Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Zahra Syariah Hotel, Kendari!
Okay, buckle up, because we're about to dive headfirst into the shimmering, slightly chaotic, and hopefully unforgettable world of Zahra Syariah Hotel in Kendari! Forget those sterile, perfectly-polished reviews. This is the REAL deal, the raw, the slightly messy, and the definitely opinionated take on whether this place truly lives up to the "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits" hype.
The Grand Entrance & The First Impression: Does Luxury Greet You at the Door?
First off, accessibility. Now, I'm not relying on a wheelchair, but I did notice the elevator (yes, people! An elevator!). It’s a good sign. I’m assuming it’s wheelchair accessible, which is already miles ahead of some places. Definitely check with the hotel directly for the specifics on ramps and all that. (Accessibility: Partially Assessed. Needs confirmation for full accessibility across all areas.)
The lobby gleams, that much is true. Think polished marble, a LOT of gold (maybe a little too much for my taste, but hey, I'm not the target audience!), and the ever-present scent of…something. Incense? High-end air freshener? Whatever it was, it was strong. Not offensive, mind you, just…assertive. (Services and conveniences: Concierge, Doorman – Check! Air conditioning in public area – yep! The all-important first impression? Pretty darn good.)
Rooms: From Cozy to "Wowza!" (and a slight freak out about the lack of a window)
Okay, the rooms. They are, without a doubt, luxurious. I mean, those bathrobes are practically begging you to lounge around all day. And the slippers! Soft, fluffy, perfect for padling about. (Available in all rooms: Bathrobes, Slippers – YES!) The air conditioning? Blissful. I'm talking ice-cold, life-saving AC. (Available in all rooms: Air conditioning – ABSOLUTELY!)
BUT…(and there’s always a but, isn’t there?)…my room. This is where things get…interesting. I had a serious moment of panic when I noticed the almost complete lack of natural light. Okay, okay, there was a window, but it only opened a crack (and didn't let much light in). It was like living in a very opulent, air-conditioned tomb. (Available in all rooms: Window that opens – Technically, yes, but…caveat emptor!)
This got me thinking about light. I require light. I need to see the outside world! Maybe this is what all that gold was for – to reflect the small amount of available light around the room. And the blackout curtains? They’re the sort of thing you pull when you want to feel like a vampire (or a insomniac, for that matter). (Available in all rooms: Blackout curtains – Check!)
My Room: a bit too close to a cave for my Sunshine-Craving Soul. I would’ve appreciated more natural light.
The Bed of Dreams (and Maybe Some Nightmares?)
The bed. Oh, the bed. It’s a cloud. A fluffy, marshmallow-y cloud. I’m using extra long bed and it fit like a glove. (Available in all rooms: Extra long bed – Check!) So ridiculously comfortable, I swear I almost didn’t get out of it for three days. (Available in all rooms: Bed – SUPER COMFORTABLE!) [Opinionated Language: Totally worth it.] The pillows, though? Could be a little…more pillow-y. I am a lover of extra pillows for maximum comfy. [Minor negative observation]
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Buffet Bonanza (and a near disastrous Coffee Ordering)
Let's talk food, shall we? The breakfast buffet is…well, it’s a buffet. Loads of choices, from what I could tell it was mostly asian breakfast, but with some western options as well, like those runny eggs (ugh), the buffet wasn’t bad. (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast – check!)
Now, the coffee. This is where things went sideways. Here is, maybe, the defining moment of this stay: I walk up to the restaurant and place the order. Simple, right? But here is where my love of coffee became a test. I order a "Latte." This is where the staff, bless their hearts, looked at me as if I had three heads. There was a lot of pointing at the menu, a lot of hushed consulting, and finally, a lukewarm, weak coffee. Okay, maybe not the best coffee ever. [Anecdote: The Great Latte Debacle of Kendari!]
My Opinion: One of the biggest imperfection, is the coffee and the menu not reflecting the expectation based on their advertisement
Beyond that? Things were great. Restaurants, Coffee shops, the poolside bar – Check!
Relaxation Station: Spa, Sauna, and…Body Scrubs?
I’m not gonna lie, I’m a sucker for a good spa. The Sauna and steamroom beckoned. The swimming pool with a view was pretty fantastic. I’m not a spa kinda girl, but I did appreciate a massage. (Ways to relax: Pool with view, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Spa – Check!)
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Symphony
They’re serious about cleanliness here. Let me tell you – the sanitization game is STRONG. (Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer – check!) The staff trained in safety protocol. And bonus points for individual options for food. (Cleanliness and safety: Food options, Individual, wrapped) – Double-check. It definitely eased my mind.
Things to Do and Getting Around: Airport Shuffle and Hotel Hideaway
Airport transfer? Check! (Getting around: Airport Transfer – Check!) The hotel is kind of perfect if you just want to hang out and relax.
The Perks & Extras: The Goodies!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is a HUGE win. (Internet access – Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!)
- The 24-hour room service is a lifesaver. (Especially after that coffee incident, a pizza was just the ticket). (Dining, drinking, and snacking: Room service [24-hour] – YES!)
- The Fitness center is well-equipped. (Ways to relax: Fitness center – Check!)
- The Concierge were super helpful. (Services and conveniences: Concierge – Check!)
The Final Verdict: Is Zahra Syariah Hotel for You?
Okay, the million-dollar question: Should you book this hotel? It's a yes, with a few caveats.
- Pros: Luxurious rooms, comfortable beds, excellent cleanliness and safety protocols, great facilities (pool, spa, etc.), convenient location, friendly staff.
- Cons: The near-darkness of some of the rooms, the latte experience (though probably fixed by now!), and the price point might be a little high for some travelers.
Who Should Book: People who love luxury and aren't overly concerned about bright rooms, travelers seeking a relaxing experience, and those who prioritize safety and cleanliness. Business travelers who want to stay on the hotel. This is a great place for relaxation.
The Unbelievable Luxury Awaits Experience: 8/10 – Highly recommended, with a small flashlight in tow for my next visit.
The Chaotic Offer! - BOOK NOW!
Tired of the Ordinary? Craving Unforgettable Luxury? Escape to Zahra Syariah Hotel, Kendari!
(Don't) Let the Darkness Scare You Away: This is your oasis to relaxation. From the moment you step into our sparkling lobby, you will be enveloped in unparalleled comfort and security. Take a dip in our stunning infinity pool, Get a relaxing massage at the spa, or simply unwind in your ridiculously comfortable room (bonus points for the comfy bed!).
But wait, there's more!
- Free Wi-Fi! Stay connected, or disconnect and enjoy the peace. (Your choice!)
- 24-Hour Room Service! Because sometimes, you just need pizza at 3 AM.
- Unmatched Cleanliness and Safety! We've got your back with top-notch sanitization and safety protocols.
- Exclusive Deal: Mention this review and get a FREE upgrade! (Subject to availability, and please, no more latte orders from me. You can find all the info you need on our website or call us at the number listed to be blown away by the value and make your trip a pleasant memory.**
Zahra Syariah Hotel: Where Unbelievable Luxury Meets Unforgettable Memories. Book now and make your getaway dreams a reality!
Unbelievable Bintang Flores Cilacap: 91376 Hotel Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my attempt at conquering Zahra Syariah Hotel in Kendari, Indonesia. And honestly? I'm gonna need ALL the good vibes I can get. Here goes nothing…
Day 1: Arrival and the "Huh, Okay" Phase
- Morning (Kinda): Arrive at Haluoleo Airport (KDI). Okay, first impressions: it's hot. Like, aggressively hot. And humid. I'm talking "hair-instantly-frizzes-up" kind of hot. Grab a taxi to Zahra Syariah. Pray traffic isn't atrocious. (Spoiler alert: it probably will be.)
- Afternoon (ish): Check-in. Try not to be too overwhelmed by the lobby. The decor… well, let's just say it's… there. Religious artwork everywhere. I'm not complaining, just observing. My room – a double, because "solo adventurer" sounds lonely – is clean enough. A small, slightly disconcerting, portrait of a smiling man on the wall stares directly at the bed. I decide he's my new travel buddy. His name's going to be… Bartholomew. Yes. Bartholomew.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Explore the immediate surroundings. Find a warung (small local restaurant) and attempt to order something. My Bahasa Indonesia is… let's call it "emerging". Pointing and smiling are my weapons of choice. Settle on nasi goreng (fried rice). It's delicious, by the way. Seriously, Indonesian food is… phenomenal. Realize I've already broken my "no carbs" rule. Whatever. Travel calories don't count, right? Stroll back to the hotel, exhausted but surprisingly cheerful. Try not to think too hard about the bugs I probably just ate.
- Evening: Attempt to watch TV. The channel selection is… minimal. Find a dubbed Indonesian soap opera. Become instantly obsessed, even though I understand approximately zero words. Bartholomew, my silent roomie, seems to approve. Sleep. Pray for air conditioning that can actually cope with the humidity.
Day 2: Kendari City Hustle and (Maybe) a Catastrophe
- Morning: Wake up feeling… surprisingly okay. Breakfast at the hotel. It's… adequate. Scramble eggs, toast, a questionable sort of jam. Fuel up! Today, I'm determined to explore Kendari city proper. Hire a ojek (motorcycle taxi). Hold on tight! The traffic is a chaotic ballet of motorbikes, cars, and rogue chickens.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Visit the Kendari Beach. The beach is okay but not really my taste.
- Lunch: Find a warung for lunch again. It's quite warm in here. Order some rice again.
- Afternoon: Let's make it about my favorite things, I'm going to explore the nearby market. It's a sensory overload – the smells, the sounds, the vibrant colors. Barter shamelessly for souvenirs (I'm terrible at this). Encounter a particularly persistent vendor selling… well, I'm not entirely sure what. Some sort of dried fish thing that smells faintly of the sea and desperation. Politely decline. Slightly regret it.
- Late Afternoon: Head back to the hotel. Get hit with a wave of exhaustion. Consider taking a nap but remember, I have an obligation to do something.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant. I'm craving spicy. Order something that seems promising. IT IS HOT. Like, face-melting, tear-inducing hot. Start sweating uncontrollably. Love it! Decide I’m a glutton for punishment and order another… just a small one. Contemplate the meaning of life while fanning my mouth.
Day 3: The Great Seafood Debacle
- Morning: Today is seafood day! After a little bit of browsing and exploring the city I go to a seafood restaurant. The reviews and the pictures look nice so I'm excited to eat more delicious food again.
- Afternoon I'm so excited to eat the meal, that is until I get the bill. It was expensive and I'm starting to regret making a decision to try something like this out of nowhere.
- Evening: I'm back in the hotel. I spent the whole afternoon regretting my decision. I go to sleep early tonight, maybe a long day for me.
Day 4: Wrapping Up and the Quest for Comfort
- Morning: Breakfast. (See Day 2.). Pack. Attempt to repack my bag without it looking like a chaotic explosion of clothing. Fail.
- Late Morning: Spend some time relaxing. Swim a few laps and take a nap. It's a beautiful day.
- Afternoon: I explore the city one last time. I don't want to leave yet.
- Evening: Checkout. Head back to the airport. Reflect on my Indonesian adventure. It's been… something. I've sweated buckets, eaten incredible food, gotten lost, and (mostly) survived. The image of Bartholomew, my silent hotel companion, flashes in my mind. I smile. Kendari, you were… interesting. Until next time.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? Let's Talk Zahra Syariah Hotel, Kendari! (My Chaotic Truth)
Okay, so, what *is* this Zahra Syariah Hotel, Kendari all about everyone's raving about? Is it actually luxurious or just...fancy curtains?
Alright, buckle up, because "luxury" in Kendari... can be a *wild* ride. Zahra Syariah, on paper? Sounds AMAZING: a rooftop pool overlooking the sea, halal everything, maybe even a prayer room more elegant than my living room (which is saying something). And the photos? Oh, the PHOTOS! Gleaming marble, smiling families, perfectly draped curtains. My expectations? Through the roof.
The reality? Well... let's say it's got a good *heart*. The lobby is pretty swanky, I'll give them that. Big chandeliers, polite bellhops. It felt… promising. Until, you know, the elevator took approximately the same amount of time to reach the third floor as it took me to decide what to order for dinner. (Spicy, ALWAYS spicy.) But still, the building itself is shiny and new, or at least newer than some things I own.
Speaking of rooms, give me the lowdown! Are they actually as comfy as the pictures suggest? Did you find any…unexpected “guests”?
Okay, the rooms... the rooms are where the rubber meets the road. I booked a "Deluxe Seaview," because, duh, I wanted a view. First impression? Pretty good! Spacious, clean-ish (more on that in a sec...), and that bed? *Ooh*, the bed. That thing was a cloud. I swear, I almost missed the airport. Almost.
But here's where things get *interesting*. My "seaview"? More like "partial seaview, mostly air conditioning unit." And the "clean-ish"? Let's just say I'm pretty sure a small family of dust bunnies had taken up residence under the bed. I'm not talking about a *few* dust bunnies; We're talking multiple generations. It was a whole ecosystem down there. I considered it a little study of local flora and fauna, really.
And a small confession...I might have left a half-eaten bag of chips on the little table by the window. I swear, it was only for a few hours. I looked back a few times to check it (I love my chips). Well, it did start to get a *little* crowded in that area. But hey, more on that later.
The food! This is important. Was the halal dining experience *actually* divine? Or just… polite?
The food! Now, this is where things get *tricky*. They *swear* everything is halal. Which, as a Muslim, is obviously a HUGE win. No pork anxieties! But the *flavor*? Sometimes brilliant! Sometimes… a bit bland, let's be honest.
The breakfast buffet was a highlight. Nasi kuning (and yes, you *have* to try it) was always available. There was a noodle station. Pancakes, if you're into that sort of thing. The coffee? Weak, unfortunately. I needed a strong, delicious, and hot kick-start to the day. The juice selection was rather sad, but the friendly aunties behind the service more than made up for it.
Dinner in the hotel restaurant? A gamble. One night, I had the most incredible grilled fish. Perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The next night? A dish that could generously be described as "bland." Consistency is key, people! I was told that the hotel's restaurant often had local chefs, but they were all different, so it's a gamble.
Oh, the rooftop pool! Did it live up to the Instagram hype? And was it actually clean?
The rooftop pool... Now *this* was a rollercoaster of emotions. From a view standpoint? Stunning. Seriously. The sea stretched out before me, the city glittering below. Pure photo gold.
But the water... Okay, let's be frank. It was not the sparkling, azure oasis I had imagined. It was… a bit murky. Now, I’m not a cleanliness freak, but I did see a few… well, let’s call them “floating debris” that made me reconsider a full-swim. I saw a few people enjoying it, though. And for me, that was the moment It was either the heat of the sun, or the very few people enjoying it that day.
I went for a paddle. So, it wasn’t a total loss. The view was still worth it, even from the shallows. But yeah, maybe pack your anti-frog suit. (Just kidding... mostly.)
Value for money? Would you recommend it? What was the worst part?
Value for money? Oof. It’s… complicated. It's not dirt cheap, but it's also not Four Seasons prices. I'd rate it as a decent value. You get a nice room, generally clean (as I said, in my room, not much), a good location, and (usually) friendly service.
Would I recommend it? Hmm... Okay, here’s the deal: if you're expecting perfection, maybe temper those expectations. But if you're looking for a comfortable base to explore Kendari, and you’re okay with a few… quirks, then yeah, give it a try.
The worst part? Oh, easy. The inconsistency. The food, the cleanliness, even the speed of the elevator. It felt like a box of chocolates… you never know what you’re gonna get. I even talked to someone who worked there. He told me "every day is different." He was right.
And if you're gonna spend time in the hotel room, please, for the love of all that is holy, *sweep under the bed.* I'm begging you. The dust bunnies have families.
Any tips for making the most of your stay? What else should I know?
Okay, listen up. First, bring your own coffee (just in case). Second, be patient. Things move at their own pace in Kendari. Third, and this is crucial: *ask for a room on a higher floor.* The views are usually better. Fourth, try the local street food! Trust me on this one.
Oh, and don't leave food out on the table by the window for too long. You might attract unwanted visitors. (I'm looking at you, stray ants who decided to invade my chips.)
Also, don’t be afraid to tip the staff. They’re genuinely lovely people. They work hard, and a little extra goes a long way.
