Often dubbed the ‘Paris of Java’, Bandung with its charming old world vibe, cool climate, hilly terrain, art deco architecture and decadent local cuisine, offers a feast for the senses.
Words: Ari Fajar
At 9am, as I made my way to Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers for my weekend getaway, the city of Bandung was shrouded in a cool mist and the temperature was a pleasant 18 degrees Celsius. I had to take a second look at the building before me – this was not the Sheraton that I remembered. Established in 1990, Sheraton Bandung has always been a top-choice hotel, and like so many who love spending their vacation here, I too have fond memories of this hotel. More than a decade ago, my friends and I used to come here regularly for drinks to escape the drudgery of university life.
Entering the hotel, I was expecting to see the huge gebyok (carved wooden partition), which used to be the centrepiece of the lobby, but to my surprise, I was greeted by a bright room with contemporary designs, metallic sculptures and colourful draperies.
I later learnt that the hotel had undergone a series of refurbishments to modernise its look. The change was reflected in my spacious Towers Room too, boasting a modern interior, with white and light grey dominating the colour scheme, and flower patterns in fuchsia and green lending a soft touch. The bathroom had a rain shower, as well as a freestanding bathtub with jade-green bath crystals, and the balcony offered a breath of fresh mountain air and a magnificent view of the Dago Valley. I knew my stay was going to be fabulous.
For starters, dining at Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers is a sumptuous affair. Feast, the hotel’s main restaurant, offers an extensive selection of vegetarian options. But, being more of a meat man, I opted for braised lamb shank, which was simply divine. The herb-infused meat was so tender, it fell right off the bone! I sampled a rib-eye steak as well, which was a perfect medium rare, and I especially liked the full-bodied wine sauce that accompanied it. Feast also serves up a mean brekkie, with a noodle station, pastry counter and sushi station, as well as local Indonesian fare, and its Sunday Brunch is a hotel specialty. Here, I savoured local favourites like lotek (blanched vegetable salad) and rujak (fruit salad), as well as smoky seafood straight from the barbeque grill, sinful éclairs and melt-in-your-mouth crème brûlée.
For light bites, Toastina, Sheraton Bandung’s lifestyle café, offers a tempting range of snacks and coffee, as well as heartier dishes like its rich and flavoursome oxtail soup with tender beef chunks and delicately steamed sea bass with crispy hajiki (type of sea vegetable).
Guests staying in Towers Rooms, Towers Cabana Rooms, and Junior, Executive, Towers and Presidential Suites enjoy an added privilege: exclusive access to Towers Lounge, which offers all-day refreshments and evening cocktails. Taking advantage of these perks, I savoured fine red wine and sampled canapés like juicy beef meatballs in tomato sauce and succulent prawn dumplings.
Of course, a trip to Bandung would not be complete without experiencing retail therapy at its many factory outlet stores and visiting its forest reserves, hilltop restaurants and art galleries. Sheraton’s strategic location makes it easy to explore the city and the concierge can help arrange tours around Bandung, as well as pick-up and drop-off services, for a reasonable price.
After an exhausting shopping and sightseeing expedition, a visit to the hotel’s Shine Spa is a must. I was grateful for my 90-minute traditional massage, which employed firm strokes and essential oils to increase blood circulation and soothe my tired muscles. Coupled with the calming ambience of the spa, it was the perfect remedy for a long day out.
For families looking for a wholesome holiday, the hotel’s ocean-blue swimming pool is the ideal spot for frolicking, and at Play@Sheraton, an activity centre for children, kids can play with Lego bricks, colour t-shirts and even enjoy a horse ride. After my wonderful experience at Sheraton Bandung, it was naturally quite difficult to say goodbye. As I bade farewell to the friendly staff, I knew that I would soon be back for another memorable five-star experience!
SHERATON BANDUNG HOTEL & TOWERS
Address: Jl. Ir. H. Juanda NO 390, 40135, Bandung
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