Rumah Mertua Boutique Hotel - Jogjakarta

The deluxe room

The small living room 

Early of this week, my friend asked me bout my staying @Rumah Mertua, a small boutique hotel in Jogja. Rumah mertua (or parent-in-law's house) doesn't give off a nice feeling...geez couldn't they find a better name for it (recalled my-not-so-good-moment staying in my-in-law's house 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】). That was what I thought innitially when my hubby suddenly mentioned this hotel. He reasoned that since we were in Jogja, then at least we should stay at somewhere which gives off the Jogja's feeling (meaning: which has Jogja's signature building structure and facade).

Welcome drinks and snacks...so homey

The rambutans that being hand-picked by the hotel staff...directly from the tree across our room

Skeptically, I did my research and to my surprise, I found the hotel was quite nice (at least from the pic on their website) and almost all of recommendations were good. I booked for a nite (well, I thought if it didn't turn out as good as the pic, we would just slept it off for a nite) thru booking.com (the rate is a little bit higher compared to the similar small boutique hotel) and I received a fast confirmation email from Rumah Mertua, asking bout pick-up and other arrangement. I had to give them thumbs up for a very fast response on every questions that I asked. I would have doubled my thumbs up when I found out that the hotel was only managed by 2persons plus another one as house keeping (on shift)...geez...what superb employees that they have there. Effective and efficient! Even with very limited number of person, your stay there will still be comfortable (just don't expect somebody will wash your car or run a silly errand for you...ehm makes me wondering...would they if I asked???).

The dining room

The skinny corridor

But the small number of employee is indeed efficient considering the number of room they have there. They only have 11rooms between standard and deluxe rooms. Deluxe comes with en-suite bathroom (shower - not bathtub), small living room and front terrace facing the garden. The bed is big king-sized, enough for 4 of us...plus they provide bolsters too уααу!└(^o^)┘ \^o^/ └(^o^)┘уααу! . They use thin batik for bedsheet and blanket (since we found no other blanket inside the room) which felt good and cold. So, if you are planning to stay there during rainy season, just ensure you requested thicker batik :-) The facilities provided are limited, only TV and mini bar (with beers instead of softdrink cans), with limited toiletries as well (they only provide 2 soapbars so bring along your own complete toiletries and hair drier too). Though they don't provide coffee and tea maker inside each room, they do provide free-flow of coffee and tea (delivered right onto your room door with fragrant steaming cups...ehm heaven).

The front terrace of deluxe room

Took a peek shared living room for standard

Deluxe is built next to each other but no worry, privacy is still well-kept between each room. The open front terrace allows the guest to mingle and have small talk with the neighbour guest (most of them were long-stay-guests)...or even with the hotel staff (they are very friendly and helpful). Standard rooms are located at the back of the hotel. It is a room only with bed, while the living room and bathroom are shared among the other guest (so it is kinda like a hostel...a pricey but comfy hostel...though I have never spent a nite at the hostel before).

Blooming lotus

At the front, there has mini foyer serves as the lobby with mini reception room as well (and mini Kois pond too). But the dining room are quite big, with different seating layout, some are outdoor near the garden. The dining room truly brings out the feeling of home, where you could dine or play or simply sit there doing nothing. This homey and cozy atmosphere are etched into the design and setting of the hotel, including its rooms. The whole hotel (excluding its main wooden-joglo-lobby building) is donned in yellow and teracota old classic tiles, giving a warm vibrant. Yellow with brown gradation is dominant everywhere. In the heart of the hotel is the small pool surrounded with tropical garden. Sure it is tranquillity with only an exception of the bugs (so please for those who is sensitive, bring along the bugs repellent and some bug-bites-ointment)

American breakfast

Delicious fried noodle for Indonesian breakfast

The only drawback of this lovely hotel is the location. We drove there with the help of Google Map (luckily, Google Map knows the exact location of the hotel, since we couldn't find it using other GPS map). The hotel is located on a small street (barely enough for two cars)...about 5-10mins drive from the main street (you can't drive fast here since the road isn't well-paved and there are lots of turns, you wouldn't want to take the wrong ones here). There is no public transportation or beca (the traditional three-cycle vehicle) around so getting somewhere is quite tough for guest who don't have (or rent) a car/bike. The hotel provide shuttle service to the nearest street and several sightseeing spots, but you can also opt for renting a bike too. And for those who drive, please be kindly informed that the parking lot is limited too, max 5 cars at top :-)

Morning snack and fruit platters

Lastly and again, the size of the hotel doesn't compromise its services. They provide free wifi (ask for password during the c/i) and free breakfast for two persons, with humble American breakfast or fried rice/noodle to choose (all were yummy...including the snack too). And to complete your relaxing days here, they also offer spa services too :-)

Breakfast on poolside

What are you waiting for...remember...they only have 11 rooms   :-)