Jakarta's HOTTEST 2BR Gem in Mangga Besar! (Harco Furnished)
Jakarta's HOTTEST 2BR Gem in Mangga Besar! (Harco Furnished) - My Messy, Glorious, and Slightly Over-Caffeinated Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I've just emerged, blinking and slightly sunburnt, from staying at this "HOTTEST 2BR Gem in Mangga Besar!" advertised place (Harco Furnished, if you're taking notes). I'm fueled by lukewarm coffee and the sheer adrenaline of surviving Jakarta, and I'm here to spill the tea. Is it truly a gem? Is it worth the hype? And, most importantly, did the Wi-Fi actually work (a true make-or-break situation for this digital nomad)? Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility: The First Hurdle (and a Little Triumph)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility, because Jakarta is… well, it’s Jakarta. Getting to the place was a mini-adventure in itself. The website claimed it was accessible, and while I'm thankfully not a wheelchair user, I did notice the following:
- Wheelchair accessible: It looked like it, with a reasonably smooth entrance and elevators. Kudos! Jakarta, you're slowly getting there.
- Elevator: Essential. Because, Jakarta heat.
Accessibility and Other Frustrations: The Reality Check
Here's the thing, though. The claim of accessibility is just the beginning. The sidewalks leading to the place? Forget it. You're navigating a war zone of uneven pavement, rogue motorbikes, and the occasional enterprising street vendor. I'm a reasonably able-bodied person, and I nearly took a tumble multiple times. Let’s be honest, Jakarta doesn't exactly have smooth sidewalks.
On-Site Nirvana (and a Few Hiccups): Restaurants, Lounges, Oh My!
Okay, now for the good stuff. The place itself… had potential.
- Restaurants: Listed, but the opening hours were… a mystery. I swear, one day it said open, and I walked in, only to find a lone staff member looking bewildered.
- Poolside Bar: Ah, the lure of the pool. I envisioned myself sipping a cocktail, soaking up the sun. Reality hit hard. The bar was listed, but seemingly never staffed. Dreams of cocktails… crushed.
- Coffee Shop: This one was operational, thankfully! Which brings me to the key takeaway:
The Immaculate Pool, the Slightly Less Immaculate Bar, & the Coffee Savior
The pool? Gorgeous. That view? Stunning (more on that later). But the bar? As I said before, it needed some love. But the coffee shop? That's where I spent most of my time. The coffee was surprisingly good, and the staff were friendly, even when I stumbled in at 7 AM looking like a drowned rat (thanks, Jakarta humidity!).
Internet: The Lifeline (or the Source of Frustration)
This is where it gets real. As someone who’s tethered to the internet for work, Wi-Fi is my lifeblood.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Yes, technically true. However…
- Internet: Sometimes worked, sometimes didn't. It’s Jakarta, so expect erratic behaviour.
- Internet [LAN]: Listed, but I couldn't find a port in my room. Sigh.
- Internet services: Mostly non-existent, unless you count the constant buffering.
The Bottom Line on Internet: Prepare for the possibility of needing a backup SIM card. Seriously.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, and (mostly) Peace
Alright, moving on! Let's talk relaxation. This place really pushes the relaxation factor:
- Spa/Sauna: The spa was… okay. The sauna was a bit too warm (for my liking), and the massage was a bit… vigorous (but better than nothing). The spa itself was more tranquil, which was amazing during the day! The steam room was a plus.
- Swimming Pool: A total highlight. The view from the pool was truly incredible, overlooking the city skyline. Bonus points for the Instagram-worthy photo opportunities!
The Spa & the Steamroom: A Bit of Pampering
I remember one afternoon, I was exhausted after a day of battling Jakarta traffic (which, let's face it is a battle). I dragged myself to the spa, and the steam room, oh my god, the steam room was like stepping into a cloud of pure relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety: My Inner Germaphobe Approves (Mostly)
I always overthink cleanliness. Here’s the verdict:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, good start.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be happening, or at least, they said it was.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I hope so. I really, really hope so.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Good.
- Safe dining setup: They tried.
Cleanliness Imperfections: A Few Crumbs, But Overall Okay
My room was pretty clean, but I did spot a rogue crumb or two. The kitchen was pretty clean, but don’t expect perfection. Remember, this is still Jakarta.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie’s Tale (with a few regrets!)
Okay, food is VERY important to me. Here's the food breakdown:
- Asian breakfast: Decent, but slightly bland.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Available, but the quality varied wildly.
- Restaurants: Had a few. See the restaurant issues earlier.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver. Especially when I was too lazy to leave my room.
- Snack bar: It existed. The snacks were… snacks.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Crucial.
- Bottle of water: Always.
The Buffet & the Breakfast Takeaway: Hits and Misses
The buffet was a bit of a gamble. Some days it was a glorious spread; other days, it was a collection of slightly sad-looking leftovers. The breakfast takeaway service was clutch, especially after a late night. I'm very grateful for that.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Laundry
This place offers a lot of services.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential!
- Concierge: Helpful, when available.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, please!
- Laundry service: Efficient, but pricey.
- Luggage storage: A must.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
The Laundry Saga: An Expensive Lesson
The laundry service? It was efficient, yes. But the prices! My god! I think I spent more on laundry than I did on food during my stay. Lesson learned: do your own laundry unless you want to take out another mortgage.
For the Kids: Babysitting, and More
- Family/child friendly: Definitely.
- Kids meal: Present.
- Babysitting service: Available.
Getting Around: The Jakarta Jigsaw
- Car park [free of charge]: Bonus!
- Taxi service: Readily available (and a necessity).
- Airport transfer: Recommended (especially if you're arriving jetlagged).
Available in all rooms: Details
- Air conditioning: Yes, thank god.
- Alarm clock: Present and accounted for.
- Bathrobes: Comfy!
- Bathtub: Not the biggest, but I needed it.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for a good night's sleep.
- Complimentary tea: Score!
- Daily housekeeping: Amazing.
- Desk: Handy for working (when the Wi-Fi was cooperating).
- Free bottled water: Essential.
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- In-room safe box: Secure.
- Internet access – wireless: Sometimes worked, sometimes didn't.
- Ironing facilities: Useful for those business trips.
- Laptop workspace: Nice.
- Mini bar: A bit overpriced.
- Non-smoking: Yes!
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Handy.
- Shower: Fine.
- Wake-up service: Efficient.
- Wi-Fi [free]: The bane of my existence (sometimes).
Conclusion: Gem or Not?
So, is this "HOTTEST 2BR Gem" truly a gem? It's a mixed bag. It has its flaws, sure. The Wi-Fi can be temperamental, some of the services were a little hit-and-miss, and the accessibility situation is a work in progress.
But… that pool? The spacious rooms? The 24-hour room service? The overall vibe of trying? Yes, I was content. Despite the imperfections, I enjoyed my stay. It's not perfect, but it's a decent option in a chaotic,
Escape to Paradise: Van Chai Resort's Sầm Sơn Beach Bliss Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-packaged brochure itinerary. We're doing Jakarta, baby, Furnished 2BR Harco Mangga Besar By Travelio, and it’s going to be a glorious, chaotic mess. Here we go…
Jakarta: Operation "Survive and Thrive (Maybe)" - Messy, Unfiltered Edition
Day 1: Arrival & Sensory Overload (aka "Help, I'm in a Blender!")
- Morning (6:00 AM): Alarm blares. Fail to leap out of bed with the enthusiasm of a seasoned traveler. Groggily hit snooze. Twice. Okay, thrice. Finally, drag myself out. My flight lands at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport around 8:00 AM. The air… it hits you. Not like a gentle breeze, more like a wall of humid, spiced air. Prepare for a nose-tingling assault of exhaust and fragrant street food.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Taxi time! Negotiate the price with a driver who looks like he hasn't slept since, oh, the dawn of time. The ride? A thrilling ballet of near misses and honking. My stomach, currently acquainted with the contents of a questionable airplane breakfast, starts to churn. Think of it as a crash course in Indonesian driving philosophies. It's… intense.
- Mid-morning (10:30 AM): FINALLY! Arrive at Furnished 2BR Harco Mangga Besar By Travelio. The building is an imposing concrete jungle. The lobby is… well, it’s a lobby. It smells vaguely of cleaning products and something deep-fried that I CANNOT identify. But the apartment! Whew. Nicer than I expected. The AC is a glorious godsend. Unpack, collapse on the surprisingly comfortable bed. Immediate need for a nap.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Okay, time to face the music. Walk down to the local warung (small, local eatery) recommended by the friendly receptionist. Order something that looks appealing but I can't pronounce. It's spicy. Very spicy. Tears stream down my face, but the food is so undeniably delicious (a combination of sweet, savory, and FIRE) – I soldier on. Discover the joys of teh manis (sweet iced tea). It is my new best friend.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Explore the Mangga Besar area. The sheer electricity in the air is unlike anything I've ever experienced. The sights, the smells, the endless stream of motorbikes – it's a beautiful chaos! Get lost in the labyrinthine alleyways. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure, but the adventures are all about dodging stray dogs and tempting street food vendors. Buy a cheap, knock-off watch. It probably tells time, maybe.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Attempt to enter a nearby historical site, but find it closed due to a "national holiday" (that nobody mentioned). Sigh. Decide to just embrace the mystery and take a moment to sit on a street side. Watch the world go by.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. Choose Nasi Goreng (fried rice). A culinary masterpiece. I've eaten worse airline food. Feel a sense of calm.
- Night (8:00 PM): Head back to the apartment. Collapse on the bed, utterly spent but ridiculously happy. Fall asleep to the sound of the city, a symphony of horns and hawkers and the distant call to prayer. God, I love traveling.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Chicken Satay (aka "The Day My Digestive System Learned Respect")
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up feeling surprisingly refreshed. The AC really does work wonders. Coffee. Decaf. A small victory in the war against jet lag.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Explore "Kota Tua", the Old Town. Buildings are magnificent, if a little crumbling. Feel like I’m wandering what feels like an old movie set. Take pictures and absorb some history.
- Mid-morning (11:00 AM): Seek out the National Museum. Get lost in the sheer volume of exhibits on Indonesian history and culture. Feel utterly humbled by the art and artifacts. Find myself gazing at the relics with genuine interest.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Lunch at a local warung near the museum. Order chicken satay (grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce). I'm addicted. Seriously contemplating a life solely of chicken satay and teh manis. The flavors are just… wow.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Get totally lost in the chaos of Pasar Baru Market. Find an abundance of textiles and traditional clothing. Feel tempted to buy everything. Resist the urge, mostly. Try to haggle. Fail miserably. Overpay for a beautiful batik scarf, but who cares?
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Sit in a coffee shop with air conditioning and write in my journal. People-watch. Think about how different this world is to my own, and the commonalities that bind us.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a proper restaurant (fancy-ish). Try a dish I can't pronounce. It's… okay. Not chicken satay. Lesson learned.
- Night (9:00 PM): Head back to the apartment. Reflect on the day. Jakarta is noisy, chaotic, and overwhelming, but also beautiful, vibrant, and utterly captivating. Order a pizza on GoFood. It's okay. Definitely not Italian, but okay.
Day 3: The "Holy Cow, I'm Exhausted" Day (aka "The Day I Considered Becoming a Hermit")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up. Hit snooze. Multiple times. Sigh. Jet lag is no joke.
- Morning (9:30 AM): Drag myself out of bed. Decide to treat myself to breakfast at one of the many cafes near my apartment. Feel slightly guilty about not getting out and about. But hey, sometimes a girl just needs a fluffy omelet and a latte.
- Mid-morning (11:00 AM): Am currently considering just lying in bed, watching Netflix, and ordering in takeout.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Order takeout. More chicken satay. Zero regrets.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Okay, must engage! Decide to explore a local mall. The sheer scale of these shopping centers is mind-boggling. Lose myself in the endless aisles of stores selling everything from designer clothes to quirky souvenirs. Buy a ridiculous pair of sunglasses.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Head back to the apartment, feeling exhausted and slightly overwhelmed. Need a nap, seriously.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner. Order something light. Try to eat vegetables. Fail.
- Night (9:00 PM): Reflect. Jakarta is a blast, but I’m starting to feel the fatigue. Tomorrow, I promise myself, will be a day of rest and relaxation. Or maybe I'll just sleep in. Both sound pretty good.
Day 4: Departure (aka "Jakarta, You Crazy Diamond…")
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up. Sigh. Time to pack.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Last-minute scramble to ensure you have actually packed everything.
- Mid-morning (9:00 AM): Final breakfast. More chicken satay.
- Mid-morning (10:00 AM): Check out of the apartment. Say goodbye to the helpful receptionist and, with a pang of regret, to my cozy little haven.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Catch a taxi to the airport. The ride is just as chaotic as the first.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Navigate the airport, which is a whole other adventure in itself. Customs, security, finding the right gate… it's all a blur.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): On the plane, finally. Exhausted, but utterly content. Think about how amazing the city feels, and how it’s something I will not forget.
- Flight (5:00 PM): The departure plane takes off. Looking back, a tear rolls down my cheek.
- Flight (5:30 PM): Close my eyes. Dream about chicken satay.
- Later (6:00 PM): Wake up. Time to get back to reality.
Reflections:
Jakarta, you were a whirlwind. You tested me, you challenged me, you made me laugh, and you made me cry (mostly from the spicy food!). You were everything I hoped you’d be and so much more. I had moments of pure joy, moments of utter exhaustion, and moments where I just wanted to hide in my apartment and eat instant noodles. But that’s travel, isn't it? The messiness, the unexpected detours, the little victories and
Escape to Paradise: Seagull's Stunning Split Beach Studio!
Jakarta's 2BR Gem in Mangga Besar (Harco Furnished) - The Unvarnished Truth!
Okay, spill it! Is this place REALLY as good as it sounds? Honestly!
The "Harco Furnished" part... what does that REALLY mean?
Two bedrooms... who is this place even *for*? Friends? Family? The secret life of Jakarta socialites?
Location, location, location... Mangga Besar. Is it, you know, *safe*? And the noise...?
The kitchen... is it even usable? I need to eat!
What's the *worst* thing about this place? Be honest!
And what's the BEST thing? Sell me on it!
Okay, you've convinced me. How do I actually rent this gem?
