In this video, I take you step by step through the process of hotel quarantine check out, getting the Jakarta's airport, getting your paperwork in order (maybe registering your phone's IMEI with customs), plus what I wish I would have done before getting to Bali's DPS airport. (Doing a second eHAC.)
My IG is private but if you have questions you can DM me there:
melissa_avila__
My Quarantine Experience (at Harris)
(Wrote this for a Bali FB group)
TL;DR, loved the room, service was shockingly bad, internet was 10mbps and reliable, and I would stay here if I had to do it again. (And people, The situation sucks, but please stop taking it out on hotel staff.)
Checked in the night of May 27 (technically May 28 at 4am by the time I got to the lobby, which was fine with hotel staff.)
Context: I paid 6.5 million for the smallest room. 1 person, 5 nights, including airport pick up, 2 PCRs, all meals, and laundry (which I did not use). I have no dietary restrictions, I’d say I’m a snobby eater. I usually only peck at airplane food. I grew up with family in the hospitality industry so I’m pretty empathetic with that stuff. I’ve been chatting with at least 4 other people who stayed at Harris so I feel comfortable saying my experience is common. Also, I just spent a night as a regular guest at Grand Mercure Jakarta Kemayoran and I’m SO glad I didn’t spend more money on this place. I actually like Harris more. Haha. It’s all about the natural light for me - especially with jet lag.
The room: I was on the 39th floor. The room felt fresh and clean and I loved the floor to ceiling windows, the view of the city, and the balcony. The lighting and balcony is really what made the difference for me. It made it so I didn’t feel trapped. It was very quiet aside from the Call to Prayer. (I’m a light sleeper and earplugs did the trick for the morning one.) Shower was great. Hot, good water pressure. There’s an electric kettle and and a fridge (mine was more wine cooler temp than safe food temp) and a few packets of instant coffee and tea.
Food: It is average to slightly above average airplane food. Cold 100% of the time unless you pay for room service (in which case there’s like a 20% chance it will be warm). Room service food was good. It tasted great and was fresh, but again, temperature was the issue. Desserts and juices are on point. Highly recommend. I’ll link the menus in the comments. The timing of the food was very erratic which was probably the hardest part for me. Will I eat lunch at 11am or 3pm? No warning. No communication.
Service: This place is in over their heads. I’m guessing they took on the contract and then tried to staff it. The front desk speaks some English, but other than that, if you want to communicate something, Indonesian or Google translate is the way to go. You will need to communicate most with the restaurant, which is where the problems seem to be. It doesn’t seem like there’s a set system of communicating and tracking things. The issue is that they will say yes to what you request, but not actually understand what you asked for so then it just never happens. It took 5+ hours and 5 phone calls for me to get ice. Only slightly less time for water. Room service food could come in 45 minutes or 3 hours. There’s no predicting it. Go ahead and call back after an hour. There’s a reasonable chance they forgot about it or forgot to write down your room number or something.
The general WhatsApp line is very responsive to all your pre-arrival needs.
Internet: No complaints. 10ish mbps the whole time. No issues with uploading or downloading. Never cut out.
Check in: Nothing interesting, check out: Letter ready by 8am. Possibly sooner but I didn't ask. If you’re in a rush to the airport, don’t count on them helping with bags in time.
Now me getting on my soapbox: In my brief time in both lobbies (Harris and Grand Mercure) I’ve heard guests be so incredibly rude to staff. I don’t know why this surprises me. I guess I expect it back home, but not from expats and travelers. I thought we were a sturdier bunch. Is this the same crowd that will hunker down for 30+ hours of flights to get somewhere cool and remote, or sit around in the hot sun, waiting for a ferry with an unknown arrival time? People, quarantine sucks. Covid sucks. The situation sucks. I know it is frustrating. Feeling out of control of the situation sucks, but keeping track of everything that upsets you and trying to feel agency again by yelling about it actually doesn’t help. And it’s also not nice. You can choose how to frame it and (unless you’re working on a deadline or are traveling with children, in which case, I’m so sorry) make it something more enjoyable. Hey, it’s a silent retreat for 6.5 mil! You can even do a juice fast if you want! Hahaha. Anyway, this is your preachy, woo woo reminder that some of this is your choice.
Let me know what else you want info on. Good luck and see you in Bali!
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