Kitchnesia.com - As a city with amazing history and with big ports for ships past and present to anchor, surely Semarang lists as one of the biggest cities in Indonesia.
Yet today, with its high-rise buildings, modern ports, and affluent people, Semarang still celebrates glorious past and caters modern living and tourism.
Traces of historical Chinese traders and seamen still hold prominent grip while gigantic malls and busy offices mushroom the main streets of Semarang.
Here in Semarang, temples and Dutch colonial buildings are ordinary everyday scenery within eyesight.
And if you're looking for a place of where to stay in Semarang, there is Hotel Chanti, being an embodiment of the city’s vibe in everything it once was and it wants to be.
The 4-star hotel is managed by Tentrem Hotel Management, nestled on the famous Gajah Mada street, one of the major streets in Semarang.
To anyone unfamiliar with this area, walking down to this street is a must when you happen to be in the area.
Legendary restaurants and cultural properties treasures every tourist's itinerary.
For the young and restlessly shopaholic, the iconic Paragon Mal is only minutes away from the hotel.
For those coming to the city by train, the hotel can be reached by walking from Semarang Poncol Station.
Hotel Chanti looks like a common city hotel: a tall modern building right smack dab in the middle of the town.
However you would agree instantly with the hotel’s way in honoring Javanese culture. Coming inside the lobby, guests are welcomed with lemongrass fragrant throughout the entire hotel.
Also, the soothing melody of Gambang Semarang – Central Java’s indigenous song – is heard softly and yet calm enough to take you to the realm of relaxation you'd never know you could sense.
First impression is a winner.
Hotel Chanti embodies local wisdom, structure and aura while not being over the top.
Everything is done elegantly and appropriately.
Thoughtful Bedroom Amenities for Business Travelers
With 106 modern-chic bedrooms, it may seem a strange contrast with its royal-like lobby.
Hotel Chanti is owned by Indonesia’s herbal medicine mogul, Sidomuncul.
One the best impression is the bed, in a rather urban modern bedroom that fuses minimalism and glamorous chic design, yet still elegantly decorated.
Room amenities are curated with crème de la crème things that match the room’s color palette: light to dark brown.
With an office desk, a deposit box, as well as strong Wi-Fi connection, room amenities are more than suffice to provide business travellers’ needs.
Three types room are available: Deluxe Room, The Premiere, and Junior Suite.
While the later costs more expensive than the first, Deluxe and The Premier have almost identical facilities.
The Junior Suite, however, offers difference ambience that looks to be much better. It is a room with spacious forty four-meter-square rooms, private living room with four convenient sofas, working room, king size bed, and free laundry service.
The menu? Hot in Cold Serving
Like millions hotels across the globe, Hotel Chanti boasts its restaurant, too.
Layana Café and Restaurant gives modern touch on design and amenities while embracing local tradition on its culinary choices.
Layana offers some endemic and almost-extinct traditional cuisines on its menu.
What makes it special is that the chefs of Layana modify rare traditional menu in the most creative way possible.
Thus, food that are almost forgotten even to locals, are becoming more extravagant.
For starter you could try roti kukus, a double thick bread with margarine spread.
Might sounds basic to some people, but instead of the same ole same ole taste, this bread offers local “breadtasty” experience in every bite.
The bread softness is very suitable for elderly people with chewing difficulties.
The iconic Lumpia of Semarang also makes a complete transformation in Layana.
Usually, Lumpia is overly deeply-fried in cooking oil.
Layana’s lumpia is fried with less oil, just like Teppanyaki: less greasy and more convenient for daily consumption.
That’s why this food is named “Lumpia Teppanyaki”.
Buntil is staple traditional food made of grated coconut wrapped in papaya leaf.
Because of its simplicity, buntil is mostly sold in a very affordable price, thus some call it the food of the middle class.
In Layana, grated coconut is replaced with grinded salmon, and they use taro leaf as a wrapper.
Its sambal (hot sauce) is still faithful with Buntii’s original sambal, though.
It is a majestic looking dish with the combination of colorful spices, from green, white, and red.
The sambal - made of chili peppers, onions, and other spices – gives further depth to the compelling plate of food.
Buntil Salmon is definitely a must try for your culinary experience.
And here comes the surprise.
As a subsidiary of Sidomuncul, Hotel Chanti surely represents its parent company’s product on the menu.
One of the most iconic beverages is Es Krim Tolak Angin.
Tolak Angin is herbal medicine from Sidomuncul.
Indonesians just cannot live without Tolak Angin.
It helps to warm the body, whether you are ill or not.
But when it is processed in the form of ice cream? Shocking!
Instead having bizarre taste, Es Krim Tolak Angin hits you on the sweet spot, not being hot at all.
It has strong taste from Tolak Angin the medicine, but additional milk and ice seem to press down Tolak Angin’s hot sensation.
Also a must try. (Reporters: Virny and Sera)
