Benson Pakuwon Mall's STUNNING 2023 Makeover: Surabaya's HOTTEST New Spot!
Benson Pakuwon Mall's 2023 Makeover: Surabaya's Hottest New Spot! – A Review From Someone Who Actually Went (And Survived!)
Okay, so Surabaya. I've been. And let me tell you, before the Benson Pakuwon Mall facelift, it… well, it wasn't exactly thrilling. But now? Surabaya's got a serious glow-up, and it all centers around this place. Let's cut the crap, shall we? This isn’t some dry, corporate brochure. It’s real talk from someone who spent a weekend living the Benson Pakuwon Mall experience. Buckle up, because this is going to get messy.
First Impressions: Getting There & Getting In (Accessibility… let’s talk!)
Right, so accessibility. Important stuff! Finding Benson Pakuwon Mall is easy. Seriously, it’s smack-dab in the middle of… well, everything. The location rocks. Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station – Yep, they got it. The Airport transfer is slick, making arrival a breeze. Plus, the Taxi service is readily available if you want to ditch the driving altogether.
Accessibility is a big win. Elevator, check. Facilities for disabled guests, check. I didn't need them, but seeing them made me feel… good. You know places that say they're accessible and then they're not. This felt different. It actually felt like they cared.
(Okay, that's the 'professional' part. Let's get to the REAL stuff…)
The first thing I noticed? The vibe. It’s buzzing! Like, genuinely buzzing. Like that feeling you get when you're about to discover something amazing. And the exterior corridor? Actually, it's kinda cool. (I know, it's weird to be impressed by a corridor, but trust me.)
Rooms: My Personal Oasis… Kinda.
I dove headfirst into the Available in all rooms section which is pretty much everything. Okay, the Air conditioning was a godsend. Surabaya heat is no joke! And the Blackout curtains are a must. I am a light sleeper! And… Free bottled water? YES! Because dehydration is not a vibe.
The Wi-Fi [free] was actually reliable! A Laptop workspace was much appreciated. The Coffee/tea maker got a lot of use (morning person here). Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Closet, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box…pretty much everything you need is there.
Now for the real stuff…
The Bed was comfortable, but the pillows… well, let's just say I'm a pillow snob. But hey, you can't have everything! I loved the reading light because I always read before bed (except I often have to stop because I'm suddenly more tired).
One minor thing: I forgot my umbrella and almost got soaked! However, the Umbrella in all rooms really saves the day.
Food, Glorious Food (and Booze!): Dining, Drinking & Snacking
Okay, food! This is where Benson Pakuwon Mall shines. I am a total foodie, so this was a HUGE selling point. I was here to eat.
- Restaurants: Oh, the restaurants. There are RESTAURANTS! Restaurants!! And not just any restaurants! They have Asian Cuisine in restaurant. They have International cuisine in restaurant. They have… you get the picture.
- Restaurants with Food: A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant.
- Drinks with a view: Poolside bar.
I hit the Coffee shop first thing. The coffee was amazing. And I'm talking real coffee. I lived at the Snack Bar! It's important to note that the Poolside bar is incredible. (More detail later!)
More seriously, there was an Asian breakfast option alongside more classic Western breakfast. The Desserts in restaurant were a work of art. They even had a Happy hour which, let's be real, is a must-have. Room service [24-hour]? Yes, please! My late-night cravings were very well taken care of.
Spa & Relaxation: Finding Zen (Or At Least, a Nap)
I was so looking forward to the Spa/sauna. The Spa. I needed to chill. I didn’t book any Body scrub or Body wrap but I did use the Sauna which was great.
I was tempted by the Foot bath but ran out of time. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was beautifully designed, with a Pool with view (it's gorgeous!).
Things to Do: Beyond the Room Service (and the Pool)
Fitness Center: I intended to use the Gym/fitness center. Truth? I looked at it. I took a picture. And then I went back to the pool. (Fitness, you're never coming with me on vacation again).
For the Kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal – so, if you're traveling with kids, you can relax (kinda).
Shopping: Gift/souvenir shop, Convenience store - You'll find everything you need, and some things you don't need but just have to have.
Cleanliness & Safety: Peace of Mind (Important!)
Okay, I’m a bit of a neat freak (don't judge). But I was genuinely impressed. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere. They really took safety seriously. The Staff trained in safety protocol really made an impact.
I loved the Cashless payment service. Rooms sanitized between stays. Hygiene certification. Safe dining setup. It felt… safe. In a world of chaos, this really matters.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter
- The Concierge was super helpful. (They scored major points for helping me find a decent local Coffee shop!)
- Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage – consider this.
- Foreign Exchange was easily accessible.
Events & Meetings (If You Must):
- They have Meeting/banquet facilities, Audio-visual equipment for special events, and an Indoor venue for special events. If you absolutely have to work… at least it's a nice place to do it!
- The fact that there were Seminars available was surprising, but shows the hotel is open to all manner of business.
The Big Takeaway:
Benson Pakuwon Mall's 2023 makeover isn’t just a renovation; it’s a transformation. It’s a place where you can actually relax. That's worth its weight in gold. Seriously. It is NOT just a hotel. It’s an experience.
My One Obsession (and Yours Too, Probably): THE POOLSIDE BAR
Okay, I have to go into detail about this. The Poolside Bar. It deserves its own paragraph. It's perfect. The views are incredible. The cocktails are strong (and delicious!). The staff is genuinely friendly and helpful. I probably spent half my trip there. It's where I read a book, where I chatted with other guests, and where I mostly just existed. It's that good. It's the kind of place where you're happy to just be.
The Imperfections (because nothing is perfect):
- The pillows. I already said it. Too soft!
- The WiFi could be faster (everywhere).
- I didn't get to use the Steamroom. I'm still sad about it.
The Final Verdict:
Benson Pakuwon Mall is the real deal. It’s stylish, it’s convenient, it’s safe, and it’s fun. I'm already planning my return.
Your Call to Action (The Offer!):
Book Your Escape to Surabaya's Hottest Spot!
Special Offer for a Limited Time:
Claim FREE perks when you book your stay at Benson Pakuwon Mall!
- Complimentary Upgrade: Upgrade to a superior room with a city view (subject to availability).
- Exclusive Dining Credit: Get a $50 USD dining credit to indulge in the delicious cuisine at our restaurants.
- **Early Check-
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, and frankly, potentially disastrous, renovation of Benson Pakuwon Mall Surabaya in 2023! This ain't your perfectly curated Instagram feed, people. This is the raw, unadulterated truth, possibly with a side of existential dread and definitely some questionable food choices.
My Benson Blunder: A Surabaya Ramble (and Possible Regret)
Day 1: Arrival and the First Glimpse of Glory…or is it?
- 8:00 AM: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport - the starting point
- "Okay, deep breaths," I muttered to myself, the air thick with the scent of jet fuel and impending chaos. My internal monologue was already a symphony of "What have I gotten myself into?" and "Did I pack enough snacks?" (Spoiler alert: I didn't, and this will haunt me.)
- 9:00 AM: Flight to Juanda International Airport - Surabaya.
- The flight went smoothly and fast. I was really excited because I needed to move on with my life, and it feels like Surabaya could give me new energy.
- 10:30 AM: Arrival at Juanda and ride to hotel.
- Okay, first hurdle: the infamous Surabaya traffic. My driver, bless his soul, seemed to treat merging onto the highway as a contact sport. I clung to my seat, whispering frantic prayers to the Indonesian gods of traffic. Survived!
- 12:00 PM: Check-in at the Hotel – and the first minor defeat.
- The hotel room? Let’s just say the "modern" decor resembled a fever dream of beige and questionable artwork. But hey, clean sheets! Priorities. First impression: This place might be… fine.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local warung near my hotel.
- My growling stomach led me to a warung (small eatery) nearby. Oh. My. Nasi Goreng. So good I ate all of it (and promptly regretted it later – a recurring theme, folks). The owner, a tiny woman with a smile that could melt glaciers, kept refilling my water glass. Genuine hospitality, or just worried I’d spontaneously combust from the chili? Either way, love it.
- 2:00 PM: Venturing into the Pakuwon Mall abyss. Specifically: Benson.
- Okay, here we go. The moment of truth. I'd read about the renovation, seen the sneak peeks, and braced myself. Stepping into the Benson section… Well, it’s a sensory overload. The smells of (hopefully) delicious food, the thrum of music, and the sheer volume of people. It’s a glorious, messy, chaotic tapestry of life.
- First Observation: The sheer scale of this place is insane! It’s easily triple the size I imagined. I got lost within the first five minutes, mostly admiring the stores.
- 2:30 - 5:30 PM: Lost in Benson - The Retail Therapy Expedition (and the Food Coma)
- Spent literally hours wandering.
- Shop Hopping: The stores are trendy boutiques and international brands. I ended up buying a scarf that I definitely didn’t need. Impulse buys, my friend!
- Culinary Digressions:
- First Stop: The Coffee Shop: Needed a caffeine fix. Found a place overflowing with hipsters and overpriced lattes. Worth it? Absolutely.
- Second Stop: A Trendy Burger Joint: After some wandering, I stumbled upon a burger joint. A greasy, delicious, and totally unnecessary burger the size of my head. Worth it? Maybe. My stomach is protesting, but my taste buds are in heaven.
- Third Stop: Ice cream.
- The result: Food coma officially set in. Found a comfy bench and people-watched for a solid hour. The perfect combination of exhaustion and contentment.
- 6:00 PM: The Sunset Struggle
- Tried to find a good spot to watch the sunset. Surabaya sunsets are legendary. But with the building orientation, it was a bit of a scramble. Found a decent view, snapped some photos. The light was beautiful, and I actually felt a moment of peace… before the next wave of food cravings hit.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner – The Great Noodle Disaster
- Decided to be "adventurous" and try the seemingly popular noodle stall. BIG MISTAKE. The noodles were so spicy; tears streamed down my face. I tried to be tough. The staff were staring at me like I was about to burst into flames.
- 8:30 PM: Retreat, Collapse, and Mild Regret
- Back to the hotel, defeated but strangely satisfied. This trip is a roller coaster, and I'm strapped in.
Day 2: Repeat! (And Maybe Less Chili)
- 9:00 AM: The Awful Breakfast Buffet
- Hotel breakfast was a culinary wasteland. The pastries were rock-hard, the coffee tasted of dishwater, and everything smelled vaguely of despair. I survived on a single banana and an unhealthy dose of self-pity.
- 10:00 AM: Benson Revisited - Redemption?
- Back to Benson. Determined to conquer this beast.
- Exploring the “Artistic Zone”: It's so fun! A vibrant space!
- Shopping: It’s very tempting!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch – Second Chance Nasi Goreng!!
- Returned to the warung. Ate another mountain of Nasi Goreng. Zero regrets.
- 1:00 PM: Benson's Secret Spots.
- Finding little moments of joy within the hustle is definitely rewarding.
- 3:00 PM: The Cultural Immersion:
- The Problem: There’s so many nice things to do but I'm not sure what to do! I should find a new activity.
- 4:00 PM: A Little Coffee Break.
- Found a coffee shop and took a breather.
- 5:00 PM : Sunset - Another Attempt
- I was going to re-try to find a nice spot. This time I found a good point.
- 6:30 PM: Bye bye Benson. Maybe.
- I realized that if I kept going there, I'm gonna be broke.
Day 3: Departure (and a Lingering Nasi Goreng Hangover)
- 9:00 AM: Farewell Awful Breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt: panic-buying some snacks.
- 11:00 AM: Goodbye Surabaya.
Quirky Observations and Final Thoughts:
- I swear, I saw a whole family – grandparents, parents, kids, and a dog – all wearing matching outfits at the mall. The commitment. The unity. The shear overwhelming-ness.
- The air conditioning in Benson is either arctic or nonexistent. Bring layers.
- The people of Surabaya are genuinely kind. Their smiles are real, even when you’re sweating profusely from the chili.
- I left feeling like I’d experienced something really meaningful.
The Verdict:
Benson Pakuwon Mall's renovation is a must-see. It's a crazy, overwhelming, and occasionally embarrassing experience. Would I go back? Probably. Despite, or maybe because of, the chaos. It was a trip filled with laughter, good food, bad decisions, and a whole lot of exploring.
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Benson Pakuwon Mall 2023 Makeover: Surabaya's New Obsession (Or Is It?) - FAQs!
Okay, Spill! Is the Benson Pakuwon Mall Makeover REALLY that good? My Insta feed is SCREAMING about it!
What's the vibe inside? Is it all luxury brands and people who look like they exclusively eat avocado toast?
Food! The most important question: Is the food any good? Any recommendations?
Tell me about the parking! Is it a nightmare like the old Pakuwon Mall?
Are there any hidden gems or cool things you wouldn't know about just from looking at the pictures?
The Verdict: Is Benson Pakuwon Mall worth the hype?
Anything else I should know before I go? (Any tips for an easier visit??)
