Capital O 1735 Adika Bahtera Hotel

I stayed at the other Bahtera hotel and only came here for the bar. It's a simple, quiet place with a Western style and very friendly staff. The prices are a little steep, maybe around Rp250,000 for a Guinness, but the atmosphere is really nice.

I ended up visiting because of a mix-up. I thought this was Menara Bahtera, then realized I was wrong and had come to this hotel instead. It's in a strategic spot in Balikpapan, not too far from many places, though its old, vintage look might feel creepy to some. The 1980s atmosphere is strong, from the cupboards and bathroom to the way breakfast is handled. The room was very clean, even though some utilities and amenities were already stained. Breakfast was standard, the service was good, and the small restaurant had the same old-fashioned feel.

The room itself was okay, with a good bed and nice air conditioning, plus a fridge. The TV was poor, with only national channels, a messy picture, and frequent disconnections. I couldn't use the bathtub because the drain had no stopper. There was no slipper, electric kettle, or shampoo either. I booked because the listing said there was a swimming pool, but when I arrived they told me it belonged to the hotel right beside this one, which I guess is in the same group. They shouldn't list it as one of this hotel's facilities. I was really disappointed. The hotel should say in its ad what is included and what costs extra, so people know from the start and can choose somewhere else if they want.

The receptionist was welcoming, polite, and service minded. The room was old and dated, with dirty furniture, and even the non-smoking room smelled of cigarettes. The elevators were dirty too. The whole hotel needs an upgrade and a thorough cleaning.