Balikpapan's BEST Kept Secret: Pelita Guest House! ✨
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Pelita Guest House – Balikpapan's "BEST Kept Secret." And trust me, it's a secret that's WAY overdue for some noisy, enthusiastic exposure. Forget those soulless, cookie-cutter hotels sprouting up everywhere. This place? It's got soul. And maybe a few quirks. (Which, let's be honest, is what makes it awesome.) Consider this your ultimate, unfiltered, and probably slightly chaotic, review.
Let's just get this out of the way: I’m not a robot. I’m a human. And I'm opinionated. So, if you're looking for a sterile, five-star robot-generated review, scroll on past. This is a love letter, a rant, and a confession all rolled into one.
First Impressions (and the Search…oh, the Search!): Okay, so the "best kept secret" part is mostly true. Finding Pelita was a journey. Hidden down a little side street, it's not plastered with neon signs announcing its existence. This adds to the charm once you finally find it haha. But, good news! Once you're there, accessibility is surprisingly decent.
Accessibility: The entrance wasn't a nightmare (thank the heavens). They have an elevator, which is a massive win for those, like my aching knees, who aren't keen on stairs. The facilities for disabled guests were…present. I didn’t need them, but they weren't obnoxiously absent. They're there.
Getting Around: Airport transfer? Yep. Car park? Free, and on-site. Valet parking? Fancy pants alert! Taxi service available? Affirmative. No problems here when you need to get in and out.
The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (and Where the Good Stuff REALLY Began!)
Okay, the room. I’m a sucker for a well-appointed room. And Pelita, surprisingly, delivered.
Available in all rooms: (Let's just tick the boxes shall we?) Additional toilet, Air conditioning (essential!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone (yes!), Bathtub (thank you, universe!), Blackout curtains (HEAVEN!), Carpeting, Closet (a genuine space!), Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea. Daily housekeeping– my savior! (more on that later), Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water (crucial for Indonesian heat!), Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box (always a plus), Interconnecting room(s) available (handy for families), Internet access – LAN (for those who need it, I stuck with the Wi-Fi), Internet access – wireless (yep!), Ironing facilities (wrinkle free, people!), Laptop workspace, Linens (fresh!), Mini bar. Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies (lazy day heaven!), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator…the list goes on and on!
My Personal Touch: I needed blackout curtains. Seriously. Jet lag is a beast, and these babies were a lifesaver. The bed? Cloud-like. The complimentary tea? Perfect for a late-night cuppa while watching one of the on demand movies. I was in relaxation mode.
The Imperfection: The decor wasn't exactly cutting-edge chic. But it was comfortable. It felt…lived-in. It wasn’t trying too hard. And honestly, after a day exploring Balikpapan, comfort is all I care about.
The Wi-Fi Saga (Or, How I Learned to Love the Internet Again)
Okay, let's get real. Wi-Fi is a dealbreaker in this day and age. And Pelita, bless its heart, delivers.
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the travel gods. Fast, reliable. I could Skype with my family, watch YouTube, and stalk my ex-boyfriend’s Instagram (don't judge!) all without buffering.
Internet [LAN] & Internet services: Yes, there's LAN too. But like, come on, who uses a LAN cable anymore?
Wi-Fi in public areas: Surprisingly strong signal too! Especially for the pool area.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Culinary Adventure)
Okay, food. This is where things get…interesting.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Now this is what I'm talking about.
Restaurants & Bars: You gotta love multiple restaurants. The Poolside bar? I spent an embarrassing amount of time there.
Breakfast [buffet] & Breakfast service: I’m a buffet enthusiast, and the breakfast was pretty darn good. The Asian breakfast was superb. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a lifesaver first thing in the morning.
A la carte in restaurant: If buffet's not your thing, then there is a delicious menu to choose from.
My personal highlight: The Desserts in restaurant were a weakness. Like, "I'll just have one more piece of that cake" levels of weakness.
The Imperfection: The coffee shop had a habit of running out of my favorite snacks. Sigh.
Ways to Relax (Because You’re On Vacation, People!)
This is where Pelita really shines.
Spa/sauna: They went all out for the spa area!
Body wrap, Body scrub, Foot bath, Massage. I've done them all. Take the time to do it.
Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor] & Swimming pool: The outdoor pool is legit. The view? Stunning. And yes, this pool also has a poolside bar!
Fitness center, Gym/fitness. (For those who actually work out on vacation. I'll stick to the spa, thanks.)
My experience: Okay, full confession time. I spent hours in the sauna. Then I got a massage. I came out feeling like a new person. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. This is what vacation is all about, folks. I also tried the steamroom, which I could not get enough of.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Well, It Matters)
Okay, let's talk practicalities.
- Cleanliness and safety: The staff seriously cares about this, you can tell.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays. They are serious business during this pandemic.
- Hand sanitizer is EVERYWHERE.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: reassuringly present.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Safe dining setup
Services and Conveniences (Because Life Should Be Easy)
This is where Pelita makes your life easy-peasy.
- Services and conveniences: You have Air conditioning in public area.
- Concierge: They really know the area.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange. All super handy.
- Daily housekeeping: I had a slight disaster involving spilled coffee and a white rug. The housekeeping staff, bless their patience, cleaned it up with a smile. That kind of service is PRICELESS.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Need I say more?
- Luggage storage: No problem.
The Quirks (Because, Let’s Be Honest, That’s What Makes it Memorable)
- The Elevator: It's old. It's a little creaky. But it works. And let's be real, it adds character!
- The "Best Kept Secret" Vibe: It's not a hotel with a massive marketing budget. It's got a more homey vibe.
- The Friendly Staff: They are incredibly helpful and kind. They make you feel like part of their family.
Things to do:
- Things to do: From what I could gather, there are a bunch of things to do. I didn't get to go explore as much as I would have liked, but I took advantage of what Pelita had to offer.
- For the kids: I didn't have kids along, but I saw babysitting service available. They have Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
The Downside (Because Even Paradise Has a Few Flaws)
- My personal issue: The pool could get a little crowded at peak times. But hey, that's a small price to pay for a gorgeous pool with a view.
The Verdict:
Look, Pelita Guest House isn't perfect. No place is. But it's got heart. It's got charm. And it's got a staff that genuinely cares about making your stay amazing. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're staying in a friend's really, really nice house, not just another anonymous hotel room.
My Offer to You!
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Pelita Guest House: A Balikpapan Ballad (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Gecko Sh*t)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is the real story of my Balikpapan adventure, starting (and mostly ending, blessedly) at the Pelita Guest House. Consider this less a schedule, and more a… psychological profile of a slightly sunburned, perpetually caffeinated traveler.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Amazing Ayam Penyet
- 7:00 AM (ish): Landed in Balikpapan. Smelled the air. Humidity hit me like a wet, warm hug. Instantly regretted wearing that linen shirt. Immigration was surprisingly smooth, which led to a brief, unsettling period of "am I missing something crucial?" worry. Thankfully, I wasn't. Just jet lag. And the impending existential dread of being so far from my coffee machine.
- 8:00 AM: Airport pickup… supposedly. Waited. Sweated. Muttered about Indonesian timeliness (which, to be fair, is a thing). Finally, a guy in a slightly too-small batik shirt materialized, holding a crumpled sign that said, "Mr. [My Name]." Victory!
- 9:00 AM (and a half?): Arrived at Pelita. Cute little place, painted a cheerful, slightly faded yellow. Check-in was… interesting. The woman behind the desk, bless her heart, spoke virtually no English. After much frantic gesturing and the universal language of "point at piece of paper," I was in. Room? Basic. Bed? Suspect, but firm. Mosquito net? Thank the heavens above.
- 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Unpacked my over-stuffed backpack. Flirted with the idea of a shower (the humidity just begged for it). Found two tiny geckos clinging to the ceiling. Named them "Harold" and "Gertrude." Started to question my sanity.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. Found an ayam penyet place just a five-minute walk away. Oh my god. The. Best. Chicken. Ever. Crispy, juicy, spicy, with a side of rice and the kind of chili sauce that makes you sweat and smile simultaneously. Ate so much I thought I might spontaneously combust. (Pro Tip: Find the Ayam Penyet, eat it. Repeat.)
- 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Attempted a nap. Failed miserably. The aircon was wheezing, the traffic outside was a symphony of horns, and Harold and Gertrude were having an animated discussion about something. Decided nap time was overrated.
- 4:00 PM: Wandered aimlessly. Got wonderfully lost. Saw a woman selling the most vibrant purple flowers I’ve ever witnessed. Almost bought one, but remembered my allergy to, well, everything. Sigh.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a tiny warung down the street. More ayam penyet (don't judge!). Learned a few Indonesian phrases from the friendly owner, including "terima kasih" (thank you) and "pedas sekali!" (very spicy!).
- 7:30 PM: Back at the Pelita. Harold and Gertrude are still there. Found a gecko sh*t on my table. Welp. Bedtime. Praying for sweet, mosquito-net-protected sleep. Tomorrow, I delve deeper into Balikpapan… or, at least, try to navigate the warung.
Day 2: Beaches, Beauty Pageants, and a Near-Death Experience with Durian
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. Perhaps it was the lack of gecko sh*t on the bed. Perhaps it was the sheer absurdity of it all.
- 8:30 AM: Breakfast. The Pelita breakfast is… basic. Think toast, instant coffee, and a small, vaguely suspicious-looking omelet. Ate it anyway. Fuel is fuel.
- 9:30 AM: Hired a ojek (motorcycle taxi) to head to Manggar Beach. The ride was a glorious, terrifying adventure. Weaved in and out of traffic like a caffeinated hummingbird. Screamed a lot. Loved it.
- 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Manggar Beach. Beautiful. The sand was white, the water was turquoise, and the sun was relentless. Spent an hour reading, another hour just staring at the waves. Almost felt zen. Then a group of teenagers started practicing for a local beauty pageant just a few feet away, complete with terrible pop music and even worse choreography. Zen evaporated. Briefly considered joining in purely for the chaos. Thought better of it.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a warung on the beach. More fish. More rice. More general contentment.
- 2:00 PM: Decided to be adventurous. Found a fruit market. The smell hit me before I saw the durian. The stench was like a cross between gym socks and… well, a whole lot of something unpleasant I can’t quite identify. Curiosity, however, got the better of me. Bought a small piece. Took one bite. Regretted everything. Immediately. The flavor was… well, let's just say it was an experience. A deeply, viscerally unpleasant experience. Managed to get rid of it and rushed to the nearest warung.
- 3:00 PM: Back to Pelita. Scrubbed myself with whatever soap I could find. The durian experience just wouldn't leave me.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Attempted to relax. Failed. The durian smell still lingered. My brain was haunted by the pungent memory. Read a book, but I could only concentrate for a few moments.
- 6:00 PM: Decided to go for a walk. The air was fresh and quiet. I found a group of local kids playing a game of football in a street with almost no lighting. I realized the simple beauty of life again.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Avoiding the durian-scented streets. I stick to my reliable warung with the ayam Penyet.
- 8:00 PM: Back at Pelita. Harold and Gertrude seem to be mocking me. Bedtime. Praying the durian nightmares stay away.
…and the rest… well, let’s just say things got progressively less planned and more… lived. There was the trip to the floating market that was a blur of boats and bartering (and the best mango juice I've ever had). There were the attempts to learn Indonesian that mostly resulted in mangled phrases and confused smiles. There was the realization that the geckos in my room were actually part of the experience, a living, breathing (and occasionally pooping) embodiment of the chaos and beauty of Balikpapan. And, yes, there was more ayam penyet.
The Imperfections? They were everywhere. The language barrier, the occasional leaky faucet, the ear-splitting traffic, the constant hum of the aircon… they were all part of it. And frankly, they made it real. They made it unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: The Pelita Guest House wasn't a luxury resort. It was a place to lay my head, recharge my batteries, and, most importantly, be present. It was a starting point. A launching pad. A temporary home base from which to explore, to stumble, to laugh, to learn, and to generally make a glorious mess of things. And you know what? It was perfect. (Even with the gecko sh*t.)
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Pelita Guest House: The Dirt, the Glory, and Everything In-Between (FAQ – Absolutely Unfiltered!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is Pelita Guest House REALLY the "best-kept secret" everyone's raving about?
Alright, alright, lemme tell ya. "Best-kept secret"... more like a well-worn, slightly dusty treasure chest. Yes, it's pretty darn good. But perfection? Honey, no. Balikpapan is hot and sticky, the air is thick with the promise of rain, and sometimes my AC unit, let's just say, it "dreams" of being cold. But the *vibe*, the genuine Balikpapan experience? Yeah, Pelita gets that right. Plus, that swimming pool? After a day sweating buckets, pure bliss. Don't expect the Ritz, expect a comfy, local experience, and you won't be disappointed. Think well-loved, not brand-new.
What's the DEAL with the rooms? Are they clean? I'm a germaphobe.
Clean-ish. Let's be real. This isn't a sterile hospital room. But the housekeeping staff work HARD. I've stayed in some Balikpapan hotels that were... questionable. Pelita is a cut above. You'll find them sweeping, mopping, and generally trying to keep things tidy. Yes, there might be a little stray hair or two from the last guest (I always bring my own wipes ANYWHERE I go, just in case. Call me paranoid!). They change the sheets regularly, and the bathrooms, while simple, are functional. If you're THAT worried, bring those extra-strength sanitizing wipes, but honestly, it's far from a biohazard zone. And look, you're in Indonesia, not Switzerland. Embrace the local culture and the occasional speck of dust! Life's too short to be constantly scrubbing.
What's the food like? I'm a foodie.
Okay, about the food – it's… serviceable. Don’t expect a Michelin star experience. They have a simple breakfast offering included, mostly nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles), and eggs. And sometimes a little fruit. Let's be clear: it's not life-changing. It's filling, it's convenient, and it gets you going for the day. The coffee? Don't get me started. It's Indonesian coffee, which is STRONG. I prefer to grab my coffee elsewhere honestly. The restaurant also has a selection of local dishes and some Western options for other meals. The Nasi Goreng? Order it. You won't regret it. It's a Balikpapan classic. Otherwise, wander outside and explore. Within walking distance, there are some phenomenal warungs (local restaurants) that are WAY better. Just be adventurous and try *everything*!
Is the location good? I want to be near the action!
Location? It's pretty decent. Not smack-dab in the middle of the busiest streets of Balikpapan, which I personally *love*. It's tucked away, peaceful. It's close enough to the city center to be convenient and not so far that you feel like you're stranded. You can easily grab a taxi or a Grab (the local ride-sharing app) to get around to shopping malls, the beach, and, of course, all the amazing food stalls. The nearby area is also pretty safe, I felt safe walking around even at late hours in the night.
What kinda people stay there? Is it a good place to meet other travelers?
A mix, a real mix! You get a lot of business travelers (Balikpapan is a big oil and gas center, after all). Then the occasional adventurous tourist. Some locals pop in for a staycation. It's not EXACTLY a backpacker haven, so don't expect massive parties or endless hostel-style chatter. But I've had a few really interesting conversations with people around the pool. It's more laid-back. If you want to connect, you'll have to be a little proactive. Strike up a conversation at breakfast. Join someone by the pool. It's an easy place to make friends if you're willing to put yourself out there. Or, you know, just chill by yourself– no pressure either way!
The pool! Is it as good as everyone says?
Ah, the pool. It's the *star* of the show. Seriously, after a day of fighting the Balikpapan humidity, diving into that cool water is pure, unadulterated bliss. The pool itself is clean. Not Olympic-sized, but perfectly adequate for a refreshing dip or a lazy afternoon. The poolside loungers could use a revamp, you know? Some are a bit worse for wear, some are just a pain to get comfortable in. But WHO CARES when you're floating in that cool water? It's glorious. It’s a lifesaver. I spent hours just floating and reading my book! The chlorine smell isn’t too overpowering, which is a bonus. Trust me, the pool is worth the trip alone.
I’ve heard some complaints about the staff. What’s the deal?
The staff... Okay, look, they're not robots. They're human. They're generally friendly and helpful, but sometimes, the language barrier can be a bit tricky. Patience is key. I had one unfortunate incident where my laundry got… mixed up with someone else's. Let's just say I ended up with a very, very large, very brightly patterned shirt that definitely wasn't mine. But they were mortified, apologized profusely, and eventually, the shirt's rightful owner was found. It was a learning experience, for everyone involved. Don’t expect over-the-top service, but do expect genuine care and a willingness to help. And a smile. And if you're patient and understanding, everything will be absolutely fine. Be polite, be respectful, and remember, you're in Indonesia. A little "bule" (foreigner) charm goes a long way!
Is it noisy at night? Any tips for sleeping soundly?
Noise levels… well, it depends. Balikpapan is a bustling city. You'll hear the occasional motorbike, the call to prayer. And sometimes, at night, the local karaoke parties can be heard (the walls aren't soundproof, let's just put it that way). My personal tip? Earplugs! Always pack earplugs. And maybe a white noise app on your phone. That does the trick for me. I'm a light sleeper, and I've always managed to get a decent night's sleep. You can also ask for a room on the inner side of the building for some more peace and quiet.
