Yogyakarta's Hidden Gem: 2BR Villa in Pentingsari - Full Board Included!
Yogyakarta's Hidden Gem: A Review That's Actually Real (and a Little Crazy)
Okay, listen up, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Yogyakarta, and I have to tell you about this place. It's called "2BR Villa in Pentingsari - Full Board Included!" and, honestly? It blew my little travel-weary socks off. This isn't your cookie-cutter hotel review. This is how it actually went down, from the moment I stumbled out of the airport to the moment I reluctantly dragged myself away, craving more.
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First Impressions & Accessibility (or, the initial panic of arrival)
Getting there was…an adventure. Google Maps, bless its algorithmic heart, led me down some tiny, winding roads that looked suspiciously like they hadn't seen a car in decades. (Accessibility Alert: This place is NOT for anyone with serious mobility issues. Those roads are ROUGH.) But, finally, THERE it was, nestled amongst the rice paddies, looking like something out of a damn fairytale. Seriously, the pictures online don’t do it justice. I was greeted by the friendliest staff, a welcome drink (iced tea, bless them), and a sense of utter, blissful peace.
Check-in was a breeze, particularly due to Contactless check-in/out (thank GOD, I was wrecked from the flight), and a 24-hour Front desk. The staff was surprisingly fluent in English, which, considering I butchered Indonesian phrases on a daily basis, was a huge relief. And the view… oh, the view.
Rooms & Amenities: My Little Private Palace
Okay, the villa itself. Magnificent. Seriously. Cleanliness was top-notch. (And this is coming from someone who side-eyes every hotel towel with suspicion!) The rooms were spacious, airy, and beautifully decorated with local art. I had free WiFi [free] in all rooms! And in the end room sanitization Opt-out available The bed was a cloud. Seriously, I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow every night. The air conditioning (thank you, sweet Jesus) worked like a charm, because even night sweats can't stop me.
Details
- Additional toilet: 👏
- Air conditioning in all rooms: 💯
- Alarm clock: (Didn't need it, I was too relaxed)
- Bathrobes: Fancy!
- Bathroom phone: Didn't use it but felt fancy having one
- Bathtub: Perfect for soaking.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for those sweet, sweet naps.
- Carpeting: Cozy.
- Closet: Plenty of space (I needed it).
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for the morning.
- Complimentary tea: Lovely touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Room was always perfect.
- Desk, Extra long bed: Ideal to watch Netflix on my laptop.
- Free bottled water: Replenished daily.
- Hair dryer: A life-saver.
- High floor: My room looked far and wide.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good for families.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless: Fast and reliable. (I had to check emails, ugh.)
- Ironing facilities: (Never used 'em, because, vacation!).
- Laptop workspace: Convenient.
- Linens: Fresh and crisp.
- Mini bar: Stocked, perfect for a midnight snack.
- Mirror: Many, yay!
- Non-smoking: Always a plus.
- On-demand movies: (Didn't need 'em, too busy enjoying life!)
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Ideal for those nights I forgot to turn off the light and almost lost my sleep.
- Refrigerator: Handy for drinks.
- Safety/security feature: Safe and secure (never felt worried).
- Satellite/cable channels: (Watched some, but the real show was outside.)
- Scale: (Don't want to know!).
- Seating area: Comfy and perfect for relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: Always a nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Safety first.
- Socket near the bed: Phone charging!
- Sofa: Cozy and inviting.
- Soundproofing: Very quiet - never heard noise.
- Telephone: For room service.
- Toiletries: Good quality.
- Towels: Always fresh.
- Umbrella: For the unexpected rain (it happens!).
- Visual alarm: (Didn't need it, thank goodness).
- Wake-up service: (Again, too relaxed to need an alarm).
- Wi-Fi [free]: Everywhere!
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The Food – Full Board is a Game-Changer! (And My Waistline Suffered Gloriously)
Okay, the real star of this show: the full board! Seriously, I showed up and I’m pretty sure I ate non-stop for five days. This is a foodie's dream. Breakfast [buffet] every morning was a revelation with Western, Asian. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast The juices were fresh, the pastries were heavenly, and the Indonesian breakfast (think Nasi Goreng – a must-try!) was to DIE for. Seriously, my current diet is going to hate me. I have to give them a hand because it was Breakfast in room.
The food itself was also excellent: A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant
Eating and drinking was the priority here. Poolside bar was the best.
Spa & Relaxation: I Became a Human Pudding
They have a spa. Seriously, a SPA! I indulged in a massage, a body scrub (my skin has never been so soft!), and… well, let's just say I practically melted into a puddle of relaxation. (The pool with a view was pretty amazing too, and I spent a solid few hours just floating around. There is also a sauna, and Spa/sauna, Steamroom for all kind of relaxation) My muscles haven’t thanked me so much in my whole life. By this point I had lost track of time, and I could have not cared more.
Things to Do (Besides Eat and Sleep):
Honestly? I didn't do much. I needed some serious downtime. But, for those who are more… energetic, there are things! They can organize tours. They may have Bicycle parking (I didn't bike but I'm sure its great). There are also Cash withdrawal and a Convenience store if you need it.
Safety First! (Because, you know, COVID-19)
I'm a little neurotic about cleanliness, and I was genuinely impressed. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. They even removed Shared stationery. (I also appreciated the Doctor/nurse on call). I really felt safe, which is HUGE when you're traveling. I think the health service was perfect.
The Annoyances (Because Nothing is Perfect, Sadly)
Okay, so there are a few minor quibbles. The roads to get there are… not great. And, sometimes, the WiFi would get a little wonky (but I was too busy eating to care too much). No smoking in my room (but there was a smoking area as well). The Breakfast takeaway service, I guess it's not so bad, but I'd have prefered to stay put.
The Verdict: Book This Place NOW!
This Yogyakarta villa experience was more than just a vacation; it was a reset. It was a chance to disconnect, to de-stress, and to eat my weight in delicious Indonesian food. (And, you know, maybe get a little sun.) The service was impeccable, the food was divine, and the overall vibe was pure, unadulterated bliss.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. (I’m already checking my calendar.) It’s perfect for couples, families, or anyone who just needs to escape. It’s peaceful, private, and utterly charming. Run, don’t walk, to book this hidden gem. Seriously, you won't regret it.
Crafting the Offer (Because, You Know, Marketing Magic)
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Alright, here we go. Desa Wisata Pentingsari, 2BR House, Yogyakarta. Full board. Sounds… idyllic, right? Prepare yourselves, because as you probably guessed, I'm a disaster, and this itinerary will probably reflect that. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival and… Oh God, the Stairs.
- 10:00 AM: Landed in Yogyakarta. Smooth flight? HA! Let’s just say I may have… overpacked. My suitcase is a black hole. Finding the driver pre-booked by my wonderfully organized friend (she’s a saint, I swear) was a minor victory. The heat hit me like a wall. Already sweating. This is going to be… interesting.
- 11:30 AM: Arrival at Desa Wisata Pentingsari. The drive was pretty, lots of rice paddies and tiny villages. The house itself is… charming. Rustic. With a killer view, don't even get me started. I love it already. I'm immediately captivated with how slow the air moved. The sheer magnitude of the scenery is something you can't capture in photos.
- 12:00 PM: Settled in. The house had more steps than my old apartment. The stairs are my nemesis. I'm already out of breath. I unpacked (mostly). It involved a lot of sighing and muttering about how much I actually needed that extra pair of shoes.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch! The full-board thing is a blessing. Delicious local food. I swear, I don't know how many people in the house are making me food, but it's unbelievable. I can't get enough of the Nasi Goreng. Honestly, if the rest of the trip is just eating Nasi Goreng, I'm happy. It had a very strange flavor, I feel like I've never had it before. It's a nice change.
- 2:00 PM: EXPLORING!!! First mission: the village walk. According to the brochure (yes, I read the brochure), it's a chance to “immerse yourself in local life.” Which, in my case, probably means awkwardly trying to say hello in Bahasa Indonesia (which is going to be an adventure). Apparently there is a guide accompanying us, I can feel the awkwardness of it all. I'm already dreading my terrible attempt to use the language of whoever is going to guide me.
- 3:00 PM: Walk. Turns out it was actually… pretty cool. The guide was lovely, even though I probably butchered every single word I tried to say. Saw some people making tempeh (the smell! Amazing!), met a kid who wanted to practice his English (adorable), and accidentally stepped in, um, something. Let's just say the lovely view was slightly less pleasant. Scrubbed my sandals until the paint came off.
- 5:00 PM: Free Time. Sat on the porch swing, drank some incredibly strong, and delicious, coffee, and watched the sunset over the rice paddies. Absolute bliss. I think I might be in love with this place. This is the life.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More delicious food. I ate way too much. Thinking about doing a sunrise hike tomorrow morning. I really hope this is my peak, and it doesn't get any better than this.
Day 2: Hike to… Somewhere, and a Pottery Disaster.
- 6:00 AM: Woke up. Actually woke up! (And after I made the hike!) The sunrise was worth every single agonizing step. The view was breathtaking. I will treasure this memory forever.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Fueling up for a day of activity! I need to gain enough calories to make me get back up and do it all again.
- 9:00 AM: Pottery class. Disaster. Utter, glorious, beautiful disaster. The instructor was patient, bless his heart. My “masterpiece” looks like a misshapen blob. I might have, or might not have, burst into uncontrollable giggles at one point. The clay got EVERYWHERE. I'm pretty sure I have some embedded in my hair. And the way the instructor was showing me what needed to be done, felt like a dream. I was not able to follow the moves, so the results were very different.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Needed to refuel after the pottery incident. The chef smiled at me knowingly, like he knew what I’d been up to. I ate all the food.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the village. They had just a lot of stuff. One of the most interesting things was to work the loom.
- 4:00 PM: Free time, part deux. Sat on the porch swing again. Watched some of the locals, I'm starting to feel like I belong here, for the time being. If I can keep myself from destroying houses with my art skills that is.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I don't want to leave.
Day 3: Departures (and Maybe Another Plate of Nasi Goreng).
- 8:00 AM: Packing. Ugh. Maybe I will bring my friend back. I really hope she is okay with it.
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. One last chance for Nasi Goreng glory. I could cry.
- 10:00 AM: Saying goodbye. The staff has been so lovely. I just might. They said they liked me.
- 11:00 AM: The car. So much traffic.
- 12:00 PM: Goodbye, Desa Wisata Pentingsari. Yogyakarta, you stole my heart. I’ll be back.
And that's it. A messy, probably slightly inaccurate, but hopefully, a fairly honest account of my time in Desa Wisata Pentingsari. If you go, don't expect perfection. Embrace the chaos, the wrong turns, the accidental adventures, and the Nasi Goreng. You won't regret it. And maybe, just maybe, you'll find yourself falling in love with the place, too.
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Yogyakarta's "Hidden Gem" in Pentingsari: Ask Me Anything (Seriously!)
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is This Villa *Really* Hidden? Because "Hidden" often means, like, an Hour's drive uphill on a donkey…
Haha, okay, "hidden" is relative, right? It’s *not* on the beaten path, let's put it that way. My driver, bless his soul (he *really* didn't like the road leading up), grumbled a bit. Think… scenic. The road is… well, it has character. Expect a few bumps and probably a goat or two. BUT, it's worth it. Trust me. The "hidden" aspect? You’re in a proper Javanese village. No flashing neon signs, no hordes of selfie-stick wielding tourists. Just… tranquility. Except for the roosters. Those little buggers are NOT subtle. Morning alarm clocks, guaranteed. Bring earplugs. Seriously.
"Full Board Included" - Does That Mean They’re Feeding Me Until I Burst? Because I'm game.
Yes! And it's GLORIOUS. Honestly, the food was *the* highlight. I'm a total foodie, and I was skeptical. Often, "full board" translates to "bland buffet". Not here! It's all cooked fresh, with ingredients straight from the village. Think fragrant curries (the one with the chicken, oh my GOD!), delicious sambal that'll make your sinuses sing (in a good way!), and seriously fresh fruit. And the portions… they keep coming! I think I gained five pounds. Worth it. Seriously. My biggest regret? Not asking for the recipes. I'm still dreaming of that breakfast nasi goreng… it was LIFE-CHANGING. Okay, maybe not life-changing, but definitely holiday-changing.
Two Bedrooms – Is This Place Kid-Friendly or More Romantic Couple-y? I'm trying to decide whether to bring my screaming offspring.
Hmm, tricky one. It *could* be kid-friendly. The staff are incredibly warm and welcoming – they’d probably adore your kids. There's space to run around, and the swimming pool (yes, there's a pool!) is a major plus. BUT… this isn't a theme park. It's about relaxation. Think quiet mornings sipping coffee on the veranda, yoga with a view, and evenings spent stargazing. If your kids are the kind that appreciate that, then go for it! If they're the "I need an iPad and a giant slide" type... maybe not. Me? I'd personally go with romantic. But, you know… family dynamics are something else.
The Pool – Is It Actually a Pool, or One of Those "Dip Your Toes In, Then Realize You're in a Muddy Pond?" Situations?
It's a *real* pool! And it's beautiful! Clean, refreshing, and with a view that will make you want to just... be. The only potential downside? It’s not Olympic-sized. If you’re training for a triathlon, maybe find another place. But for leisurely swims and floating around, it's perfect. I spent, easily, a third of my time in that pool. After a long day out, It was truly relaxing to jump in the pool and watch the sun setting over the rice fields. Pure bliss. Don’t forget your sunscreen! I definitely did, and I’m still paying the price.
Anything I Should *Definitely* Pack, Besides the Obvious Sunscreen and Bug Spray?
Okay, listen up. Bring:
- Earplugs: As mentioned. The rooster situation. It’s a thing.
- A good book (or two): You're gonna want to unplug. Seriously. No internet means you actually have to read. Remember how to do that?
- Comfortable shoes: You'll be doing some walking if you want to explore the village (which you should!).
- Cash: Not *everywhere* takes cards in this part of the world.
- A portable charger: Because, even without the internet, you'll still be taking a million photos. And posting them to the one place that does have internet… eventually
- An open mind: This isn't a luxury resort. It's an experience. Embrace it! Let go of your expectations. Just... be.
Tell me about the staff! Are they friendly? Do they speak English? Are they… hovering?
The staff are *angels*. Honestly. Kind, helpful, and genuinely lovely. English is spoken, but be patient. It’s not their first language, and sometimes there's a little bit of translation needed. But honestly? That’s part of the charm! They went above and beyond. They organised day trips, helped me decipher the local sweets (seriously, *so* many delicious sweets!), and even tried teaching me a few basic Indonesian phrases (I failed miserably, by the way). And no hovering! They were there when you needed them, but otherwise, you had absolute privacy. It felt like having your own personal secret service, but without the guns and the threats. Just… good vibes.
Okay, let's talk about the potential downsides. Everything *always* has a catch. So, what's the catch here?
Alright, alright, let’s be real. Nothing's perfect. * The road...again: Seriously, the road can be a bit of a trial. If you are arriving at night, brace yourself. Make sure your driver knows the area. * Internet: It’s patchy. Embrace the digital detox! You *will* survive. * Bugs: You're in nature. Expect a few mosquitos. Bring bug spray and embrace your inner zen. * Lack of nightlife: If you need a club, this isn't it. This is about quiet evenings, stargazing, and enjoying the peace. *Hotel Deals Search
