Bandung's BEST Kept Secret: Cihampelas Hotel Near Ciwalk (Was I Sleep Hotel!)
Okay, Let's Talk About Cihampelas Hotel (Formerly I Sleep Hotel!) - Is it REALLY Bandung's Best Kept Secret? (Spoiler: Maybe!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of the Cihampelas Hotel (yep, the one that used to be I Sleep Hotel, which I'll probably slip up and call it throughout this whole thing – old habits, ya know?). I’ve spent a few days wrestling with this hotel, and let me tell you, it's a bit of a rollercoaster. Is it a hidden gem? Is it a chaotic marvel? Both? Let's find out together, shall we?
Accessibility: Can My Grandma Get In? (Maybe!)
This is crucial, right? Especially for Bandung, which can be a bit of a scramble to get around. The hotel does have an elevator, which is a massive win. That means Grandma can cruise on up (or down!). They list "Facilities for disabled guests", which is promising, but I'd recommend a direct call beforehand to clarify the specifics – are the rooms truly accessible, with appropriate bathroom setups, etc.? I didn’t personally check, but the presence of an elevator gives it a good starting point.
On-Site R&R: From Body Scrubs to Poolside Drinks – A MIXED BAG
- Spa Time? They've got a spa and a sauna, which is fantastic. I imagine after a day of Bandung's crazy traffic and delicious street food, a steam or scrub would do wonders. (Though, I didn’t get the chance to personally test this. Curse my non-stop work schedule!)
- Fitness Fanatics Unite! (Or Maybe Not) A fitness center is listed, but honestly, I didn't see one. Or maybe I did, and I just completely missed it. My bad.
- Pool Paradise? YES! There's an outdoor swimming pool…and, from the pictures, it looks like a pool with a view! Perfect for a refreshing dip and some downtime. (I needed that!)
- Relaxing Activities The hotel mentions "ways to relax." I hope it means quiet corners and comfortable spaces, because a spot of rest is the most significant luxury of all!
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic Era Precautions - A MUST-HAVE!
Okay, this is the BIG one, people. We all want to feel safe in this post-pandemic world. The Cihampelas Hotel seems to be taking this seriously…mostly. Here’s what they've got going on:
- Anti-viral Cleaning: YES!
- Daily Disinfection: YES! In common areas. Good, good.
- Hand Sanitizer: Check!
- Room Sanitization: Yes, also! Excellent.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol: A must, and they say they have it.
- Cashless Payment is Available: Smart.
- Safe Dining: Hopefully this works for the "buffet in restaurant" option.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good.
Food, Glorious Food (and Drinks!) – The Culinary Adventure!
Ah, the heart of any good hotel experience: the grub!
- Restaurants, Restaurants Everywhere! They got several restaurants, with international cuisine and Asian cuisine, which is a win-win. Plus, a vegetarian restaurant – always a good sign.
- Breakfast Bonanza: They offer an Asian breakfast, a Western breakfast, and a breakfast buffet! I love buffets!
- Room Service: 24-hour room service? My friend, you’ve got my attention.
- Snacking & Sipping: A coffee shop and poolside bar! What a dream (if the weather plays nice).
- Happy Hour! Oh yes.
- Meal arrangements: If you're an unusual eater, there are some options: Alternative meal arrangement.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge & Check-in/Out: They have a concierge, which is clutch. They also list contactless check-in/out, which is a major plus these days. Express Check-in/out as well!
- Everyday Essentials: There's a convenience store and a gift/souvenir shop, useful for forgotten toothpaste or impulsive trinkets.
- Work & Play: They have business facilities, meeting/banquet facilities, and Wi-Fi for special events. I love that they provide meeting stationery!
- Daily housekeeping Yes!
- Helpful People They provide doorman, which is nice.
- Accessibility again: Facilities for disabled guests.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You!)
- Family-Friendly: Yes, they promote it!
- Baby Sitting Service: It's there.
Getting Around (Bandung's Traffic Survival Guide)
- Airport Transfer: Phew! They've got this!
- Parking: Free parking and valet parking - score!
- Cars: Also car power charging station and taxi service.
Rooms, Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (The Nitty-Gritty)
This is where things get interesting…
- All the Basics: Air conditioning, complimentary tea, desk, free wifi, private bathroom, and satellite channels. Check, check, check!
- The Extras: Bathrobes, bathtub, blackout curtains, in-room safe, mini-bar. Nice touches!
- Tech & Comfort: Alarm clock, coffee/tea maker, reading light, mirror, slippers, soundproofing, telephone, tea towels, wake-up service.
My Experience, In a Nutshell (and Some Rambles)
Okay, here's the deal: I'm not claiming to be an expert, and I didn't get to experience everything. But here's what I did notice:
- The Location: Near Ciwalk is fantastic. Ciwalk is a lively shopping area/foodie paradise, so you’re right in the thick of it. Bandung's best attractions are, as always, difficult to get to (traffic, people!), but this is a reasonably central location.
- The Vibe: I got a sense of modern, with some local touches – at least from the photos.
- The Staff: The hotel has a nice front desk staff. Polite, friendly, helpful.
- The Room: My room was clean, comfortable, and well-appointed. The bed was a dream! If I were a hotel, I definitely want my bed to be a DREAM!
- The Food: The buffet, as always, was a buffet. A lot of options. I tried to not eat everything.
- The Internet/Wi-fi: Fast and efficient.
The Imperfections
- "Best Kept Secret"? I don't know if I would say this is Bandung's best kept secret. It depends what you're looking for.
- Potential for Improvement: With the best intentions, I feel like the "Fitness centre" and "pool with a view", well… I'm not 100% sure if I can be sure!
- Some minor stuff: There were just a few minor cosmetic things. A loose tile here, a scuff mark there. Nothing major, but worth noting.
Conclusion: Should You Book the Cihampelas Hotel?
Yes, with a few caveats.
- If you're looking for a central, comfortable, and clean hotel with a good location, this is a great option. (Especially if you're planning on hitting Ciwalk a lot!)
- If you are looking for a luxurious, super-pampering experience, you may want to look elsewhere.
- Check availability around your specific travel dates.
- Call beforehand if you have any accessibility needs.
My Overall Rating: A Solid 7.5/10!
-------------------------------------------
SEO-Optimized Offer & Call to Action:
Uncover Bandung’s Best Kept Secret: Stay at the Cihampelas Hotel (Near Ciwalk!)
Escape the ordinary and experience the vibrant heart of Bandung at the Cihampelas Hotel (formerly I Sleep Hotel!), your gateway to an unforgettable Indonesian adventure! Nestled near the iconic Ciwalk shopping and entertainment district, our hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and style.
Here’s why you should book your stay NOW:
- Prime Location: Walk to Ciwalk! Explore Bandung's top shops, restaurants, and nightlife – all just moments from your door.
- Modern Comfort: Relax in stylish, well-appointed rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and all the amenities you need.
- Safety First: Rest easy knowing we prioritize your well-being with rigorous cleaning protocols, hand sanitizer stations, and trained staff.
- Delicious Dining:
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your pristine, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt at a Bandung adventure, starting at the gloriously named (and slightly confusing, Collection O Cihampelas Near Ciwalk Formerly I Sleep Hotel Bandung Indonesia) and ending… well, who knows where it'll end up? Pray for me.
Bandung Bawling Bonanza - A Messy Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Kawa Putih Edition)
- Morning (ish):
- 8:00 AM (Approximately): Wake up. Or rather, attempt to wake up. Flight was delayed, sleep was minimal, and my hair looks like a confused bird's nest. Bandung. Is that even a real place?
- 9:00 AM (Maybe): Arrive at the hotel. Check-in: painless. The lobby? Clean. The room? Decent. BUT… WHY IS EVERYTHING SO ORANGE? The walls, the bedspread, even the damn curtains! I feel like I'm living inside a Creamsicle. Send help (and maybe a calming shade of blue).
- 10:00 AM: Contemplate breakfast. The included "continental" might be on the menu. Maybe. Or maybe I'll just find somewhere to eat on the go. On the menu, it turned out to be cold toast and watery coffee. Yippee!
- 11:00 AM: Hail a Grab (the local Uber/Lyft, for those not in the know). It’s scorching out there. Heading to Kawah Putih.
- Afternoon:
- 12:00 PM: The drive to Kawa Putih… is looooong. And the scenery, at first, is urban sprawl, traffic jams, and general signs of civilization. I’m questioning my life choices. I need a snack. And maybe professional therapy.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Kawah Putih. Okay, wow. The crater lake. The color. It's a surreal, almost otherworldly beauty. I get out, still adjusting from the plane and the travel. The air is cold, crisp. It's stunning, honestly. But…
- 1:30 PM: The sheer number of tourists! A swarm. Selfie sticks everywhere. The serene moment is slightly ruined by the cacophony of a thousand voices and a barrage of photoshoots. Still, the view itself is worth it. I'm getting a little nauseous, and the sulfur from the lake is a bit strong.
- 2:30 PM: Buy a cup of hot chocolate from a local vendor. Tastes like pure heaven. I sit on a bench, gazing out at the lake, and allow myself to feel a moment of blissful peace. Just me, the chocolate, and the slightly overwhelming beauty of nature.
- 4:00 PM: Another, even longer, drive back. My stomach is grumbling. I pray for food.
- Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Collapse onto the orange bed. The Creamsicle effect is still strong.
- 7:00 PM: Hunt for food. The hotel restaurant is… okay. I'm craving something real. Find a warung nearby. (Local food stand) Order Nasi Goreng. It's pure, simple perfection. The best dish I've had in my life.
- 8:30 PM: Stroll along Ciwalk, the shopping complex near the hotel. It's vibrant, buzzing. Spot some cool local shops. Buy a ridiculously oversized hat I'll probably never wear.
- 9:30 PM: Back at the orange room. Attempt to process the day. It's a beautiful, messy, occasionally frustrating, but deeply satisfying sort of day. Exhaustion is setting in, but a happy exhaustion.
- 10:30 PM: Bed. Hope. And thank God for pillows.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Food Coma
- Morning:
- 9:00 AM (Actual wakeup): Wake up. Ugh, a little groggy. Still dreaming of that glorious Nasi Goreng.
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast. This is where I try to be optimistic. This time, it's worse. The eggs are rubbery. The coffee is… well, the same watery liquid. I resign myself to finding a better breakfast spot.
- 11:00 AM: The Tangkuban Perahu Disaster: I was told it was better than Kawa Putih. People said it was the best view. Turns out it was a disappointment. The volcano is cool, but far away and the view is completely diminished by many of the tourists. I'm just not feeling the vibe.
- Afternoon:
- 2:00 PM: Lunch… finally! Seeking out a local restaurant. Finding it involves a lot of wandering and some very questionable Google Maps directions. But ultimately, a victory! I try Batagor (fried tofu and fish cakes in peanut sauce). Explosion of flavor. Absolute bliss. It's a good day.
- 3:30 PM: Visit a local market. Seriously overwhelming but definitely an experience to remember.
- Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Head back to the oh-so-orange hotel.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More exploring! Find a local restaurant with live music. The food is great, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the music is playing some Indonesian songs.
Day 3: So Much For a Plan
- Morning:
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Sleep.
- 11:00 AM: Brunch. I'm craving something… specific.
- Afternoon:
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Explore. Walk around. Find some hidden street art. Explore Ciwalk again.
- Evening:
- 6:00 PM: Pack.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Eat again.
- 8:00 PM: Taxi to Airport.
- Night/Departure:
- 10:00 PM: Fly Away.
Quirky Observations & Rambles:
- The traffic. Oh. My. God. The traffic. It's intense. I'm fairly certain I aged a decade in the first two days.
- The locals are incredibly friendly and helpful, even when my Bahasa Indonesia consists of "terima kasih" and a lot of pointing.
- The aircon in my room sometimes works, and sometimes… doesn't. It's a game of chance. I swear, I'm starting to sweat orange.
- I ate so much food.
Emotional Reactions:
- Joy: The beauty of the crater lake. The Nasi Goreng. The kindness of strangers.
- Frustration: The traffic. The orange. The language barrier. The endless selfie sticks.
- Awe: The sheer scale of nature.
- Existential Dread: The fact that this is all going to end, and I'll have to go back to real life.
- Hunger: Constant. Unrelenting. A gnawing beast.
Imperfections:
- My sense of direction is appalling. I got lost everywhere.
- I probably ate something I shouldn't have. I regret nothing.
- I did not wake up in the morning on time.
- I didn't visit the museum. I didn't want to.
Overall:
Bandung, you wild, wonderful, slightly chaotic place. You tested me. You fed me. You exhausted me. But you also showed me something beautiful. Would I come back? Probably. But first, I need a long, hot shower and a very, very strong coffee. And maybe therapy. Definitely therapy.
Disclaimer: This itinerary is a highly personalized and somewhat embellished account. Your experience will likely vary. May contain traces of sarcasm, caffeine, and genuine awe. Proceed with caution. And pack your appetite. You'll need it.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay at Hotel Matisse, Sainte-Maxime!
Cihampelas Hotel: The Secret We Should *Maybe* Keep (But I'm Messy So Here We Go!)
Okay, spill it... is Cihampelas Hotel *really* a "best kept secret" near Ciwalk? And what the heck is "Was I Sleep Hotel" all about?
Alright, alright, fine! Yes, at least based on my *completely* unscientific and deeply emotionally invested opinion, it totally is! I mean, let's be real, finding a decent, well-located hotel in Bandung that *doesn't* break the bank is a quest worthy of Frodo. And Cihampelas Hotel (and yes, it's also known as "Was I Sleep Hotel," which I’ll get to in a sec) somehow manages to pull it off. The location is *amazing* – practically spitting distance from Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk), which is, like, the epicentre of Bandung cool, or at least where I spend most of my money on random snacks and questionable fashion choices.
As for "Was I Sleep Hotel"... well, I'm not entirely sure, but I *suspect* it might be a translation thing. Maybe they wanted to be super hip? Or maybe they just forgot the apostrophe? Honestly, I don’t care! That quirky name just adds to the charm. It's a little bit… off. Just like me after a particularly good Bandung coffee.
Is it actually *near* Ciwalk? Like, am I gonna be walking for hours? Because my shoes... let’s just say they've seen better days.
Dude, seriously, you could *probably* throw a chicken sate (carefully!) from the hotel balcony and hit Ciwalk. I'm not recommending you do that, but you get the idea. It's ridiculously close. Seriously, emerge from the hotel, take a left, and BAM! You're surrounded by shops, restaurants, and the general buzz of Bandung nightlife (or, you know, just people buying bubble tea. Bandung loves its bubble tea).
I’m talking a five-minute stroll, tops. In fact, the closest I've ever gotten to oversleeping and missing my morning cup of Bandung Kopi Susu (which is a *crime*) was because I was too busy staring at the shops on the way back from Ciwalk the night before.
What kind of rooms can I expect? Is it going to be grungy? Because I am not a fan of grungy.
Okay, so "grungy"... you know, that's relative. It's not the Ritz, let's get that clear. But it's clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. I mean, again, *for the price*, it's a total steal. And I've stayed in some seriously questionable places chasing after a cheap flight, so I have a low threshold for a slightly dirty room.
They have different room types – I've been in a few. Some are smaller, some are bigger, some have better views. But I've never had a bad experience in terms of cleanliness. The bathrooms are always functional, the beds are decent enough (though maybe bring your own pillow if you're super picky – I'm not), and the air conditioning *works*. Which let me tell you, is a *lifesaver* in Bandung’s humidity.
Okay, so, the big question: What are the *actual* pros and cons? Give it to me straight!
Alright, here's the messy, honest, slightly-biased breakdown:
Pros:
- Location, location, location! Seriously, can't be stressed enough.
- Price: Excellent value for money. You're not going to find much better in that area.
- Cleanliness: Generally very well-maintained. I've seen worse, *way* worse.
- Friendly staff: Always helpful and accommodating, especially with my atrocious Bahasa Indonesia.
- Breakfast: Generally decent, included breakfast. Nothing gourmet, but it does the job and fuels your day.
Cons (because, let's be real, *nothing* is perfect):
- It's not the Ritz. Don't expect luxury. It's comfortable, not opulent.
- Sometimes, it's *busy*. Particularly on weekends. Book in advance! Trust me on this one.
- The view... Depends on your room. Don't expect postcard views. Usually, you'll be looking out at other buildings – city life.
- Noise levels: Cihampelas is a busy area. Expect some street noise.
Tell me about *your* personal experience. Give me a story! Make me feel something!
Buckle up, Buttercup. Here's a story: This one time, I was traveling with (let’s call her) "Maya" - we were super excited to be in Bandung and ready to shop till we dropped (and eat ALL the street food!). We had booked two rooms, and when we checked in, the desk clerk (bless his patience) informed us that they'd accidentally given our rooms to someone else... which was a bit of a downer after a long bus ride from Jakarta! But! Instead of stressing, the hotel immediately pulled out all the stops. They upgraded us to a suite with a balcony and complimentary drinks. I nearly *died* of happiness! The suite was HUGE! Much, much bigger than what we had paid for. It had an amazing view of the city lights, and even a small living area where we could sit and gossip and consume all the delicious snacks we'd bought at Ciwalk. I instantly fell in love with that place. Suddenly, the small mixup didn’t seem so bad.
The best part? Every morning, we would eat breakfast downstairs and plan the day’s shopping & food adventure. And every evening, we’d slump back into that delicious suite, exhausted but happy, with bags full of Bandung souvenirs. Maya and I still laugh about that trip - it was a total mood. And I still check for deals at Cihampelas Hotel every time I plan a trip back to Bandung, which, let's be real, is about every few months.
It wasn't the most glamorous hotel experience, but it was memorable. That upgrade and the staff going the extra mile? It’s the kind of thing that sticks with you and makes you want to go back, again and again. That’s why I keep going back - and why I'm writing this!
Is there anything nearby besides Ciwalk? Like, other things to do? Besides endless shopping and eating (though I love both).
Heck yeah! Ciwalk is a gateway drug, my friend, but Bandung has so much more.
You're close to:
- Dago Street: For more shopping and cafes (and a slightly different vibe).
- Rumah Mode Factory Outlet: If you’re into thrifting and fashionBook For RestCollection O Cihampelas Near Ciwalk Formerly I Sleep Hotel Bandung Indonesia
Collection O Cihampelas Near Ciwalk Formerly I Sleep Hotel Bandung Indonesia
