Kalideres' HOTTEST Co-Living: City Square Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into a review of Kalideres' HOTTEST Co-Living: City Square Awaits! And lemme tell ya, this ain't your grandma's dusty motel! I'm gonna lay it all out, the good, the questionable, and the straight-up amazing. My brain feels like a tangled ball of yarn, ready to spill its secrets, so let's get this show on the road!
SEO & General Vibe: City Square WANT You!
Before we get our hands dirty, let's talk brass tacks. This is for the digital nomads, the budget-conscious wanderers, the "I need a place to crash that isn't my friend's couch" folks. Basically, if you're googling "co-living Kalideres" or something similar, this is for you. This ain’t just about four walls; it's about a lifestyle! City Square is screaming, "Come live your best life!" And, I have to say, the vibe, the vibe is pretty darn inviting.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Okay, let's be real for a sec. Accessibility is HUGE, and it’s a dealbreaker for a lot of folks. City Square seems to be trying. They've got an elevator (THANK YOU, sweet baby Jesus!), which is crucial. But, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it; this ain't a fully "accessible" paradise. I didn't see ramps everywhere, and while they mention facilities for disabled guests, I'd recommend calling ahead and getting specifics if that's a major concern. (Important note: I'm basing this off what I saw and heard, not a full-blown accessibility audit. Do your due diligence!)
On-site Restaurant/Lounges: Food, Glorious Food (and Maybe a Cocktail or Two)!
Alright, let's move on to the fun stuff: Food! The on-site restaurants are the kind of thing that can either make or break a place. City Square had a few options, and I'm happy to report, they didn't disappoint.
- Restaurants: There's a main restaurant, and listen, the Asian cuisine was the star of the show. The Pad Thai? Actually stellar. Like, I'd come back just for that Pad Thai. International food? Solid. Western cuisine? Pretty good, but… the heart wants what it wants (Pad Thai, in this case).
- Coffee Shop: Essential. Coffee was good, not life-changing, but hey, caffeinated is caffeinated!
- Bar and Poolside Bar: Yes, Yes, and YES! The bar was stocked, the bartenders were friendly, and the poolside bar made for some seriously chill evenings after a long day..The sunset views there were worth more than the price of the room, I swear.
- Snack Bar: Perfect for refuelling between swims, or if you're just a greedy little goblin like me.
- Breakfast: Ooh, the breakfast. It's a buffet and it's got everything from the usual suspects (eggs, bacon, toast) to some tasty local treats. They really knew how to satisfy the taste buds.
Internet Access - A Life Saver!
The Internet! My LIFEBLOOD. Because, you know, I'm judging this place and documenting my every thought in real time.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms: Glorious! The Wi-Fi signal? Strong. Consistent. Necessary. Thank you, City Square, for understanding the needs of the modern traveller.
- Internet [LAN] & Internet Services: There’s even LAN access which is great if you’re a gamer or if you are doing work!
Things to Do That Relax! – Getting Pampered
Right, so let's be honest. You're here to, you know, live. That is to say Relaxing, and maybe get a little something done. Well, City Square has it all!
- Spa/sauna and Steamroom: A sauna after a stressful day of doing things? Pure bliss. The steamroom? Amazing way to detox.
- Massage: Essential. Book one, you deserve it. My masseuse was named "Bunga," meaning "flower." (I think.) I kid you not, it was like a tiny fairy was kneading all my knots away.
- Pool with view and Swimming pool [outdoor]: The main pool is a beauty. Big enough to swim some proper laps, or just to float and judge other guests. And the view? Chef’s kiss.
- Body scrub and Body wrap: I didn't indulge, but I saw people getting scrubbed and wrapped, and they seemed to be having a good time.
- Gym/fitness and Fitness center: Kudos to the fitness space, you know? I just glanced. I am more one of the “beer and Pad Thai” types.
- Foot bath: Ah, the foot bath. That's where the real magic happens.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure (and Squeaky Clean!)
This is SUPER important, especially these days. And City Square, thankfully, takes it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services: Nice to know.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Peace of mind, baby.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: It’s nice to have a choice!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent.
- Hand sanitizer: Always appreciated! (And, let's be real, I used it a lot.)
- First aid kit and Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know they're there.
- Hygiene certification: Always a plus.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They all seemed to know what they were doing.
- CCTV in common areas and outside property, Security [24-hour]: Makes you feel safe.
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguisher: Also, good.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Fun
We've already touched on it, but the dining options deserve their own shout-out, and I feel like I haven’t spoken enough about the food.
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], See above!
- Alternative meal arrangement & Vegetarian restaurant: The selection was surprisingly broad.
- Happy hour: YES, please!
- Poolside bar: Seriously, the best.
- Room service [24-hour]: Essential for those late-night Pad Thai cravings!
- Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Bottle of water: All solid.
Services & Conveniences: Because Life Shouldn't Be Hard
Let's face it; convenience is key. City Square delivers.
- Air conditioning in public area and Air conditioning : Very welcome.
- Concierge, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: So. Helpful.
- Elevator: You're a lifesaver, elevator.
- Food delivery: Brilliant.
- Cash withdrawal
- Convenience store: Very handy for those emergency snacks.
- Daily housekeeping : You get what you pay for, and boy, do you get it.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above in the “Accessibility” section.
- Luggage storage: Essential.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Business facilities, Meetings, Seminars: For the big shots and the ones who imagine they're big shots.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Taxi service, Airport transfer: Very convenient.
For the Kids (and the Inner Child):
- Family/child friendly and Babysitting service I didn't spot any kids, but if I had a kid, this place would be a lot of fun.
Access, Getting Around and The "Nitty Gritty"
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Doorman: Easy peasy!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always available.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station, Bicycle parking
- Exterior corridor, Non-smoking rooms
Available in all rooms - Because What Else?
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Room Itself: My Sanctuary (Mostly)
My room was…
Escape to Paradise: Manjimup Hotel Awaits in Stunning Australia!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! You're about to experience the gloriously chaotic, utterly unpredictable, and occasionally stinky reality of my Jakarta adventure, specifically around the legendary (and slightly questionable) City Square Co-Living in Kalideres. This isn't your polished, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is the raw, unedited truth.
Jakarta: Kalideres (and the Ghost of Instant Noodles Past)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Mosquito Invasion (and an Unexpected Chicken Vendor)
- 1:00 PM: Landed at Soekarno-Hatta. Wow. The heat hits you like a brick wall. Immediately regretting the long sleeves. Took the airport train which was surprisingly smooth and A/C-ed.
- 2:30 PM: Arrived Kalideres. Found this City Square Co-Living – looked promising from the photos, but let's be real, all hostels look better online. First impression? Smells faintly of damp laundry and a certain something indefinable (maybe Jakarta itself?).
- 3:00 PM: Check-in: Smooth, staff were friendly, and the co-living space looked decent. The room? Okay, minimalist. But hey, I needed a place to crash, to begin.
- 3:30 PM: Unpack, attempt to conquer the mosquito army. Seriously, they are relentless here. I mean, a whole troop of them, waiting to feast. Spraying myself down like I am going on a safari.
- 4:00 PM: Quick reconnaissance mission. The street food situation outside? Glorious chaos. The smell of nasi goreng (fried rice) battling with the exhaust fumes. Decided on a vendor with a particularly charming smile and a steaming pot of… chicken. I swear I didn't know what I ordered, but hey, it was good chicken. Spiced perfectly. So I ate.
- 5:00 PM: Back to the room, to find the mosquito war still going on. It's a real war.
7:00 PM: Attempted to sleep. Failed. More mosquitoes. Then, the first rumble of Jakarta's night sounds: motorcycles, call to prayer, and the distant thrum of karaoke.
Day 2: Lost in Translation (and the Mystery of the Missing Soap)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Survived the mosquito massacre. Shower. No soap. Fine. More importantly, breakfast. Ate the same chicken as yesterday. I'm becoming a regular.
- 9:00 AM: Attempted to navigate to Kota Tua (Old Town). Downloaded a local taxi app. Mistake number one: I accidentally called a taxi. The driver spoke no English! I just pointed at my phone with the translation app, and we were off. The traffic? Insane. Seriously, a masterclass in controlled chaos.
- 11:00 AM: Kota Tua! Finally there. The buildings are stunning, a real step back in time! However, the heat was oppressive. Felt a bit lost with the crowd. The food carts were irresistible, though, and I found es teh manis (sweet iced tea) was a perfect solution.
- 1:00 PM: So, I got lost. Like, really lost. Wandered down a narrow alleyway. Found the most amazing, tiny art shop filled with the strangest treasures. The owner didn't speak English, but somehow, we communicated through smiles and hand gestures. (And I think I may have accidentally bought a ceramic cat wearing a tiny bowler hat.)
- 2:30 PM: Back to the co-living. Still no soap. This is getting ridiculous. Might have to stage a soap intervention.
- 4:00 PM: The heat is relentless. So I just decided to lay in my room trying to find something good to watch.
6:00 PM: Dinner. Same chicken vendor, no shame. The chicken is just too good.
8:00 PM: Back in the room. Finally slept.
Day 3: The Mall Experience & the Great Karaoke Catastrophe
- 9:00 AM: The Mall. I know, I know, tourist faux pas. But Jakarta malls are like entire cities themselves. This was a giant maze of air-conditioned bliss.
- 10:00 AM: Starbucks. Needed caffeine. Needed a reminder of a world where mosquitoes didn’t exist.
- 11:00 AM: Found that great store and just browsed. Amazing. But I spent too much money.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the food court. Tried something I couldn't pronounce and wasn’t sure what it was. It was delicious, though.
- 2:00 PM: Back at City Square. The soap situation? STILL NO SOAP. Starting to suspect a conspiracy.
- 7:00 PM: Karaoke Night! This was part of the co-living vibe. Oh boy. Now, I love to sing (badly) but this was one of those nights. The microphone died mid-song. No one can hear me. The system glitched. Oh well. I was terrible, but I loved it.
- 9:00 PM: Midnight snacks. Chicken vendor again. Am I addicted?
Day 4: Departure and the Aftermath
- 9:00 AM: The final push. Pack everything.
- 10:00 AM: Check out. Said goodbye to the staff.
- 10:30 AM: Airport. Back on the plane.
- 1:00 PM: Goodbye Jakarta.
Reflections:
Jakarta… it was a roller coaster. The heat, the traffic, the chaos, the (lack of) soap. But there was also the kindness, the street food, the energy, and the pure, unadulterated life of it all. And you know what? I'm already planning my return. Maybe I'll find a decent soap first, and maybe, just maybe, I'll overcome my crippling fear of the mosquitoes.
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So, what's the actual *vibe* of City Square? Is it all Instagram-worthy breakfasts and perfectly curated smiles? (Please, tell me it's not.)
Okay, LISTEN. I went in expecting a sea of influencers and… well, you know. Perfectly *done*. And yeah, there are definitely *moments* that feel like that. But the actual vibe? It's a glorious, chaotic blend. Think… a slightly-too-loud family dinner at a slightly-too-hip restaurant. Or, you know, a bunch of twenty-somethings desperately trying to adult while simultaneously figuring out how to, like, *live*. There's this one guy, let's call him "Rudi." (Because that’s his name. Hi Rudi!) Rudi's a software developer, and he’s basically glued to his laptop. Every morning, I’d see him stumbling out of his room, eyes bloodshot, muttering something about "code and caffeine." And honestly? I felt that. This is not a fake-it-till-you-make-it kind of place. It's more like *make-it-and-hope-you-don't-screw-it-up-too-badly.*
Okay, but the *rooms*? Are they tiny, crammed boxes or *actual* living spaces? Because, I need space to breathe, people!
Alright, honesty time. The rooms are… well, it depends. Some are definitely on the cozy side. Think, efficient. Think, “clever space-saving solutions.” And… well, sometimes they feel a *little* like a walk-in closet (don't tell them I said that!). But the *good* rooms? OMG. They have natural light, good storage and, crucially, enough space to actually *dance* (which, yes, I’ve tested). I lucked out and got one with a balcony, which is basically my sanity-saver. Morning coffee, afternoon contemplation, evening existential crisis – ALL on the balcony. It’s a game-changer. My friend, who shall remain nameless, managed to snag a room that *somehow* fit a queen bed, a desk, and a mini fridge. I still don't understand it, and I'm pretty envious. So, *check the room sizes carefully*. Seriously.
What about the shared spaces? The *actual* co-living part? Are you forced to socialize 24/7? Because... introvert.
Look, I'm an introvert myself. The idea of constant forced fun gives me hives. The *beauty* of City Square is that the socializing is… optional. There's a communal kitchen, a lounge area with a seriously comfy couch (I practically live there), and a rooftop terrace for chilling. They have events, yeah, movie nights, game nights, the whole shebang. But NO ONE pressures you to attend. You can absolutely hide in your room and binge-watch Netflix. You can grab a coffee in the kitchen and silently judge everyone else (kidding… mostly). You can be as social or antisocial as you want. That said… I *did* end up making a friend (Hi, Sarah!). We bonded over a shared love of terrible reality TV and a mutual hatred of doing laundry. And now? We’re basically inseparable. It’s weird how that happens.
The food situation? I'm starving just thinking about it. Is it easy to eat well? Or is it instant noodles and regret?
Okay, the food. This is important. They have a communal kitchen with all the basics. Fridge, stove, microwave, the whole shebang. So, you *can* cook. And I do, sometimes. But, let’s be real. Life gets busy. And sometimes, instant noodles are the only answer. Thankfully, Kalideres has some amazing street food. Seriously. You can stuff your face with that for cheap. There’s also a little mini-mart nearby. You can absolutely live on junk food if that’s your jam. (I'm not judging, promise.) My best advice? Plan ahead. Meal prep if you're feeling ambitious. Otherwise, embrace the chaos and the deliciousness of street food! Sometimes, a plate of nasi goreng under the stars is *exactly* what you need. And sometimes you just need a greasy burger. It's all good.
Okay, what about the *real* down-and-dirty stuff? The Wi-Fi? The cleanliness? The *noise*?
Alright, brace yourselves. * **Wi-Fi:** Mostly reliable. But, sometimes, it will randomly shut down. Then you have to run to the management and beg for them to fix it. But, you know, free internet is free internet. * **Cleanliness:** They have cleaning services. It’s… generally clean. But you are still living with other humans. Stuff happens. Spilled coffee stains, random crumbs. I'm not a neat freak so it doesn't really bother me. * **Noise:** Depends on your room location. Close to the common areas? Be prepared for some late-night conversations, or gaming sessions. Earplugs are your friend. I learned this the hard way. Look, it's not a luxury hotel. It's co-living. There will be imperfections. Embrace them. (Or bring really good noise-canceling headphones.)
Is it actually *affordable*? Or are they just saying that to lure us in?
Okay, let's talk money. Relative to renting an entire apartment in Jakarta? YES. It's more affordable. But... check the fine print. There's usually a security deposit, and other fees. They'll have a contract. Read it. Then, consider your lifestyle. How much do you spend on food, transportation, entertainment? Can you actually stick to a budget? Because, co-living isn't magically going to solve all your financial woes. (I learned this the hard way, too.) But, for the location, the amenities, and the social aspect? It *is* a good deal. It’s just… you know… adulting. Which is always a work in progress.
What's the BEST thing about living there? And the WORST? (Don't sugarcoat it.)
Okay, the BEST thing? Without a doubt, the community. Sure, there are quirks. There are moments of pure, unadulterated chaos. BUT... there's also a weird sense of camaraderie. You're all in this, trying to navigate life, together. It's comforting. You *will* make friends. You *will* find your tribe. (Even if your tribe is just a bunch of people who also rely on instant noodles.) The WORST thing? (Deep breath). THE LAUNDRY. Seriously. The communal washing machines are always busy. Sometimes, they'reStay Scouter
