August 11, 2016
When you have 5 hours of transit in Surabaya, don’t waste your time only by waiting. Within 5 hours you can use the time to slightly explore Surabaya through some little things. Here are some activities you could do while in transit for 5 hours. 1. Culinary Explore Eat and try some of Surabaya’s iconic food is a must. There are various restaurants or traditional warongs around the airport that is reachable via any kind of public transportations. You can try Bebek Palupi, Rujak Cingur Bu Nur, Sego Sambel Mak Yeye and many more. 2. Take A Picture Head to one or two Surabaya’s iconic statue or popular places and take a picture. This way you can have a cheap and memorable souvenir from Surabaya. 3. Shopping Because, why not! Buy some souvenirs or popular snack of East Java such as almond crispy, sambal udang, kerupuk ikan, jenang dan sirop mangrove, and enjoy it with your friends back home. 4. Enjoy the Beach If you’d like to enjoy the breeze for some time, simply go to Kenjeran Beach. Here, you can also enjoy various kind of spicy and delicious seafoods. Yum! 5. Visit Museum One of the museums you could visit while in Surabaya is Rumah Batik. Rumah Batik is the biggest batik museum in Surabaya where you can see a complete collection of Batik, you also might want to buy one or two Batik for your mother. If your transit time is more than 5 hours or maybe a day, you can stay at Singgasana Hotel Surabaya. We will make sure you have a really great time during your stay.
June 02, 2016
Blood donation is a positive and noble social activity that could be done by anyone in different ages. There are so many people out there who need blood that is why every single drop of blood is precious. We as a donor could help to save one’s life with our blood, in the other hand it also brings so many benefits to our body. Blood Cell Renewal Many doctors suggest, to do a blood donation once in every 3 months for men and once in 4 months from women. Someone who consists of doing this will have a fresher look and become more active than those who don’t. It is because the red blood cells are regenerating in 48 hours after donor. The new cells will be formed and it helps your organs to functioning much better. Calorie Burning At least 65o calorie will be burned when you donate 500 ml blood. So, we can say that donating blood could also help to maintain your ideal weight. But please don’t make this an excuse to diet. Pshycological Stability With a fresher look comes a clearer mind. Some people claim (according to many sources) that the level of their stress is lower after donating blood. This for sure is a good thing for your social life or and great for you when facing a problem. Lowering the Iron Level The level of iron in one’s body is decreased for every blood donor, which means it could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Iron functions to accelerate the oxidation process of cholesterol in our body, this is not good for the artery as it could raises an atherosclerosis. Free Examination Before donating blood someone must be examined to find out if they are proper to do a donor (if their body is fit to donor or if they might have a certain diseases that contagious). You can use this chance for a free examination. Blood donation in the holy month of Ramadan is a great option as you can help others while helping you increase your Ramadan reward, as long as you are fit and proper to do it. Usually you will be given fresh milk and snacks after donating blood, but if you want more you can visit Singgasana Hotel Surabaya because we have plenty of good food for fast-break menu.
May 12, 2016
Free dining voucher, who would resist that? Enjoy dinner in Pasar Rakyat, Singgasana Hotel Surabaya for FREE by joining the #SinggasanaQuiz this May 2016. Follow these simple steps to win the voucher: LIKE First, you have to like our fan page Singgasana Hotel Surabaya on Facebook. SHARE Once you’re done, go to our page and share our quiz. Write down your answer on the comment box of the quiz along with the hashtag #SingagsanaQuiz WIN If you have done the two steps above, now you only have to wait for the announcement by the end of the week and get ready to win Free Dining Voucher from Singgasana Hotel Surabaya. The #SinggasanaQuiz May 2016 will be divided into 3 different quizzes on each of the week, and there will be 3 lucky winners. For your information, our first week of #SinggasanaQuiz has started now. Go to our fan page for more information and good luck!
May 04, 2016
Jakarta, April 2016 Singgasana Hotels & Resorts just launched new booking engine to increase its guest’s satisfaction when making a reservation directly through the website. Guest is now able to book their room through Singgasana Hotels & Resorts’ official website and their network hotels such as House Indonesia, The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta, Singgasana Hotel Surabaya and Singgasana Hotel Makassar, with an updated and friendly look of the website. Enjoy More Benefits Beside the friendly look and easier booking there are some benefits that can be enjoyed when making online reservation such as secure transaction, best rate and payment flexibilities. Guests are able to make a reservation and pay now with their debit card or other payment options, or pay later with cash at the hotel. There are also various promotions that could only be found on each of the website. 10% Extra Discount During this promotion period, Singgasana Hotels & Resorts is giving 10% extra discount for every room purchase at House Indonesia, The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta, Singgasana Hotel Surabaya and Singgasana Hotel Makassar simply by entering the promo code: BOOKNOW upon checking room availability. This promotion is valid until December 2016.
April 04, 2016
Everybody needs traveling. After a year of hard work, we deserve a moment to relax and enjoy the days without worrying about work, and going somewhere new to experience different culture will surely get your stress away. “Once in a year, go someplace you’ve never been before” Dalai Lama There are so much you can gain from traveling beside new friends and experiences, and traveling with kids will level up their knowledge about things they never learned before. 1. Responsibility Many people might not realize of this benefit when taking kids for traveling. By going on a travel, we can teach them to be responsible of their personal things such as toys, snack or backpack. Thus, they will learn about self-reliance and responsibility. 2. Planning Involve your kids when making travel itinerary. Ask them where they want to go and what they want to see in your destination. Itinerary will make your traveling goes easier and smooth and it will teach your kids about the importance of life planning. 3. Be in Time Does your kid hard to get up for school? Traveling will give them lesson about being in time. You can tell them that if they don’t get up quickly then they will miss plane and it could ruin their travel itinerary. 4. Problem Solving Skill The time, place, and culture differences will bring a new point of view about how to solve a problem, to your kids. This will trigger the curiosity to your children and so they will learn to be more critics in facing a new situation. 5. Brave Meeting new people and interact with someone they have never met before in foreign language will raise their self-confidence. Beside that, they could also be trained to be brave in facing new challenges in their life. Click here to book your stay in Singgasana Hotel Surabaya. Happy holiday!
March 08, 2016
Wayang Kulit is among the greatest story-telling traditions in the world. Close to the heart of Java, wayang kulit are shadow puppets. Revered throughour the nation, wayang is considered to be one of the highest forms of art in Indonesia. Using wayang, traditional classical stories are told by skilled puppet masters, accompanied by a traditional gamelan orchestra, dramatic lighting and unique voices. Usually told with a twist of sarcastic humor to entertain the audience, people also seek for the moral and philosophical themes encoded within the stories. To make wayang kulit takes a lot of skill, patience and incredible detail. The art of making wayang kulit is usually passed down by family members, almost like a precious heirloom. However, today, there are a few studios that are more than willing to teach tourists or visitors to create their own wayang. Wayang kulit are made from water buffalo hide, cut and punctured by hand, one hole at a time. There are usually several artists and they each have their own stations. The first artist carves and punctures the hide and begins to scratch the outline of the figure. This step is very important to showcase the character correctky and is usually guided by a sketch. To make the outline, the artist uses a tatah, a mallet-like tool used to punch holes through the hide. The next artist paints the wayang using water-based paints. The wayang is colored with extremely fine details and is often finished with a brush of gold or bronze leaf. The next step is to attach the wayang to sticks that also act as the wayang’s limbs. The sticks are made from wood or water buffalo horn and allow wayang to move swiftly and fluently. For a large character, this whole process may take five months or more to complete.
February 09, 2016
When visiting a country or region, going for a market shopping must be included on your to-do list. Market shopping is fun, you can buy local items with good price, taste their special foods and the most important is to interact with the local people. But wait! There are some things you need to know when going on a market shopping. 1. Bring a Backpack When shopping in the markets, it is highly likely you will leave with things you did not intend on buying in the beginning. You will be grateful for all that empty space in your bag. 2. Dress comfortably Although the market is a shopping center, it is certainly not a mall. Wear light clothing that will keep you cool and shoes that are made for long walks. 3. Bargain Most of the prices given to you are far from the original price. Bargaining is a skill you must bring to the market. If you are not good at bargaining, bring a friend who is. Otherwise, you will overpay. 4. Be Prepared The market is almost always filled with people, so it might be a little stuffy. Get ready also to politely shoo the sellers who are eager to show off their products to the potential buyers. 5. Beware of the Pickpockets Keep your phones and wallets safely where you can reach them. If you don’t absolutely need them, leave your phone and wallet at home. Just bring a few rupiahs and fold it in your pocket. 6. Take Your Time and Have Fun There will always be something for everyone. So look around, find a price that is fair to you and enjoy your time at the market! Plan to stay at The Sultan Hotel & Residence Jakarta? Read about the Historical Markets in Jakarta or click to know more about Tana Toraja Festival and stay at Singgasana Hotel Makassar. Source: Journey Indonesia, January 2016
December 14, 2015
There are various ways to celebrate New Year from around the world. Some people would put their memories on fire or even throw things on New Year’s Eve as you can read here (link to MKS article). In Indonesia, especially in Surabaya, people would mostly spend their New Year’s Eve to gather around with families, relatives or neighbors, or visiting several hot spots that present free entertainments in town. This year, celebrate your very own New Year’s Eve in different way, hiking! Never went on hiking before? No worry. You can still hike this mountain and upload your first-sunrise-in-2016 experience to social media. If you already make a reservation to stay at Singgasana Hotel Surabaya by the end of this year (discount up to 15% with Singgasana Festive Offer!), you can ask our staff to set up your trip to Bromo. There, you can witness the once in a year moment that you would never forget, plus other picturesque scenery such as the Blue Fire in Kawah Ijen, play in the savannah, and more. If you never been here before, here are some things you need to know and prepare prior your departure. 1. Jacket Since the air temperature is low and the hike is usually conducted at four in the morning, wearing jacket is a must! 2. Shoes and Socks One you must not to forget, you are going to hike a mountain. Wearing sandal will only slowing you down and is not comfortable to wear in this condition, and socks could help you warm your body. 3. Shawl and Mask Protect your nose with shawl or mask. Mask is useful when the weather in Bromo is windy and sand will scattered around. 4. Gloves Thick gloves will protect your fingers from cramps. If you forgot to bring gloves, maybe your crush’s hands could also warm you up. Ooops! 5. Selfie Stick Once you get on top, and see the first sunrise in 2016 don’t forget to take selfies! But please mind your steps and don’t let yourself falling.
November 26, 2015
Mount Semeru is the tallest mountain in Java. The name is derived from the mystical Hindu-Buddhist mountain gods, Meru and Sumeru, which is why the mountain is so called Mahameru, which means The Great Mountain. The stravolcano is 3,676 meters high, and every now and then, the volcano belches out huge steam and smoke clouds, sometimes along with ash and stone. From a reasonable distance, the erupting volcano can give onlookers one of the best panoramas they have ever seen in their lives. Considered a must for mountain climbers, hikers, and even plain nature lovers, there are endless picturesque landscapes all the way to the peak of the mountain. From atop Semeru, climbers can see calderas and also the spectacular view of nearby volcanoes such as Batok and Bromo. Though this is the highest mountain in Java, the hike is considered easy even for seasonal hikers. The most difficult part of the climb is said to be the last slope to the summit. But after that final slope, you will surely appreciate the reward. However caution is crutial during the climb. For nature lovers who do not wish to conquer the mountain or are too tired to journey on the summit, do not despair. Without climbing the peak, hikers can always enjoy the heavenly surroundings, such as the lake Ranu Kumbolo. The lake is turquoise blue and is surrounded by superb green hills. Just a walk from the lake, hikers can also enjoy the view of the Oro Oro Ombo Meadow, which is a 100-hectare savannah. After resting around the lake and the savannah, gather your energy for the 2 hour walk to Jambangan Field. Jaws will surely drop at the sight of the rolling expanse of edelwies flowers covering the entire landscape. Source: Journey Magazine, November 2015 Have you ever been to Papandayan Mountain?
November 16, 2015
Christmas and New Year season is coming, and for you, who are going to spend this holiday season in Singgasana Hotel Surabaya, make sure to book our special offer to get more exclusive benefits from our hotel. Surabaya has hundreds of tourist attractions ranging from the dynamic city living to the beauty of nature. Located right in town and close to Singgasana Hotel Surabaya is the oldest church in Surabaya, built in 1815, the Kelahiran Santa Perawan Maria Catholic Church. This church is situated at Kepanjen street, so it is also known as Gereja Kepanjen (Kepanjen Church). Beside its main function as a Catholic church, this building is also open for public. Many people are attracted to the uniqueness of the building, and since it is the oldest Catholic Church in town people are also come here seeking for the history of its establishment. The story begun when two young Dutch missionaries; Phillipus Wedding and Hendricus Waanders came to Surabaya in around 1800s. Wedding then moved to Batavia while Waanders keep staying at Surabaya. Hendricus Waanders then started to build a house which was also functioned as church, but as the congregation grew larger and need more space, they built the Kepanjan Church. This baroque style church has been renovated a view times since its establishment without changing its original shapes. Several statues of Catholic religious figures are placed in certain areas to enhance the beauty of this old building. If you could take great pictures in just the right angle, then you could look like you’re in Europe. Interested to take a visit to Kepanjan Church? Don’t forget to ask for permits prior your arrival by contacting the church officer and they would love to take you around. You could also join the Surabaya Heritage Track tour presented by House of Sampoerna. Mass service is available on Saturday at 18:00 and Sunday at 06:00, 08:000 and 18:00.
