Escape to Paradise: Depok's Hidden Gem, Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda
Escape to Paradise: Depok's Hidden Gem… or a Paradise with a Few Cracks? (A Messy, Honest Review of Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I just clawed my way out of Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda in Depok, and let me tell you, it's an experience that's… well, it's something. This isn’t your typical sterile, corporate hotel review. This is the messy, honest, and frankly, somewhat chaotic account of my stay. Think of it like a perfectly sculpted beach house after a week-long party. Still beautiful, but with a scatter of sand everywhere, some questionable stains, and the lingering scent of… well, let's just say "relaxing."
Accessibility (and the Great Elevator Saga):
Let's get this out of the way: the Elevator, bless its heart, felt like it was powered by hamsters on tiny treadmills. Going up was a teeth-gritting exercise in patience, and going down felt scarier. I am not disabled, but I can imagine a person in a wheelchair would just… give up. Honestly, if you're considering this place and accessibility is a MUST, call ahead and verify. Don't take my word for it. I didn’t get a chance to see if the accessible accommodations were actually any good. It was too scary just getting around the common areas.
Cleanliness and Safety: (The Sanitization Shuffle)
Evenciio takes its safety seriously. They claim to. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere (thank goodness), the staff were masked (mostly), and they talked a good game about anti-viral cleaning. But… and there’s always a but… the devil's in the details. My room? Clean. I'm not going to lie, I was relieved to find a "Rooms sanitized between stays" sign. But the elevator? (See above. It needed a hazmat team). And the shared spaces? Felt more like a surface cleaning, not a deep clean. I kept squirting hand sanitizer like it was going out of style. Call me paranoid, but I'm still washing my hands as I write this! There were a lot of signs for "Daily disinfection in common areas" but I never actually saw it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (The Buffet Battlefield and the Disappearing Coffee)
Alright, food. This is where things got… interesting. Let's start with the Breakfast [buffet]. Oh, the buffet! A fascinating social experiment in early morning lethargy and lukewarm scrambled eggs. They did have a decent selection of Asian fare, but the Western breakfast selection was… let's just say a little underwhelming. The coffee? Gone in about 15 minutes. Every. Single. Morning. I'm a caffeine addict, and the lack of coffee felt like a personal affront. I ended up ordering Breakfast in room a few times, which was actually quite lovely (and guaranteed coffee). There was Room service [24-hour] which was great for drunk munchies, but the quality varied wildly. One evening, I ordered a burger that was divine. The next night? A burger that tasted like a hockey puck. The Poolside bar looked inviting, but I was too busy being terrified of the elevator to venture outside.
The Restaurants themselves weren't bad, the Asian cuisine was pretty good, The Vegetarian restaurant was actually pretty good. I wasn't sure where the Snack bar was, but I assume it was in the pool area.
Things to Do & Rest & Relax? (The Spa That Time Forgot)
This is where the “Relaxing Studio” part comes in. Evenciio boasts a Spa, a Sauna, a Steamroom, a Pool with view, a Gym/fitness, and all sorts of relaxing promises. I booked a Massage, hoping to melt away the stress of the elevator and the lukewarm eggs. Well, the massage was… okay. Not terrible, not fantastic. The spa itself felt a bit dated – like it had been renovated a decade ago and then promptly forgotten about. The Pool with view was lovely, but it was filled with screaming children. Foot bath was available, but I didn't feel like getting my feet wet. I'm going to be honest, the best relaxation I found was in the quiet of my room, hiding from the elevator monsters and the caffeine-deprived buffet.
Services and Conveniences: (The Concierge Conspiracy and the Vanishing Iron)
The Concierge was… present. They answered questions. They offered advice. But there was a certain air of, shall we say, “lack of engagement.” One day, I requested an Ironing service. After multiple follow-up calls, the promised iron finally arrived… two hours after I’d left for my meeting. The Laundry service was fine. The Daily housekeeping was efficient. The Elevator made a mess of everything. I heard someone say it would be easier to take the stairs.
For the Kids: (The Kid-Friendly Zone)
Evenciio is definitely family-friendly. There were tons of kids running around. If you're travelling with little ones, this is probably a plus. But if you're on a solo (or couple's) relaxing escape? Maybe not the best. There was a Babysitting service I heard, and there were Kids facilities around for them.
The Rooms, the Rooms, the Rooms! (A Mixed Bag of Comfort and Quirks)
Okay, the rooms themselves are… they're decent. I stayed in a Studio. They had Air conditioning (thank goodness!), a mostly comfortable bed, and a decent-sized Seating area. But the décor felt a bit… tired. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in after late nights, which was good because the Alarm clock was useless. The Free bottled water was appreciated. The Mini bar was stocked, but incredibly expensive. The bathroom? Functional. Not luxurious, but functional. Oh, and the Internet access – wireless? Spotty. The Wi-Fi [free] was… well, free, but slow. I ended up tethering to my phone most of the time.
The most memorable part of the room? The distinct lack of a mirror near a plug-in. I had to crouch in the most awkward positions with the Hair dryer, just to attempt my hair.
Getting Around: (The Car Park Carousel)
Car park [free of charge] was a godsend.
Overall Impression & Emotional Verdict: (A Bit of a Letdown, But With Potential)
Look, Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda… it's got potential. The bones are there. The location near Depok is convenient. The pool is beautiful. The staff are trying. But it needs some serious TLC. The elevator needs a complete overhaul. The spa needs a refresh. The internet needs some serious fiber-optic love.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly place in Depok, and prepared to roll with the punches, it's fine. But "Paradise"? Not quite. More like a slightly rough-around-the-edges gem, waiting for someone to polish it properly. I would consider going again, but only if the elevator got fixed. Until then, it gets a solid 3 out of 5 stars. And a strong recommendation to bring your own coffee, and a very, very good book.
SEO and Metadata (Because, you know, SEO):
- Keywords: Evenciio Margonda, Depok hotel, Relaxing Studio, Spa, Swimming pool, Gym, Restaurant, Accessibility, Cleanliness, Indonesia, Vacation, Hotel review, Family friendly, Affordable hotels.
- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda in Depok, Indonesia. Covers accessibility, cleanliness, dining, amenities, and overall experience, warts and all. Includes SEO-friendly keywords.
- Relevant Categories: Hotels & Resorts, Travel, Hotel Reviews, Indonesia Travel, Depok Accommodation.
- Key Takeaways: Check accessibility carefully. Pack your own coffee. Prepare for a mix of good and less-than-perfect experiences. The elevator is your enemy.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. Because we're about to delve into my planned (and let's be honest, probably chaotically executed) grand adventure in Depok, Indonesia. Specifically, the hallowed halls – cough, cough – of Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda By Travelio. Prepare for a journey that's less "perfect itinerary" and more "slightly unhinged travel diary."
Pre-Trip Freak-Out (and Packing Debacle):
Right, before we even get to Depok, let's address the elephant in the room: Packing. I swear, it's the most stressful part of any trip. Always. I started with good intentions, laying out outfits. Then, the inevitable happened. A "just in case" pile started. Suddenly, I was staring at a mountain of clothes, convinced I needed a hazmat suit for the Depok humidity. Seriously, what if it rains? What if there's a rogue mango on the loose? (Okay, maybe that last one was a stretch).
The "Must-Have" Items (and Their Probable Fate):
- My trusty travel pillow (snuck in at the last minute, despite the luggage already being over the weight limit. Squealed in delight that it fit!) I will be the one snuggled up with it on the plane.
- A journal. (With approximately three entries, all detailing my initial excitement and rapidly dwindling sanity).
- Ten books. (I always overpack books. I tell myself I’ll read them all. I won't.)
- My lucky socks. (Which I always wear, and they're starting to develop an alarming hole in the heel. Note to self: New socks. Don’t forget!)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic in Evenciio
- 8:00 AM (ish): Arrived at the airport. Delayed flight, naturally. I promptly blamed the airline, the weather, and the general state of the world.
- 10:00 AM (ish): Finally landed! The humidity hit me like a wet blanket. I immediately regretted the decision to wear my jeans. First impression of Jakarta? Hot. And full of motorcycles.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Taxi ride to the apartment. I spent the entire journey gripping the door handle, convinced we were going to crash. Jakarta traffic is intense. The taxi driver, bless him, just smiled and blasted some truly questionable pop music.
- 12:00 PM (ish): Arrived at Evenciio. Okay, the lobby is…fine. Clean, but kinda sterile. I’d pictured something more… Indonesian, you know? Like, a lobby with a giant Gamelan and a welcoming committee of smiling people offering me a refreshing juice. No such luck.
- 12:30 PM (ish): The apartment. The studio is… small. Like, really small. And the "relaxing" part? Well, the air conditioning is working overtime, so I suppose that's relaxing. The view? Mostly other buildings. But hey, there’s a bed! And a tiny kitchen I will likely never use.
- 1:00 PM (ish): Unpack. Realized I forgot my deodorant . Deep breath. I'll survive.
- 1:30 PM (ish): Attempt to venture out. Immediately overwhelmed by the street food smells. So many smells. So much noise. I chicken out and retreat back to the air-conditioned haven of my tiny apartment. Defeated.
- 2:00 PM (ish): Netflix and chill. (Literally. The AC is cranked.) Binge-watching something completely pointless. This is the life, right? I think I love Depok. (Or at least, I love the AC.)
- 6:00 PM (ish): I should probably eat something… Summoned the courage (and the Grab app) to get some delivery. Hope it's not too spicy. Praying to the God of stomach comfort.
- 7:00 PM (ish): Food! It arrived! It is spicy. Slightly. I'm already regretting everything. But it's tasty. I ate the entire thing, even though my mouth is on fire. (Maybe I'll be craving this later).
- 8:00 PM (ish): Contemplated a late-night walk. Decided against it. Exhausted.
- 9:00 PM (ish): Attempted to find the TV remote. Found it. Watched some more Netflix.
- 10:00 PM (ish): Actual sleep or near-sleep.
Day 2: Going Local (and Possibly Getting Lost)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up. Surprisingly, I survived the spicy dinner.
- 9:00 AM (ish): Attempted to use the tiny kitchen. Failed. Decided breakfast was more of a "grab something from the street vendor" kind of situation.
- 10:00 AM (ish): Brave the streets! Walked (hoped to be briskly, probably waddled ) a few blocks to find a local market. Successfully navigated the crosswalks (which are a free-for-all, by the way).
- 10:30 AM (ish): Market! Hordes of people, the smells of spices and fruits. The colours are vibrant, the energy is electric. Totally overwhelmed but totally fascinated. Bought some fruit I can not identify. Fingers crossed it doesn't poison me.
- 11:30 AM (ish): Lunch at a local warung (small, local eatery). Ordered something from the menu that looked vaguely familiar. It arrived looking like a bowl of deliciousness. The taste: a revelation! One of the best things I've ever eaten. (But I have to ask, what was it?)
- 1:00 PM (ish): Got lost. Utterly, completely, gloriously lost. Wandered down alleyways, trying to decipher the street signs (which were, of course, in a language I barely knew). The locals were incredibly friendly (again, bless them), and eventually, through a mix of frantic hand gestures and broken English, I found my way back to somewhere that vaguely resembled my apartment block.
- 2:00 PM (ish): Shower. After a day of street food, market adventures and getting lost, I really needed it.
- 4:00 PM (ish): Tried the pool. Okay, the pool is… fine. It's small, but the water feels refreshingly cool. Didn't see any other people. So that's cool.
- 5:00 PM (ish): Decided to be brave and get a massage. Found a salon. I will report back.
- 6:00 PM (ish): Back. So. Good. I think I can stay in Depok forever if this goes on.
- 7:00 PM (ish): Dinner: Grab delivery. This time, ordered something with a simple English name: Mie Goreng. (I’m learning!)
- 8:00 PM (ish): Journal. (Not much written yet. Just a lot of "Wow, Depok is… different.")
- 9:00 PM (ish): More Netflix. Feeling the urge to go outside again. Maybe I should go to a karaoke bar.
- 10:00 PM (ish): The karaoke bar. I thought about it. But I'm not ready.
- 11:00 PM (ish): Good night.
Day 3: More Adventure (and The Reality Of Being A Tourist)
- 9:00 AM (ish): Slowly waking up. So tired
- 10:00 AM (ish): Walk around the area. Try to search for a good coffee. Maybe a bakery, or a cafe. No luck.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Still looking for coffee. The heat is now a factor.
- 12:00 PM (ish): Found a shop. Not a coffee shop, but I took a seat in the shade.
- 1:00 PM (ish): Found an open-air restaurant. Decided to chill.
- 2:00 PM (ish): After the meal, I still don't know where I am.
- 3:00 PM (ish): Finally got back
- 4:00 PM (ish): The journey to find coffee was a failure. But the memory of me is now a success.
- 5:00 PM (ish): Packing time. It's sad to leave. I did enjoy everything.
- 6:00 PM (ish): Back to the airport. Departure is at 19.00. Looking through the photos.
- 7:00 PM (ish): Departure. Last look. Still not ready to leave.
Escape to Paradise: Depok's Hidden Gem - Relaxing Studio Evenciio Margonda - The Unofficial FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, They'd Never Say This Stuff!)
1. Okay, spill the beans! Is "Escape to Paradise" even *remotely* paradise? And where is it, exactly?
2. What's *actually* in the studio? And is it "relaxing" like they claim? Because my life lately has been the antithesis of relaxed.
3. Okay, but what's the *catch*? What's the hidden downside? Because everything has a downside in Depok.
4. Is it good for couples? Romantic getaway potential? *Cough*.
5. Is it clean? Because the internet is a liar, and so is my experience with Depok.
6. What about the food situation? Is it only Indomies? Can I survive?
7. So, is it *really* an "escape?" Or just a place to stay?
8. Would you recommend it... and to *who* exactly?
