Shang Ratu

The staff were a highlight. They were quick and helpful, even installing Wi-Fi in my room when the internet was bad, and finding solutions fast when I asked for other things. The bed was good and clean, and room service cleaned it every day. The room was quiet, and the AC worked well in the hot weather. The shower was fine, but had no door, so water got everywhere. Breakfast was okay, with local dishes and sweets. The restaurant felt overpriced and wasn’t worth it: I paid 70k for a small serving of chicken and fries, and my Indonesian friends said it was too expensive and too small. The hotel itself is somewhere in the middle, a decent place if you mainly need somewhere to sleep and head out.

Breakfast came with the best view. My room was roomy, tidy, artsy, and comfortable, with a mini fridge, closet, and even two desks and two chairs, which is handy if you’re bringing someone along. I was so happy to find a bolster, since the other hotels I’ve stayed at in Jambi didn’t have one. I might’ve given it five stars if the Wi-Fi hadn’t put me off.

I had a pleasant stay. The hotel is spacious, and the nature area adds a lot to the experience and gives you room to explore. It’s also a great venue for events, seminars, meetings, corporate or community groups, and big family gatherings.

The reception situation was unpleasant. When I arrived to check in around 07.00pm, nobody was at the desk, and two people looked like they’d already been waiting a while. No one responded until I called the hotel. Someone eventually came downstairs and said all the staff were on their break. I’ve never heard such an unprofessional excuse. It was much the same at check out around 09.00am, with hardly anyone at reception. There are good points too: the price is cheap, the room is very large and clean, the linen and AC were comfortable, and there was hot water, bath amenities, good Wi-Fi, varied TV channels, and a safe deposit box. I think I’ll come back to this hotel on my next trip to Jambi, and hope they’ve fixed the reception problem by then.