Griya Asih
We arrived in Yogyakarta after a grueling 16-hour flight with layovers, exhausted, sweaty, and desperate for a shower. We’d booked well in advance and asked about early check-in—only to be met with a flat 'no' and no explanation whatsoever. Honestly, I’ve had similar requests at a comparable hotel in Kathmandu, and even though the answer was likely negative, they at least mentioned it would depend on availability. That’s fair enough—we know the rules when booking. But what happened next was beyond unacceptable. By the time we reached the hotel at 12:30 PM, we were drained, overheated, and needed urgent access to a bathroom. The property looked charming from outside, but there was no front desk or security—just a locked gate. Luckily, our taxi driver started shouting from the back, and eventually a young man appeared. We handed over our passports, he took our bags inside, then locked the gate again and disappeared. We were left stranded on the porch, alone, with no chair, no water, no comfort. I kept knocking, asking if we could at least use the restroom—even just to freshen up before entering our room. He didn’t respond, went back inside, came out briefly, then locked the door again. Panic set in. I walked down the street searching for a café where I could get a drink and use a toilet—nothing. No shop, no place. We were abandoned. After an entire hour of waiting, I finally got my bags and passport, checked online immediately, booked another hotel, called a taxi—and only then did a woman (likely the manager) appear saying the room was almost ready. She didn’t apologize. Not one word. I’ve stayed in mountain lodges in Nepal without showers or toilets, and I endured that with respect. This wasn’t about luxury—it was about basic human decency. I never once felt this disrespected in my life. I never even saw the room. But I’ll say this clearly: avoid this hotel at all costs. You don’t deserve to be treated like this.
