Grand Jatra Hotel Balikpapan — Hotel in Balikpapan

What's best to describe this horrid place? Appalling! No, 4 star dumpster to be exact! Granted I got the hotel voucher, not booking directly, but this is no way to treat your hotel guest, hommy!

First, they give you smoking room when you did not ask for it, nor did they informed you that they ran out of non smoking room.

2nd, they employ this awful no credit card charging (a.k.a. cash only) if you did not provide your card info in advance; which idiots put this rule in place?!

3rd, look at the picture of the TV they got in the room; what were thinking when they the thing on the wall? Maybe they thought TV was just a dead ornament of a 4 star hotel.

4th, when you checked out, they didn't provide info on how you could get to the airport, instead they let some thug-related cabbie drag you to their cars & and directly charged you un-metered fare.

5th, they charge my company USD 80.- per night for all those aforementioned "amenities"? Hell, Novotel charge you only USD 55.- for far better ambience & nicer rooms! Got balcony, direct view to the harbor, better guest treatments...

Did I mention that Grand Jatra, this sh!t3-hole place, they claim to be 4 stars? 4...

I have stayed in lots of hotels in Balikpapan. Different people have different preferences for hotels but, I recommend staying at this luxury hotel, Grand Jatra Hotel. I had never seen a five-star hotel as good as this in Balikpapan. Our stay at Grand Jatra Hotel Balikpapan was outstanding, we stayed on the sixth floor and the views above there were splendid. The parking area is spacious since it was next to the mall. The service of the hotel, which was excellent. The hotel staff was very welcoming and friendly, I had a wonderful experience at the hotel. Every staff member I encountered, from the check-in to the cleaning staff were delightful, impatient, and sincere to help me. Before I tell my little sister that the breakfast was already closed, she had run out the door. So we decided to eat at the mall. The location of the hotel is perfect, which is next to the mall. Because of that perfect location, We can easily go for food, shopping, etc. Overall it is a good hotel, but there is something that needs to be improved, for example, the WIFI connection and sometimes there are no...

Had no idea where to stay or what to do in Balikpapan for the couple of days I stayed. Chose this hotel based (believe it or not) on the beautiful image of the outdoor pool with ocean view. One star off, as that was actually not as nice as it looked (peaceful and great views). The downstairs pool was uncomfortable for me as a Westerner...Not their fault. Anyway, the room was huge and clean, though quite stark. l had a great ocean view and bustle of the main street below. The breakfasts were so delicious, with plenty of a variety. YUMMY way to start each day. The highlight was going to talk to a concierge about a city tour. Met Mr. Huda Dewata, who has a wealth of knowledge regarding the hidden treasures of Balikpapan. What luck to have him be there at the time!!! I felt quite lost, but Mr. Dewata helped guide me to the mangroves, sun bears, tourist market. Too late for the Botanic Gardens, but I saw a good deal of a city I knew nothing about prior to my arrival. Thank you, Grand Jatra and all the kind staff. Special shout out...