As the build up to Christmas gathers pace my folks are dreaming of warmer climates, they are looking forward to 2017 and scoping out a perfect family holiday. They’ve looked at all the standard holiday destinations like Florida, Spain and Portugal, but have stumbled over some more exotic locations off the beaten track for rest and escapism from the daily grind.

My folks used to be avid travellers before having me and tell me of how they can’t wait to take me to all the places they have been so I can experience different cultures and countries. However they don’t want to be travelling from hostel to hostel and would like to ensure I’m in a safe environment where possible. I’m certain they dream of exotic destinations and luxury travel (what person doesn’t?)

As the dark nights draw in and the mornings get colder they can be forgiven of dreaming of escaping the dreary UK. A couple of people have recommended Indonesia in Southeast Asia as a beautiful place to visit. When my folks think of Indonesia they picture the beautiful beaches of Bali, but what about the other hundreds of islands that scatter the pacific (they love showing me a map and the places they have been to)? Indonesia is one of the places they haven’t visited and would love too. It’s the perfect place to indulge in underwater adventures as it is home to 20% of the world’s coral reefs and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling you can find.

I love to see diverse wildlife when they take me to oceanariums and wildlife parks and Indonesia is home to Komodo National Park, named after its celebrity residents, the Komodo Dragon (cool a real life dragon!). Currently the largest living lizard in the world and the closest thing we have to dinosaurs, these fierce dragons are quite the tourist attraction. Indonesia is the only place in the world where they can be found living in the wild on the four islands that make up Komodo National Park. Island hopping would be a good way to see everything. They’d like to visit temples on Java too.

So my folks started hunting down other locations in Indonesia that they’d like to visit. One destination that really appealed to them was in West Java in a place called Bogor (south of Jakarta). Don’t be put off by the name, as it sounds like a place in the UK called Bognor 😉 this area of Java is beautiful set against the volcanic backdrop of Mount Salak. With colonial architecture, zoos and waterparks nearby it sound like a place rich in history and scenery, perfect to keep my daddy amused, as he loves old colonial outposts. My mummy likes beaches but we’re used to Hayling Island rather than these fine sands…

Indonesia is located in what is called “the Pacific rim of fire” which is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The country alone has 150 volcanoes. It also boasts some of the most gorgeous sunsets in the world seen on high peaks. So the idea of staying near a volcano sounds intriguing to my folks.

The Hotel my folks found which caught their eye was called R Hotel Rancamaya and a 30-minute drive from Bogor Botanical Gardens, 50-minute drive to Taman Safari Zoo and loads of other attractions. Its right in the heart of the lush green jungle and even through it is remote (around 2 hours from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta , it’s a luxurious and modern hotel with all the mod-cons like air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi access in all areas, a flat-screen cable TVs, a personal safe, wardrobe, and a minibar. There is also an en suite bathroom featuring hot and cold showers as well as slippers. Guests can enjoy a view of Mount Salak from the room which sounds pretty awesome to us!

R Hotel Rancamaya is set in a 700 hectare estate with an award-winning golf course. Indonesians are very friendly and welcoming people. In the majority of the places you travel to throughout the country, you will apparently be met with some of the biggest smiles you have ever seen. The staff at the 24-hour front desk can assist guests with laundry and dry cleaning requests, car hire, bicycle rental, as well as arrange massage treatments at the spa and wellness centre. If my folks are looking for a place to relax and get a good massage, then Indonesia is a great place to visit. Any spa treatment you can imagine can be found here, from seaweed wraps to fish spas, aromatherapy to the most amazing massage of your life (I’m not sure what a massage is. I think it’s when my mummy scratches and rubs my back which I love so I hope I can one too). Many of these services can be offered at the hotel, as a separate business or even on the beach as you enjoy the sun. Now that is relaxation! A children’s playground (wooohooo), fitness centre, tennis courts, swimming pools and pool tables would be great for my family. I would be particularly interested in the 96 meters long lagoon pool which runs along the front of the hotel accommodation offering no shortage of places for a refreshing dip or some serious laps.

I love bananas so I was really excited to hear that they are very popular everywhere you go in Indonesia, which is no surprise seeing that the country is one of the top six producers of bananas in the world. If I don’t have them for breakfast, then I can have them as dessert, deep-fried (aka pisang goreng), drizzled with chocolate, or served many other ways in the contemporary-style restaurant that serves casual all day comfort food, if my folks let me!  Its main eatery, Pavilion, celebrates traditional Indonesian food with modern flavors served in a stimulating contemporary setting. Revolving around an interactive show kitchen Pavilion brings the excitement of live cooking to center stage.

R Hotel Rancamaya features:

• 138 rooms, suites and villas
• Complimentary wireless internet
• 96m Long lagoon pool
• Massage therapy services
• Currency exchange
• Award winning golf course
• Four F&B Outlets including The Pavilion, The 19th Hole Restaurant, Patio Lounge and the Waterfall Bar
• 24 hours room service
• 12 flexible event spaces
• Two pools including a children’s area
• Kids Club
• Deer Park
• Fitness Centre and sport facilities

R Kids Club 

The hotel ensures that us young ones are kept entertained and safe with their R Kids Club program of activities. Located in the R Hotel Rancamaya, the facilities include a specially constructed junior classroom that us children can call our own. A myriad of learning opportunities are available mixed with creativity in the art & crafts room.

Abundant with imagination and youthful joy, the R Kids Club is a haven for creative talent led by their friendly staff. Kids can enjoy fun activities like coloring, paper mache, making greeting cards, a movie corner, poster making and lots more to keep our active minds inspired, which really excites me as I love spending time crafting with my mummy. I think she enjoys it more than me sometimes!

Special programs are available on Saturday, such as: cooking class, cupcake decoration competitions, or pizza / sandwich making, deer feeding and free golf clinic for kids under 12 years old.

Hotel Address:

R Hotel Rancamaya
Jl.Rancamaya Utama, Bogor 16720,
West Java, Indonesia
Tel: +62 251 824 8899
Fax: +62 251 824 8008
Email: info@rhotelrancamaya.com

So what do you think of this hotel and location, sounds pretty awesome to us. Had you ever visited Indonesia before? Would you recommended it? My folks found lots of great reviews which gave them confidence to write about it and consider it for us as a family.

It’s definitely on our bucket list From Traveloka and they are doing some fab deals online at this time of year. Hopefully we can see it for real soon! I’m dropping the hint by packing my holiday bag now.

Love Bella x

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