Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Bahamas Getaway Awaits in Belitung
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Rollercoaster in Sandals: My Belitung Adventure! (A Brutally Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a hurricane of thoughts – and maybe even a tear or two – about my "dream getaway" at the Escape to Paradise resort in Belitung. They promised paradise. They delivered… something. Let's just say my expectations were…challenged.
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(Accessibility - First Impressions Matter, Dammit!)
Okay, this is where things started mostly on the right foot. Accessibility: While they boasted Facilities for disabled guests, it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. Getting around the On-site car park (thankfully, it was Car park [free of charge], because I'd need all the savings I could get later…more on that) wasn't the nightmare I feared. The Elevator was a lifesaver, and the main public areas, like the Restaurants, seemed reasonably navigable. Not perfect, mind you. I'm still recovering from an unfortunate incident involving a rogue decorative plant pot. Let's just say there's a dent in my ego, and the plant's karma might not be looking so hot anymore.
The Wheelchair accessible rooms were… well, they existed. They were slightly wider, which was an improvement. But the bathroom felt cramped. I imagine myself a bit like a sardine, I was very grateful for the Bathroom phone in the room.
(On-site Indulgences - Spa's The Word, But Did I Find Peace?)
I walked in here with the intention of finding peace. I walked out… somewhat relaxed, yeah, but with a whole bucketful of mixed emotions.
The Spa/sauna was a highlight. The Sauna was hot, steamy, and glorious. I spent a good hour shedding layers of stress and self-doubt. The Spa itself offered a mind-boggling menu of treatments. I sprung for the Body scrub and Massage, hoping to emerge a new woman. I was in two minds as to if I'd return.
The Pool with view was stunning. It was the ideal setting for this. Watching the sun set over the ocean and drinking a mojito, thinking how the day was to go. Sadly, I never got to dip my toes, no fault of the hotel, I hadn't packed my swimming costume.
The Gym/fitness center was… well-equipped, I guess? It looked like a place where muscles are made, or perhaps just stared at in wonder. I'm more of a "watch TV and eat cake" kind of fitness enthusiast.
(Keeping the Germs Away - A Sanitized Experience? A Little Too Sanitized, Perhaps…)
COVID-19. The elephant in the room. Escape to Paradise took this very seriously, possibly a little too seriously. I was showered with Hand sanitizer at every turn. I got the distinct impression they were trying to sterilize me from the inside out. The Daily disinfection in common areas gave me a case of the jitters. Did they have to go quite this far?
They touted Anti-viral cleaning products and the staff were Staff trained in safety protocol. The Safe dining setup felt a bit clinical, and the Individually-wrapped food options made me feel like I was back in kindergarten cafeteria. On the plus side, the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter made sure I wasn't bothered by chatty neighbours at meal times.
(The Feast of the Gods? Or More Like a Buffet of Mediocrity?)
Dining, drinking, and snacking. Oh boy, where do I even start? The sheer range of options was overwhelming. I tried the Asian cuisine in restaurant; the International cuisine in restaurant and even a cheeky Salad in restaurant, but nothing really wowed me. The Buffet in restaurant was… well, it was a buffet. The food kept coming.
There was a Poolside bar. I was excited by it. I ordered a cocktail. I waited. Then I waited some more. Then I had to go and collect it myself and then it tasted like dish soap. This experience kind of set the tone for most of my dining experiences.
The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver on those nights I didn't feel like facing the masses, and the Coffee/tea in restaurant was at least passable. There was a Vegetarian restaurant for my friend, but the offerings were limited. I had heard a lot about their Western breakfast. It was okay. It saved me from starving.
(The Rooms - Paradise or a Purgatory of Amenities?)
The rooms themselves? They were… fine. The Air conditioning was a godsend, because Belitung is hot! The Bed was comfortable, although that Extra long bed was a bit much, even for my gangly frame.
I appreciated having Complimentary tea and Free bottled water. The Wi-Fi [free] was a blessing, but the fact that I had "Internet access – LAN" and "Internet access – wireless" in my room still makes me laugh. What if I needed to choose one?!
I had a lovely Seating area and my Private bathroom had a Separate shower/bathtub. I really needed the Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains. There were Slippers, Sofa, and Toiletries, all the basic comforts. But nothing really wowed me.
(Services and Conveniences - The Good, The Bad, and the Confusing)
Services and conveniences: The Concierge was helpful, but I often felt like I was more a burden than a guest. They were Daily housekeeping was exemplary…almost too exemplary. Did they really need to change the sheets every single day?
The Laundry service was prompt. The Currency exchange was useful, but with a hefty commission of course.
(For the Kids - Were the little ones having any fun?)
I didn't have kids with me, but I noticed the Kids facilities. The Babysitting service seemed reasonably priced, but the Kids meal options looked a bit…bland. Family/child friendly seems a strong term, it was more, "We tolerate children".
(Getting Around - A Taxi, Or A Trail?)
The resort did offer Airport transfer, which was a huge relief after the long flight. The Car park [free of charge] was handy for those (few) times when I ventured off-site. Although I didn't use it, the Taxi service was available.
(The Verdict - Paradise Found? Not Quite…)
Would I wholeheartedly recommend Escape to Paradise? Hmm. Depends on your expectations. The location is stunning, the staff is generally friendly, and the spa is a definite plus.
However, this is a Hotel chain, and it shows. It lacks soul and that magic "wow" factor. I didn't exactly "escape" to paradise, but I did escape the mundane for a week. That's enough, right?
Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. (Could do better!)
Uncover Mira Banjarmasin's Hidden Gems: Your Ultimate Banjarmasin, Indonesia Guide
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my totally-not-perfect, wonderfully chaotic, and hopefully-somewhat-helpful Bahamas Hotel & Resort Belitung, Indonesia itinerary. This ain't your polished brochure, folks. This is the real thing.
The Bahamas Hotel & Resort Belitung: My Unfiltered Indonesian Adventure
Day 1: Arrival - Paradise Found (and Mild Panic Settled)
- Morning: Ugh, the airport. Always a marathon, never a sprint. Landed in Tanjung Pandan airport (TJQ) - holy moly, it’s tiny! Finding my luggage was basically a game of "spot the bright pink suitcase amongst the sea of black rollers." Victory! Immediately sweated through my "breathable" travel shirt. Lesson learned: Indonesia humidity is a thing.
- Mid-day: Taxi ride to the Bahamas Hotel & Resort. The driver, bless his heart, probably had a few stories to tell, but my Bahasa Indonesia is… well, let’s just say it’s still under construction. The scenery, though? Absolutely breathtaking! Lush greenery, glimpses of the turquoise sea… my Instagram feed was practically exploding.
- Afternoon: Check-in at the hotel. Gorgeous lobby, smiling staff – the whole nine yards. Except… my room wasn't quite what was advertised in the pictures. The ocean view was more of a "peek-a-boo" ocean view, obstructed by a very enthusiastic palm tree. Okay, fine. Minor quibble. Then, after settling in, my air conditioner decided to play the role of a very loud, intermittent leaf blower. A minor detail of my "perfect" vacay.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Ordered some local seafood. It was… okay. Maybe my expectations were too high after all those dreamy beach photos. The sunset, however, was unreal. Seriously, the colors were painting the sky. I swear, I almost cried. The sound of the waves, the breeze on my face, the sheer beauty of it all silenced even the leaf blower. Oh yeah, I also got a mosquito bite. Nature is a cruel, beautiful paradox
- Quirky Observation: The hotel pool is glorious. Seriously, the water is like melted silk. I, however, am terrified of anything deeper than my belly button. So, I sat on the edge, dangling my toes, and watched everyone else frolic. It was a good time.
- Emotional Reaction: Overall, amazed! Already feel like I'm a million miles from anything stressful. Though, I really, really hope that leaf blower dies in its sleep.
Day 2: Island Hopping - Sun, Sand, and Sudden Torrential Downpours
- Morning: Island hopping tour! We went to Pulau Lengkuas (Lighthouse Island) and Pulau Kepayang (Kepayang Island). The lighthouse was epic. The climb to the top? A bit of a workout. The view? Worth every single sweaty step. Found some amazing seashells, tried to take a selfie with the lighthouse, totally failed. Note to self: invest in a selfie stick with extreme zoom power.
- Mid-day: Lunch on Kepayang Island. Imagine the most stunning beach you’ve ever seen. Now imagine it with delicious grilled fish and ice-cold Bintang beer. (That's your perfect lunch) However, as I was thoroughly enjoying my meal, the sky decided to unleash the heavens. Torrential downpour. Everything got soaked. Every. Thing.
- Afternoon: Huddled under a flimsy beach umbrella, looking like a drowned rat. The other tourists started complaining about the sudden change in weather. Me? I laughed. Embrace the chaos, people! Eventually, the rain stopped, and the sun peeked back out. The whole island looked even more vibrant and magical after the cleanse.
- Evening: Dinner at a local Warung (small family-owned restaurant). The food was incredible. Spicy, flavorful, and dirt cheap. This is what I was hoping for.
- Messy Observation: Island life seems pretty chill… until you realize you’re totally dependent on the weather. And Indonesian weather? It's got its own ideas, let me tell you.
- Emotional Reaction: The rain-induced panic was quickly replaced by pure, unadulterated joy. This is why I travel. For the unexpected moments, the messy experiences, and the feeling of being completely alive.
Day 3: Tanjung Kelayang Beach & Diving - A Day of Sunburn & Unnecessary Fear
- Morning: Beach Day! This is the reason I came to this hotel. Tanjung Kelayang Beach is literally a postcard. The sand is white, the water is crystal clear, and the granite rock formations are just wow. Spent hours soaking up the sun. Possibly overdid it on the sun absorption.
- Mid-day: Dived into the underwater world! I figured I would dive in the underwater world. I signed up for a diving trip with the hotel. Never done it before. Pretty, pretty nervous. The instructor was patient, the equipment was properly checked, and the water was beautiful. But the underwater world freaked me out a bit. So many fish. So much blue. I panicked a bit, but I took a deep breath and managed to take a few steps, and then, I realized that I could breath through my mouth and that the fish didn't want to eat me, and I was okay.
- Afternoon: More beach time (with copious amounts of aloe vera). Tried to take more photos. Bad lighting, terrible angles. My photography skills are clearly not up to par.
- Evening: Dinner and live music at the hotel. The band was… well, let's just say they were enthusiastic. Still, it was fun, and the atmosphere was lively.
- Rambling Section: Okay, so, the diving. It was an amazing experience. But also, it revealed my deep-seated fear of the ocean depths. I'm talking, the kind of fear that makes you clutch your chest and hyperventilate. But I pushed through it! Even though it was terrifying, I did it! I’m really proud of myself.
- Emotional Reaction: Mixed emotions. Sunburn, awe, fear, accomplishment. This day was a rollercoaster of feelings. I’m exhausted, but also strangely invigorated.
Day 4: Local Culture & Farewell - A Bittersweet Departure
- Morning: Visited a local fishing village. Witnessed the everyday life of local people. Visited the local market. So many vibrant colors and smells. Tried to barter for a souvenir. Failed miserably.
- Mid-day: Lunch at a small cafe with the help of Google translate. The food was DELICIOUS.
- Afternoon: Spent last few moments relaxing by the beach. Watching the waves rolling across the sand.
- Evening: Packing up my stuff. I already felt sad. Saying goodbye to this paradise is torture, but I know I will be back.
- Opinionated Section: I feel like I could have gotten closer to the local culture if I could only speak the local dialect.
- Emotional Reaction: Heartbroken to leave, but filled with amazing memories and the desire to return. I’m so glad I came here, it has been an incredible trip.
Day 5: Departure – Back to Reality
- Morning: Travel to the airport. I was already feeling the sadness.
- Mid-day: Reaching my country. Back to reality. All the memories are in my head. I’ll come back, Bahamas Hotel Indonesia.
- Evening: Back to the mundane of everyday life.
Honestly, this is just a snapshot of my trip. Belitung is a special place, and the Bahamas Hotel & Resort makes a great base for exploring it. It wasn't perfect, far from it, but that’s what made it so darn memorable. Go! Explore! Get lost! And don’t forget the sunscreen. And maybe a better phrase book. You might even see me there again. Just look for the slightly sunburned woman with the terrible selfie skills. Cheers!
Unbelievable Mamaia Escape: Nordic Chic Apartment 81!
Okay, Escape to Paradise in Belitung? Sounds… expensive. How much damage are we talking to my bank account? Be honest, I'm already sweating.
Belitung? Where *is* that, exactly? I'm geographically challenged. Help me sound less clueless.
What's the vibe like in Belitung? Is it all just… beaches? (Please say yes.)
Okay, I'm sold on the beaches. Tell me more! What are the must-visit ones? (And are they ridiculously crowded?)
So, what about activities besides just… lying on the beach (though that sounds heavenly)? What’s there to *do*?
