Who gave this hotel four stars? Just how deep do Indonesian hotels go?
qponx
2026-02-01
Don't be fooled by the four-star rating! This Surabaya hotel review reveals a stay full of contradictions. While it offers a central location and great city views from its high floors, the experience is marred by serious flaws. The article details terrible noise issues, questionable room cleanliness, and a deeply disappointing breakfast. It’s a candid cautionary tale for travelers, weighing the pretty view against a high price tag and an uncomfortable stay, offering tips to avoid a similar fate.
Girls, I'm in Surabaya, and I just tried out a hotel, I have to get this off my chest!
Before I went, I checked Google Maps. This Goldvitel Hotel had a 4.6 rating, boasting a four-star certification[1], and its location was right in the city center. I thought, 'This is a safe bet.' But the stay experience literally made me question everything, Anjay!
Its Pros and Cons Are Equally Prominent, It's So Contradictory!
To be fair, it's not entirely without merit. The lobby looked decent, and taking the elevator up to the high-floor rooms, the city view outside the window was indeed Mantap, with a very open view[2]. The view from the rooftop restaurant was also great; you could Chill in the evening and take some pretty good photos.
But! Here's the twist! As soon as I opened the room door, a musty smell mixed with the scent of old furniture hit me in the face[3]. My friend's room was even worse; the air conditioner was actually leaking. The sheets felt damp, and upon closer inspection, they weren't pure white at all. There were also stains on the pillowcases. I slept feeling itchy all over, I'm seriously done!
The worst part was the noise. I had thought the city center would be quieter at night, but the roar of motorcycles 'drag racing' downstairs, mixed with music from the hotel's internal entertainment venues, continued until midnight[4]. The soundproofing was practically non-existent; light sleepers can just forget about it, there was no way to sleep.
Breakfast and Pool, Don't Get Your Hopes Up
The next day, I struggled to get up for breakfast, hoping to 'recover' a bit, but it was another critical hit.
The Western options were pitifully few, only pre-fried, cold eggs and toast, without even butter[5]. If you wanted a glass of milk, it tasted as diluted as water… The entire breakfast experience was a capital 'half-hearted effort'.
I also took a quick look at the pool and quickly advise everyone against it. The water depth started directly at 1.7 meters, and it looked like it hadn't been maintained for a long time. The water was a bit dirty[6]. Families with children should definitely not consider this place.
Avoid Pitfalls / Money-Saving Guide 📝
To be honest, the experience at this place completely mismatched the price; the value for money was extremely low. Although some reviews mentioned it was only 20 USD a night, I paid almost 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah[7] and felt like a complete sucker.
Here are some sincere tips for my girls heading to Surabaya:
- 1. If you're sensitive to noise, don't stay here: If you have high demands for your sleeping environment, just skip this place; the soundproofing is terrible!
- 2. If you absolutely must stay, choose a high floor: If you're really drawn to its convenient location, make sure to request a high floor when booking; at least the view might salvage your mood a little[8].
- 3. Check upon check-in: As soon as you enter the room, check the cleanliness of the sheets, the air conditioning, and the bathroom facilities; if there are any issues, immediately ask the front desk to change rooms.
- 4. Be careful with your spending: Some guests reported that the restaurant used old menus, leading to different prices at checkout than what they saw[9]. So, whether you're dining at the restaurant or spending money elsewhere, always double-check your bill when paying!
- This Surabaya city center hotel's high-floor rooms? The city views are truly Mantap, with breathtaking panoramas [1].
- Rooftop restaurant? Gorgeous sunset views. Grab a drink at dusk, every photo's epic, the vibe's next-level.
- A 4-star hotel with a 4.6 rating on Google Maps, but our stay was 'life-questioning.' What a contrast! [2]
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