Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You: Queen City Hotel Banjarmasin
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You: Queen City Hotel Banjarmasin
Unbelievable Luxury? More Like… Banjarmasin Bliss (Mostly): My Queen City Hotel Adventure
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just wrestled with the Queen City Hotel in Banjarmasin, and let me tell you, it's a sensory smorgasbord. The hotel screams "luxury," but like a slightly overenthusiastic peacock - gorgeous in parts, slightly messy in others. This isn't your sterile corporate review; this is real, unfiltered, and probably over-caffeinated. Let's dive in.
Metadata Scramble! (Because SEO is apparently my new hobby)
- Title: Queen City Hotel Banjarmasin Review: Unbelievable Luxury? Maybe. Banjarmasin Adventure? Absolutely!
- Keywords: Queen City Hotel, Banjarmasin, Indonesia, Hotel Review, Luxury Hotel, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Family Friendly, Accessibility, Cleanliness, Safety, Travel, South Kalimantan.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Queen City Hotel in Banjarmasin. From the "unbelievable" luxury to the slightly wonky bits, I spill the tea (and the complimentary coffee). Is it worth it? Let's find out!
First Impressions & The Great Accessibility Gamble:
So, roll up (or roll in, as it were). The Queen City tries to be accessible. "Facilities for disabled guests" is a checkbox ticked, but the devil is in the details, right? The website promised it, but the reality… well, let's just say it's a mixed bag. Elevators are present (thank the heavens!), which is a HUGE win. But I didn’t personally test it, but the whole experience from the front desk needs an overhall. The hallways seem wide enough for a wheelchair, but the little things… are they really considering all aspects of accessibility? They could knock it out of the park. It's a start, but let's see a little more effort in the future. The point is, they are trying, at least.
Checking-In, or the Dance of Contactless Chaos:
Contactless check-in/out? They say they have it. Reality? The staff were super friendly, but the actual execution was less "smooth jazz" and more "frantic tango." I get the impression this is still a work in progress. But, despite the small hiccups, their welcome was warm, which is always a plus.
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My Room: A Citadel of Comfort (and Coffee Stains?)
Alright, the room. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You", but how believable? Well, here's the rundown with a splash of honesty:
- Available in all rooms: Absolutely. The room was HUGE! Big enough to do cartwheels and probably host a small badminton tournament.
- Air conditioning: Praise be! It actually worked, and it was a lifesaver. That Banjarmasin humidity is no joke.
- Alarm clock: Yes. Did I use it? Nope. My internal clock is set to "holiday mode."
- Bathrobes: Plush and comfy. Mandatory lounging attire.
- Bathtub: Massive, deep, and perfect for soaking. I spent far too much time in there.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial. They basically declared war on daylight, which was perfect for catching up on sleep.
- Closet: Plenty of space for your sartorial needs.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential. They even provided complimentary tea, which was a nice little touch and was a real joy to find in the morning when i woke up.
- Complimentary tea: Yay! (See above).
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless, a testament to the hardworking and friendly housekeeping team.
- Desk: Useful for… well, mostly for piling things on.
- Extra long bed: YES! I am tall and I approve.
- Free bottled water: Refilled daily. Hydration is key, folks.
- Hair dryer: Present! (My hair thanks you, Queen City Hotel!).
- High floor: I'm a fan. Views are always better from up high.
- In-room safe box: Safe and secure.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Spotty! The Wi-Fi was the Achilles heel of my stay. It was fine for basic browsing, but any serious work or streaming was a constant battle. The free Wi-Fi did drop occasionally.
- Ironing facilities: Handy for looking vaguely presentable.
- Laptop workspace: Basically the desk.
- Linens: Clean, crisp, and comfy.
- Mini bar: Stocked with tempting (and overpriced) goodies. Resist, my friends, resist!
- Mirror: Perfect for preening.
- Non-smoking: Blessedly.
- On-demand movies: Yay! Ideal for lazy afternoons.
- Private bathroom: Yes. Clean, well-lit.
- Reading light: Needed.
- Refrigerator: Nice to have. Kept my water cold.
- Safety/security feature: Yep, the usual suspects. They take safety seriously.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty to choose from.
- Scale: Nope, that's fine actually.
- Seating area: Comfortable and inviting. Great for chilling.
- Separate shower/bathtub: I luxuriated in the bathtub – so important!
- Shower: Powerful water pressure. Score!
- Slippers: Comfy!
- Smoke detector: Present and accounted for.
- Socket near the bed: Essential for charging all your devices.
- Sofa: Plush and inviting.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good, but not perfect.
- Telephone: I didn't use it.
- Toiletries: Decent quality. They were there and they worked, you know?
- Towels: Freshly laundered.
- Umbrella: Thank goodness! Rain is a daily occurrence in Banjarmasin.
- Visual alarm: Yep.
- Wake-up service: Available, but I prefer the aforementioned alarm clock.
- Window that opens: Fresh air is always a plus.
The Spa & Wellness Zone: Heaven (and Mild Hysteria)
Let's be honest; this is why you come, right? The spa is legit.
- Body scrub/wrap: Didn't try it (too lazy).
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Good, standard equipment. I did a few obligatory workouts to justify all the delicious food.
- Foot bath: Ah, the joy. Soothing and relaxing!
- Massage: Bliss. I was a puddle of relaxation afterward.
- Pool with view: Magnificent! The views from the pool are stunning, especially at sunset.
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom: All available.
- Swimming pool/Swimming pool [outdoor]: Spacious, clean, and refreshing.
The entire spa experience was a highlight, and the staff were incredible. The only downside? It's so tempting to spend all your time there, and then you miss out on exploring Banjarmasin!
Eats & Drinks: A Culinary Adventure (with a Sprinkle of "Meh")
Food is always the litmus test, right? The Queen City offers a dining extravaganza, but it isn't entirely consistent.
- A la carte in restaurant/Asian breakfast/Asian cuisine in restaurant/Buffet in restaurant/Coffee/tea in restaurant/Desserts in restaurant/Happy hour/International cuisine in restaurant/Poolside bar/Restaurants/Salad in restaurant/Snack bar/Soup in restaurant/Vegetarian restaurant/Western breakfast/Western cuisine in restaurant: Plenty of options! The dining options are extensive. Breakfast was a buffet bonanza, but let's all agree that a buffet is only as good as the quality.
- Bar: Drinks available.
- Bottle of water: Free.
- Breakfast [buffet]/Breakfast service: The buffet was a mixed bag. Some dishes were delicious, others were a bit… bland.
- Coffee shop: They had coffee! (See above).
- Dinner and Drinks at Poolside Bar: Poolside was great!
- Room service [24-hour]: Convenient (and sometimes necessary).
- Vegan Restaurant option: Excellent!
A major win was the Asian Cuisine which was amazing! The Breakfast Buffet was generally good, though the quality varied day by day. The Poolside Bar was great for a drink, and the 24-hour room service was a lifesaver after a long day.
Cleanliness, Safety & The Pandemic Protocol Polka:
Let's talk the elephant in the room: COVID-19. The Queen City tries.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They claim it.
- Breakfast in room: You can request it.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes.
- Cashless payment service: Available.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Visible
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Banjarmasin adventure at the Queen City Hotel, and let me tell you, it's gonna be a ride. This isn't going to be some pristine, perfectly-organized itinerary. Nope. This is the travel equivalent of your messy best friend spilling their heart – and maybe some coffee – all over the kitchen table.
Queen City Chaos: Banjarmasin, Here We Come (and Maybe a Nap)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the AC That's About to Become My Best Friend
7:00 AM (ish) - The Flight From Hell (AKA, The Worst Plane Food Ever): Alright, so the journey started with the usual pre-dawn scramble. You know the drill. The airport smells of desperation, the coffee's weak, and the flight attendant looks like she's seen some things. But hey, we made it! Though, that little mystery meat they called breakfast… I'm still recovering.
11:00 AM - Hotel Check-In & Room Revelation: Stepping into the lobby of the Queen City Hotel… okay, not a five-star experience but very clean. The receptionist, bless her heart, was probably the most patient person on the planet with my jet-lagged, bewildered self. Finally, the room! A little more character than the sterile airport. The AC? My God, it's a life-saver! It's the tropics, people! This is going to be my home for the next few nights.
12:00 PM - Lunch – Because Hangry is a Thing: Right, fuel up! Found a little warung (local eatery) a few blocks away. The menu was a chaotic mix of Indonesian words I couldn't decipher, but the friendly owner pointed me towards something that turned out to be Gado-Gado. It was delicious. Delicious! But also, I'm pretty sure I spilled some on my shirt. Oops.
2:00 PM - The Nap Imperative: Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Back to the hotel for a much-needed power nap. Seriously, if you see a giant, snoring blob in the hotel room… don’t be surprised. It's probably me.
5:00 PM - First Glimpse of Banjarmasin: The River and the Market: Okay, feeling a little more human. Time to explore! Went to the floating market. The colorful boats overflowing with fruits and vegetables. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, the water splashing against the wooden boats, the sheer life of it all was overwhelming. This is when I realized how much I loved this city.
7:00 PM - Dinner & Debrief: Back to the hotel, feeling a bit stunned by sensory overload. I try to find a restaurant that isn't super crowded, which in Banjarmasin, is a real challenge. Found a small place with some delicious soto banjar (local soup). After dinner? Total collapse. This whole "traveling" thing is exhausting!
Day 2: Floating Markets, Lost in Translation, and a Spiritual Moment
6:00 AM - Sunrise Surprise & Market Mania Round 2: Okay, so maybe 6 am is too early. But the dawn over the river was stunning. Went back to the floating market, this time with camera in tow. The colors, the smells… I’m pretty obsessed. Negotiating prices is a whole other level of challenge, though. I think I got completely ripped off. But hey, the fruits were amazing!
9:00 AM - Culture Shock… or Just Bad Directions?: Decided to visit a local temple (or what I thought was a local temple). Got utterly lost. Thanks to my navigational skills (or lack thereof), ended up wandering down a dusty alleyway, stared down by a family of chickens. Found a temple eventually, but the whole detour made me wonder if I was cut out for this travel thing.
12:00 PM - Lunch with a Side of Regret: Went for lunch. Had a dish that the server said was a "traditional Banjarmasin delicacy." Turns out, it was… interesting. Let's just say it wasn't my favorite. Trying to politely eat the whole plate in front of very attentive waiters was an experience.
2:00 PM - The Magic of the Mosque (Seriously): Found a magnificent mosque, and I wasn't even that religious. The architecture, the quiet reverence, the sheer beauty of the place… It was a moment of calm, a respite from the hustle and bustle. It really hit me. I felt a real sense of peace. This is why I travel.
4:00 PM - Shopping Spree (or Attempted Shopping Spree): Went to a local market. It was an explosion of colors, smells, and noise. Found a beautiful batik scarf. I ended up haggling with the seller and was pretty proud of my progress. I think I won.
7:00 PM - Sunset on the River and a Deep Sigh: Walk along the river. The sunset was unreal, painting the sky with fiery colors. I just sat there and sighed, letting the day wash over me. Honestly, I felt happy.
Day 3: Departure & The Promise of Return
8:00 AM - The Hotel Breakfast That Almost Broke Me: The hotel breakfast. It was… adequate. The coffee was weak.
9:00 AM - Last Minute Souvenirs & Farewell: I went back to the floating market again. Stocked up on souvenirs. I think I will miss this chaos! I love this place.
12:00 PM - Check Out & Goodbyes: Check-out was smooth and easy. It's time to go home.
1:00 PM- Travel Home: The flight home. It's always a sad thing.
Final Thoughts:
Banjarmasin, you were a wild ride. A chaotic, beautiful, delicious, and sometimes confusing adventure. I got lost, I ate things I couldn't pronounce, and I probably looked ridiculous more than once. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. The Queen City Hotel, you were good to me.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Consider this a promise.
Escape to Paradise: Cyrus Resort's Alleppey Luxury Awaits
Okay, so "Unbelievable Luxury" – is that the whole truth? Because, let's be honest, hotel websites *lie*.
Alright, alright, let's get this straight. "Unbelievable Luxury" is... well, it depends. It's like that friend who *always* exaggerates. Is the Queen City luxurious? Yeah, in a Banjarmasin kind of way. Think plush carpets (probably a bit stained – shhh, don't look too closely!), massive beds, and gleaming chandeliers that *try* to convey opulence. But "unbelievable"? Nah. More like "believable, with a healthy dose of Southeast Asian practicality." The swimming pool? Gorgeous in the photos. In reality? Slightly smaller, surrounded by sun loungers with those suspiciously comfortable-looking cushions (that were probably exposed to the elements). Still, I'm a sucker for a good pool, and it did the trick.
The Food! Tell me about the food! Did I read "fine dining"?
Oh, the food. See, this is where things get *interesting*. "Fine dining"? Hmm. Let's say the presentation *tries* to be fine dining. I’m pretty sure the chef was channeling a Michelin-starred dream from somewhere, but the delivery... let's just say the execution wasn't always perfectly aligned with the ambition. I ordered the grilled fish one night – because when in doubt, always go for the grilled fish. My inner monologue screamed: "Will it be dry? Overcooked? Undercooked? So many possibilities!" It arrived beautifully plated, surrounded by artfully arranged asparagus (which was a bit *soggy*, I'm not gonna lie), and... it was *perfectly* cooked. Actually, it was amazing. My cynical heart did a little happy dance. But the next morning's breakfast buffet? Well, let's just say the coffee was the kind you'd expect – strong, but not particularly memorable. The pastries? A mixed bag – some delightful, some... let's say they’d seen better days. Look, you can't win 'em all. My advice? Stick to the local dishes. The Nasi Goreng? Solid. The Gado-Gado? Actually, stellar. It's about managing expectations.
Room Service! Necessary or a recipe for disaster?
Room service... now you're talking my language. I'm a HUGE fan of staying in and watching bad TV with way too much food. I ordered a burger (because, again, comfort food is essential) at, like, 1 AM. The burger arrived surprisingly quickly. And it was actually… good? A little greasy, sure, but in the best possible way. It completely saved me from the existential dread that always creeps in when you're alone in a hotel room in a new country. The guy who delivered it? Sweetest smile, even at that ungodly hour. He struggled a bit with English, and I tried to charm him by butchering the Indonesian I'd barely learned, but it was the most authentic interaction I had the whole trip. A genuine human connection! It was almost worth the inevitable regret of eating a whole burger that late. Almost.
The Staff – are they as friendly as the brochures claim?
Okay, the staff. This is where the Queen City *shines*. Seriously. They are, without exception, some of the kindest, most helpful people I've ever encountered. They *genuinely* seem to care about your experience. I somehow managed to lock myself out of my room at, like, 3 AM. (Don't ask. Let's just say I was tired and the key card reader was… temperamental.) The guy at the front desk (different guy than the burger hero!) was unbelievably patient and sorted it out with a smile, while I was probably radiating pure, unadulterated embarrassment. They're pros. They navigate languages, culture differences, and sleep-deprived tourists with grace and aplomb. Seriously, the staff? Five stars. Deserved every bit of it.
Location, Location, Location! Is it actually convenient?
Location. It's… okay. It's not *central* central. You're not going to stumble out the door and be immediately in the middle of all the action. You'll need a taxi or a ride-sharing app to get around. (Grab is your friend, trust me). But it's not *terrible*, either. It's in a relatively quiet area, away from the absolute chaos of the main roads. There's a shopping mall reasonably nearby (for those emergency retail therapy sessions, obviously). And getting a taxi wasn't a huge hassle. So yeah, convenient-ish. It’s a good basecamp, but don’t expect to walk everywhere. Don't expect a postcard view, either. Banjarmasin isn't a city known for its postcard views. It is, however, a city with a soul, and the Queen City allows you to explore it without being completely overwhelmed.
Okay, the decor. Is it… stylish? Modern? Or something else entirely?
The decor. This is where things get *wonderfully*… unique. Let's just call it "eclectic." Think a blend of modern (ish) furniture with a generous sprinkling of… well, let's call it "local flair." The lobby had a chandelier that looked like it was aiming for "opulent," and succeeding in terms of lighting… maybe not in terms of actual *opulence*. My room? Clean, comfortable (that bed was amazing), and with a view of… other buildings. Perfectly functional, but not exactly the kind of space that inspires you to write poetry. It’s less minimalist chic and more… "well-loved." There was a slight musty smell, but, hey, I was in Borneo! What do you expect? This is where you have to embrace the imperfections. And honestly? I found a strange, almost comforting charm to the place. It wasn't perfect, but it was… real. And sometimes, real is better than perfect.
Would you recommend it? The REAL answer.
Would I recommend it? Okay, the final verdict. Look, if you're looking for a flawless, ultra-luxurious experience with every single detail polished to perfection? Maybe this isn't it. But if you're after a comfortable, clean place to stay in Banjarmasin with a genuinely friendly staff, decent food (with a few stand-out moments), and a pool that is… well, a pool, then YES. Absolutely. I'd go back in a heartbeat. There will be moments that frustrate you. There will be things that aren’t quite *perfect*. There will be some lingering smell of… well, you get it. But the staff, the unexpected moments of deliciousness (that grilled fish!!), and the overall feeling of… well,Thailand's Most Stunning Treetop Pool Villa: Hua Hin Luxury Awaits
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