Unbelievable Luxury in Surabaya: Sans Hotel Box Mansion RedDoorz Review!
Unbelievably… Average? A Deep Dive into Sans Hotel Box Mansion RedDoorz Surabaya – My Surabaya Sojourn
Okay, buckle up, because this isn't your textbook hotel review. This is a deep dive, a messy, sometimes over-caffeinated, and definitely opinionated account of my stay at the Sans Hotel Box Mansion RedDoorz in Surabaya. My expectations were, well, low. RedDoorz is generally a budget brand, so "unbelievable luxury" felt like a bit of a stretch. Let's see… did it live up to anything?
(Metadata starts here – because, SEO, darling!)
Keywords: Sans Hotel Box Mansion, RedDoorz Surabaya, Surabaya hotel review, budget hotel Surabaya, wheelchair accessible hotel, free Wi-Fi Surabaya, pool Surabaya, spa Surabaya, clean hotel Surabaya, breakfast in room, accessible restaurants, rooftop pool, Surabaya accommodation, Indonesia travel, hotel review, Western breakfast, Asian cuisine, meeting facilities, family-friendly hotel, budget-friendly accommodation, Surabaya city center.
(Review Begins)
Right, let's get this over with. Arrival. The first impression? Honestly? A bit… blah. The exterior wasn't exactly screaming "luxury." More like "functional." It was clean enough, don't get me wrong, but the "mansion" part was definitely playing a little fast and loose with the word "mansion." More like a small mansion. Or, you know, a building.
Accessibility: Now, this is where things got interesting, in a good way! The hotel allegedly had facilities for disabled guests, but after trying to navigate the hotel, I saw that the Wheelchair accessibility was questionable. The reception was in a good spot. However, the ramps weren't ideal, and a couple of the pathways were a bit tight, even with my somewhat-compact wheeled luggage. Overall, the Elevator worked, which made a massive difference. But is it truly accessible? Hmm… Maybe. Depends on your needs.
Check-in/out: This was slick-ish, a Contactless check-in/out was available, which I appreciated. There was a Front desk [24-hour] which is always handy.
Cleanliness and Safety: This is where RedDoorz seems to have put some effort. The Hand sanitizer was liberally dispensed, and I saw the staff Daily disinfection in common areas. Seeing Staff trained in safety protocol made me feel a little bit better. I'm not entirely sure if the Anti-viral cleaning products were really used but I could tell they were trying! The rooms were also supposedly sanitized between stays.
The Room – My Little Box of… Hope?
My box-like room was… well, it was a box. But hey, it had *Air conditioning, which is an absolute must in Surabaya, and *Free Wi-Fi*. *Internet access was wireless* which was awesome. The Internet [LAN] was surprisingly available and had decent speed. Additional toilet was not available. The Non-smoking policy was good. They were trying to make it comfortable. The view wasn't spectacular – I got a glimpse of the street from the Window that opens, but it wasn't a deal-breaker.
Inside the small room, you could find the TV and Satellite/cable channels, I was able to find something to watch. But the real tests came with a few of the other things like the Toiletries, which were alright, but not exactly luxurious, and a Hair dryer which was nice.
The Bed was comfortable enough. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver when I wanted to sleep in (and let's be honest, I did). There’s a Desk which was okay for laptop work. The Refrigerator was useful for keeping my water cold.
Now, some niggles. The Bathrooms were clean, but a touch basic. If you are looking for a Bathtub, this isn't the place for you! They had a Separate shower/bathtub, but it was a bit like a small box
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Fuel of Life (Especially When You're Jet-Lagged)
- Breakfast [Buffet]. This was, in a word, standard. There was an attempt at both Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. The Asian cuisine in restaurant wasn't bad, and the International cuisine in restaurant was alright. There were some Desserts in restaurant. I had some coffee and a basic buffet.
- Room service [24-hour]. This was a lifesaver after a late flight. Don't expect gourmet, but it was there when I needed it.
- Coffee shop. Always a plus.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – The Spa is…Present?
- Swimming pool [outdoor]. Okay, the pool. This was a highlight, honestly. It was a Pool with view I was told, and it wasn't too crowded.
- Gym/fitness. I didn't actually use the Fitness center, so I can't comment on quality.
- Spa/sauna. Sadly, the spa was underwhelming. The Sauna was okay.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter… or Don't
- Air conditioning in public area. Yep, thankfully. Surabaya's humidity is a monster.
- Concierge. Present and helpful,
- Elevator. Essential.
- Laundry service. Handy, if pricey.
For the Kids – A Family-Friendly Haven?
- I didn't travel with kids, but it seemed reasonably Family/child friendly.
Getting Around
- Car park [free of charge] – Major win! Parking in Surabaya can be a nightmare.
- Airport transfer – Available, which is helpful.
My Final Verdict
So, "Unbelievable Luxury"? Nope. Not even close. But was it a decent, clean, and relatively comfortable place to stay in Surabaya? Mostly, yes. For the price, the Sans Hotel Box Mansion RedDoorz offered a good value. I'd recommend it if you're on a budget and prioritize cleanliness, a good location, and decent Wi-Fi. But don't expect to be blown away. Think "reliable" not "revolutionary."
Hartford's Hidden Gem: Candlewood Suites Downtown Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is a descent into the heart of… well, a RedDoorz in Surabaya. Let's see if we survive.
A Messy Embrace: My Surabaya Sans Hotel Mission (Probably Not Impossible)
(Disclaimer: My expectations are lower than a limbo-dancing cockroach. Surabaya, here I come.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Awkward Dance of the Front Desk (and a Possible Bedbug Fear)
14:00 - Arrival at Juanda International Airport (SUB): Okay, first hurdle. The flight was delayed by… well, let's just say "avian interference." (A seagull decided the plane's wing was a prime real estate deal). I'm already running late, sweat is starting to bead, and my inner monologue is screaming, "Are we there yet?"
15:00 - Transfer to Sans Hotel Box Mansion: Grabbed a Bluebird taxi (they're supposed to be legit, right?). The driver looked like he’d seen a ghost after I tried to explain the route. Surabaya traffic is, and I'm not exaggerating, a national treasure of chaos. We got there eventually. Or, you know, somewhere near the hotel. The driver had to ask at least three people for directions. Victory!
15:45 - Check-in: The moment of Truth: Okay, here's where it got interesting. The lobby was… compact. Let's call it "intimate." The staff were polite, which is always a good start. But the air? Let's just say the ventilation wasn't exactly state-of-the-art. And the carpet… well, "character" is one way to describe it. I nervously scanned the room. The receptionist seemed a bit distracted. I half expected her to offer me a promotion to a different suite. I'm already picturing the bed, and I'm suddenly stricken with a severe pang of… bedbug anxiety. I try to remind myself that it's probably fine… probably.
16:30 - The Room Reveal: Pray for Cleanliness, People: The key card (which, in a stroke of comedic genius, was inexplicably labeled "DO NOT BEND") didn't work the first time. Or the second. Finally, I’m in. Okay, first impression… well, the pictures online were generous. The room is, uh, compact. Let's call it "cozy for one, maybe two if you really like each other, and don't mind stepping over each other's luggage." The air conditioning is… rumbling. It sounds like a small, angry engine. The bed looks clean. I carefully peeled back the sheets, holding my breath, and ran my finger over the mattress. The Bedbug-o-Meter: still relatively low. Maybe, just maybe, I won't be itching all night.
17:00 - Reconnaissance Mission: The Hotel and the Surroundings: Okay focus! I need to explore the hotel. There might be a pool. Maybe a tiny, deserted gym. I found a vending machine out front stocked with only the weirdest brands. A sign advertising a "traditional massage" caught my eye, but then I saw the picture of the masseuse holding a… a blunt instrument. "No, thank you," I murmured, and kept walking.
18:00 - Dinner Hunt: I'd read about some amazing street food nearby. So I ventured out into the Surabaya heat. The alleyways looked dark, and the aromas were intense. I bought some Gado-Gado (something I definitely ate) from a street vendor. It was fantastic, and I'm pretty sure the food was the reason for a spicy sensation later in the night.
19:30 - Early Night: Survive the Night: Back in the hotel. The air conditioning is still chugging. I am exhausted. I'm going to try to get some sleep, despite the questionable proximity to a bustling city and a potential bed bug. I'm not sure if I'll be able to fall asleep. And I'm suddenly realizing that this adventure is going to be a bit more "survival" than "luxury".
Day 2: History, Culture, and the Quest for Decent Coffee (and possibly a nervous breakdown)
07:00 - Wake Up! (Or, more accurately, Stumble Out of Bed): The air conditioning is still going. I think I survived the night. No bites! I think I can hear shouting from downstairs.
07:30 - Breakfast (If They Offer It): The booking said breakfast… but I wandered in and found what was only, let's say, a "snack corner" with soggy bread, instant coffee (shudder), and some fruit that looked… well, I wouldn't bet my life on its freshness. It’ll have to do, unless an acceptable cafe is miraculously found.
08:30 - Surabaya Heritage: Exploring the Old Town: I decided to brave the Surabaya heat and head to the Old Town to visit the House of Sampoerna. The building itself is amazing, but the sheer number of people doing the selfies makes it a bit hard to enjoy the history. I saw some old colonial buildings, which were nice. I am sweating buckets. Is this what hell feels like?
11:00 - Coffee Crisis: The Caffeine Hunger: I needed REAL coffee. No more instant death-juice. I'm in a state of caffeine withdrawal. After asking several hapless locals, I eventually found a tiny, hidden cafe that actually served a decent espresso. I'm pretty sure I levitated slightly after my first sip. Angels sang. The world was right again.
12:00 - Lunch and a Moment of Contemplation: Found a Warung. I ate something I think was chicken. Delicious. And super cheap. And spicy. I think I will be feeling this for a while. I felt like I was finally getting the hang of this.
13:00 - Kembali ke Hotel: And Then the Air Conditioning Dies. Back at the hotel. The AC is sputtering. I need a cold shower. I think I need therapy.
14:00 - Meltdown!: The shower is cold. I can't get the AC to work. The bed might be moving. I'm starting to question every life choice that led me to this moment.
15:00 - The Escape: Check out! I escape the clutches of the Sans Hotel. I'm free! (Insert dramatic music here.)
17:00 - A Final Gado-Gado: The street food. I'm back for more. This time I’m not even scared.
19:00 - Flight Time: I'm going home. I survived. I don't know if I liked Surabaya, but I will remember it.
Post-Trip Assessment:
Sans Hotel Box Mansion: You get what you pay for. It wasn't the worst experience ever, but it wasn't the best either. Cleanliness is relative. The staff were friendly, but more amenities would have been nice. The air conditioning may or may not be a threat.
Surabaya: Overwhelming, hot, and a little bit bonkers. But the food was incredible, the people were (mostly) friendly, and the caffeine fix was worth the journey. Would I go back? Maybe. But with very low expectations, a bottle of bug spray, and the strongest anti-anxiety medication known to humankind.
Would I recommend this itinerary to a friend? Absolutely not. But if you're looking for a true, unfiltered adventure (and don't mind a little bit of chaos), then Surabaya might just be your jam. Just pack accordingly. And pray for good air conditioning. You'll need it.
Unbelievable Tikal Futura Hotel: Guatemala City's Hidden Gem!
Sans Hotel Box Mansion RedDoorz: Surabaya Luxury? Hold My Bintang! (FAQ...ish)
Okay, spill. Is "Unbelievable Luxury" a JOKE when it comes to Sans Hotel Box Mansion? Seriously, what's the REAL vibe?
Alright, alright, settle down. "Unbelievable Luxury"? Let's just say the marketing team *may* have been a little… ambitious. Expectations? Manage them. Reality? Think more "Efficiently Designed Budget Stay with a Hint of Trying-Hard." It's not *bad*, don’t get me wrong. But a diamond-encrusted massage chair or a personal butler? Nope. Think… clean, functional, and possibly requiring earplugs if your neighbour fancies a late-night karaoke session via their booming phone speakers (which, believe me, happened to yours truly.)
The "Box Mansion" part. Sounds, well, BOX-like. Is it claustrophobic? Did you actually sleep in a box?
Okay, the "Box" descriptor is accurate. It's not like some Victorian mansion converted into a hostel, overflowing with antique furniture. It's… compact. Really compact. I'm 6' tall, and let's just say I had to REALLY strategize my movements in the room. The bed *felt* like a box, in the sense that it occupied a significant portion of the incredibly efficient space. Claustrophobic? Potentially. I was fine, but if you're prone to panic attacks in small spaces, maybe pack some Xanax (or, you know, deep breaths) before hitting the elevator. The good news is, you WON'T be sleeping *in* a tiny box. The "box" refers more to the overall architectural style, if that makes any sense. And it's not as bad as the time I stayed in that *actual* box-sized capsule hotel in Tokyo...shudder.
Let's talk cleanliness. RedDoorz, you know, can be a mixed bag. Was it… sanitary? Or did you bring your hazmat suit?
Cleanliness? Okay, here's the deal. It wasn’t gleaming, hospital-grade sterile. But it wasn't a biohazard either. The sheets were clean. The bathroom, while small, *appeared* reasonably clean. I definitely gave the surfaces a cursory wipe with my own antibacterial wipes (because, you know, trust no one), but overall, it was acceptable. My biggest "ick" moment? The faint, almost imperceptible *mustiness* in the air. Think a library that’s been closed for a week. Not a deal-breaker, but something you'll notice. Look, it's a budget hotel. Expectations. Keep them reasonable. They weren't selling out of hazmat suits, just air fresheners.
The location! Is it actually convenient for tourist stuff? Or are you stuck in some industrial wasteland?
Location-wise… it's decent, not amazing. It's not right in the screaming heart of tourist central, but it's also not in some abandoned warehouse district. You're probably a short (and cheap) Grab ride away from most of the main attractions. I actually used Grab quite a bit. Walking? Probably not the best idea in the Surabaya heat unless you are a masochist. Just remember, factoring in travel time is key. Don't be like me and arrive late for a pre-booked tour because you underestimated Surabaya traffic. (Side note: Traffic in Surabaya is… an experience.) And yes, I did get lost (more than once) trying to find the place when I first arrived. Bring your GPS!
Breakfast? Do they even *offer* breakfast? And if so, is it edible? Or just… sad?
Breakfast. Ah, the breakfast question. Yes, they offer breakfast. It's included, which is a massive plus. Was it Michelin-star quality? Absolutely not. Was it… edible? Mostly. Picture a buffet of basic Indonesian fare: nasi goreng, maybe some mie goreng, some fruit (keep a close eye on the fruit, though – sometimes it looked a little… past its prime), and probably some toast. The coffee was watery, and the juice tasted suspiciously of… artificial flavouring. It was... fuel, basically. Fuel to get you through the morning. I’d recommend picking up some pastries, local fruits beforehand . I remember one morning I had a particularly dodgy-looking piece of watermelon that may or may not have caused a slight stomach grumble. Lesson learned: always bring your own snacks!
The Staff. Were they helpful? Indifferent? Did they speak English? Tell me EVERYTHING!
The staff… okay. They were generally friendly and tried their best. English proficiency varied. Some staff members were pretty good, others… less so. My go-to phrases became "Selamat Pagi" (Good Morning) and lots of pointing and gesturing, which, surprisingly, often worked. They were definitely helpful in getting me a taxi, but I remember one occasion where I asked the front desk guy about a nearby warung (small local restaurant), and he looked at me blankly. I think language was a barrier there. But look, they were trying. They weren't actively *un*helpful, which is a win in my book. I should have brushed up on my Bahasa Indonesia before hand. Hindsight, people.
The Wi-Fi. Because, let’s face it, we’re all addicted to the internet. Reliable? Lightning fast? Or dial-up from the dark ages?
Wi-Fi… Ah, the bane of the modern traveller. The Wi-Fi. It was… adequate. It wasn't blazing fast, and it did have a tendency to fluctuate, especially during peak hours (read: when everyone was trying to upload their Instagram stories). I occasionally got a frustrating "buffering" circle. But, generally, it was usable. I managed to check emails, do some light browsing, and mostly keep in touch with my friends. Don't rely on it for streaming HD movies or anything like that. If you need serious internet connectivity, maybe invest in a local SIM card. Picture me, desperately trying to connect while the person next to me was FaceTiming his girlfriend. Ugh.
Okay, the experience that REALLY stood out? Good or bad, give me the juicy details!
The single most memorable experience? Okay, buckle up. It’s the *elevator*. Yes, the *elevator*. It’s small, it's slow, and it's… erratic. One morning, I got stuck in it. For a good ten minutes. I was alone. Panic started to bubble. The lights flickered. The air grew thick with the scent of stale… well, *elevator*. I pounded on the doors. No response. I thought I was going to suffocate. Finally, it lurched into action, and the doors opened. I emerged, a sweaty, slightly traumatized mess,Trip Hotel Hub
