Dusk

Stacked

Obviously

Need a pedicure. Look at my hoofs.

Lorong malam

Memandang malam

Di sini lagi. Hanya bisa memandang ke depan. Life goes as life does.

Gorgeous Majapahit

After few years, I finally stayed at Hotel Majapahit again. Now under the management of Accorhotels, Majapahit is still as gorgeous as ever.

I’ve been attracted to Hotel Majapahit ever since I saw it featured in a magazine back in high school. Since then, I’ve wanted to go to Surabaya just to visit this hotel. When I started working and got assignments to Surabaya and finally got to stay there, I felt like my dreams had come true. It was as beautiful as I remembered pictured in the magazine.

Then I learned about the myths surrounding the hotel, but I didn’t care. Never had anything bothering me except the mosquitoes. So I tried to stay there as often as possible but my team leader (who happen to be a native Surabayan) prefer to stay elsewhere. Sometimes Majapahit’s rate were often above my office ceiling so even when I travel alone I couldn’t stay there. But even if I’m not staying there, I would visit to have a drink while enjoying their courtyard. That’s how fascinated I am with the hotel. And they’re so used of having people come to admire their hotel that the staff doesn’t bother you at all when you said that you want to enjoy the garden. Isn’t it great, beauty for everyone?

What attracts me the most to Majapahit? Yes its courtyards are beautiful and it has a special place in Indonesian history, but I appreciate most how authentic and well kept it is. Literally you’ll feel like you step back in time, with the beautiful art deco style that are prominent in many old Surabaya buildings and furniture to match. Everything feels genuine, not something procured for the sake of instagram photos. In this time and age where things can be doctored to fulfill a certain aesthetic, authenticity is a rarity and commitment to keep a piece of history alive should be admired.

In my last assignment to Surabaya, I was part of 3 people team. We ended up staying at three different hotels and my new team leader didn’t object. I, of course, chose Majapahit. People asked me a lot of questions upon learning that I’ll be staying there. “Isn’t it haunted?” tops the questions. “Aren’t you scared?” was the second question.

I’m not brave or anything, but it’s the fact that I stayed there several times in the past and never had any incidents. This doesn’t negate that some people do experienced something spooky. I know some colleagues who said that they’ll never stay there again. One got his door knocked at midnight and find nobody’s outside, another one got their kid crying uncontrollably while looking at the banyan tree on the inner courtyard (the infamous kunti*anak ghost is rumored to reside there), and another one heard the tap running by itself. My college friend who’s sensitive have seen ghost of a Pastor walking the stairs to second floor – which happen to be right next to the last room I stayed in (this is new because my google sleuthing comes up with ghosts of women, child, and a chef). But again, thank goodness I’m not sensitive and I sleep like a log so I managed to stay there  without incident. And I would prefer to keep it that way because deep at heart I’m a scared cat. I would regret it very much if I become too scared to enjoy this beauty….

The first courtyard you’ll see from the lobby. Be careful to sit here after dark because the mosquitoes are vicious!

 

The right wing courtyard. Mostly palms with one large tree.

 

The left wing with two large trees. I’ve stayed both in left and right wings with no incidents so far, but I didn’t know which part my colleague (with the kid) stayed in.

 

The romantic back garden which is perfect for your garden party. I witnessed a couple taking their pre-wedding photos here while I sit on the bench.

 

Enter to the secret ballroom (NOT so secret but it makes a good photo backdrop 🙂 )

 

This room on the 2nd floor is for staff only. It’s facing the roof top cafe. When I was taking selfies, an unknown voice came and said “mari bu, saya fotoin”. Died of embarrassment 😀

 

You just need to turn back and see skyscrapers at the back. We’re back to 2019 downtown Surabaya

 

2nd floor walkway. You can see the beautiful courtyard from here. See the symmetry, the seemingly endless columns. And those lamps! From the very beginning I always think that they look like, excuse me, Fallopian tubes 🙂

 

The stairs to 2nd floor. The left wing also have identical stairs. Makes me wonder which one does my college friend’s referring to regarding the Pastor. He won’t tell.

 

Even the classic (AKA the cheapest) room comes with a separate sitting room. You know, if you have guests coming to admire your posh hotel room 🙂

 

The bedroom is separated by a wooden divider. TV is on the sitting room area but placed on a rotated platform to facilitate viewing from the bed area. Facing the bed there’s a wardrobe.

 

There’s a separate shower box for those in hurry. Unfortunately I woke up too late to enjoy long morning bath.

 

Once in a while I want to feel like an adult that got her sh*t together by drinking in this sophisticated setting. While obviously I’m not (got my s together, I mean).

 

Even their ladies restroom is gorgeous. Look at those checker tiles! The iron basin frames! The toilets are so old fashioned, the water tank is placed about 2 metresh high and pulled with a chain! (although cleanliness could be improved)

I’ve been reading reviews and blog posts and posts from reviewers who actually stayed there said that they never had ghostly encounter while staying at Majapahit. We Indonesians love our superstitious and ghost stories, aren’t we? Okay, ghosts aside, I’ll stay there again if I had a chance. As long as they leave me alone 🙂

Tip: ask for the room at the front. I’ve stayed at a room at back which doesn’t face open area. It was damp and feels darker, which may lead to darker imagination 🙂

Stay gorgeous, Majapahit. You’ve been the highlight of many of my visits to Surabaya.

PS: I’m not affiliated or endorsed by Hotel Majapahit or Accorhotels. I’m an Accor member, that’s it. My office paid for my stay.