Admittedly, there is not much to do in Surabaya—Indonesia’s second largest city and one of its centers for commerce—by way of tourism. Rather, most travelers come to enjoy its vibrant cuisine, as well as to make it as a jump off point to explore Mount Bromo. With not much planned in the city, I decided to stay in one of its finest hotels, the Shangri-La Surbaya, to cap off a two-week long trip in bliss—and I got all the recharging I needed.
Shangri-La Surabaya is located in the city center, within easy reach of places of interest like Ciputra World—thanks to ride-hailing services like Grab and Uber that are ubiquitous in the city. The hotel’s a 30-minute drive from Juanda International Airport, and based on experience, it doesn’t cost much to get a ride with Uber or Grab to and from the said airport.
The hotel advertises itself as “the only true luxury hotel in Surabaya.” Upon being driven across the hotel’s expansive driveway and entering its lavish lobby, I found myself agreeing to their claim.
After being checked in by their charming staff, I was escorted to my room in a designated Horizon Club Floor, which meant a higher floor with gorgeous views of the city.
My room had classic charm, characteristic of a Shangri-La hotel. Walls were painted in a light hue, enhancing the natural light that drenched the room attractively.
Like other Shangri-La properties I’ve stayed at, the room was appointed to five-star standards—starting with the comfortable king bed, the executive desk, and the small sitting area. The marble-clad bathroom, although on the small side, was immaculate, and it came with fragrant L’Occitane amenities.
Since I was staying in a Horizon Club room, I had access to the Horizon Club, an attractive, classic space that had friendly and attentive staff. I tried out its breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails, and I must say I was impressed by its catering—in terms of quality and quantity.
Like the three Shangri-La hotels in Metro Manila, Shangri-La Surabaya is a dining destination. The hotel boasts of seven food and drink outlets, and locals do love to come for them. Fortunately, I was able to try Shang Palace (Chinese) and Nishimura Restaurant (Japanese), and all I can say for now is that both were excellent. (I shall tackle these restaurants in detail in a separate blog post.)
I also had my breakfast at JAMOO, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. I was impressed by the extensive selection of Indonesian, Asian, and Western items.
Being a five-star hotel, Shangri-La Surabaya has no shortage of facilities. I was able to check out its well-landscaped pool area, as well as its fitness center. Aside from these two, also in the hotel are MICE facilities—said to be the best in Surabaya—a spa, and a tennis court, among others.
IN A NUTSHELL: WHY STAY THERE
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It clearly is one of Surabaya’s best hotels—and it shows with its luxurious rooms, facilities, dining, and service.
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It is one of the more affordable Shangri-La hotels in Asia, and its rates are competitive with other city hotels.
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The hotel is easily accessible from the airport and the rest of the city.
SHANGRI-LA SURABAYA
Jalan Mayjen Sungkono No. 120, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 31 6003 8888
Email: sur@shangri-la.com
Website: www.shangri-la.com/surabaya/shangrila/
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
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