Indonesian Paradise Found: JL Star Hotel Makassar Awaits!
Indonesian Paradise Found: JL Star Hotel Makassar Awaits! – A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your average, sterile hotel review. We're diving headfirst into the JL Star Hotel in Makassar, Indonesia, and I'm gonna lay it all out, warts and all. Expect some ramblings, some gushing, and maybe a few eye rolls from me. You've been warned!
(SEO/Metadata - We'll sprinkle these in, promise!)
Keywords: JL Star Hotel Makassar, Makassar Hotels, Indonesia Travel, Accessible Hotels Makassar, Spa Makassar, Pool with a View, Makassar Restaurants, Indonesian Hospitality, Family-Friendly Hotels Makassar, Business Hotel Makassar.
Accessibility: The Good, the "Almost," and the "Could Do Better"
Alright, let's get the accessibility stuff out of the way first. This is IMPORTANT, ya know? The JL Star Hotel mostly gets it right, but there's room for improvement.
(Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible)
- Elevator Action: Good news! There's an elevator. Essential for anyone who can't climb stairs (like me, after a particularly enthusiastic street food binge). Check!
- Ramps? Yep, ramps in all the right places. Smooth sailing, mostly.
- Rooms: I didn't personally get to check out a specifically accessible room, but the descriptions online suggest they exist. Definitely call ahead and confirm if you need a fully wheelchair-accessible setup. Don't just assume, learnt that the hard way.
- **Bathrooms: *This is where things get a bit… vague.* I'd absolutely double-check on this. Call it.
- Around the Hotel: Getting around the main areas (lobby, restaurants) was pretty easy. Wide enough corridors and all that jazz.
Overall: Decent. Not perfect, but a solid effort. Definitely call ahead about specific room needs. I'd say a solid 7/10 on the accessibility front.
(SEO: Makassar accessibility, Makassar hotels for disabled guests)
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe? Mostly, Yeah
Okay, let's talk germ warfare, shall we? After all, this is 2024, and we're all basically germaphobes now. The JL Star really seemed to be on top of it.
(Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms)
- Hand Sanitizer Apocalypse: Everywhere! Like, seriously, it was like a hand sanitizer ocean. Inside, outside, near the elevator… You could bathe in the stuff. (Don't, though. Bad idea.)
- Masks: The staff were still masked up. Good for them.
- Disinfecting Mania: Common areas were constantly cleaned. I saw people wiping down surfaces non-stop. Made me feel a bit like the hotel was a sterile bubble.
- Room Sanitization Yes, the room had been sanitized.
- Food Safety: I was extra impressed with the food safety, they had individually wrapper stuff.
Overall: They take safety seriously. I felt incredibly secure, which is huge. I'd give them a 9/10 for making me feel safe
(SEO: Makassar Hotel Safety, Makassar Covid-19 Protocols, Safe Hotels Indonesia)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Adventure for Your Taste Buds!
Now, this is where things get interesting. Indonesian food? Oh, it's a love affair. The JL Star did a pretty good job feeding me.
(A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant)
- Breakfast Buffet Bonanza: Okay, the buffet. I lived for the buffet. It was glorious. Everything from fresh fruit to seriously spicy noodles.
- Ramblings about the buffet: I am absolutely obsessed with the breakfast buffet. Let me just say, I'm not a breakfast person, I was there, every single morning. The buffet at the JL Star Hotel was legendary. From fresh fruit bursting with tropical flavors to spicy noodles that lit my soul on fire
- The Juice Bar: The juice bar was a revelation. Freshly squeezed everything. They had this dragon fruit smoothie… Oh. My. God. I'd move in for that smoothie alone.
- Poolside Bar: You know, for those moments where you're lying by the pool, slightly sunburnt, and really need a cocktail. The pool bar was a savior. The mixed drinks were, let's just say, potent – and delicious.
- Restaurant Variety The various restaurants offer a diverse menu. I'd make sure to check out the recommendations for the day before!
Overall: Food was great, and the variety was amazing. They know how to fuel a traveler. (SEO: Makassar restaurants, Best restaurants Makassar, Makassar Hotel Dining)
Things to Do: Relax, Explore, and Dive In!
What's a vacation without a little… well, everything? The JL Star delivers on this, too.
(Ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor])
- Pool with a View: The outdoor pool was amazing. Especially at sunset. I spent way too much time floating around, staring up at the sky. Pure bliss.
- Spa Shenanigans: Okay, the spa. Let's just say I got a massage that was so good, I almost fell asleep on the table. Almost. The spa felt incredibly relaxing.
- Fitness Center: They got me working out, and it was surprisingly bearable.
Overall: Plenty to keep you occupied, or, you know, perfectly still and relaxed.
(SEO: Makassar Spa, Makassar Pool, Makassar Activities)
Rooms: Comfortable, with a Few Quirks…
(Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens)
- The Bed: The bed was like a cloud. Seriously comfy. I slept like a log, a very relaxed, well-rested log.
- The View: I was lucky enough to get a room with a view of the ocean. Breath-taking. Really.
- Wi-Fi: Fantastic! Free and lightning-fast Wi-Fi everywhere.
- Bathroom: Clean and modern. Big plus.
- Black-out curtains: Yes for the win
- Aircon: Worked like a charm.
- Linens: Good quality
Overall: The rooms were clean, well-equipped, and comfortable. A solid, modern choice.
(SEO: JL Star Hotel rooms, Makassar Hotel rooms, Best hotel rooms Makassar)
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing
(Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking)
- The Staff: Seriously, the staff were lovely. Always helpful, always smiling. Indonesian hospitality is the real deal.
- The Concierge: Super helpful with recommendations and booking things.
- Laundry service: Good and quick.
- **Daily House
Okay, buckle up Buttercups, because this isn't going to be your sterile, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is more like… my brain barfed onto a page, with a healthy dose of Makassar thrown in for good measure. We're going to the JL Star Hotel, supposedly a nice place, and I’m already picturing myself sprawled on the bed, fighting off jet lag with questionable snacks. Here we go…
Makassar Mayhem: A JL Star Hotel Diary (and Possibly a Meltdown)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Batik Panic
Morning (6:00 AM - Bleary Eyed): Ugh. Jakarta to Makassar. Flight was delayed, of course. I swear, I'm starting to think airlines are actively plotting against my sleep. That tiny, lukewarm "breakfast" they gave us on the plane? Don't even get me started. I swear I tasted more plastic than egg.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - The JL Star Arrives!): Finally, the promised land (or at least, the JL Star Hotel). Check-in was a blur of smiles and "Selamat Siang!"s (which I, embarrassingly, still don't know how to properly respond to). The room… well, it is clean. That's a good start, right? Okay, gotta unpack… where did I put my phone charger? Ah crap the universal adapter broke. Time to hit the local shops for something.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - Batik Battles): So, I decided I must buy some batik. It's a moral imperative when in Indonesia, right? Wrong. Finding a decent batik shop in the relentless Makassar heat is a Herculean task. I started at the mall, where I felt like a fish in a sea of bewildered shoppers. The sales assistants were either incredibly helpful (to the point of overwhelming) or completely indifferent. I accidentally offended a very insistent vendor by saying I was "just looking". Now he is following me. By the time I found a shop that actually had some decent designs, I was already dripping sweat and on the verge of a meltdown. (I did buy some, though, of course!)
Evening (7:00 PM - Food, Glorious Food… and Bugs?): Dinner. I'm wandering around the area (no idea where I am, but it smells delicious). Found a street vendor serving a local delicacy – Coto Makassar. It's a hearty, flavorful soup, and I was practically inhaling it when… eep. A tiny, but very much present, bug landed right in my soup. Okay, maybe it was the jet lag, but my first instinct was to scream like a toddler. I, of course, played it cool, discreetly pushed it aside and pretended to eat like I did not saw anything, and kept going. It was amazing. Gotta love the street food of Indonesia.
Evening (9:00 PM - Bedtime: Back at the JL Star. So, I'm gonna lie here, wide awake. Body clock? What body clock?! The aircon is struggling to keep up, and I'm pretty sure the hotel's internet is run by hamsters on tiny treadmills. But hey, at least I survived my first day. Now, I have to try and get some rest. (wish me luck!)
Day 2: Adventures (and Misadventures) in Makassar
Morning (8:00 AM - Breakfast Blunders and the Sunrise Struggle): Slept…ish. Wake up from all the noises of the city. That "buffet breakfast" that was promised? More like a buffet of… okay food. The pastries were stale, and the coffee tasted like mud. But, it came with a view! From my window, I saw the rising sun over the city, and it was… pretty. For like, five minutes, before the traffic horn fiesta started.
Morning (10:00 AM - Fort Rotterdam: I decided to toughen up and visit Fort Rotterdam. The history here is pretty good. I stumbled upon a local woman who was taking selfies with some historical monuments. I asked her for tips: she told me some, she said "wear some sunscreen", "do not argue with the locals if you don't want to get into trouble", and "always bring cash".
Afternoon (2:00 PM - The Beach Bliss (and the Seagull Attack)): Pantai Losari! Supposedly the place to be. I figured: sun, sea, relaxation. Reality? Packed with people. The beach itself? Fine, nothing special. But the food vendors were out of this world. I ordered some fresh grilled fish, and it was heaven. Then, a seagull, possessed by a demon of hunger, swooped down and tried to steal my lunch. I screamed like a little girl. The locals thought it was the funniest thing they'd seen all day.
Evening (6:00 PM - Sunset Serenity (ish)): Sunset. Saw the lights of the city going on. A nice moment, but that seagull made me look at the beach with a whole new level of paranoia.
Evening (8:00 PM - Karaoke, Maybe?): I’m considering karaoke. It's a real cultural experience, right? Or maybe… just maybe… I'll let my sanity win and stay in my room. I’m leaning towards the latter.
Day 3: Leaving Makassar (and My Sanity?)
Morning (7:00 AM - The Luggage Lament): Packing. Always the worst part of a trip. I'm pretty sure I have more souvenirs than clothes at this point. And I'm still trying to figure out the Indonesian for "Where can I find a working ATM?"
Morning (9:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Scramble): The airport. The last-minute dash for souvenirs (because I definitely haven't bought enough already). I ended up with a batik scarf that's the color of a radioactive sunset and probably won't fit in my suitcase.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - Makassar Farewell): On my way back home. Farewell, messy, wonderful, and occasionally terrifying Makassar.
Throughout the trip (Random Ramblings):
- Why is everything spicy? Even the "mild" dishes are nuclear!
- The mosquitoes here are like tiny, bloodthirsty vampires.
- Did I mention how amazing the people are? So friendly and helpful (even when I was a bumbling idiot).
This is it, a mess. Hopefully, it will give you a small idea of what to expect at the JL Star Hotel in Makassar. Do not expect perfection, laugh at the chaos, and embrace the adventure, because, in a nutshell, it’s what travel is all about.
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Indonesian Paradise... Or Is It? Your JL Star Hotel Makassar FAQs – Unfiltered!
Okay, Real Talk: Is the JL Star Hotel Makassar Actually *Paradise* Like the Ads Say?
Paradise? Look, let's be real. I've seen paradise. I've also seen the bottom of a swimming pool after a particularly enthusiastic dive. The JL Star is... somewhere in between. It's not a concrete jungle, thankfully. Definitely not. The staff are genuinely lovely, bless their cotton socks. But paradise? Nah. It's more like... "Pretty Good With Some Mild Quirks." Think of it as a really decent buffet – you’ll find some genuinely amazing dishes (more on those later!), some that are perfectly fine, and maybe one or two things you subtly push around your plate with your fork, hoping nobody notices you don't touch it.
What's the Vibe? Am I Going to Be Surrounded by Instagram Influencers or... Regular People?
Alright, the vibe. This is crucial. I went for the "escape," not the "be seen." Thankfully, the JL Star leans more towards "regular people." I saw some families, a couple of honeymooners (aww!), and what I *think* was a guy just desperately trying to finish a work presentation on his laptop in the lobby. It was a refreshing mix. No posing, no filters – just people trying to enjoy their holiday. (And yes, I also did see a few influencers, but they were mostly busy filming themselves eating breakfast. Not very engaging, tbh.) Honestly? I appreciated the lack of pressure to perform. I could actually *relax*.
The Rooms – Are They Actually Clean? (Because that's, like, the MOST important thing.)
CLEANLINESS. The ultimate test! Okay, deep breaths. My room? Pretty darn clean. I did the "white glove test," (you know, secretly rubbing my finger on the surfaces) and, generally, I passed. There were a few… *minor* dust bunnies under the bed (shhh, don’t judge me, I always check under the bed!), but nothing that made me want to run screaming for the hills. The bathroom was spotless, the towels fluffy (always a win!), and the AC worked like a champ (thank GOD, because Makassar is HOT!). It was definitely cleaner than my apartment back home. So, yeah, thumbs up on the hygiene front!
The Swimming Pool - Tell me Everything! Is it overcrowded or is it possible to actually RELAX there?
The pool... Oh, the pool! *Sigh*. Okay, here's a story. One afternoon, I waltzed down to the pool, eager to unwind with a book and a cocktail (priorities!). It was packed. Like, packed-packed. Kids were cannonballing, inflatable flamingos were battling for territory, and I felt like I was swimming in a mosh pit of chlorine. I lasted about 10 minutes before retreating to my room, defeated. The next day, I went at 9 AM, before the hordes arrived. Ahhh, peace and quiet! So, my advice? Pool time is HIGHLY dependent on timing. Go early, or risk the chaos (and the potential for a rogue water balloon to the face. Trust me, it’s happened to me before, its not good.) Consider yourself warned! The pool itself: lovely. The ambiance: hit or miss.
The Food – Seriously, Is It Any Good? I'm a Food Snob, So Be Honest!
Okay, food. This is where things get interesting. The breakfast buffet? Mixed bag. There were some seriously impressive Indonesian dishes – the nasi goreng (fried rice) was divine. Seriously, I could have eaten a mountain of it. Same goes for the *sate ayam* (chicken satay). Utterly, utterly delicious. And the fresh fruit? Mangoes so sweet they practically sang to me. But then, there were the "Western" options, which were a bit... meh. The scrambled eggs tasted like they'd been sitting under a heat lamp for a week. The coffee? Let's just say it wasn't winning any awards. My advice? Stick to the Indonesian stuff. Embrace the local flavors. You won't regret it (and your stomach will thank you!).
Transportation! How easy is it to get around from the JL Star? Is it walkable?
Transportation from the JL Star? Okay, here's the deal. Walking? Not really. Makassar is sprawling, and it's HOT. Unless you enjoy sweating buckets (which, admittedly, some people do), I wouldn't recommend it. Luckily, taxis are readily available, and the hotel staff will happily call one for you. Grab (Indonesia's version of Uber) is also a good option, especially if you're on a budget. Be prepared for some traffic, though – Makassar's not exactly known for its smooth-flowing streets. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
Staff! Are they helpful, accommodating, and generally… good?
The staff? Absolutely. They are the shining stars of this hotel. So friendly, so helpful, always smiling. Seriously, nothing was too much trouble. I had a minor issue with my hairdryer (okay, it spontaneously combusted), and within minutes, a new one was delivered to my room. They knew my name after only one day! (Maybe I spent too much time at the buffet... who knows?) Their service made a huge difference in my overall experience. Honestly, the staff alone would almost make me want to go back. They really felt like they genuinely wanted to help. Big shout-out to them!
Any Hidden Gems Near the JL Star? Worth Exploring?
Hidden gems! Oh, yes! This is where it gets juicy. Okay, so a bit of a ramble: Forget trying to plan everything. Just talk to the staff! They know the best stuff. One tip: go to the fish market. It’s an experience. Be warned: It STINKS (like, really stinks). But the sheer energy, the haggling, the mountains of fresh seafood… it's truly something else. Another gem? Search for a local warung (small, family-run restaurant) that specialized in *coto Makassar* (Makassar-style beef soup). It’s ridiculously delicious, and the perfect antidote to a slightly underwhelming breakfast. Trust me: explore! Get lost! Embrace the chaos! (Just pack some hand sanitizer.) My biggest regret was not exploring *enough*. This is your reminder to do it!
What are some Common Complaints about the JL Star?
