While in Surakarta, aka, Solo, we went $2.82 over our daily budget and…at the same time, stayed in our first FIVE-star hotel. There was no travel hacking, free stays, or craftiness involved. It’s simply what it cost with our Agoda “VIP Platinum” status (which anyone can get simply by using the app regularly). Needless to say, life can be very good while traveling in cheaper destinations. So what happens when you put two frugalistas like us on a red carpet for a night?! 🤣
The Royal Surakarta Heritage Hotel is thankfully not an obvious big box or chain hotel, although it is part of the “Accor Line”…so maybe it is? What do we know?
This lavish hotel combines modern luxury with elegant Javanese decor as soon as you pull into the entrance, where we were immediately out of our element as soon as a bellhop scurried over to our Grab speaking rapid…English. In fact, Mandy kind of froze, saying no thank you, resulting in a confused look as he ended up carrying Greg’s backpack. Not to worry, these dudes were standing by to give her a foolish hand. 🤣
Mandy wandering the red carpet in her yoga pants and Osprey backpack looking for her in-laws, who must be greeting us shortly for such an experience. And then, there was Guido…acting like he knows what’s up.
By now, you might be wondering how much this cost. For red carpets, mirrored tile elevators, a sumptuous interior…
…and a “Superior King Suite.” Well, it was $29.41 for the night which in the US would have been the price for the breakfast buffet alone..each. (P.s. We could have got the Junior King Suite for $26, but we decided to…splurge. 🤣)
It included a proper kettle set up, and an elegant bathroom (with a tub!) which was quite a treat in itself.
Also, a button to fetch a green whipping lady, and a boatload of free toiletries, all which were made of bamboo or paper. Not a single stitch of plastic. Good for them.
When we exited the room, of course there was more to explore, including an elegant lounge, more furniture, clearly from IKEA…
…a giant gym with things like CrossFit ropes and other torture devices, a third floor pool and bar. (A bar where we bought one beer 1/7 of the price of the room…)
…and of course, a spa, because that’s what 5-star people do. Since it was $20 for a one-hour massage, and we’d just had a pretty great one for $9 in Karimunjawa, we 2-star people were comfortable sticking with the complementary services.
Like admiring the museum-like decor, the ostentatious light fixtures, the traditional Javanese instruments…
…the restaurant where we’d be having a feast (breakfast)…
…the hoity toity coffee bar, (which means about $1.95-2.25 for a drink), the emerald marbled floors, and the entrance to the hotel, which had a dazzling stained glass thingie to put cars under.
The next morning, we allowed an hour for the breakfast buffet so we could gluttonize ourselves like good little Americans at the ten stations that encompassed the room.
The options were overwhelming and consisted of everything from traditional Indonesian to, to western, to sushi. This is NOT raw chicken, a pile of insects, eggs or a misshapen jelly bean. This bizarre and colorful dish is actually called Jajanan Pasar, which refers to traditional Indonesian delicacies commonly sold in local markets, known as “pasar” in Indonesian. Jajanan Pasar is often colorful and made from ingredients like rice flour, coconut, and palm sugar, reflecting the diverse culinary traditions of Indonesia. It was very interesting and we were glad to have the opportunity to try something new.
Mandy’s first (and only) round, and Guido’s first round.
And his second…focused on only traditional foods. It’s amazing how much better Indonesian food tastes when a proper chef makes it, and it isn’t oil-laden street food.
We also fell in love with, and had a least four glasses of these traditional Indonesian drinks, which are health bombs loaded with anti-inflammatory goodies like turmeric and ginger. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more.
Our budget for the day of the five star hotel clocked in at $52.82. We’ll also be getting 6% back from Agoda thanks to the best credit card for travelers ever (Capital One Venture X card.) We budget backpackers are definitely slumming it.
