R Hotel Rancamaya

We had a lovely room with a beautiful view, enjoyed the pools, and found the dinner at the restaurant delicious. There are plenty of activities for kids around the hotel, though most come with an extra charge. I didn't really see lifeguards keeping watch at the pools. We were there for a staycation celebrating several birthdays and asked for a complimentary cake slice and simple decorations. They didn't offer a free cake, and at first they would only allow five letters for the birthday person's name. They eventually let us add more names, but it was a struggle, especially since the names were just made from pandan leaves.

The location and views live up to the good reviews. A few things could be better, though. Flies and bird droppings were around the restaurants, and the food wasn't tasty enough to feel worth the price or make us want to eat there. I also scratched my feet on the side of the bed.

The room was spacious, quiet, and comfortable, with two queen beds, lots of drawers, a desk, safe, mini fridge, and a sink with hot water. The water heater worked quickly. We had a balcony with a beautiful view of Mt. Salak, and the location inside Rancamaya was peaceful and away from traffic. It wasn't too hard to reach from the Ciawi exit gate, and traffic was manageable. There are three pools: one long one at 1.3m, plus two in other areas, including a kids' pool and an adult pool also used by club members. Hotel guests can use them too. Depths vary from 1.2 to 1.5 to 1.7, and there's a warning that no lifeguard is on duty, so be careful if you aren't a strong swimmer. Breakfast had a range of Western and local food, though the taste was just so-so. The hotel has lots for kids to do, like animal feeding, a playground, outbound activities, and swimming. It seems well suited to families with two children under five. The pool staffing was a problem. There was no lifeguard, just a pool bar staff member handing out towels. The next morning I wanted to swim again, but nobody was at the pool bar, including at another pool I tried. I had to change out of my swimsuit without a towel. As I was leaving, a woman who seemed to be a caddie said towels were available in a different area, which didn't help much. Staff could also be more attentive. Nobody greeted us or offered to help with our suitcase when we arrived, and an online transport driver helped instead. They only asked about luggage when we were checking out. At the restaurant, no one greeted us or asked our room number to check that breakfast was included. I had to approach a woman who seemed to still be in training. At other hotels, staff usually ask or offer help when guests arrive at the restaurant.

R Hotel Rancamaya in Bogor has a peaceful feel that's great for couples or families looking to get away from the busy city. The clean, spacious rooms come with lovely mountain views, especially Mount Salak. There's plenty to do, with a big outdoor pool, kids' activities, a golf course, and several dining options. The staff are attentive and friendly, and made us feel welcome.