Yogyakarta's BEST Muslim-Friendly Hotel: Sare Hotel Awaits!
Sare Hotel Awaits: Yogyakarta's Muslim-Friendly Gem - A Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the chai on Sare Hotel Awaits in Yogyakarta. Forget your polished travel blogs – this is the unvarnished truth, the good, the very good, and the "hmm, okay then" of my stay. Prepare for a rambling, occasionally incoherent, but hopefully helpful, honest review.
First Impression & Accessibility: Making a Grand Entrance (and Maybe a Little Wobble)
Okay, so Yogyakarta. Already a winner, right? And stumbling out of the airport into a blazing sun, I was immediately grateful for that pre-booked airport transfer (thank you, Sare!), which was part of their… comprehensive service offerings. The first thing that hit me (besides the heat) was the hotel's grandeur. Big, sprawling, and with a definite "welcome to someplace special" vibe.
Now, about accessibility. I didn't personally need a wheelchair, but I did take a good look around. Elevators, ramps, the whole shebang. They seemed legit, and that’s the impression I got. Lots of thought has been put in here.
Rooms: Sanctuary or… Slight Letdown?
My room… ah, my room. Let's be honest, it was pretty damn comfortable. Air conditioning blasting, bless its cotton socks. The bed? Heavenly. Extra long, even – which is a total win for us tall folk. Blackout curtains? Yes, please. I'm talking serious sleep quality here.
The bathroom was… well, it was a bathroom. Clean, with all the usual suspects - toiletries, hairdryer, the works. Now, the shower. It worked. Though that’s all I have to say. It's not like they have a fancy shower with jets! But it's certainly clean.
They had a complimentary bottle of water. A very thoughtful touch. And the wi-fi! Free and strong in the room! A necessity of our day. The internet access - wireless - was also great, no complaints. The rooms are non-smoking: Great! I hate smelly cigarettes.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Alright, foodies, listen up! Sare Hotel caters to the Muslim traveler, and they get it. Halal everything, of course. And the breakfast buffet… oh, the breakfast buffet! A symphony of Indonesian flavors, with everything from nasi goreng to fresh fruits. The Asian breakfast was fantastic overall. I also liked the Western options. The variety was impressive. And the coffee shop? Perfect for a pre-breakfast caffeine boost (or several!).
The a la carte restaurant was also great, with Asian and International cuisine. The salad was nice too.
I was especially impressed by the breakfast takeaway service. But one morning, I asked for some takeaway eggs and a croissant. A little later, I got the eggs, but they said there were no croissants. Oh, the horror! I did survive, of course, but still. I wonder about the communication of this.
Relaxation & Wellness: Spa-tacular or Meh-tacular?
Okay, let's talk relaxation. The pool, a pool with a view! It looked amazing, so I went for a quick dip. It was very nice and cool. Very refreshing. The Sauna? Yes! The steam room? Yes! You can also access a fitness center, foot bath, gym/fitness. But what I couldn't do (because I didn't have time, sadly), was get a body wrap or body scrub.
Cleanliness, Safety and Peace of Mind
The hotel definitely takes cleanliness seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Triple-check. I felt safe there. The room sanitization opt-out being available is great if, like me, you're a bit of a germaphobe. So, a big thumbs up on that bit. The first aid kit was an excellent touch.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Great, and the "Huh?"
They just had everything. Check-in/out [express]; Check-in/out [private]. They even have a couple's room!
I particularly liked the daily housekeeping service. The dry cleaning and ironing service were also great. And let's not forget the on-site car park [free of charge]. I also liked the doorman.
Now for the “huh?” moments. They have a shrine. A shrine. I'm not sure the function of this one, so I guess the hotel has catered to all tastes.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
I didn’t travel with kids, but I did notice their amenities. Babysitting service? Check. Kids meal? Check. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring my little ones here.
Getting Around: Airport Transfer is Your Friend
They have an airport transfer, which is a must. I took a taxi to one of the local markets. You can also book a car service, get a bicycle, or use the Valet.
My Verdict: Sare Hotel Awaits – Go For It!
Would I go back? Absolutely. Despite my minor croissant-related trauma, I loved this hotel. It's beautiful, comfortable, super clean, and genuinely caters to the Muslim traveler without feeling like a gimmick. Sare Hotel Awaits is a strong contender for the best Muslim-friendly hotel in Yogyakarta. Go book it – you won’t regret it! Just maybe bring your own croissant, just in case.
Hayden Inn Purwokerto: Your Indonesian Paradise Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile brochure itinerary. This is my attempt at surviving (and hopefully enjoying) a few days at Sare Hotel Yogyakarta, all Muslim-friendly and whatnot. Consider this less a plan, and more a frantic, caffeine-fueled scribble on a napkin.
Day 1: Arrival Rant & Temple-Hopping Trauma
- Morning (Or, What Was Supposed to Be Morning): Landed bleary-eyed at Adisucipto International Airport. Taxi ride to the hotel: traffic. Always traffic. Yogyakarta's gridlock rivals Jakarta's, and that's saying something. Found Sare Hotel. Looks nice enough, fancy lobby. Check-in: smooth, thankfully. But my room… (cue internal screeching) it's on the fourth floor with no elevator. Okay, deep breaths, I've got this. Just gotta wrestle my suitcase the size of a small car up a spiral staircase. Sweat. Swearing. Regret. Did I mention I'm not good with stairs?
- Afternoon (Or, The Point Where I Start Questioning My Life Choices): Lunch at a nearby "halal" cafe. "Halal" in Indonesia can mean a lot of things. It usually means relatively safe, but you never know. I ordered Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and was rewarded with a mountain of glorious, greasy goodness. Heavenly, or I've just been starving for 12 hours. Post-lunch temple visit: Prambanan. Now, Prambanan, the Hindu temple, is impressive. Seriously. The architecture is breathtaking. But the heat. The crowds. The persistent vendors. It's a beautiful photo-op for sure, but it's also a test of my sanity. I'm pretty sure I saw a squirrel wearing a tiny sarong. Or maybe I was just delirious. Let's go with the latter.
- Evening (Or, The "I'm Ready to Eat Everything" Phase): Dinner at a local warung (small food stall). Tried Gudeg (jackfruit stew). Okay, I did the obligatory tourist-thing. Gudeg is…unique. It’s sweet, and a lot of it is, too much for me. I think I'd rather stick to the rice. Hotel's halal restaurant offers a fantastic spread of Indonesian dishes. And a much-needed air-conditioned reprieve from the humidity.
Day 2: Batik Blues & Rice Paddy Rage
- Morning (Or, The "I Need Coffee, NOW" Period): Okay, the hotel breakfast (included!) is solid. Thank the heavens. The coffee is strong, which I need after yesterday’s temple torment. The best part? Seeing the other guests. Some families, some backpackers, some people who seem as bewildered by the whole tourism thing as I am. A comforting sense of solidarity.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon (Or, Batik-Gate): Batik class. Apparently, batik is more than just pretty patterns on fabric. It's a whole process. Wax, dyes, intricate designs…My first attempt looked like a toddler had attacked it with Crayolas. The instructor, a sweet, patient woman, just kept smiling and nodding as I smeared and splattered wax everywhere. Good thing I'm not an artist. Ended up with a scarf I’ll probably never wear, and a newfound appreciation for anyone who can actually do batik.
- Afternoon (Or, "Lost in Translation" & Rice Paddy Woes): Booked a driver to go to Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Got lost. The driver didn’t speak English. I don’t speak Indonesian (beyond "terima kasih" – thank you). Cue a series of frantic hand gestures and a growing sense of panic. Eventually, we found them. And they were picture-perfect. Stunning. But the heat! The hiking! The "Instagram Influencers" posing in every conceivable angle! (I may have rolled my eyes more than once.) I wanted to get a good shot, but it’s truly exhausting. And the mosquitos are relentless. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a whole bottle of bug spray.
- Evening (Or, The "Recharge My Sanity" Phase): Hotel spa! Yes! A massage. The masseuse was amazing. I think she basically kneaded all the stress from my body. And they are so good with aromatherapy (some of the best massages I've ever had!).
Day 3: Cave Exploration (And Possible Existential Crisis)
- Morning (Or, The "Embrace The Tourist Trap" Phase): Exploring Goa Jomblang, a cave known for its "heavenly light." Got up before dawn, because (surprise, surprise) crowds. The descent into the cave? Intense. It's muddy, dark, and you feel like you're being swallowed by the earth. But then, the light. It streams through from the cave's mouth and pierces the darkness. It’s spectacular and otherworldly. This is one of those moments that takes your breath away. I felt small and utterly insignificant. In a good way, I think.
- Afternoon (Or, Post-Cave Existentialism): Back to the hotel. This is truly the most relaxing part of the trip. Spent some time by the pool. Just watching the life pass by. It’s very quiet here, and I am grateful for some down time.
- Evening (Or, Farewell Feast and Farewell): Dinner: I'm off to a well-known restaurant that offers a range of great Indonesian dishes. It's important to try the local food, but also important to know what kinds of dishes you enjoy. Then I head back to the hotel. I've got a long trip home. The hotel staff says goodbye as I leave. And in that moment, I feel all the feelings. Sadness. Gratitude. A fierce desire for a decent espresso and a very long shower.
Final Thoughts (Or, The Messy Wrap-Up):
Yogyakarta is… a lot. A beautiful, chaotic, frustrating, exhilarating, humid, amazing kind of "a lot." The Sare Hotel was a perfect base camp. The staff were lovely, the food was delicious, and the mosque just down the road was perfect for me and my Muslim-friendly needs.
Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm bringing a bigger suitcase, better hiking shoes, unlimited bug spray, and a vow of patience. And maybe I'll learn a few more Indonesian phrases beyond "terima kasih." And probably an elevator-friendly room on the first floor.
**Grado Beachfront Paradise: Stunning Sea View Apartment!**
Sare Hotel Awaits! (Yogyakarta's Supposedly BEST Muslim-Friendly Hotel) – Let's Get Real
(Or, How I Survived My Trip & Didn't Totally Mess It Up) - FAQ Edition
1. Okay, is Sare Hotel REALLY Muslim-Friendly? Like, *actually*? I've heard things...
Alright, let's be blunt. I went in with a *ton* of skepticism. I've seen "Muslim-Friendly" slapped onto hotels before, only to find a half-hearted effort. Sare? Okay, *mostly* yes. They’ve got the Qibla direction clearly marked in the rooms – HUGE win, especially when you’re jetlagged and your internal compass is busted. Prayer mats? Yep. And, critically, HALAL FOOD. This is where the magic happens (or, occasionally, where the stress hits a fever pitch. More on that later). It’s definitely *more* Muslim-friendly than your average Western-style hotel in Yogya. But…(there's always a but, right?)…it's not perfect. I’ll be honest, the breakfast buffet, while halal, sometimes felt a little...samey. But hey, at least I didn’t have to worry about accidentally eating bacon for breakfast the way I did at some other establishment on day one!
2. The food! Tell me about the FOOD! Did I mention I'm a foodie, and am currently in a state of mild panic?
Okay, foodie friend, breathe. The restaurant is called "Selaras," which means "harmonious" – a lovely sentiment. The menu is extensive - Indonesian staples, international touches, and of course, emphasis on Halal with the certificate proudly on display. Dinner was generally *delicious*. I had this amazing grilled chicken one night, juicy and perfectly seasoned. Seriously, I am still dreaming of it. Then there were the fresh fruit juices! Forget the pre-made garbage, they were freshly squeezed and perfect to get your day started. HOWEVER. Breakfast... breakfast was a rollercoaster. One day, perfection. The next? A little…underwhelming. The nasi goreng (fried rice) was sometimes a little bland. I'm not saying it was awful, but it was far from consistently amazing. Get ready to experiment. And, honestly? Be prepared to venture out for some of the *truly* incredible Yogyakarta street food. Sare’s good, but doesn't compare to some proper Indonesian experience!
3. The Rooms! What are the rooms *really* like? Are they clean? Pictures can be deceiving...
Cleanliness is, generally, a solid 'yes.' (Relief washes over me). The rooms are a pretty standard hotel room setup. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. The beds were comfy enough for me to get a decent night’s sleep after a day of exploring Borobudur, the air conditioning worked like a charm, and the bathroom was, thankfully, spotless (a major win for me). The only tiny niggle? The decor. Let's call it… functional. Don't expect Instagram-worthy interiors. But hey, you're not there to live in the room, are you? You're there to SLEEP. And it serves its purpose. I had no complaints about the room!
4. Is the location good? I want to be near...well, everything.
Location-wise, Sare Hotel is pretty darn good. It's central enough. You can pretty easily reach the main tourist spots, like Malioboro Street and the Kraton (Sultan's Palace), within a slightly chaotic but usually manageable (and cheap!) taxi or Grab ride. It means you're NOT right in the thick of the action, which… honestly, is a blessing. You can escape the craziness at the end of the day. It's a very good location, and you’ll definitely be able to explore the beautiful city of Yogyakarta and its surrounds, but be prepared for the traffic! I’m still recovering from sitting in a standstill for over an hour.
5. The Staff... Are they friendly? I'm a bit of a klutz.
The staff? Oh, GOODNESS, yes. They were absolutely lovely! So polite, and genuine. I swear, they were always smiling, even when I was clearly struggling to navigate the local language (which, let's be honest, was most of the time). They went out of their way to help, from arranging taxis to offering recommendations for places to eat. On my way out of the hotel, I tripped and almost fell (again, my fault, I swear). I didn’t even have time to register what happened before I’m pretty certain the staff were there right away to help! They were genuinely concerned, and that kind of warmth and friendliness makes a huge difference. They were a true highlight of the experience. Top marks!
6. Okay, what about the pool? I need to relax after all that exploring!
Alright, let's talk pool. It’s… nice. Not Olympic-sized, by any means. More of a "dip-your-toes-and-cool-off" kind of pool. Clean. And, the best part? It's generally not overcrowded (at least, it wasn't when I was there). A perfect place for a quick cool-off. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a good, refreshing option. Very welcome after a day of battling the heat and the crowds!
7. What are the downsides? Spill the tea! What REALLY annoyed you?
Okay, okay, here's the real deal. The biggest issue? The internet. It was…spotty. Let's just leave it at that. Great for a digital detox, if you're into that sort of thing. Also, as I mentioned before, breakfast. Sometimes it was fantastic. Sometimes… less so. I wouldn't say it was actively BAD, but consistency wasn’t its strong suit. Also, in my room, the water pressure in the shower was a little…weak. But hey, it's a hotel! And, honestly, these are pretty minor gripes in the grand scheme of things. Nothing I’d lose sleep over.
8. Okay, is it worth it? Would you stay at Sare Hotel again? GIVE ME THE VERDICT!
Okay, final verdict. Drumroll, please… Yes. Absolutely yes. Sare Hotel isn’t perfect, but it’s a solid, reliable choice, and it's REALLY Muslim-friendly. The halal food is a huge plus. The staff are wonderful. The location is convenient. Despite the occasional minor issue (internet, breakfast!), it's a good experience that I'd be happy to repeat. I'd definitely stay there again. Consider me a returning customer. I'm still craving that grilled chicken, after all! Go, check it out!
