, more beautiful in the flesh than the photos. But… less exciting. Maybe I'm templed-out? I need a new thing, a shock.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Attempted to find a good coffee shop. Failed. The search for decent coffee in Yogyakarta is proving to be an epic quest. Back to the apartment.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Another existential crisis. This time fueled by the aforementioned terrible coffee. Read the instructions on the air conditioner, finally figured that out.
- 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Malioboro Street. Chaos! Street vendors jostling for space, the incessant music of buskers, I felt this was too much for me after a day of temple! I wanted to shop for souvenirs and I kind of felt like I was being squeezed. I gave up. Back to the apartment.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Ordered pizza. Pizza is the ultimate comfort food. The "peaceful room" is starting to feel less like a cage and more like a safe haven.
Day 3: Culture, Chocolate, and The End
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up. The street dogs have started a new series of howls. Found out a new way to make coffee.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Warung down the street instead. Much better coffee! And a delicious breakfast.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit the Kraton (Sultan's Palace). It's beautiful, traditional, and I felt completely out of place. But, I went anyway.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. More delicious food!
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Chocolate Factory and Workshop. A place to buy chocolate! I love chocolate, and I made a box of truffles. It was pure bliss.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Packing. Ugh. The worst part of any trip.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: One last walk around the neighborhood. Said goodbye to the street dogs.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. The pizza place from last night. It was perfect.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back to the "peaceful room". Trying to find the serenity I have been promised.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime: Sleep. And dream of coming back to Yogyakarta, to the glorious mess and the wonderful food.
Final thoughts:
Yogyakarta is a whirlwind. It's beautiful, chaotic, delicious, and challenging. The "peaceful room" was sometimes peaceful, sometimes not. The coffee situation was… tragic. Did I "find inner peace?" Maybe not. But I found amazing food, saw incredible sights, and had a whole lot of experiences. That, my friends, is what it's all about.
Now, for the flight home… wish me luck! And maybe pack some earplugs and instant coffee.
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Escape to Paradise: Your Serene Yogyakarta Oasis Awaits... Or Does It? (Unfiltered FAQs)
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise"... sounds kinda cheesy, doesn't it? Is it *actually* paradise?
Look, let's be real. "Paradise" is a BIG promise. I went in expecting something out of a postcard, you know? Turquoise water, perfect tan, every single moment Instagrammable. And... it wasn't *always* that. One day it rained. Properly. Like, monsoon-in-your-face rain. My book got soaked. My mood followed suit – plummeted faster than my bank balance after a Bintang-induced shopping spree. But then, the next day... the sunrise over the rice paddies? Bloody breathtaking. Absolutely jaw-dropping. So, yes and no. Depends on your definition of perfection. If you like a bit of messy beauty, a touch of the real, then yeah, maybe. If you're expecting Disney World, probably not. Although, the fresh fruit smoothies are pretty magical. Seriously.
How do I get to this "Oasis"? Seems a bit vague...
Okay, so getting there... Yogyakarta. It's in Java, Indonesia, in case you've been living under a rock (I envy your ignorance, by the way, sometimes). You fly into Adisucipto International Airport (JOG). Pro Tip: Don't, and I repeat, DO NOT, schedule a connecting flight with only an hour layover. I learned *that* the hard way. Sweating buckets, sprinting through crowded terminals, nearly broke a heel on my favorite sandals... not ideal. From the airport, you can grab a Blue Bird taxi (reliable), a Grab (similar, app-based), or pre-arrange a transfer with the resort. We opted for the transfer, and it was a godsend after that flight from hell. Our driver was super friendly, even though he looked at my luggage like it personally insulted him.
What's the vibe like? Is it super couple-y and romantic? I’m single, and I don't want to feel like a third wheel watching candlelit dinners.
Good question! I went solo, actually. And... it's pretty chill. There were couples, sure, holding hands and looking all loved-up, but the resort is big enough that you don't *have* to constantly witness their love. I found that the staff were incredibly welcoming, chatted to me a lot, and really made me feel comfortable. They even managed to subtly keep me away from the couples-only areas (without me noticing). There's a nice pool to read your book by (yes, the one I tried to rescue from the monsoon), and there's also a library with a nice collection of books. Honestly, the best parts were escaping the real world and escaping the couples.
The website promises "serenity." Is that *actually* a thing you can find there, or is it just marketing fluff?
Oh, the "serenity." Gotta love it. Look, marketing is always gonna overhype things. It's their job! But... I'd say it's mostly true. The design is beautiful, very calming. The sounds of nature are soothing. The rooms are spacious. The silence... sometimes... is golden. Except, well, there was this one morning. I was trying to meditate on my balcony, getting my Zen on, and then BAM! A rooster decided to unleash a full-throated, ear-splitting crowing competition with another rooster a mile away. I swear, I jumped a foot! Instantly shattered that zen feeling into a million tiny pieces. But, honestly? After a couple of days, you tune it out. Or embrace the chaos.
Okay, let's talk food. Is the food good? I’m a picky eater.
Alright, the food. This is important. I, too, am a picky eater. I judge a place by their breakfast spread, and this resort? It did *not* disappoint. The usual suspects: eggs, bacon, fruit, pastries. Pretty standard. But also? Nasi goreng (delicious fried rice), fresh juices, a gorgeous selection of tropical fruit that actually TASTED like something. One day, I stuffed myself silly on a starfruit. The staff were amazing and if you just asked, they would help you in every aspect, or just make it simple. But, I'm getting sidetracked! Even the more adventurous dishes were good, but my stomach isn't what it used to be... I had a mild case of the runs after an overenthusiastic plate of spicy noodles. But that's on me, not the resort. The point is, even for a picky eater, you'll find something to love. And if you *really* can't find anything, they'll probably have a simple omelet ready for you. They are that nice.
Anything about the staff, or the people?
Oh my god, the staff. They're the best part. And I HATE to say that, because it is such a travel cliché, but it's true. They are genuinely, *genuinely* lovely people. Always smiling, incredibly helpful, and they seem to know *everything*. Need a recommendation for a good warung (local restaurant)? They've got it. Need help with a stubborn mosquito bite? They'll bring the aloe vera. They even remembered my name, which is a small miracle, considering I can barely remember my own half the time. Honestly, they made the whole experience. Without them, it wouldn't have been even half as good.
What is there to DO? Is it just lying by a pool all day, or are there things to explore? I get bored easily.
Okay, so, yes to lying by the pool. Very important activity. But there's more! Borobudur Temple, which is unbelievably beautiful. And the local market, which is chaos, but in a good way. You can sign up for cooking classes (I tried, and *almost* set the kitchen on fire). You can also go cycling through rice paddies (which is stunning, but be warned, it can get hot and humid!). Honestly, it depends on what you like. If you’re the kind of person who needs constant stimulation, maybe not. If you enjoy a bit of downtime with the occasional adventure, you'll be fine. I mixed it up. One day, I climbed a volcano (a little harrowing but worth it for the views). The next, I just wallowed in the spa (which, by the way, is amazing, and you *must* get a massage). Balance, my friend. Gotta have balance.
Any downsides? What do I need to be prepared for?
Downsides... hmmm. Well, theTop Places To Stay
