Bandung Budget Hotel

Arriving on Bandung, Accommodation is obviously an important agenda. As Leisure Activities previously depicted attractions at Jalan Riau Bandung and the convenience of staying over at Hotel Santika Bandung, there is no doubt that some travellers opt for lower cost alternative and most probably would not mind to stay away from the crowded shopping Street.

The local municipality has forecasted new additional rooms in the vicinity of 12,000 units by the year 2010 consisting from low budget to boutique style as well as high upper class accommodations, but mostly 3 stars and lower. There are no less than 6 Budget Hotels along the Supratman Street which connects the Diponegoro where Gedung Sate is located to the formerly great post road currently A Yani Boulevard.

The area represents well within 5 minutes drive to the famous Dago as well as Riau Streets where the access to both from Supratman Street offer less congested traffic, furthermore the neighbouring area has plenty of decent restaurants for example Roemah Nenek at Cibeunying Selatan Street and the sea food speciality Parit 9 at Anggrek Street are located right in the middle of between Supratman and Riau Streets.

The Bandung Budget Hotel has typically offers sufficient space with decent amenities (AC, 14” TV and hot shower) in the Rp. 300,000 to 500,000 pricing range, some are offering large family room including breakfast for a pair minimum. Travellers could expect bargain rate during the week days.

For more info on these Hotels whereabouts within the above area; see Bandung Trip Map Guide.

The Supratman runs along in parallel to the Riau Street with one particular access through Lapangan Supratman.

Santika Bandung

Following the previous article on Jalan Riau Bandung the Hotel Santika Bandung is an excellent choice for modern 3 stars accommodation within the famous shopping district. It is located next to a high class Yogya Department Store and just few hundreds meter to the Dago, Merdeka and Riau Streets cross section.

As mentioned in the previous article as well on the issue of handling the Group travelling hurdle; staying at this Hotel did solve our travelling hindrances. A few years back we travelled to Bandung in not less than 5 families group on 4 separate vehicles, there were 2 families with toddlers. The Hotel’s swimming pool facility helped to fulfil our toddler needs, though it was not heated and being tiny, it was sufficient to distract them from gaming gadgetry.

The rest of the group was essentially divided into two main distinct sub groups with different shopping targets, one to find bargain toddler clothing where as the other one for adult clothing and accessories. Then it was further divided into fancy, branded or just plain ordinary merchandise. Accordingly the group simply dispersed and subsequently disappeared into the nearby corresponding Factory Outlets.

Furthermore we could just walk to those outlets on Riau, Dago or Merdeka Street in a convenient manner. And when the kids got enough of swimming in cold, we then brought them to the Cisangkuy Street in less than 5 minutes drive away for Horse Riding; it was actually very close to the former Dutch Indies government office the Gedung Sate.

Incidentally when you Travel to Bandung Inroad via Cipularang Toll road and exits through Pasteur gate you would end up from the fly over bridge at the Northern side of the Gedung Sate. Though be aware that driving during the peak season would take in multiple of 5 minutes duration, perhaps up to four times more!

Jalan Riau Bandung

Riau Street or Jalan Riau Bandung is one of many popular shopping Streets out of yet a number of tourist attraction locations within North Bandung. This Northern part section had been developed by the Dutch Indies prior to 1930s period and was designed and allocated for its government offices as well as their respective housing areas.

The development was the natural evolvement from the year 1812 where large Java Cities connecting main road was established and roughly around a century later that railway was constructed, the train station and the great post road as it was called were both located right at the center of Bandung.

By extending the city to its Northern direction all government buildings could get the Tangkuban Perahu Mountain view as such that most building is indeed facing the then fantastic mountain scenery, if the building has had not received alteration at all. And by sheer coincident should you Travel to Bandung Inroad via Cipularang Toll road and exits through Pasteur gate you would end up from the fly over bridge at the Northern side of the former Dutch Indies main government building the Gedung Sate.

The Riau Street extends from Dago Street another shopping area to the great post road now A Yani Boulevard, for more info on both street whereabouts within North Bandung area including some Outlet and Hotel Lists; see Bandung Trip Map Guide.

Being one of local tourist attraction is always busy particularly during the long public holiday; getting caught in a traffic jam during this period on either Dago or Riau Street is like being stranded in the middle of a huge parade of carnival, you might as well be taking a leisure stroll while carefully selecting out which Factory Outlet that fancy to drop by.

Therefore for those who fancy dropping by to each Outlet, getting accommodation within the area would be a sensible and convenient choice as there are dozens of Hotels available. Many people are travelling in a group whose members are having different shopping interest; the group could disperse and regroup later back in the nearby Hotel. Group coordination hurdle and hassles is cut to the minimum!

Leisure discrepancy between Detroit Vs Bandung

There is a whole discrepancy meaning between leisure activities in Detroit to Bandung city, or should I say difference instead. It has been 6 months period of time since we touch great implication of downturn economy crisis  to world wide globally and in particular both areas Detroit and Bandung. Fascinating stories emanates from the big three in Detroit. The roles and hence powerful UAW, its contribution toward one big party, the Senate hearing for automotive industries seeking bail out and recently the UAW's ownership on Chrysler.

You have heard the background stories and the looming inevitable chapter 11 as well as great reluctance from public opinion to assist crappy quality automobile manufacturing. No need to iterate another story telling except that story as the implication reflects on Bandung. While the diminutive city also suffers from lay off problems well into thousands workers, the city itself has not lost its attraction as urban tourism magnet center.

Thousands of Jakartan city dwellers are still flocking into Bandung every week-end, and it might double the amount during long week-end. If current hotel room capacity is estimated around 7,000 rooms (don't bother to validate this figures as Bandung's own municipality has lost the counts! Ironically as they are more interested into optimizing their coffer rather than maintaining the city's public facilities), at least 20 thousands something Jakartans visit Bandung regularly. Hence every week-end it would be a struggle booking a  decent room and getting into the traffic. Riau, Dago as well as Braga St would pose as a bumper to bumper traffic style.

Apart of those small number of export oriented ventures the remaining industrial sectors are still pumping fresh blood to the local economy, well almost. Since new car registration is dwindling down for most people has postponed purchasing new car. But local food-stall, restaurant as well as retail outlets are as healthy as ever. As it would be difficult to get a seating during every meal time! These occurrences are no exception to low budget nor high pricing restaurants alike. Even the main road to Bandung the Cipularang toll gets traffic jam also!

Arriving on Bandung : Accommodation

Finish your breakfast @Cisangkuy st? And your children need bargain clothing as the one that they are wearing get dirty due to the horse riding? A few hundred meter away at Supratman st. you will find an outlet "Cargo".

Now it is the time to check on accommodation. There is a nice and lush colonial style hotel nearby "Bumi Asih" at Banda st. in the other direction next to Gedung Sate. Banda st. is parallel to Cisangkuy st. Bumi Asih website is just recently refurbished.

Further away heading for Riau st. by taking the first right turn from Banda is another budget, clean and quiet hotel "Progo" at Progo st. Along the Riau st. there are further hotels, both budget and 3 stars. Among others; Santika and recently Grand Serella (opened in 2007) etc.

By following this direction, I have made up my promise in offering you the second less congested route to Riau st. And directly driving from Pasteur toll gateway.

Driving further from Cisangkuy, following the main road as you pass the lush park as entering Cilaki st.; To your left is Wisma Cilaki, a cheaper home stay alternative. On the other direction following Supratman st., Hotel Mitra, Corsica, Barito and so on. Both Supratman and Cilaki meets and merging at another park "Supratman", formerly Ciujung. During the Dutch Indies era known as Houtman Plein.

The whole encompassing area mentioned above was once known as part of the "Old European District" in 1930s.

Every year there are hundred additional rooms being built, in 2009 alone it is estimated to be 1,200 rooms. This figures are officially from the relevant municipality as they announce 7 new hotel establishments plan. It is unknown though the recent effect of Global downturn crisis to this plan!

Customer wise expect fierce competitive pricing of room rates. Either way room rates is getting more and more affordable especially during low season, that is week-days. However during long national holiday rate is hike up markedly as it is difficult to get a booking. Home stay option is quite abound, one family may rent a whole house. You may search them through Internet, some are being advertised in English.

It is worthwhile to mention that there are certain nieches of hotel type suitable for nostalgic stay. For example; Art deco style Grand Preanger (Charlie chaplin was here), Savoy Homann. Smaller and thus more of homely type of stay; Sawunggaling, De Tropis guest house and recently on trial running Saskava guest house.

There are further list of hotel available if you click any of the hotal above a few will take you there. For hotel reviews you could consult tripadvisor. Here many visitors are gladly sharing their experiences of staying, click on either Sawunggaling or De Tropis.

*Relevant articles in the past :

• Bandung map guide @ "Old Indische European District"
• why-paris-van-java
• Adventurous leisure
• shopping
• gifts
• mighty-detroit-succumbs-to-dc

Harley Stand

A Harley on a mock up stand for the coming Detroit show? It is official now that Nissan, Rolls Royce and Ferrari have withdrawn from the show. But Harley Davidson has not join the withdrawal party yet?

Nay, this Harley is on display at a very cosy and lush restaurant. In Bandung. You read it right, a 100 grand roadster being displayed permanently to enhance the interior decoration.

Available dishes are; Traditional, Japanese and Western meals. Traditional dishes are being displayed half cook. Choose and it is ready to be served immediately, other dishes though take a while to prepare.

Four people having a traditional meal, has cost a mere US $ 12 @ 11,000 exchange rates.

All kind of dishes are equally good and the services is excellent. How do we get there?

See my previous driving guide route and look for :

Roemah Keboen at Riau street, Bandung

For further info on the Harley bike, please pay a visit to this link A Harley (MoGe)

Mighty Detroit succumbs to DC.

Around the globe at leisure, Detroit;

Last night Marten Feldstein a professor at Harvard says it bold: “chapter 11 is the viable solution for the big three automotive companies”. If 3 millions people are out of jobs, then consequently add another 3 millions from their supplier-chains. Who do you think has the time to read our leisure article?

Is there a country with “clear borderline” that is not vulnerable to the downturn crisis? Is there a market that immune to the “borderless” global economy? While most experts could not answer as when the crisis would be over, our logical thoughts could certainly answer these two questions. Well, who reads our leisure article then?

Not so long ago I have proposed the likely people who are on high probability of becoming visitors. This is absurd,:“These people live thousands miles from Detroit, you are out of the scope.” It is beyond your league.

Another part of the globe at leisure;

A 92 years old restaurant in Japan has recently won exclusive awards in two consecutive years. The restaurant employs geisha in a very secluded dining cubicle at a cost of US $ 292 / person. The menu is constantly changing every fortnight. Fancy dining in? There is a five months queue for reservation.

Ordinary folks and news agency alike have been seen to seek out “beyond their league” answers for the crisis.

Another part of the globe that is truly taking things leisurely;

A good decent meal consisting of rice, meat and vegetable is only a dime. Forget about price elasticity. Too spicy? Then head for an assortment of tennis ball sized meatball, a complete set cost you around 2 bucks! You need a direction? The former one is known as yogjakartan traditional food “Gudeg”, the latter one is “bakso”

They are respectively located at Jln.(street) Lap. Supratman and Jln. Cendana on a tiny city called Bandung. By the way on their busy time, 15 minutes are the longest queue!

More civilized place for the more civilized gentlemen. Just right after the “Gudeg” stall take a left turn to Jamuju st. Then, proceed to the right turn at T junction into Anggrek st. You will find a seafood restaurant “Parit 9”. Be there in time, since the place is always packed full during week-end. Our favourite dishes are;

• 
  Asparagus with crab meat thick soup. Ask for less spicy should your stomach not up to it.
  
  
• Broccoli served with mix seafood in soy sauce. There is more than one sauce option available; whichever you pick the vegetable especially broccoli are fresh, sweet and succulent.
  
  
• And order coconut juice with brown sugar syrup to complement your meal.
  
  

A fancier one would be to follow lap. Supratman st (it is one way traffic) from “Gudeg” on the second T junction take left into Cendana st. Follow the road till you drive pass a five junctions with traffic lights, right at the end of a small park to your right take another left.

You are already at The Famous Riau st, where most of the big outlets are located along the street if you take right turn instead. This route is very convenient since you are avoiding both Dago and Riau Street where most of the big cluster of outlets are located at. Try to drive at week-end then you see the kind of bumper to bumper traffic jam style.

As I promised, that is your “less congested route option for you”. Back to Riau st follow the road till you well pass a traffic lighted intersection, you will notice to your left there is baliness type of building. Kafe Bali is based upon old colonial house which was renovated into a modern and inviting cosy meal place. All dishes are available at the counter in a well presented manner, the only thing you do is to point and the lady will have it serve to your plate. Dishes are not only looking good but they are also tasty. Four adults with generous choices of dishes cost us around US $ 14 (at current exchange rate of 11,000).

Feldstein opinion was on air at squawk box, CNBC. Amidst the tough Senate Hearing for the big Detroit car makers asking for $ 25 B each (?) bridging bail out due to low sales and stricter loan market. Travel industry, in the tiny city of Bandung on the Southern part of hemisphere the Java island, goes about pumping its hard cash into surrounding economy at its common pace.

No bail out available, should we fall into the same trap! God Bless us all!

myLot User Profile

Another leisure story

There is a great urge to write another story on Bandung-leisure, all on very personal experiences. Alas writing skill is not apparently on my talent yet. Worse being local and having visited Bandung Paris Van Java at least once a year for the last decades, I have no collection of any written data nor info on hands for those fabulous places. All have been taken for granted. Mount tangkuban perahu, ciater hot springs, Lembang, Maribaya, The Valley, Kampung daun, The strawberry Farm, The little Farm, Factory outlet (fo) at Riau street, more fo at Dago, more fo at setiabudi, the list goes on and on...

I do have digital documentation on The Little Farm though..... see my other post!

Staying at a hotel in Bandung was not a choice until my grandma passed away in 2003, since then my family has choices to stay at : Mitra, Sheraton, Bumi Asih, Papandayan, and some other places that I can't recall now. Yet, I could recommend Progo for its thrifty rate and cleanliness. Bumi santika for convenience to Riau street as well as Grand Serella. They all offer great discount during week-days, and expect a lot more expensive during week-end. Also do expect traffic jams in popular areas during those week-ends.

more on secret route avoiding traffic jam... on next posting!

Having said that, fortunately the internet sources provide plenty of vivid info on these subjects. I have spent hours trying to get recent info and in my opinion good descriptions. It will save you time and effort rather than searching by yourself. This address provide just that! Browse to ; http://www.leslieho.com/category/fitnest-test-at-tangkuban-perahu/..that is posted on 10th of January 2008