
Solo's BEST Kept Secret: CBG INN RedPartner Near Balapan Station!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into Solo's "BEST Kept Secret": CBG INN RedPartner Near Balapan Station! This ain't your sterile, corporate hotel review; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, courtesy of a weary traveler who's seen more budget hotels than decent sunsets. I’m talking full-on stream-of-consciousness, so brace yourselves.
First Impressions (and the Accessibility Angle):
Okay, so Balapan Station – if you're coming by train, it's literally right there. Seriously, practically spitting distance. Accessibility-wise? Let's just say it's a mixed bag. Wheelchair accessible? They say yes. I didn’t see any massive ramps or anything, but the entrance seemed doable. The elevators were a lifesaver for my aching knees, though. Getting around the immediate area? Well, Solo itself isn't exactly a smooth-rolling city, so plan accordingly. The hotel itself seemed okay in this regard; I didn't have any issues.
The Room – My Little Sanctuary (or Not):
Let's talk rooms. They offered the works, from air conditioning (thank GOD) to free Wi-Fi (hallelujah!), which, let’s be honest, is non-negotiable in this day and age. Free bottled water was a nice touch. I had a room with a window that opens – crucial for fresh air, even if it was mostly the sounds of scooters. The alarm clock saved my butt, I slept in a lot! The mini-bar was… well, it was there. Not exactly brimming with goodies, but hey, a little something. Socket near the bed? Check! Thank the heavens. And the bed itself? Quite comfy, especially after a long day of exploring. My room had air conditioning which worked fine!
Room cleanliness seemed good. The Daily housekeeping was great. Linens were fresh and clean. I even got a Bathrobe, which made me feel fancy. They have all the basic necessities, that is sure.
Here comes a bad part… My room was not soundproof. I could hear pretty much everything from the hallway. So, if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. I should have…
Food, Glorious Food (and Drink… and Snack):
Alright, this is where things got interesting. Restaurants? Yes, multiple. I went to the Asian cuisine in restaurant and it was delicious, like, ridiculously delicious. I think I ate my weight in Nasi Goreng. Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop were so great and good to start my day. There was even a Poolside bar! Ah, the simple pleasures of life. Breakfast [buffet] was there to start the day well.
The Amenities - Spa Day (and Gym Day…maybe):
Okay, so the hotel has a Fitness center. I peaked into it through the window, I didn’t dare to go in. Looked fine, but, yeah… not my scene. More enticing was the promise of a Spa. However, I'm pretty sure all the other visitors were also there. I spent half the day there and really chilled out at the Pool with view, which was the real highlight. It was the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring. There were nice people. Then I took a Sauna, which was great.
Cleanliness, Safety, and all That Jazz:
This is the serious bit. COVID-19 stuff? They seemed to be taking it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products were mentioned, and there was ample Hand sanitizer everywhere. The staff wore masks and the Daily disinfection in common areas was noticeable, or so I thought. Room sanitization opt-out available was great. It felt safe.
The Staff - Smiles or Scowls?
The staff? Mostly smiles. They were generally helpful and friendly. Front desk [24-hour] was a major plus, especially for late check-ins. I felt well taken care of.
Services and Conveniences – The "Extra" Stuff:
They offered all the usual stuff: Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Currency exchange, and Concierge service. A lot! The staff was very attentive. I didn’t use a lot of these services.
For the Kids (and the Couple's Room):
I didn't have any kids with me but there are plenty of options. I did see the Couple's room looked nice and pretty.
Getting Around:
Car park [free of charge] was a massive win. Car park [on-site] was also available. Airport transfer was offered, but I didn't need it.
The Verdict (and the Offer You Can't Refuse):
Look, CBG INN isn’t the Four Seasons. But for the price? Absolute steal. It's practical, comfortable, and well-located. Plus, that pool view? Worth the price of admission alone.
Here’s my not-so-subtle call to action:
Tired of generic hotel experiences? Craving an authentic Solo adventure? Then book your stay at CBG INN RedPartner NOW!
Special Offer:
- Book a stay of 3 nights or more and get a FREE welcome drink at poolside bar.
- Enjoy a 15% discount on spa treatments, because you deserve it!
Don't delay! This "BEST Kept Secret" won't stay secret forever! Click here to book and start your Solo escape today!
Escape to Paradise: Rose Haven Homestay, Sandakan's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Solo Balapan adventure! I'm talking CBG INN RedPartner chaos, street food highs, and the existential dread of having too many batik shirts. This ain't your perfectly curated Instagram feed; this is real life, baby.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for the Perfect Soto Ayam (And Surviving the Train Station)
- 12:00 PM - The Solo Swelter: Landed at Adi Soemarmo International Airport (SOC). Seriously, the air hits you like a brick wall the moment you step outside. Immediately regretted my decision to wear that slightly-too-warm travel sweater. Note: Pack breathable fabrics. My brain screams to me.
- 1:00 PM - Train Station Tango: Navigated the glorious chaos of Stasiun Solo Balapan. It’s a symphony of hawkers yelling and the smell of fried things. Found a Blue Bird taxi (thank the gods, no haggling!). The driver? Let’s just say he treated the traffic lights like mere suggestions.
- 1:30 PM - CBG INN RedPartner – Home, Sort Of…: Checked into the hotel. Honestly? It's fine. Clean enough, air con blasting (bless), and the wifi… well, let’s just say you can't rely on it for any sort of online important business or the like.
- 2:00 PM - Soto Ayam Search Mission: The single, driving ambition for the afternoon: Soto Ayam, the quintessential Solo dish. Wandered (read: got slightly lost) around the streets surrounding the station. The heat was now my nemesis.
- 3:00 PM - The Soto Ayam Revelation (Almost): Finally stumbled upon a warung (local eatery) buzzing with locals. Ordered. Watched them expertly chop up the chicken, assemble the broth, and… ugh. The taste was a tad bland. The problem: it wasn't the real Soto Ayam. Never give up though, I will quest for better food later.
- 4:00 PM - Rest and Regret (and Laundry): Back at the hotel. Collapsed on the bed. The AC is glorious. Realized I hadn't done laundry since leaving Bali. Regret. Will do it later. Hopefully.
- 6:00 PM - Street Food Reconnaissance: Wandered around near the hotel again, armed with newfound resolve. Tried a variety of snacks – some spicy, some sweet, some… questionable. The best part? The endless parade of motorbikes! (Note: learn street smarts if one wants to walk around here, its crazy here)
- 7:30 PM - Dinner Attempt 2: Warung Makan - Pak Mul's and the Chili Challenge: Found a small, chaotic warung. Pak Mul, the owner, was a force of nature. Ordered nasi goreng (fried rice) with extra chili. Mistake. My mouth is still on fire, but the rice was amazing!
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime and the Batak Shirt Contemplation: Back at the hotel. Feeling full. The laundry is still undone. Debating the use of my batik shirt that I just bought from the street. Too much pattern? Probably. Don't care.
Day 2: Temples, Tourists, and Temple Terror (And Losing the Will to Bargain)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast - Nasi Liwet Panic: Scrambled down for breakfast at the hotel. Sadly, I just missed the nasi liwet (savory rice cooked in coconut milk, yummy) and had to settle for… well, something else.
- 9:00 AM - Prambanan Bound: Hired a driver (decisively cheaper and less stressful than public transport). Off to Prambanan Temple.
- 10:30 AM - Prambanan: The Wow Factor!: Okay, Prambanan? Absolutely breathtaking. The scale, the carvings… seriously impressive. Spent way too long trying to get the perfect photo (failed).
- 12:00 PM - The Tourist Trap Temptation (and Defeat): The souvenir stalls surrounding the temple…ugh. I tried to bargain for some trinkets, but I just can't do it. Lost faith in bartering. The prices are already pretty reasonable.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch - Warung Chaos: Found a warung near the temple. The food was good, but the service was slow. And I was hungry.
- 2:00 PM - Back to Solo and the "Things I've Bought" List: Back in Solo. Decided to stop near a local place. Got a batik shirt. Also, a small painted wooden bird. Adding them to the list.
- 3:00 PM - The Royal Palace Conundrum: Visit the Mangkunegaran Palace. The architecture is beautiful, but I am losing the will to focus on museums. Too hot to enjoy it.
- 5:00 PM - The Batik Shop Shuffle: Walked through a batik shop, with tons of beautiful patterns and things, but not the right color.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner - The "Just Try Anything" Strategy: The restaurant I wanted to visit was closed. Wandered aimlessly and found a warung that looked interesting. Ordered something I couldn't identify. It was… edible. The adventure continues.
- 9:00 PM - The Great Laundry Debate, Again: Hotel room. Laundry undone. Too tired. Tomorrow is another day.
Day 3: Markets, Memories, and the Long Goodbyes (And a Soto Ayam Triumph!)
- 9:00 AM – The Market Mayhem: Went to Pasar Gede. The smells, the sounds, the sheer energy of the place… it's a sensory overload in the best way possible. Bought WAY too much fruit.
- 11:00 AM - The Soto Ayam Redemption: Finally, my Soto Ayam quest had its glorious culmination. Found a little warung tucked away near the market. Creamy broth, perfectly spiced, the real deal. Pure bliss. This alone makes the trip worthwhile.
- 12:00 PM - Souvenir Shopping (Take 2): More souvenir shopping from the marketplace, this time with more confidence.
- 2:00 PM - The Coffee Conundrum: I need coffee to survive, but am tired of always looking for it!
- 3:00 PM - Farewell Food: One last snack. An amazing pancake. Its so good!
- 4:00 PM - Packing and Prepping: Packing the suitcase.
- 5:00 PM - The Journey Home Begins: Heading back to the train station, Solo Balapan. The adventure ends, at least for now. I'll be back… hopefully.
See? A glorious mess, full of regrets, triumphant tastes, and the unwavering search for the perfect meal. This is Solo Balapan, folks. Embrace the chaos!
Bibione Beach Bliss: Stunning Poolside Apartment Awaits!
Solo's BEST Kept Secret: The CBG INN RedPartner Near Balapan Station... Seriously, What's the Deal? (Or, My Brain After Too Much Kopi Susu & CBG INN Shenanigans)
Okay, Okay, So What *IS* This CBG INN RedPartner Place, REALLY? Because the Name Sounds... Suspiciously Generic.
Why is it a "Best Kept Secret"? Is it ACTUALLY good, or just… less terrible than it sounds?
The Rooms… What Should I Expect? Bleak Minimalism? Do I need to bring my own towels?
Is the Breakfast any good? Because a bad hotel breakfast can RUIN a day.
Okay, You're Making Me Curious. What's *YOUR* Experience? Spill the Kopi Susu!
Anything REALLY Annoying? Because Every Hotel's Got 'Em.
How Easy is it to Book? And Seriously, How Good IS the Location Near Balapan Station?
Nomadic Stays

