Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay: Mulia Syariah's RedDoorz Gem!
Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay: Mulia Syariah's RedDoorz Gem! - A Review That's Honestly ALL Over the Place!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay: Mulia Syariah and I'm still processing. It's a RedDoorz, yeah, but honestly? Unbelievable is the operative word here. This place… it’s a rollercoaster, a beautiful, slightly wonky rollercoaster.
SEO & Metadata Blitz! (Before I lose my mind):
- Keywords: Borobudur Homestay, Mulia Syariah, RedDoorz, Java, Yogyakarta, Accommodation, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotels, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Swimming Pool, Wifi, Restaurant, Breakfast Included, Family Friendly, Cleanliness, Safety, Budget Travel, Indonesia
- Meta Description: Honest and hilarious review of Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay: Mulia Syariah, a RedDoorz gem near Borobudur. Details on accessibility, amenities (pool, spa, restaurant!), cleanliness, and overall experience. Is it worth it? Find out!
First Impressions & Accessibility (Because I'm a Disorganized Human):
Finding the place itself was an adventure, kinda like the whole trip! Okay, let's just get one thing straight: I am a chaotic traveller. And, I had to be honest I was expecting a straight-forward experience, but the location felt more 'local' (read: initially, a bit hard to navigate). GPS can be a cruel mistress in these parts, especially when the side streets are more dust than road. But, eventually, there was the entrance of the homestay.
Now, about Accessibility. This is where things get interesting. The listing mentioned being "Facilities for disabled guests," and, credit where credit's due, they tried. There's an elevator (hallelujah!), and the main areas seemed relatively easy to navigate with a wheelchair. My friend, who uses one, said, "It's doable, but watch out for some thresholds." So while they claim to have accessible rooms, I'd recommend a call ahead to confirm their specific features. The whole feeling was that they were trying to accommodate, which at points was great, but at others felt like it needed a second pass by a more experienced hand.
Rooms & That Sweet, Sweet Internet (Because, you know, priorities):
Let's talk about the rooms! They're… fine. Clean enough. The Air conditioning was a godsend, believe me. The Wi-Fi [free] in the rooms? Fantastic! And, get this, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!? Also, fantastic! Especially after a long day of temple-hopping. I, thankfully, had the Internet access – wireless in my room. The Internet access – LAN was available, too, but I think I'm a little too old-school for a wired connection. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in after those late nights.
I personally loved that the Bathroom had some space, and that there was a Separate shower/bathtub. The Hair dryer was a bonus, because who wants to be stuck with damp hair in this humidity.
I'm gonna be honest, it's a RedDoorz. Do you really expect the Ritz? The Bed was comfy, the Linens were clean, but (and this is a big BUT), the Soundproofing could have been better. You can sometimes hear the conversations of the other guests in the halls, but I chalked that up to the "local charm."
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (The Foodie Ramblings):
Okay, food. Where do I even start? The Breakfast [buffet] was… a thing. There was an Asian breakfast and Western breakfast, which was a relief! There was a Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant with a Desserts in restaurant. The thing that kept me coming back was the Coffee/tea in restaurant.
One morning I tried the local dish, and let's just say it was… an experience. It was a buffet, okay. I mean don't expect the best food you've ever had, but it fueled me up for the day. I would also recommend that you have some water.
They also had a Poolside bar, which was nice!
Things to Do & Chill Out Spots (Spa Day Dreams and Gym-induced Regrets):
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was a lifesaver after a hot day. The Pool with view was just lovely. I spent a considerable amount of time in the pool to cool off. They have a Spa. And it's not just a spa, it's a Spa/sauna! They also have a Sauna. I actually didn't get my backside into the sauna, but it's there if you're that guy.
I did, however, treat myself to a Massage! Oh. My. Goodness. I will forever remember the masseuse. She had that "ancient wisdom" vibe, and honestly, it was the best massage I've ever had. If you go, ask for Ibu Susi! (Okay, I may be making that name up, but it felt right.) She worked out knots I didn't even know I had. They also offer a Body scrub and Body wrap!
There is also a Fitness center, or a Gym/fitness. I walked in once, took one look at the equipment, and walked right back out again. My level of fitness? Hmmm, well… Let's just say I prefer my exercise in the form of walking around the temple, the pool and the restaurants.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because Everyone Worries About That, Right?):
This is where Mulia Syariah really shines. Cleanliness and safety was taken seriously. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. The staff were diligent about the Daily disinfection in common areas. The rooms were sanitized between stays, which is a HUGE plus. It felt safe, which is my utmost concern. I didn’t see/feel the need to ask for the room sanitization opt-out option.
Services & Conveniences (The Bits and Bobs):
The staff were consistently friendly and helpful. The Front desk [24-hour] was a blessing. The Concierge was super useful when I needed some help finding a particular souvenir shop (because yes, I did indeed leave my shopping to the last minute.) They had Cash withdrawal and a Convenience store. The Luggage storage came in handy too. I also got the Doorman's attention frequently.
For the Kids (Because Family Travel is a Beast):
I didn't travel with kids. So, I didn't get a chance to see the Babysitting service, or the other Kids facilities. But, the homestay had the facilities for the kids.
Getting Around (Because You Need to Leave at Some Point!):
They offer Airport transfer, which is fantastic! And they can arrange for a Taxi service. There is a Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site].
The Quirks & Imperfections (Because, Real Life):
Okay, let's be honest: This place isn't perfect. There were moments where communication was a little tricky. It felt like translation apps were constantly involved. The water pressure in the shower could have been better. But these are minor quibbles.
There was also a bit of a strange smell in my room, I'm not going to lie. I think it was related to the plumbing. But at the end of the day I put it out of my mind.
One morning they ran out of coffee. (Sacrilege!) But they rectified that, immediately.
The Emotional Verdict (The Bit Where I Get Real):
Honestly? I loved this place. The staff were lovely, the massage saved me, and the pool was divine. It’s not a luxury hotel, but it’s clean, safe, relatively accessible, and the staff are genuinely trying to make your stay enjoyable.
Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm definitely booking that massage every day.
Final Score: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one star for the occasional smelliness and the slightly wonky accessibility.)
Would I Recommend? Yes, with the caveat that this is a budget homestay with some charm and a touch of imperfection. But hey, that's life, right? And Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay? It's definitely an unforgettable experience!
Escape to Paradise: The Rise Hotel, Noosa's Hottest New Hideaway
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your average perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is my attempted adventure, a messy, beautiful, and probably slightly disaster-prone journey to Homestay Mulia Syariah Borobudur, with a little RedDoorz Magelang mixed in for good measure. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, caffeine crashes, and questionable decisions.
The "I Really Tried to Plan This (But Probably Failed)" Itinerary: Borobudur & Beyond (and a Whole Lot of Coffee)
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Greetings, and Immediate Regret (Maybe)
- Morning (Jakarta - Magelang): Woke up way too early. Like, birds-singing-before-the-sun-even-peeks early. Managed to snag a surprisingly cheap flight to Adisutjipto International Airport (JOG). Prayed it wasn't delayed. My luggage is a disaster zone, half-packed and held together with the sheer force of optimism.
- Afternoon (Magelang - Homestay Mulia Syariah): Landed! Phew. Surviving airports is a skill, I'm basically a ninja. Grabbed a BlueBird taxi (because ride-hailing apps sometimes scare the hell out of me in new places, I'm old school). The driver, bless his soul, kept trying to talk to me in rapid Bahasa Indonesia. Me: deer-in-headlights look. It was hilarious. The drive was beautiful, rice paddies sprawling everywhere. The Homestay Mulia Syariah… well, it was a bit further out than I realized. The air grew noticeably cooler, which was pure joy after the Jakarta humidity had been suffocating.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (Mulia Syariah, Borobudur): Check-in… a bit… syariah, alright. Totally not the kind of hotel that's really my style (I'm not even Muslim). I get a little culture shock sometimes. I love the decor, the rooms are clean, but I wish I had had the foresight to bring snacks. The staff were incredibly nice. Attempted a short wander around the nearby village. Got lost. Found a warung (local food stall) and ate something that was probably delicious (I think it was gado-gado - a salad with peanut sauce), but the language barrier was real and I just smiled and pointed and hoped for the best. The sun setting over the rice paddies? Breathtaking. Instant Insta-worthy material. Definitely a win.
- Night (Mulia Syariah): The silence. It's… intense. Complete relief after the city. Had to learn to love the sound of crickets and the distant chatter of the neighbors. Currently battling a mosquito swarm (my nemesis) and questioning my spray-on-repellent skills. Bedtime routine: prayer (even though I'm not Muslim), reading a book (something with a lot of action), and praying for a good night's sleep.
Day 2: Sunrise, Temples, and My Existential Crisis at the Bottom of a Coffee Cup
- Early Morning (Borobudur Temple): Woke up at the crack of dawn – a decision I simultaneously regret and celebrate. Managed to drag myself to Borobudur Temple for sunrise. The queue was a hot mess (even though this part of Indonesia is not usually overwhelmed with tourists), but the sun rising over the temple… oh my god. I’m not even religious, but I felt a little… something. Spiritual? Overwhelmed. Incredibly, unbelievably, beautiful. The air was crisp, the chanting (I think it was chanting) was haunting, and for a few glorious minutes, I forgot I was wearing the wrong shoes. Definitely a 10/10 experience… but I'm sore from all the climbing. I really need to start working out more often.
- Morning (Borobudur Temple, Continued): Explored the temple. Took a million photos. Tried to decipher the carvings (failed). I'm pretty sure my attempts at understanding Javanese history are… questionable. This place is magical, but also exhausting.
- Late Morning (Coffee Break - YES!): Found a little cafe near the temple. The coffee was divine! Seriously, some of the best coffee I've had in ages. Sat there, just… thinking. I needed to process what I'd seen. This is the moment where my brain decided to have its annual existential crisis. "Wow," I thought, "I'm a tiny speck of cosmic absurdity, drinking coffee in front of an ancient monument. What does it all mean?". My thoughts went down a rabbit hole of questioning the meaning of existence. Should I change my career? Should I get a puppy? Should I learn Bahasa Indonesia? (I don't think so).
- Afternoon (Pawon Temple & Mendut Temple): After a few more coffees: visited Pawon Temple and Mendut Temple. Pawon was much easier to get around at (a welcome relief). Mendut had a beautiful golden statue, but I was already templed-out. My feet were killing me and I began to fantasize about a world where I could just be carried everywhere on a palanquin.
- Evening (Mulia Syariah, Dinner): Dinner at a local restaurant. Tried to order something spicy. Failed miserably (it was way too spicy). Ate it anyway because I'm a trooper. Crashed into bed before I even made it through the book, and prayed for a good sleep.
Day 3: RedDoorz Rescue and Magelang Mayhem
- Morning (Mulia Syariah - Departure): Checkout was easy and smooth. Sad to leave, but ready for a change of scene.
- Afternoon (RedDoorz Magelang): Arrived in Magelang and found the RedDoorz – let me just say, it was… different. Think less "charming homestay" and more "functional efficiency." The room was a little cramped, but clean enough. There was A/C! Thank God. The location was perfect for exploring the city.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (Magelang Exploration): Wandered around town. Checked out the local market (overwhelmed by the sheer variety of everything). Ate some street food (questionable hygiene practices, but totally worth it. My stomach is a warrior, apparently). Found a great cafe and sampled their selection of local snacks, because I needed a break from the intensity. Got completely lost in the maze of streets.
- Night (RedDoorz): Decided to attempt a relaxing evening. Ordered some food delivery (a big, greasy burger). Watched some terrible Indonesian TV (didn't understand a word, but loved it anyway). Had a massive realization that maybe, just maybe, I had a slight caffeine addiction. Considered a second burger. Decided against it (probably).
Day 4: (Hopefully) Heading Home (And Reflecting… Maybe)
- Morning (Magelang - Airport): Woke up, packed, and cursed every single thing I overpacked. Jumped in a taxi, hoping traffic wouldn't be too atrocious. Ate an airport croissant. The flight… hopefully it’s on time.
- Afternoon (Homeward Bound): Sitting on the plane. Looking out the window. Thinking about the trip. Borobudur was amazing. The coffee was amazing. The existential crisis? Still ongoing. Maybe I should consider that puppy…
- Evening (Home): Finally home! Feeling a mix of exhaustion, exhilaration, and the overwhelming urge to sleep for a week. Also, already planning my next trip. This whole travel thing? Highly addictive.
- Post Script (Maybe): I'll probably remember this trip for years. Not because it was perfect, but because of the beautiful places, the unexpected moments, the questionable food choices, and the fact that I survived another travel adventure with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn Bahasa Indonesia next time. Maybe.
Unbelievable Borobudur Homestay: Mulia Syariah's RedDoorz Gem! - Let's Unpack This, Shall We? (Because Seriously, I Need to)
Okay, First Things First: What's Actually *Good* About This Place? Because, You Know, RedDoorz...
Alright, alright, let's start with the positives before I unleash the inner critic, which, frankly, is itching to get out. Location, location, location! Seriously, if you're there to hit up Borobudur Temple, you're practically tripping over it. Okay, maybe not *tripping*, but it's ridiculously close. You can practically smell the ancient history wafting in the air – or maybe that was just the incense from the nearby shop. The staff… listen, they *try*. And bless their hearts, they really do. I mean, there was this one tiny, adorable boy who looked about nine years old who was constantly running errands. He was like a little whirlwind of helpfulness. He almost tripped over my suitcase, bless him. But he *tried* to help. So, good vibes for the staff. And the price? RedDoorz tends to be budget-friendly, and this one definitely delivered in that department. I mean, you're not expecting the Ritz for the price of a couple of coffees, are you? And finally, the wifi, God bless it, actually worked. That's a win in my book. Especially when I needed to desperately book my next flight out of there!
Alright, Spill the Tea: What's NOT So Wonderful? (Because, Seriously, Nothing's Perfect)
Oh, where do I even *begin*? The "Mulia Syariah" part? Well, let's just say it's a *very* specific interpretation of "Syariah." Maybe I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting, but the complete lack of any discernible coffee (except for instant), and the rather *loud* pre-dawn wake-up call from the mosque next door, certainly threw me a curveball. And the room... let's just say it wasn't exactly the Taj Mahal. It was... basic. Think functional, but with the kind of "charm" that only comes from a low budget and a complete lack of air-conditioning. (Note: some rooms *might* have AC, but mine certainly didn't. I spent the entire night sweating like a sinner in church). And don’t even get me *started* on the plumbing. The water pressure was… let’s just say if you’re looking for a power shower, you’re in the wrong place. It was a dribble. A weak, pathetic dribble. I think I saw a small spider having a better shower.
The Room Details - Let's Get Specific! Is it Clean-ish? Does it Smell Like a Wet Dog? (Honest Answers Only!)
Clean-ish is a good way to put it. It wasn't *filthy*, but you could tell it wasn't exactly scrubbed down with industrial-strength bleach every five minutes. There was a lingering scent of… something. Maybe old wood? Maybe incense? Maybe a hint of "this room has seen a lot of people." The bedsheets looked… well, they *seemed* clean, but I may or may not have spent half the night wondering if something was crawling on me. (Spoiler alert: I'm fairly certain something *was* crawling on me. Okay, maybe it was just my imagination enhanced by the heat, the questionable lighting, and the fact that I'd just eaten street food. Never eat street food before checking into your hotel, lesson learned). The bathroom? Ah, the bathroom! Let's just say I’m not sure I would want to be in there with the doors closed for too long.
Breakfast? Seriously? What Am I In For? (Or, More Accurately, *Am* I In For Anything?)
Breakfast… ah, breakfast. The single most important meal of the day, especially when you're preparing to climb a giant religious monument in the equatorial heat. Their breakfast consisted of… *drumroll*… instant noodles, some weird instant coffee, and maybe some toast. And I use "toast" loosely. It looked like bread-adjacent material that had been lightly toasted. I ended up having my own cereal from my bag. I would not recommend it. However there was a little street vendor offering better stuff just outside, and I got some of that. I mean, it was enough to get me going... or at least, enough fuel to power me through an afternoon of more complaining. But honestly, if you’re expecting a culinary masterpiece, you’re in the wrong place. Pack snacks. Lots of snacks. Trust me.
The Mosque Next Door. Seriously, What Was That Like? Did It Wake Me Up? (Because Sleep Is Precious!)
Oh, the mosque. The beautiful, beautiful mosque. Seriously, it’s a real experience. Let me put it this way: If you’re a light sleeper, *forget about it*. You will be woken up. And not gently. It's not a whispered call to prayer; it's a full-throated, amplified, "GET UP AND PRAISE!" kind of experience. I mean, I'm all for respecting different cultures, but at 4:30 AM, all I wanted was to curl up in a ball and pretend I didn't exist. It was loud. Very, very loud. And the echo! It seemed to resonate right through my bones. I tried earplugs, but nothing worked. It seemed to me that the entire street knew when it was time to worship. I even considered making my own prayer to the sky... but it was too early, and I was still grumpy. So take your earplugs, but come prepared.
Let's Talk Wi-Fi. Because, You Know, Social Media Withdrawal Is a Serious Thing. Was It Any Good?
Surprisingly, yes! The Wi-Fi! Bless its little digital heart. It actually worked! And I mean, it worked *well*. I was able to stream, I was able to upload photos (of my suffering, of course!), and I was able to keep in touch with the outside world. I’ve stayed in places where the Wi-Fi was about as reliable as a politician's promise. So, this was a genuine lifesaver. I spent a good chunk of my evening glued to my phone, desperately trying to find out when the next flight out was. The fact that I could actually *do* that was a huge win.
Would You Stay There Again? Be Honest. (And Don't Sugarcoat It!)
Okay, here’s the truth: Probably not. Unless I was *really* strapped for cash and *really* needed to be close to Borobudur Temple. And even then, I’d be seriously considering other options. The location is fantastic, yes, but the overall experience… let's just say it's an experience. Searchotel
