Grand Tjokro Balikpapan

We were uncomfortable with the dirt, hair, and mold in the washroom, the clogged sink, broken lightswitch, and a critter on the table that looked like it might be a cockroach 😖. The manager was sweet and apologetic, and kindly offered either an upgraded room or a ride to another hotel. The staff were incredibly hospitable, the location was convenient, and the common spaces and amenities were beautiful. It would have been an enjoyable stay otherwise, and I hope they take steps to improve cleanliness and maintenance.

It’s close to the city, with local cheap supermarkets within 500 metres. The restaurant has great food, the pool is nice, and there’s 24 hr room service. Rooms are serviced everyday, and the TV has mtv music and movie channels. All the staff are super friendly and helpful. I’m enjoying my stay at the grand Tjokro hotel, and it’s given me a very local cultural experience as one of the only westerners here. 👍💯😀

Security and the driver were friendly and helpful, and the hotel’s location near the airport is hard to beat when catching a flight. The rooms are clean, though small. Breakfast choices were okay, but hygiene could be better: I saw a bug, and there was a leak. Staff at breakfast weren’t very attentive, and a more proactive approach would make things feel more welcoming. Check-in and check-out took a while, and ordering food at night was slow. They also got my order wrong. It’s handy for the airport, but service and cleanliness need some work. Alright, but not amazing.

We stayed one night in a family room, but the AC wasn’t working properly and the room was hot. They moved us to another room at the end of the corridor, apparently next to the kitchen. At 4.30 AM, a kitchen blower came on and made a very loud noise for two hours straight.