Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin!

Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin Indonesia

Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin!

Unbelievable Luxury? Maybe. Unforgettable? Absolutely. A Deep Dive into Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin (With Baggage!)

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (probably slightly lukewarm) tea on the Grand Mentari Hotel in Banjarmasin. This isn't your glossy brochure review; this is the actual, unfiltered, probably-should-be-edited-but-won't-be experience. I'm talking full-on, messy, human review, warts and all.

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Arrival & First Impressions: The Glitch in the Matrix (and the Lack of a Welcome Drink!)

Right, so, after a frankly brutal red-eye flight, I stumbled into the Grand Mentari. The lobby looked impressive – gleaming marble, chandeliers, the works. Think "Bollywood meets slightly faded grandeur." The Front desk [24-hour] was a welcome sight, but the feeling of "unbelievable luxury" I was anticipating started to… well, waver. The Check-in/out [express] was there, but it wasn't express fast. There was a slight delay, and I was craving a welcome drink, which by the way, wasn't provided. A small detail, I know, but it's the little things, right? The initial rush of "Yay, luxury!" was giving way to a subtle, nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, I'd set my expectations too high.

Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and My Slightly Crooked Knee):

Okay, let's talk Accessibility. This is important, right? I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I appreciate a hotel that tries. The hotel had a few Facilities for disabled guests*, although maybe wasn't the best for people with mobility issues. The Elevator was a godsend, especially considering the sheer size of the place. However, the signage… well, let's just say you might need a treasure map to navigate.

(Rambling Alert: So, I’ve got an old knee injury, and sometimes stairs are a no-go. The thought of navigating a place with iffy accessibility is enough to turn me into a grumpy, caffeine-deprived monster. Thankfully, the elevator was there, but the whole thing made me realize I should probably start planning a “stair-free life” at some point. Anyone got tips? Asking for… well, me.)

Internet Access - A Lifeline or a Liability?

Now, the Internet access – wireless (i.e. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!) was a literal lifesaver. Needed to do some work, stay in touch, and upload those Insta-worthy sunset shots over the Swimming pool [outdoor] (which, by the way, did have a view, even if it wasn't quite as breathtaking as the pics suggested). The signal was actually pretty decent, although a little patchy in the hallways. The Internet – LAN wasn't something I used.

Rooms: The Good, the Okay, and the Slightly Creepy (That Bed!)

The room itself? Mostly good! I liked the Air conditioning, especially after the swamp-like humidity of Banjarmasin. The Blackout curtains saved my sleep, and there was a Desk for working. A bathtub was nice, as was the Separate shower/bathtub. There was a Coffee/tea maker for my caffeine needs, as well as Free bottled water. The Bed… that was something else. It was HUGE, like, "could-fit-a-small-family-in-it" huge. Comfort level? Debatable. Let's say it was more "firmly supportive" than "cloud-like bliss." I'm a bit of a princess when it comes to beds, I admit. Also, I'm pretty sure the pillows were plotting against me. (Room decorations) were not the best, and it felt a little empty. The Soundproof rooms were a blessing, as i like to sleep in and need to sleep in peace.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Adventures (with Occasional Regret)

The Restaurants were a mixed bag. They had a Buffet in restaurant for breakfast; a Breakfast [buffet] and some options for Western breakfast. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was also there, but the coffee was more like dishwater disguised as espresso. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was really good, though. I tried the A la carte in restaurant menu, and the Soup in restaurant was bland.

• (Anecdote Time): One evening, I decided to be "adventurous" and order the "Mystery Meat Surprise" from the Room service [24-hour] menu. Let's just say it was more "mystery" than "delicious," and the "surprise" was a rather unpleasant digestive journey. I'll leave it at that. Not sure I have to try it again.)

They had a Bar that I didn't try.

Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, and the Perils of Being Pampered

The Spa was… alright. The Massage was a bit too gentle for my liking, although the Body scrub was actually quite nice. The Sauna and Steamroom looked inviting. I found myself daydreaming instead of actually relaxing. Pool with view. was nice. I didn't make use of the Gym/fitness.

Cleanliness and Safety: Germs, Sanitizers, and My Neurotic Tendencies

In the age of, well, everything, this is crucial. The hotel had a good focus on this. There was Hand sanitizer everywhere, which was a huge plus. The Daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring. The Staff trained in safety protocol, which was great. My room had a Room sanitization opt-out available, though I didn't take it.

Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (and the Random Ones)

The hotel did have a great amount of stuff there. The Concierge was helpful, but sometimes took some time to respond (which is fair, given the size). Daily housekeeping was efficient. The Cash withdrawal was a handy feature. I didn't need the Laundry service or Dry cleaning.

For the Kids: Family Fun (or Chaos, Depending on Your Perspective)

I traveled solo. The Family/child friendly thing to me wasn't a big factor, but I noticed there were Kids facilities and a Babysitting service. Didn't use them, but good to know they're there.

Getting Around: The Parking Predicament

There was Car park [free of charge] which was awesome. The Airport transfer was convenient.

The Verdict: Worth It? (Mostly!)

Look, the Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin wasn't flawless. It had its quirks, its minor disappointments, and its slightly odd bed. But overall? I'd still say it's a good choice, especially if you're exploring Banjarmasin and want a reliable place to stay. The staff were generally pleasant, the location was convenient, and the facilities were decent. It wasn't the "unbelievable luxury" of the brochure, but it was a comfortable, functional place to relax. Just… maybe order the "safe" dishes from room service. You've been warned.

Would I go back? Possibly. If I'm ever back in Banjarmasin, and I need a comfortable, familiar place to stay, sure! And, hey, if they've upgraded those pillows, maybe I'll stay even longer next time.

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Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin Indonesia

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my (slightly chaotic) Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin adventure. Consider this less a meticulously crafted itinerary and more… a fever dream cobbled together with caffeine and sheer willpower.

Day 1: Arrival & the Existential Dread of Luggage

• 10:00 AM (give or take): Landed at Syamsudin Noor International Airport. Sun blazing, humidity clinging to my skin like a lovesick… well, you get the picture. Instant regret for the three layers I wore on the plane for “comfort.” My internal monologue? "Oh, great, another city that’s going to require me to wear a bucket hat everywhere". Also, did my luggage arrive? Did I remember to pack deodorant? The questions that define a travel life.
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Great Luggage Inquisition: Thankfully, my luggage actually made it! Relief so tangible I nearly wept. The taxi ride to the hotel was a whirlwind of honking and vibrant street life. Banjarmasin… It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way.
• 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Check-in at the Grand Mentari (fancy name for a slightly worn but charming place). I’m talking about the lobby of the hotel. The desk clerk seemed surprised to see a foreigner. I had the feeling I was going to get a good story out of this.
• 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Room exploration. The room itself… okay, the bed looked comfortable. Shower situation? Questionable. But hey, AC! The gods are good.
• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: First impressions of Banjarmasin. The real challenge of today.
  • Finding Food. A local Warung adventure (that became a struggle): After dropping my luggage, I decide to find some food, I found a local warung (small, family-run restaurant). The menu? A beautiful, indecipherable swirl of Bahasa Indonesia. I pointed, smiled, and hoped for the best. Received fried chicken and rice with a side of… something I couldn't identify. Pretty sure it was a local vegetable. My taste buds are still recovering.
  • The Market: A walk around the local market quickly became one of the greatest and most memorable moments of the trip. The energy! The smells (some of them… intense). The sheer volume of produce, spices, and things I couldn’t even begin to name. I bought a mango. It was the size of my head. And the sweetest thing I've ever tasted. This is when I knew, and this is as cheesy as it gets, that I had found my happy place.
• 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Hotel Wind-Down.
  • A nap: I think I crashed for an hour. Travel is exhausting.
• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner: Found a place that sells satay. The charcoal aroma floating through the streets was intoxicating. The satay… delicious. Ate way too much, obviously. Now I’m going to sleep.

Day 2: The River, the Floating Market, and my Inability to Wake Up

• 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up! The alarm was going off. I did not move.
• 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up! Sigh. I forced myself out of bed because I had to.
• 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Headed to the River. I was going to the Floating Market. Everyone talked about the Floating Market.
  • The River Boat: The morning river cruise was pure magic. The sun, the water, the sampans (small boats) bustling with activity… It was like stepping into a watercolor painting. The air was still cool, the river smelled faintly of… well, river, but in a good way. I wanted to scream, I wanted to be thankful.
  • The Floating market: Okay, the floating market. I got there. It was AMAZING. All the vendors, selling everything from produce to snacks to live chickens, from their boats. The energy was electric, the colors vibrant. I nearly bought a pineapple the size of my torso. I drank some fresh coconut water, and it was like drinking pure sunshine. It was all overwhelming in the best way possible. The boats, the people, the chatter, the bartering… It was a sensory explosion.
  • More Food: Of course, there was more food. I tried a local noodle dish. Fantastic. My stomach, however, was beginning to protest. Overeating is becoming my signature move. I'll probably regret it later.
• 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The rest of the day was a blur! Back to the hotel. Trying to remember the names of the dishes I'm eating.
  • Laundry: I was feeling the guilt of my limited packing, and had to do some laundry. I think I broke the machine.
• 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Another round of satay, of course. What else would I do?

Day 3: The Farewell, the Food, and the Final Assessment

• Morning: More exploring, more eating, more sweating - the ultimate trio.
  • The Museum: Went to a museum, for the culture! I understood very little, of course, but the displays were interesting.
  • More food: Found a restaurant with the best fried chicken I ever had.
• Afternoon: Checking out of the Grand Mentari. Saying goodbye to the staff. They are incredible.
• Evening: Heading to the airport. The journey has been exhausting, but full of life. Would I return? Absolutely!

Final Thoughts (aka, Ramblings)

Banjarmasin is a wild ride. Messy, chaotic, and entirely unforgettable. The Grand Mentari? Not the Ritz, but it has its charm. The people? Kind, generous, and endlessly patient with my attempts at Bahasa Indonesia. Would I recommend it? YES. Just remember to pack the courage to eat anything and everything, and a whole lot of deodorant. You’ll need it. And go to the floating market. Just… go. You won’t regret it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need a nap. And maybe a mango. And definitely some Pepto-Bismol. Good bye!

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Okay, spill the tea – Is Grand Mentari Hotel REALLY as "Grand" as they claim? I'm talking gold-plated toilet seats or just… fancy bathrobes?

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because "Grand" is a *relative* term, okay? Let's not get ahead of ourselves thinking we're waltzing into the Sultan of Brunei's vacation palace. But… (and this is where the *but* gets juicy) – it IS pretty damn impressive. The lobby? HUGE. Like, walk-in-and-feel-a-little-intimidated-by-the-gleaming-marble-and-massive-chandeliers huge. Think… more Versailles-lite than actual Versailles. No gold-plated throne on the loo, sadly. But those bathrobes? Soft. Like, "hug-a-cloud-and-never-leave-the-room" soft. I practically lived in mine. I might have even *slept* in it. Don't judge me. Comfort is key when you're navigating a new city and trying to figure out where the heck to find proper nasi goreng. So, verdict? Grand-ish. Definitely above the average hotel, for sure. And trust me, after surviving a week of Banjarmasin humidity, those bathrobes are practically a religious experience.

The photos online look amazing… How's the actual *room*? Is it a letdown, or does it live up to the hype? Because you know how deceptive those hotel websites can be…

Okay, the room. The *room*. This is where things get… interesting. The photos online are mostly honest. They *mostly* show the reality, which is a win. You get a decent amount of space – which, again, is crucial when you're stuck inside for a few hours because of a torrential downpour. Lots of natural light, which is a plus. Comfy bed, though I did have a tiny, minor issue with the pillows. They were maybe… *too* fluffy? Like, my head was constantly threatening to roll off the edge. Seriously, I ended up folding one in half just to get a more reasonable sleeping angle. The air conditioning, though? Glorious. Absolute lifesaver. One particular evening, the electricity flickered and, oh my god, the moment the AC went out, I panicked. I instantly started sweating. The humidity in Banjarmasin is something else. So, the room? Overall, a win. Just maybe pack your own pillow if you're picky. And pray to the electrical gods.

The pool! I need to know about the pool! Is it instagrammable? Clean? Because a dirty pool is a dealbreaker.

The pool. Ah, the pool. Okay, let's be clear: it's not infinity-edge-overlooking-a-jungle-clad-valley, ok? But it's pretty darn nice. It's large enough for a proper swim (I swam… a little bit. Mostly I lounged around the edges, reading and avoiding the sun like a vampire). It's clean. I didn't see any… unsavory floaties. The water was sparkling, and the surrounding area was well-maintained. The chairs are comfortable, and there are big umbrellas for shade. I will say, getting the perfect Instagram shot required a bit of strategic angle work. The background isn't exactly postcard-worthy - just the hotel building - but with a little filter action and a flattering pose? You're golden. And let me tell you, after a day of exploring the floating markets, dipping into that pool felt like pure, unadulterated bliss. I might have spent an entire afternoon just floating, lost in thought, listening to the cicadas. It was… perfect, actually. For a short while at least.

Okay, food. The most important question: Is the breakfast buffet worth the hype (and the potential food coma)? Be honest!

The breakfast buffet. Oh, the breakfast buffet. Prepare yourself. We're talking *serious* choices. Seriously. I mean, they had everything! Traditional Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng and bubur ayam (which, by the way, is *amazing*), Western options (eggs, bacon, toast, the usual suspects), fresh fruit (papaya! watermelon!), pastries galore… My stomach felt like it was in a constant state of "OMG, I can't believe this is happening". There was a chef making omelets to order which was definitely a winner. The coffee? Surprisingly decent. I’m a total coffee snob, and it passed the test, which is saying something. I did, however, make the rookie mistake of going *way* overboard on the first morning. I ate enough to feed a small army. And then, I spent the next few hours feeling somewhat… uncomfortable. So, yes, it's worth it. But pace yourself. Trust me on this one. Maybe start with the fruit. And then… slowly… work your way through all the other yummy things. It's a marathon, not a sprint, people!

What's the best thing about the hotel, in your opinion? The one thing that makes it stand out?

Hmm, best thing… That's tough. It wasn’t the location – while central, it’s not *right* on the river, which is a shame. It wasn't necessarily the most luxurious hotel I've ever seen. The service? Generally good, but not always perfect. Sometimes, requests got a little… lost in translation. But... you know what? The staff. Despite the occasional hiccup, the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. Nothing felt forced or fake. They were always smiling, and eager to assist. One day, I got hopelessly lost trying to find a local bakery with the best *kue lapis*. And, I mean, *completely* lost. I stumbled back to the hotel, defeated, sweaty, and covered in dust. The lady at the front desk, God bless her, saw my face and instantly grabbed a map, calling her family and getting the best route. Seriously. That kind of genuine warmth is what makes a place memorable. So, yeah, it wasn't just the physical hotel, but the people who worked there, that were truly special. They made me feel welcome, got me to the the cake, and genuinely seemed to care about my experience. THAT'S what sets Grand Mentari apart. They have heart. And a massive supply of those fluffy bathrobes.

Any downsides? Any hidden costs or things to watch out for?

Okay, let's get real. No place is perfect. The hotel, despite its charms, had a few quirks. Room service, might take a while. You might be better off grabbing something from the local street stalls (which, by the way, are amazing). And internet. Let's just say the Wi-Fi wasn’t always reliable. Prepare to embrace a little digital detox, especially during peak hours. It’s a minor inconvenience, but something to keep in mind if you need to work or, you know, stay connected to the outside world (which I secretly loved, just the excuse I needed). Also, the minibar situation… Not the most extensive (and a tad expensive, that said). But hey, you're in Banjarmasin! Go explore the local markets! Stock up on snacks and drinks! You'll discover amazing new tastes anyway. And maybe, *maybe*, skip the overpriced peanuts in the minibar. Just a thought.

Would you recommend Grand Mentari to a friend? Be honest!

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Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin Indonesia

Grand Mentari Hotel Banjarmasin Indonesia

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