Balikpapan's BEST Studio Apartment: Borneo Bay City Paradise!
Borneo Bay City Paradise: Is It Really Paradise? A Balikpapan Studio Apartment Review (The Messy Truth!)
Okay, let's get real. Reviews are boring, right? So, I, your intrepid, somewhat-jaded explorer of Balikpapan's finest (allegedly), just spent a week at Borneo Bay City Paradise. And let me tell you, after sifting through all the glossy photos and marketing fluff, I have some thoughts. Buckle up, buttercups.
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- Keywords: Balikpapan, Borneo Bay City, studio apartment, review, accessible, wheelchair, swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, wifi, clean, safe, modern, luxury, Indonesia, travel, hotel.
- Meta Description: Honest, uncensored review of Borneo Bay City Paradise in Balikpapan. Accessibility, amenities, food, cleanliness, safety – the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward. Prepare for real-life insights!
Accessibility: The First Impression (and a Bit of a Bump)
Right, first things first: Accessibility. They say it's accessible. And, to be fair, the lobby is grand, all gleaming marble and helpful-looking staff. Getting into the building? Easy. The elevators are spacious (crucial if you're, you know, relying on a wheelchair). Now, the real test: the studio apartment itself…
Here's where things got a little… bumpy. The apartment technically had what it needed: wider doorways, grab bars in the bathroom. But the space felt… tight. Like, I-wouldn't-want-to-accidentally-bump-into-the-bed-again-tight. So, yeah, accessible, but maybe not optimally accessible. That's my honest opinion.
On-site Restaurants & Lounges: Food, Glorious… Food (Mostly)
Okay, let's talk food. The restaurants are a mixed bag. There's definitely Asian cuisine, but the Western cuisine options didn't quite hit the mark, you know? The Breakfast [buffet] was… decent. Standard stuff like the usual Asian breakfast and then Western breakfast options. Coffee was surprisingly good (essential, obviously). They had a Coffee shop, too. The Poolside bar? Lovely! Imagine sipping a cocktail, watching the sunset… bliss. Although, I once saw a stray french fry float by. That's the thing about a Poolside bar… stuff happens. They have a Snack bar too, which is important because the Room service [24-hour] didn't always deliver quickly enough. There's also a Vegetarian restaurant.
And yes, they offer Breakfast in room or Breakfast takeaway service, in case you're feeling particularly lazy.
Wheelchair Accessible: (See Above, and a Little More… Bumpy)
Beyond the elevator, the ramps and accessible shower, my personal experience of wheel-chair access was mixed. I am not a wheelchair user, but that's not enough of a test. It's a shame.
Internet: Wi-Fi Bliss… Mostly
They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!. And it mostly worked. Praise be! However, there were a few moments of… buffering hell. You're trying to stream a movie, waiting, waiting, and then suddenly… nothing! Then I could get some *Internet [LAN], which helped. And you can have a *Laptop workspace*. The *Wi-Fi in public areas* was pretty solid, so at least you could escape the apartment and get a decent connection in the lobby.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Disaster (But Really Funny in Retrospect!)
Right, the "paradise" part? They have a Spa, with all the buzzwords: Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Steamroom, the works. Massage too, of course. Let me tell you about my spa experience…
I booked a "deep tissue" massage. I was expecting relaxed muscles, maybe a nap. What I got was… a wrestling match. The masseuse was obviously new, and I think she was trying to learn the techniques on me. There were times where I swore she was actually climbing on me! It was so bad I almost laughed hysterically. After, I felt like I had been through a workout. The whole experience was borderline ridiculous.
The Swimming Pool:
But let's be fair, the Pool with view was fantastic! The Swimming pool [outdoor] was something. I spent hours there.
Cleanliness and Safety: (They Seem To Care!)
This is where Borneo Bay shines. Okay, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so trust me on this. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas really put my mind at ease. They clearly take hygiene seriously, which is huge in the current climate. They even had Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff were masked up and generally cautious and friendly. The Room sanitization opt-out available, which is understandable. The Staff trained in safety protocol. I appreciated that. Rooms sanitized between stays – check. Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items – yep, all there.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet Battle and Beyond!
Okay, food again. I already mentioned the restaurants, but the Breakfast [buffet] deserves its own section. It was… epic. The range was insane, from the usual suspects to some local delicacies I couldn't even pronounce. The food was good, it always is. After a couple of days I felt like my gut had a buffet permanently setup. A buffet always leads to overeating, so be warned.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the… Air Conditioning?
The Air conditioning in public area was a lifesaver. The Car park [free of charge] was amazing. And the Front desk [24-hour] was always friendly, and always there. There's a Convenience store – handy for snacks (duh!), and a Currency exchange if you need it. However, some of the other "conveniences" were a bit… overkill. Like, do I really need an Ironing service in my studio apartment? It seems odd. They have a Doorman too, which is always a nice touch to make the place seem all high and mighty. The place has an Elevator.
For the Kids: A Disclaimer!
I don't have kids, so I can't speak to the specifics, but they do have Babysitting service and Kids facilities. However the place doesn't seem overly family-friendly.
Available in all rooms:
This is a long list including Daily housekeeping, Air conditioning. There's Free bottled water (yesss!), Coffee/tea maker and Mini bar.
Getting Around:
They offer an Airport transfer. I used it. It was great.
The Final Verdict (and a Bit of Honesty!)
So, is Borneo Bay City Paradise actually paradise? Not quite. It's more like… comfortable limbo. A pretty good hotel with some great amenities (the pool!), some so-so ones (the spa experience was a story), and a few minor accessibility hiccups. It's clean, safe, and generally well-maintained. I'd recommend it, with a few caveats: manage your expectations about the spa, and if accessibility is crucial, maybe call ahead and ask for specifics. But overall? A decent option for your Balikpapan adventure. 7.5/10!
Hanoi's HOTTEST 2BR Cozy Gem: Vinhomes Times City Dream Apartment!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously color-coded travel itinerary. This is me, raw and unfiltered, trying to survive (and hopefully enjoy) a few days in a studio apartment in Borneo Bay City, Balikpapan, Indonesia. Buckle up:
Borneo Bay City Apartment Studio – Balikpapan. Oh, God, Here We Go! (Or: My Attempt to Not Screw This Up)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in a Tiny Box
- 10:00 AM (Balikpapan Time, probably): Touchdown at Sepinggan International Airport. The heat hits you like a physical slap. It's the kind of heat that makes you question all your life choices, starting with "Why did I book a studio apartment?". Anyway, taxi haggling commences. My Indonesian is… let’s just say, "enthusiastic." I manage to negotiate a price that feels like a win, until I realize I probably overpaid, but whatever, the driver seems happy, and I'm already sweating through my t-shirt. WIN!
- 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Arrive at "Borneo Bay City Apartment Studio" (that's the official name, I promise). The lobby is… nice. Air-conditioned, at least. Check-in is a blur of smiling faces and rapid Indonesian. I fumble with my phone to translate, then give up and nod a lot. Hopefully, I'm not signing away my kidneys.
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: The Apartment. Oh, the apartment. Let’s just say “studio” is an understatement. It's… compact. The walls are possibly closer than they appear in photos. I unpack my bag, trying to fight the urge to hyperventilate. I realize I forgot my universal adapter, and my phone is on 20% . Oh, this is already going super well.
- 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch. Google Maps to the rescue! Find a local Warung. The food is incredible! The spicy chicken rice is good. The crowd is all eyes on me, the lone westerner, but also maybe I just feel that way.
- 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Nap. Mandatory. Jet lag has hit me like a tidal wave. I collapse on the… bed? The thing that vaguely resembles a bed.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Walkabout. Walk around the apartment area, scoping out the damage. The marina is actually kind of… picturesque. I feel a spark of hope. Maybe this won't be a total disaster. Buy water. Definitely forgot the universal adapter.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back in the studio. Trying to find something to watch, the TV is only in Bahasa Indonesia… Oh great. The wifi is out. Time to read the guidebook. Try again.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner. Find another place to eat. More local food! The seafood is divine. Wondering if I should order another plate. Probably. Also, why is it so dark here?
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Attempt to connect with the outside world. Fail. Go to bed feeling slightly less hopeless. Consider ordering room service tomorrow.
Day 2: The Mall, the Madness, and the Unbearable Loneliness
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Wake up feeling reasonably human. Maybe the bed wasn't so bad after all. That said, I’m already plotting my escape.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Mall. Apparently, Borneo Bay City has a mall. This is where the modern meets… well, more modern. Starbucks! (Instant sense of familiarity, and relief). Explore. Buy a phone adapter. Hooray! Watch people. Feel like a complete outsider. Buy silly souvenir.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch at the mall. Sushi! (I know, I know. Not exactly "authentic Indonesia" but I needed something familiar). People-watching intensifies. Observe the elaborate displays of products in the shops. It's all very slick, very polished… and yet, there's a sense of disconnect. I’m a mess.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Aquarium, nearby at the mall. Another chance at wonder. The aquarium is fine. The jellyfish are mesmerizing. The crowds are not.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Back to the apartment. The existential dread returns, but this time with a sense of irritation. Seriously, why did I book a studio?
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Fight with the laundry. The washing machine is in the shared amenities, which I am too scared to use. What if I break it? End up hand-washing my clothes in the tiny bathroom sink. This vacation is getting glamorous.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Feeling a bit braver. The food continues to be incredible. Try to strike up a conversation with the waiter. Fail miserably. (My Indonesian is… still "enthusiastic." I can't even get "thank you" right).
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Stare at the wall. Drink some water. Wonder if it's too early to go to bed. Decide it isn't.
Day 3: A Glimpse of the Real Balikpapan (Maybe?) and the Coming of the End
This is where the itinerary kinda falls apart. Because after a few days of… intense introspection, my planned 'cultural immersion' became a lot more erratic.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast. I think I saw a bakery on the way to the mall. Scramble to find it. Succeed. Enjoy a tasty pastry.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Decide to go to the "Klandasan Beach." A local told me. The beach is… fine. Kind of a mess, actually. There's litter. The water's murky. But, there's local life. People fishing, kids playing, vendors selling trinkets and snacks. Actually, it's perfect. I sit on a bench and watch the world go by. I take a picture of an old man sitting on a bench, then realize it's probably rude.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back in the neighborhood. Back in the world of more food.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The REAL Balikpapan. I wander the streets, taking in the chaos and the beauty. I duck into a small shop and buy a coffee. I try a conversation with the owner. We end up just smiling at each other.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Back to the studio. Write a postcard.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Reflection. Looking back over the trip. Feeling better. Not great, but better.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Final Dinner. Celebrate the wins of travel.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Pack. Sort of.
Day 4: Departure and the Embrace of Freedom.
- 9:00 AM (Give or take): Early wake up. Last look at the apartment. Goodbye, tiny box!
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport.
- 11:00 AM (Give or take): Flight.
- Later: Arrive home.
Quirky Observations/Emotional Reactions/Ramblings/Opinions:
- The Heat: It's relentless. I feel like I'm constantly melting. I'm also turning into a very unattractive, sweaty mess.
- The Food: Amazing. Just… absolutely incredible. I’ll probably gain ten pounds. Worth it.
- The People: Generally, the people are super nice. Smiles abound. Trying to communicate is a trial, but fun, mostly.
- The Studio Apartment: Overpriced. Small. A mistake. But also kind of… a learning experience?
- The Mall: A jarring juxtaposition of modernity and, well, everything else.
- The Loneliness: This trip highlighted the importance of human interaction.
- Overall: Balikpapan, in its own messy, chaotic glory, has its charm. It’s definitely NOT the perfect destination for a first-time solo traveler, but it’s an interesting one. Would I go back? Maybe. But next time, I'm upgrading to a bigger room!
This is my truth. It might not be the travelogue you were expecting, but it's the one I lived. And
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Balikpapan's BEST Studio Apartment: Borneo Bay City Paradise! (AKA, My Brain After Booking It) - FAQs
Okay, so...what *actually* is this "Borneo Bay City Paradise" thing? Seems a bit extra, no?
Alright, picture this. You're scrolling through booking sites, eyes glazing over, searching for a place in Balikpapan. Then BAM! "Borneo Bay City Paradise!" Honestly? The name alone made me snort-laugh. Paradise? In Balikpapan? It's a studio apartment in a swanky development, basically. Think modern, clean lines, maybe a tiny balcony overlooking the sea (fingers crossed!), and a whole bunch of amenities they *claim* you'll use, but let's be real...probably not. It's marketed as luxurious, definitely leaning towards the "expat-friendly" vibe. Expect polished surfaces, and maybe, just maybe, a slightly pretentious air. But hey, if you’re like me and just wanted a decent bed and a functioning shower, it checked the boxes. And the promise of a pool did make my heart flutter a little, I admit. (More on this pool later... oh, the pool...)
Is it *actually* in a good location? Like, can I get to the good *nasi goreng* without an hour-long taxi ride?
Location, location, location, right? That's what they always say. Well, Borneo Bay City... is *relatively* okay. It's a bit off the main drag, which means you *might* have some peace and quiet (a precious commodity!). The *nasi goreng* situation? Okay, don't get your hopes up for a legendary street food stall around the corner. You'll probably need a Gojek (local ride-hailing) or a taxi to get to the really awesome spots. I remember one time, I was STARVING, and I foolishly tried to walk to a nearby convenience store. Let me tell you, Balikpapan humidity is no joke! By the time I got there, I looked like I'd run a marathon. Also, the "convenience store" was… lacking. So, yeah, plan on transport. But the upside? Likely less noise at night (unless your neighbors host karaoke nights, which... is a genuine possibility in Indonesia!).
The pool! Tell me about the pool! Is it Instagram-worthy? (Important question.)
Alright, the pool. Ah, the pool! This is where things get *interesting*. Let's just say, my expectations and the reality had a little... disagreement. The pictures *do* look fantastic. Crystal clear water, inviting sun loungers, the whole shebang. My **first impression**? Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. I practically dove in headfirst, ready for my Insta-worthy moment. Then... the water temperature hit. And it was *freezing*. Like, toe-numbing, gasp-for-air cold. Now, I'm not a wimp, I like a refreshing dip as much as the next person. But this was arctic! I quickly realized it might be a *little* chilly (understatement of the century!) and decided to adjust. I sat on the edge, dipping my feet. The sun was beating down, everything seemed perfect. Then, a tiny, *tiny* insect landed on my big toe. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. The insect bite was so itchy, so agonizing, that I had barely managed to get any pictures before I had to retreat to my apartment and apply anti-itch cream. Is it Insta-worthy? Maybe. But bring your own insect repellent and a good dose of courage (and perhaps a warm bathrobe). The pool is beautiful, but... it’s a commitment, people. A *chilly* commitment.
What about the apartment itself? Clean? Modern? Bug-free? The essentials!
Okay, the apartment. Let's be realistic here. "Bug-free" is a *very* optimistic goal in a tropical climate. I will get that right out of the way. I did encounter a few... *visitors*. Mostly harmless, but still. Overall, the apartment was clean. Modern-ish. It had the basics: a comfy bed (hallelujah!), a working air conditioner (essential!), a decent shower, and a small kitchenette. Space was, as you'd expect in a studio, at a bit of a premium. I'd have to tidy up every single night, it was as if I was using my own space. The design was sleek and minimalist, which I appreciated, though it did feel a little… clinical. The view from my window wasn't quite "paradise," more like the view of other apartment buildings. The internet... was a bit spotty at times. Which made working remotely a *joy* (insert eye-roll here). Still, for the price, it was acceptable. And hey, the bed was comfortable, and sometimes, that's all that matters.
Any hidden costs or unexpected surprises? Because nobody likes surprises!
Hidden costs? Hmm. Well, the biggest "surprise" was the lack of a decent coffee maker. Now, for some, this might be a minor detail. For me? It was a tragedy. I had to survive on instant coffee for, like, a week. *A WEEK!* The sheer disappointment was palpable and affected my mood, and overall well-being. Also, be aware that electricity charges might not be included in the price. So, factor that in. Honestly, the biggest "surprise" for me was the occasional power outage. Which, let's add to that, happened at the most inconvenient times. Usually when I was in the middle of something important. So keep a flashlight handy. Oh, and if you leave any food out *even for a second*, you'll attract ants. They're relentless. So yeah, prepare for the ants, expect the questionable coffee, and get ready to be slightly annoyed by the occasional inconvenience. It's all part of the Borneo Bay City experience, I guess!
Would you recommend it? Be honest!
Okay, here's the truth. Would I recommend "Borneo Bay City Paradise?" It depends. If you're looking for a luxurious, flawless experience, maybe not. If you're expecting 5-star perfection? You might be disappointed. But if you're a relatively easygoing traveler, willing to embrace a bit of imperfection, and you need a clean, comfortable place to stay in Balikpapan? Then, yeah, I'd recommend it. It's not perfect, but it's fine. The bed is comfy, the AC works, the water is hot (most of the time!), and the pool, despite its chilly nature, is pretty damn gorgeous. Just go in with realistic expectations, pack some insect repellent, and prepare for a few minor annoyances. And heyComfort Inn
