Astara Hotel Balikpapan

The location has always been nice the last few times I've been here.

I arrived early at around 9am to the hotel as it was the only flight here for the day, I had to wait until 2pm to check in. No issue on that part, but they placed my room at the 7th floor where renovations were going on. I was tired from the day before and I wanted to rest once I've checked in, but the drilling and knocking was so loud. The AC there seems to always have problems, the remote couldn't be used to turn it off or control the temperatures. I've told front desk and they said that they'll contact someone about it, but nothing was done.

We stayed for a week. The room was kind of smaller compared to other hotels, however, the bed and pillow are very comfortable. Cleaning service was fast. The room came with alacarte lunch or dinner for 2 people, and buffet breakfast for 3. The food was just ok, could be improved and alacarte dinner and lunch took very long to arrive to the table. It was eid when we stayed there, no need to go to the mosque because eid prayer was performed at the bsb beach, same with friday prayer and tarawih, they also peform it on level 4 of pentacity mall. We stayed on the North part of the room, the ground floor is next to mall entrance. And from my experience the staff were never short of smiles and kindness. They always greet u with smile, i mean i mustve hundred of times passed them. Thats rare. They always refill the buffet even on the last 30 mins of the buffet period. I enjoyed my stay because even though the hotel was full with guests, they will attend to your requests quickly.

Everyone were nice and helpful. The family room came with dinner or lunch for 2 people. Plus breakfast for 3. The food was ok, but its really is value for money, but be prepared for long time for them to prepare your order. you have to introduce yourself to the restaurant under room bundling, it takes a while them to reconfirm with the receptionist, but once its done its smooth daily thing ordering from them. Location wise is the best. Try to get north side of the rooms, because one you go down, its starbucks pentacity lobby. The staff were great and very respectful. They always smile. Rooms cleaning are fast unlike hotels ive stayed before. Well maybe aicrowave oven is a good idea in family room. We stayed for a week, and i think astara suits well for long stay.

Have mall and near to the airport

Dont have money changer and dont sell sim card