The Trans Luxury Hotel

Bandung’s Central Highlands setting and comparatively cool climate make it a popular destination for Indonesians traveling for both business and pleasure—and this 18-story hotel is the preferred address for the most affluent among them. In the double-height lobby, plush red upholstery, Serpiente marble and gilded fretwork set a sophisticated tone; ditto for the camera-ready staircase that ascends to the ballroom above and the 36-foot Swarovski-encrusted dragon sculpture that overlooks it all. Despite the regal trappings, though, the Trans Luxury Hotel remains a family-friendly spot that offers a warm welcome to young theme-park enthusiasts as well as retail-addicts and corporate types. 

This hotel is part of the Trans Studio complex, and, for most of its guests nothing more needs to be said. After all, the 10-acre-site is home to a glitzy mall and one of the world’s largest indoor amusement parks. The latter’s three distinct zones (Hollywood-themed Studio Central, the Lost City and Magic Corner) may be cheesy by Disney-standards, but they’re hugely popular with Indonesians. Guests who want to see more of Bandung can drive to other key attractions—including Alun Alun Kota (the city’s grassy main square) or the Art Deco delights of Braga Street—in 15 minutes or less. Traffic permitting, it takes 25 minutes to hit the airport; transfers can be arranged on-site, as can assorted tours and day trips. 

• Three-minute walk to Trans Studio Mall
• Five-minute walk to Trans Studio Bandung
• 13-minute drive to Bandung Geological Museum
• 13-minute drive to Alun Alun Kota Bandung
• 14-minute drive to Leuwi Panjang Bus Station
• 15-minute drive to Braga Street 
• 18-minute drive to Bandung Zoo 
• 20-minute drive to Bandung Train Station
• 25-minute drive to Husein Sastranegara Airport
• Three-hour drive to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (Jakarta)

Ranging from Premier Rooms to Presidential Suites that cover 430- to 2,150-square feet respectively, the hotel's generously sized and elegantly appointed rooms continue the lobby's rich colors of gold and deep red offset by cream and black. But here colors are more subdued and, by extension, more soothing. Classic elements like hand-tufted carpeting, down duvets and 320-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets lend them a timeless appeal; however, there’s no shortage of modern conveniences. Even standard rooms, for instance, feature in-room climate control, minibars, tea/coffee-making facilities, laptop safes, 46-inch LED Interactive TVs, iHome docks, and free Wi-Fi; meanwhile, their chic marble-clad bathrooms come with glass-enclosed rainfall showers, soaker tubs, and appreciated extras such as fluffy robes, monogrammed towels, and posh Acqua di Parma toiletries. Club-class rooms follow the same template but offer access to an executive lounge, where guests benefit from free breakfasts, afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails and canapes plus various business services. Similarly-styled suites, which are at least twice the size, take things up another notch by adding personal butlers, dedicated living/dining areas and, in some cases, kitchenettes. Because this is a family-friendly hotel, cribs, cots, and high chairs are available on request in all categories. 

Although the mall has a wide range of franchised dining destinations and street-food stalls, there are also upscale choices available within the hotel itself, including The Restaurant (a Halal-certified eatery on the third floor specializing in lavish East-meets-West buffets); The 18th Restaurant (on, you guessed it, the 18th floor, which serves international à la carte meals both indoors and out on the glass-floored terrace); and The Lounge (on the lobby level, offering light bites along with libations and, on weekend evenings, live music). Room service provides an intimate alternative; on the flip side, if you‘re attending a business or social function, you may find yourself eating with up to 500 guests in the Trans Grand Ballroom. That venue, combined with the hotel’s conference center and 17 mezzanine-level meeting rooms create almost 86,000-square feet of conference and banquet space: as you’d expect, professional event planners, in-house caterers, and audio/visual support are available as well. 

In terms of recreational facilities, The Trans Luxury Hotel lives up to its name by providing guests access to a tempting Balinese-style spa that features a salon, juice bar and nine treatment rooms. There’s a 24-hour fitness center, too, which has high-tech equipment from Technogym plus a whirlpool, sauna, and steam room. Perhaps the pièce de résistance, though, is the tropical pool area. Edged with sand imported from Australia, it boasts a swim-up bar, a lounger-lined sundeck and water features for wee ones. Children can also take advantage of supervised activities in the adjacent Kids Club, a cheery space that’s open well into the evening at no extra cost. Additional on-site amenities include a 24-hour reception desk; a well-equipped business center; a selection of boutiques; and all the services you would expect from a five-pearl property (nightly turndowns and valet parking among them).