Makassar's Hidden Gem: OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House Review!
Makassar's Hidden Gem? My Chaotic Affair with OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House! (Spoiler: It's Complicated)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, sometimes-confusing, always-interesting world of OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House in Makassar. I'm talking about a place that bills itself as a "hidden gem," and honestly? It is…sort of. More like a slightly-tarnished, very-affordable, surprisingly-charming-at-times, gem. Let's just say my experience was a rollercoaster. Prepare for the REAL review, the messy, honest, and hopefully helpful version.
Accessibility - The Quest Begins!
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. Now, I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but this place looked tricky. No clear signage I saw for ramps or accessible routes, and the lay of the land seemed to have some stairs. This isn’t definitively a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting. Wheelchair accessible, unfortunately, seems like it might be a stretch. Maybe inquire beforehand, but go in with your eyes open.
Check-in/out [express] / Check-in/out [private] - The Smooth and the… Not-so-Smooth
Now, the website claimed contactless check-in/out. Great! In theory. In practice, it was a bit of a comedy of errors. The staff, bless their hearts, are genuinely friendly, but the whole thing took a bit of fumbling. Eventually, we got there, but it was more "extended check-in" than "express." Private? Hmmm, not so much, given that it felt like everyone in the lobby was watching.
Rooms - The Good, the Bad, and the Extra-Long Bed… What?!
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. The Air conditioning blasted like a hurricane (thank GOD, Makassar is HOT!). Air conditioning in public area was… hit or miss. The room? Decent. Cleanish. You know the drill. Blackout curtains, absolutely essential. And I appreciated the complimentary tea and free bottled water. A small mercy in the chaos.
The Internet access – wireless worked, though it wasn’t the lightning-fast internet. You could download, but not fast. The internet access – LAN? I didn’t even try. Honestly, after battling the hotel's Wi-Fi in public areas, I wasn’t in the mood for a cable. But hey, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Always a plus.
Now about the extra long bed: Dude, it really was extra long! I'm a pretty tall dude and it was great. Extra long bed wins!
But the bathroom? The bathroom was where things got… interesting. The shower was functional at best. And the towels? Well, let's just say I've had softer sandpaper. Slippers were a nice touch though. Toiletries: Basic. Bring your own, trust me.
Cleanliness and Safety - Sanitized…ish?
Okay, this is a big one. Anti-viral cleaning products are listed, and that's reassuring. They said they had Daily disinfection in common areas and rooms sanitized between stays. Hand sanitizer was present and the staff wore masks. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t see them doing a full-on surgical-grade scrub-down every day, but the room did look pretty clean. Hygiene certification is a tough one to verify. I'd rate the overall cleanliness as… passable. But I guess more than safe enough.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Adventure
Alright, I'm going to be honest, getting fed at this place was a bit of an adventure in itself, and my experience got a bit complicated. The Asian breakfast was… well, it was breakfast. The Breakfast [buffet] was limited, but you can't complain about a hotel that offers this in this price range, given the location, and it was edible. There's the Coffee/tea in restaurant, which was fine. I'm not getting excited for the poolside bar because of my experience, I'll skip the details on the desserts in restaurant. If you are looking for snacks, there is a snack bar.
The place does offer room service [24-hour], but I never actually tried it. Bottle of water was provided in the room, which was nice.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax - The View… and Not Much Else
Swimming pool [outdoor] had a view, maybe. It certainly wasn’t a pristine infinity pool, but a pool is a pool. The Pool with view was… okay. Let's just say the aesthetic wasn't exactly Bali. But hey, you're in Makassar, not a luxury resort.
And the rest? Well, massage, Spa, and all those nice distractions were missing. The vibe is functional rather than luxurious.
Services and Conveniences - The Mixed Bag
Concierge? Sort of. They were there, but not particularly proactive. Cash withdrawal was close by. Daily housekeeping was pretty good, always appreciated. The elevator worked. Laundry service - Yes, but expect the usual delay. Luggage storage was available.
Getting Around - Let’s Hit the Road
They offer Airport transfer Car park [free of charge], which is fantastic! Less stress. There's also the possibility of Taxi service.
For the Kids - Family Fun… Maybe?
Family/child friendly? Sure, it’s a functional place. Babysitting is offered, and a kids meal seemed to be on offer.
In conclusion: Is it Worth it?
Look, OYO 90090 isn't the Four Seasons. It has its quirks, its imperfections, and its moments of… "interestingness." But it’s incredibly affordable. It's generally clean, functional, and the staff are genuinely friendly. If you’re on a budget and you're looking for a convenient base to explore Makassar, and you're not expecting a spa experience, it's a solid, acceptable choice. I'd recommend it with the caveat of realistic expectations.
My Offer: Book Now and Embrace the Chaos!
Ready to embrace the real Makassar experience? Book your stay at OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House and use code MAKASSARADVENTURE at checkout for a 10% discount! We'll throw in a free bottle of water and an extra-long bed experience, absolutely free. Embrace the chaos, the slightly-less-than-perfect, and the authentic experience. You might just be pleasantly surprised.
Walden Galleria Mall Hotel: Unbeatable Deals at Quality Inn!Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a travel itinerary so chaotic, so gloriously imperfect, it'll make your meticulously planned Excel sheets weep. We’re talking Makassar, Indonesia, specifically… drumroll… the OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House (a mouthful, I know, but we’ll survive).
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Makassar Heatwave (and a Misunderstanding)
Morning (or what my sleep-deprived brain considers "morning" after that 3 AM flight): Arrive at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG). The air hits you like a humid blanket. Whoa. Already sweating, and I haven't even seen the city yet. Grab a pre-booked airport transfer. Note to self: always book pre-booked airport transfers. This time it was surprisingly punctual. The driver, a lovely man named Pak Rudi, seemed mildly amused by my struggling to pronounce "terima kasih" correctly.
Mid-morning: Check-in (and a Slight Panic Attack): The Guest House! Finally! Or so I thought. Turns out, I'd booked the wrong type of room, or maybe I misunderstood Booking.com (which is honestly par for the course). The room description, as usual, felt a bit… inflated. ("Cosy and charming!" Yeah, right. Turns out 'cosy' meant 'compact', and 'charming' meant 'slightly dated wallpaper.') But, hey, it was clean, which is more than I can say for my life recently. The front desk guy was super accommodating (he probably deals with panicked tourists daily). It's here that the first wave of Indonesian hospitality hits. This guy fixed everything with a smile.
Lunch: The Search for Authentic… Something: Okay, I'm starving. Google Maps promised a legendary street food stall around the corner. "Legendary" translates as "probably closed on Mondays" in my experience. After a sweaty, frantic 20-minute wander, I found a warung (small eatery) serving Coto Makassar. Coto Makassar. It's this super rich, meaty soup, it's everything that the heat doesn't call for but everything that makes you feel like you're there. Honestly, it was a flavor explosion – and I'm not just saying that because I probably ate it way too fast. There were some unfamiliar bits (bits of the cow, I’m guessing… it’s best not to ask). I nearly choked when the chili paste arrived, but it was AMAZING. Feeling like a local, until I spilled half of mine on the sticky table.
Afternoon: A Stroll (and the Unbearable Lightness of Being Sweaty): Decided on a leisurely stroll to the Fort Rotterdam. "Leisurely" in Makassar's afternoon sun is a lie. You're just…sweating. A lot. The Fort itself is cool (literally and figuratively, in the shade). The history is interesting, but honestly, I was more focused on not melting. Did I mention the heat?
Evening: Dinner (and a Culinary Revelation): Found a place recommended in a blog (surprisingly reliable!). This time, I indulged in Palu Mara. The fish was grilled perfectly, and the sauce… oh, the sauce. Tangy, spicy, and addictive. Had to resist the urge to lick the plate. I think I might be in love with Indonesian food. This is either a brilliant decision or a terrible one for my waistline.
Night: Bed, Glorious Bed: Back at the guest house. The AC is working (thank the gods). The sound of the street vendors in the distance, and that mosquito… ugh! But, all is well.
Day 2: Sights, Sounds, and the Unexpected (Possibly Horrifying) Encounter
Morning: Breakfast. The guest house provided a "continental" option. This turned out to be instant coffee, some pre-packaged bread from a convenience store, and a sad-looking banana. Okay, back to the street. Found a local place selling nasi kuning (yellow rice) with all the fixings. Delicious! The vendor was so incredibly nice, despite my attempts to mangle his language.
Mid-Morning: Exploring the "Losari Beach" (a seafront area). It was… vibrant! But also, a bit overwhelming. The vendors, the crowds, the honking… definitely a sensory overload. Saw a guy selling these giant, colorful kites. Almost bought one, then remembered I'm a terrible flier of kites.
Lunch: The Downfall of "Trying Everything": Following a recommendation I found this interesting place, seemed local and cool. The menu was… a little vague. "Specialty of the Day," it said. Okay, I'm adventurous! I ordered it. What arrived? A plate of… things that looked vaguely like unidentifiable organs. The taste? Let's just say it was an experience. I tried. I really tried. But I had to secretly dump some in the nearest plant. It hurt to do, I felt so bad. But hey, at least it was a story, right?
Afternoon: Shopping (and an Adventure in Bargaining): Went to a local market. The chaos! The colors! The smells (some good, some… less so). Decided to buy a batik shirt. Spent a good 20 minutes haggling. I think I won. Or maybe they just felt sorry for me. Either way, I got a (questionable) shirt and a sense of accomplishment.
Late Afternoon: The Unexpected Encounter (Prepare Yourselves): Okay, here's where things get… weird. On my way back to the guest house, I walked past a small park. And there, nestled under a tree, was… a monkey wearing a tiny hat. This monkey was sitting, calmly, enjoying an ice cream cone! I'm not kidding! The owner appeared, and I had to take a photo. He looked at me with a slight smile. I felt like I was in a dream. It was a beautiful, chaotic, weird dream.
Evening: Relaxation… and a Re-Evaluation of All Life Choices: Back at the guest house. Needed to process the monkey situation. Ordered some instant noodles from the local shops. Also, spent some time trying to decipher all the photos I took of my disastrous lunch.
Day 3: Departure (and a Promise to Return, Hopefully With Better Culinary Choices)
Morning: Final breakfast. Tried the street food again. This time, I stuck to nasi goreng (fried rice). Safe, familiar, and delicious.
Mid-Morning: A final wander around the neighborhood. Tried to memorize the smells, the sounds, everything.
Lunch: a local warung. The last taste of Indonesia.
Afternoon: Head to the airport. The airport transfer was just as I booked.
Evening: Flight home. Already missing the chaos.
Final Thoughts:
Makassar? It's an adventure, people. It's loud, it's hot, it's a little bit messy. But it's also incredibly welcoming, the food is (mostly) amazing, and… well, where else are you going to find a monkey in a hat? The OYO 90090 Adhyaksa Syariah Guest House? It was… a place to crash. It wasn't perfect, but it perfectly suited the imperfect experience that was my first trip to Makassar. I'll be back. But next time, I'll definitely take a cooking class. And maybe avoid anything labeled "Specialty of the Day." Wish me luck!
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