In the dusk, we wandered through what appeared to be beautiful landscaped gardens, to our deluxe room (number 1) at the Kayu Arum in Salatiga, Java.
After entering through tall, double doors, we discovered a truly spectacular, huge room with calming yellow and cream walls, high ceilings and lovely antique furniture. It was well appointed with TV, cabinet, telephone, full length mirror, tea and coffee making facilities, bottled water, effective, easily controlled air conditioning, fridge and a suitcase stand big enough for two cases. The free standing wardrobe revealed cotton batik patterned robes with slippers which were useful on the cool marble floor. The desk and chair had a convenient plug point and there was a comfy arm chair near the bed which had white linen covers with lots of pillows and cushions. The two bedside cabinets both had lamps.
The bathroom was equally amazing and as large as our bedroom at home. Having seen its centre piece, a free standing huge oval bath in terracotta marble, the large, open shower with pebble floor, just couldn’t compete. The bath was big enough for two and there was lashings of hot water – but we couldn’t understand why they’d positioned the taps at one end rather than the middle. Needless to say, I didn’t get the tap end. The toiletries were good quality and plentiful as were fluffy white towels. The loo was modern and the large hand basin matched the bath. Disappointingly, there was no hair dryer.
There was a private event in the restaurant and we were asked to eat in the bar. Over a couple of Bintang beers we enjoyed a rich cream of mushroom soup, papaya salad followed by beef ribs with mashed potato for Roy and a tuna steak with chips for me. As I’d recently had chess lessons, and there was a large chess set on the terrace, the challenge was on. Roy won the first and helped me win the second which was very kind as I’d shown no mercy when he missed a move and I took his queen in the dark.
Having arrived in the dusk, the next morning we discovered that the gardens were indeed beautiful and huge with a lily pool and quirkily, a red telephone box. There were lots of tables and chairs for sitting around and an inviting rectangular swimming pool with loungers.
Our American breakfast consisted of bacon, sausage, hash browns and tomato with eggs of our choice. It was accompanied by a massive fruit platter, a dreadful pot of tea (very strong with leaves), lime juice, toast and jam.
The hotel has a spa and gym with reasonably priced treatments but unfortunately we weren’t there long enough to indulge.
