Tangerang's Hidden Gem: Simply & Well Studio at Casa de Parco!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of this hotel, and honey, it’s gonna be a wild ride. Forget those sterile, perfectly-packaged online reviews – we're going raw, honest, and hopefully, helpful. Let's unpack this suitcase of amenities, shall we?
First Glance: The Accessibility Angle – Let's Get Real
- Accessibility: This is KEY, folks. We need to know. And honestly, this hotel's got a decent starting point. I didn't personally scrutinize every inch for wheelchair accessibility, but the presence of "Facilities for disabled guests" suggests they're at least trying. Action Item for the hotel: Be specific! List the details - are the ramps smooth? Are the elevators wide enough? Does the pool have a lift? Transparency is sexy, especially for this crowd.
- On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Important! Can the wheelchair user freely move around? What does "accessible" mean? And what about those with allergies – are dietary options available?
- Internet Access: "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" – Hallelujah! This is non-negotiable in 2024. I NEED to scroll, and I don't care if it's for work, for memes, or to stalk my ex. Plus there is "Internet [LAN]" - if you like a wired connection for some reason.
- Internet Services: Good. More internet. Okay.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Excellent, essential for those airport layovers!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – A Symphony of Soothing (And Maybe Some Shenanigans)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. I'm a sucker for a good spa, and this hotel REALLY sells it.
Let's break it down:
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: YES, YES, and YES! These are the holy trinity of relaxation. I'm talking about melting into a puddle of blissful nothingness. Saunas are excellent for a detox, and steamroom is great for skin.
- Pool with view: Come on! Let's get it!
- Swimming pool: I love seeing this!
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Gotta offset those buffet calories somehow, right? Hopefully, the gym has decent equipment. Don't be that hotel with one rusty treadmill.
- Massage/Body scrub/Body wrap: Oh. My. Goddess. This is the good stuff. Anecdote: I once got a body scrub that was so good, I almost fell asleep mid-scrub. It left my skin felt like a baby’s… well, you get the picture. If this hotel offers amazing massages, they’re in, baby.
- Foot bath: It's a nice, little thing but not all the hotels have it.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because Nobody Wants the Plague (Or Bad Service)
This is where I get SERIOUS. Post-pandemic, hygiene is paramount.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Room sanitization opt-out available: Good signs! It's the bare minimum, really, but it's reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer: It should be everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Show me that stamp of approval!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Great for the buffet.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Let’s hope people actually do it!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Crucial.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I want to observe the staff, like a little mouse, like a detective to know if they are following the protocol.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Fun (and Potential Hangover)
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar: Okay, we're talking options. I appreciate the choice, even if I just end up in the same place every night.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Asian/Western breakfast, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Buffets are a double-edged sword. Amazing selection, but also a breeding ground for germs (see above safety section). Variety is the spice of life, though!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Essential! I run on caffeine and existential dread.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless the hotel gods. Especially after a long day of spa-ing and maybe a few cocktails.
- Snack bar: I NEED access to snacks. It’s a need.
- Happy hour: Sigh.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Luxuries That Make a Difference
- Air conditioning in public area, Daily housekeeping: Basic needs, really.
- Concierge: Helpful for securing reservations or arranging transport.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Doorman: They are nice.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Laundry is great. Ironing the important is cool.
- Elevator: A MUST. My legs are not built for climbing mountains.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Good if true.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Perfect for the last-minute gifts.
- Luggage storage: Needed for late flights.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea to protect your valuables.
- Terrace: Nice if you want to sit and read or sip wine.
For the Kids – Family-Friendly or Fuggedaboutit?!
- Babysitting service: Helpful, for those who want some alone time.
- Family/child-friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Good to know for people with them.
Access, Security, and Getting Around – The Nitty-Gritty
- CCTV in common areas/outside property, Security [24-hour]: Security is good.
- Check-in/out [express/private], Front desk [24-hour]: Express check-in is a lifesaver.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarm, Smoke detectors: Crucial
- Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge/on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking: Easy transport is a plus.
Available in All Rooms – The Heart of the Matter
- Air conditioning: Again, NON-NEGOTIABLE.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Again, NON-NEGOTIABLE.
- Additional toilet: Great!
- Alarm clock: Old school, but useful.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Sleep is precious.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Wonderful.
- Free bottled water: Appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: I have no need of it, but fine.
- Internet access – wireless: Great
- Mini bar: Dangerously convenient.
- Non-smoking: Yay!
- Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Slippers, Toiletries, Towels: These are basic.
- Soundproofing: Silence is gold.
- Wake-up service: I need it!
The Verdict (Maybe… Probably… It Depends)
Okay, so this hotel has POTENTIAL. The bones are there. The spa offerings are tempting, the emphasis on cleanliness is reassuring (fingers crossed they deliver!), and the free Wi-Fi is a must.
However, there are some serious gaps. They need to clarify the accessibility situation, and to up their game on details!
Here’s My Persuasive (and Imperfect) Pitch:
"Tired of the same old, same old? Craving a getaway that's both relaxing and – let's be honest – a little bit decadent? This hotel could be your escape. Imagine… melting into a massage so good you forget your own name… sipping cocktails by the poolside bar… and waking up to a breakfast buffet that has ANYTHING you want. You will be able to make a reservation at a restaurant even if you're in a wheelchair. You can also just relax in a room with a view and enjoy. Now, do your own research to see if the location is accessible. So Book YOUR STAY now!"
SEO Optimization Notes (Because We Must):
- Keywords: Sprinkle in keywords naturally, like "spa hotel," "accessible hotel," "pool with a view," "luxury getaway," "free Wi-Fi," and specific amenities like "massage," "sauna," "fitness center" – but DON'T stuff them in.
- Meta Descriptions: Create short, engaging descriptions for search engines that highlight the key benefits.
- Image Alt Text: Use descriptive alt text for images (e.g., "Luxurious spa massage at [Hotel Name]," "Wheelchair accessible pool area").
- Mobile-Friendly: Ensure the hotel
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's sterile travel itinerary. This is a messy, glorious, hopefully not-too-embarrassing chronicle of my adventure in the Simply & Well Studio at Casa de Parco by Travelio in Tangerang, Indonesia. Prepare for tangents, opinions, and possibly a meltdown or two. Here we go…
The Absolutely Chaotic Tangerang Tumble:
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (Because, Duh)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Actually, scrape myself off the bed more like. Travel is exhausting even before it starts. The air is thick with that pre-flight dread. Did I pack enough underwear? Did I remember to turn off the iron? (I didn't actually use the iron, but the fear remains).
- 8:00 AM: Uber to airport. Smooth ride, surprisingly. Pre-flight optimism kicks in! I even manage to resist the urge to buy a ridiculously overpriced breakfast sandwich. Victory! (This is the peak of my organizational prowess, by the way. Don't expect it to last.)
- 10:00 AM (ish): Flight takes off. Buckle up, folks, because the turbulence is always worse than anyone says. I gripped my armrest so hard I thought I was going to leave imprints.
- 6:00 PM (Jakarta Time): Land in Jakarta. The humidity hits you like a wet blanket. My hair instantly transforms into a frizz-monster. Welcome to Indonesia!
- 7:00 PM: Uber/Taxi/Whatever-that’s-available-at-this-hour to Casa de Parco. Okay, this is where the real adventure begins. The traffic. Sweet mother of pearl, the traffic! I swear, I aged a year in that taxi. Horns blaring, scooters weaving, the whole shebang. It was… exhilarating? Terrifying? Both, probably.
- 8:00 PM: Check into the Simply & Well Studio (fingers crossed it is simply and well, and not a moldy hovel!). The Travelio unit smells faintly of… something. Not bad, not good, just… something. Mostly excited, a tiny bit of the worry creeps in, will the bed be comfy? Is the AC working properly? (Very important).
- 8:30 PM: Unpack. Realize I packed way too many pairs of shoes. (Story of my life). Spend a solid ten minutes staring at the view. Not bad, not bad at all. City lights twinkling. Could get used to this.
- 9:00 PM: Quick reconnaissance mission. Stumble around the complex, try to figure out where the nearest food is located. See some shops and a little cafe.
- 9:30 PM: Dinner! I am STARVING. Find some local restaurant near the complex. Order something. The flavor? Amazing, of course. I have no idea what it is, but I'm in love.
- 10:30 PM: Collapse on the bed. Mild jet lag hitting. Realize I’ve forgotten something important… My book. I did pack a book. The sheer betrayal sends me into a small spiral of existential dread.
- 11:00 PM: Sleep. Finally.
Day 2: Exploring & Eating (The Main Events)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, bleary-eyed. The AC is definitely working. Heaven.
- 8:30 AM: Coffee. The hotel coffee is… passable.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast! I don't skip the free breakfast, which is included in my stay, of course.
- 10:00 AM: Attempt to find a shopping mall, which is apparently a thing in Tangerang. Get hopelessly lost. Traffic again! Embrace the chaos, they say.
- 12:00 PM: Success! Found the mall. Wander around, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of shops. Browse, think about buying something, don't. Typical me.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a food court. Spicy noodles. Delicious. My tongue is now partially numb. Worth it.
- 2:00 PM: Wander around more. People watching, the best part.
- 3:00 PM: Ice cream! Reward myself for navigating the mall. The staff are friendly. They're used to tourists looking lost, I'm sure.
- 4:00 PM: Uber/taxi back to the apartment.
- 5:00 PM: Rest & Re-hydrate. It's hot and exhausting.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! This time, I'm going to be brave and try to cook something. (Spoiler alert: it’s a disaster. But a tasty disaster, because Indonesian food is magic). I find some spices and buy some instant noodles.
- 7:00 PM: Netflix and chill. Actually, more like Netflix and nearly fall asleep. Jet lag is a persistent companion.
- 9:00 PM: Realize I forgot to buy a snack. Curse myself for my poor planning.
- 9:30 PM: Try and fail to find online ordering.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Dream of noodles and ice cream.
Day 3: Culture Shock and Soul Searching (and More Food, Obviously)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. No rush today, which is a blessing. Coffee. Stare out the window. Contemplate life, the universe, and whether I should attempt another cooking adventure.
- 10:00 AM: Actually venture out of the apartment. This time, I hire a driver (thank goodness) to take me to… somewhere.
- 11:00 AM: Destination: a local market. Overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells. So many spices, fruits I've never seen before, and a general cacophony of activity. It's… intense. And wonderful.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Street food, obviously. I’m trying everything. I had something with chicken and rice and a sauce that was so good, I'm pretty sure I blacked out from sheer enjoyment for a few minutes.
- 1:00 PM: Attempt to engage in conversations, which are largely limited to smiles and pointing. Learn a few words of Indonesian?
- 2:00 PM: The drive back to the apartment is quiet. My head is spinning. So much to take in.
- 3:00 PM: Take a nap. The heat, the food, the sensory overload – it's all catching up with me. Sleep comes swiftly.
- 5:00 PM: Wake up, feeling slightly refreshed. More coffee. Start to actually read my book (finally!).
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Decide to be adventurous. Order some of the local dishes. It's a gamble, but hey, life is too short for bland food. The gamble pays off. Flavor explosion.
- 7:00 PM: Contemplate life in a country with more flavors, new cultures. I feel the excitement.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the apartment for relaxation & sleep.
Day 4: Departure (Sobbing Internally)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. (This time, I’m actually organized.) Feel a pang of sadness at leaving. I was just getting the hang of things.
- 10:00 AM: Final, delicious breakfast. One last taste of paradise.
- 11:00 AM: Check out. Say a sad goodbye to the Simply & Well Studio.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi to the airport. Traffic, of course.
- 1:00 PM: Queue at the airport.
- 2:00 PM: Flight.
- Everything after that is a blur. But the memories? Solid gold.
- The End. (Until next time, Tangerang!)
Why does my cat act like it's starving, even though I just fed it a mountain of kibble? Seriously, WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?!
Oh, honey, you have entered the sacred, the frustrating, the utterly *baffling* realm of the Cat Hunger Games. I've been there. Multiple times. My cat, Bartholomew (yes, he's a Bartholomew), is a prime offender. I swear, you could leave him a buffet of gourmet salmon, a mountain of tuna, a platter of gourmet kibble... and ten minutes later, he'd be giving you the "I'm wasting away to nothing" look. It's a tragedy, I tell you!
The truth? Well, there are a few culprits. One, cats are masters of manipulation. They’ve perfected the art of the mournful meow and the wide-eyed stare. They KNOW what works. Two, they're often bored. Food is FUN. Therefore, food is always desired. Three, let's be honest, some cats are just… greedy. I wouldn't put it past Bartholomew to have a secret stash in the airing cupboard. I've looked. Don't judge me.
My advice? Try interactive feeding toys. Make them *work* for their food. It slows them down, engages their hunter instincts (that sneaky little predator!), and sometimes, just sometimes, helps them realize they're not actually dying of starvation. But be warned… this may backfire. Bartholomew figured out how to crack his treat ball in like, TWO DAYS. Two days! Now he just bats it around until it spits out a treat. The man is a genius, I tell you. A genius and a glutton.
My cat brings me "gifts" – dead mice, half-eaten birds, the occasional… lump of something unpleasant. Is this…normal? And is there a way to *stop* this?!
Normal? Yes. Delightful? Absolutely NOT. My cat, Clementine, is a serial gift-giver. And by "gift-giver," I mean a serial… *deliverer of death.* Honestly, when I first opened up my own home to her, I was horrified. A field mouse… a vole… a particularly squishy mole that I actually *stepped on* in the dark… it was a regular nature documentary.
Look, it's deeply ingrained in their instincts. They're tiny hunters. They're trying to show you they love you, in their own special, stabby way. They probably think you're a lousy hunter and they're HELPING you, bless their fluffy little hearts.
Stopping it? Good luck. You can try keeping them indoors exclusively, but that's a big change for a cat. You can put a bell on their collar, but that might just teach them how to be *stealthier*. You can try distracting them with play but, honestly, when the hunt is on, they’re LOCKED IN. The best you can do is try to gracefully accept the gifts, dispose of them (with maximum gagging, probably) and *pretend* to be grateful. Which, let's be real, is what you're doing anyway. "Oh, Clementine," I’d say, trying to sound like I'd just received the keys to a new car (the mole was… not in great condition)."You shouldn't have!" *runs for the bleach and the bin bag*.
Why does my cat knead?
Ah, the kneading. That adorable, rhythmic little dance they do on blankets, on your lap, sometimes even on your FACE at 4 AM. It’s probably the cutest thing they do, until… well, until they're kneading on you with claws extended. Ow.
The short answer? It's a leftover behavior from kittenhood. They knead their mothers to stimulate milk flow. It’s a sign of contentment, comfort, and feeling safe. Unless, of course, the claws come out. Then it’s a sign of… well, that you probably should have trimmed those claws.
I have a confession. I have been clawed. It's awful! Usually, if they switch to claw mode I gently push their paws back, or redirect their attentions to a play toy. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the kneading. One time, one of my earlier adopted kitties – a very cuddly guy named Jasper, if you can believe it – decided to start kneading on my back while I was laying in bed. It was the most therapeutic massage of my life. Until he got all excited and started purring REALLY loud and then got the zoomies! The moment was ruined. And then I didn’t trust him, and he lost out on the back massaging privilege, for life.
Can I train my cat? Is it even *possible*? Or am I doomed to a life of servitude?
Train a cat? Ha! That’s like trying to herd smoke. But, and this is a big but, yes. You CAN train a cat. You absolutely can. It’s just…different. Forget everything you know about dog training. Cats are not dogs. They're…well, they're cats.
Positive reinforcement is key. Reward good behavior with treats (the bribery approach). Ignore the bad (the "pretend you don't see them destroying your furniture" approach). Be consistent. And, most importantly… be patient. Oh, so, SO patient.
I've had *some* success. Clementine can now "sit." Sort of. It looks more like she's collapsing. And Bartholomew… well, he knows the sound of the treat bag. That’s as ‘trained’ as it’s gotten. And honestly, sometimes I wonder who’s training whom? I mean, they are clearly in charge. They're the furry overlords of my apartment. And I AM their willing–nay, *eager*– subject. And I like it that way.
Why do cats stare? Like, for HOURS? What are they THINKING?!
The stare. The unblinking, judgmental, soul-penetrating stare. Oh, it's the WORST. And, yes, cats do it all the time. Why? Well, there are a few theories. One, they're assessing their prey… even if the "prey" is just a dust bunny under the sofa. Two, they're communicating. Slow blinks are a sign of affection (try it back! I always forget). But, more often than not, they're just… bored.
"What are they thinking?" you ask. Probably something like, "Is that tuna on the counter?… Is that human going to move?… I wonder if I can jump that high?… I require cuddles." Or maybe, just maybe… they're judging your life choices. I've had my cats stare at me for hours, and I am fairly certain the last one is correct. Especially after I spent two hours on my phone watching cat videos.
Pro tip: if you catch your cat staring, try not to flinch. (I always flinch). Make slow blinks and try to look unthreatening. Otherwise, you'll probably just end up on their "things to be judged" list. Which, trust me, is a LONG list.
Starlight Inns
Simply & Well Studio at Casa de Parco By Travelio Tangerang Indonesia
Simply & Well Studio at Casa de Parco By Travelio Tangerang Indonesia
