The Southern Hotel Surabaya

I stayed at The Southern Hotel Surabaya recently. The room was clean and comfortable, and room service was good.
However, the experience was soured by poor service. I requested airport transfer upon check-in and was told it was available. On check-out day, the receptionist (Nata) said no car was available because I didn’t book 3 days in advance — even though I had checked earlier. She was impatient and dismissive on the phone.
Worse, the massage I booked was rough and unprofessional— I had to stop it 15 minutes in, but was still asked to pay. When I raised it with the receptionist, she brushed me off and asked me to deal with the therapist myself.
Extremely disappointing service. If the hotel chooses to partner with a spa, they should ensure it meets proper standards.

Stay here for 4 days 3 nights business trip to Surabaya. I'm a frequent business traveller to Surabaya and this time I try this hotel due to it's convenient location. Next to Starbucks, Family mart, Indomaret and located at wide street of Jemursari.
But they have serious trouble.
For 4 days of my stay, only 1 elevator works. And it serves hundreds of guests, can you imagine?
I'm late every single day even I got ready earlier.
Need to wait for almost 40 minutes just to get into the elevator to get downstairs.
Lots and lots of smelly Indian guests, and I'm serious about the stinky smell.
What make it worse is everytime I'm about to get into the elevator, there could be 6-7 Indian guests coming out of 1 room and cut the line.
I promised myself will not go back to this hotel for my frequent Surabaya business trip.

I had a wonderful experience at Hotel Southern. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax or hold meetings. From the moment I arrived, the service felt warm and attentive.
One of the highlights was definitely the food. They offer a full all-you-can-eat buffet with a wide variety of dishes, from authentic Indonesian flavors to delicious international cuisine. Everything I tried was flavorful and well-prepared, and the presentation was top-notch.
I also loved the entertainment – there were traditional and modern dance performances that added a unique cultural touch to the dining experience. It made the evening feel extra special.
Another pleasant surprise was the newly renovated area on the second floor. It’s a great addition, offering a fresh, modern space that’s perfect for gatherings or events. Overall, Hotel Southern combines comfort, great food, and entertainment beautifully. Highly recommended.

It's quite a nice hotel. The bed is quite comfy for me. I slept comfortably. It might be too soft for people with back pain though.
They might need to start installing smart TV though.
Breakfast was kinda chaos though. I think they are short of staffs in the restaurant/cafe area. Dirty tables were not cleaned as fast as possible.
Gym room ac was not turn on, so it was kinda stuffy.
A bit more improvement could gain 5 stars from me.

Pros: Clean, comfy, well maintained room. Friendly staff. Located not too far from the airport. Mini markets and food places are nearby (just by walking). Delicious breakfast.
Cons: The pool is 1.2m deep, small children couldn't play there without assitant or lifebuoy. Gym was so small and hot (dunno if they just kept the AC off or I was just too early. Went there around 7.00-7.30am btw). Parking area so small but there's basement.

Good services, compared to another 4stars hotel in Jemur Sari that I ever Stay too, southern so much better. Good smell everywhere, good condition furniture in bed room (but maybe the bed a lil Uneven), good foods, overall I like it. Something I don't like was the lift, we must have key access to click the number of lift. When we know that the bedroom capacity is not only single user. It was make me complicated to access the lift, I must to call my friend that keep the key.

Stayed in Junior Suite room, it's quite spacious, cozy and comfortable. There is a wide cupboard with wide mirror. There is a mini fridge with some drinks. A Nescafé dolce gusto maker to make an espresso. Also a working table with nice desk lamp. Unfortunately, there is no bathtub.

Do not go to the spa! I chose a 120 min aromatherapy massage and the masseuse did the real massage for only 10 minutes. The rest of the time was spent squeezing random parts of my body. Horrible and painful experience. It was so uncomfortable I asked her to stop the massage earlier.

Toilet is abit small. Room is acceptable. There free mini bar. Only is troublesome. Only give one key card. I go down take things my wife n kids need follow together. Tt make it so troublesome. Their breakfast selection is still okay. Had they buffet dinner. Worth the price tt we are paying.

Room is great. Crews are wonderful. Food acceptable. Swimming pool strange… There's no washing room nor toilets or any room to change.

Meeting with clients till late night. The waiters were nice and friendly. Nice ambience at the cafe bar. Too bad we got the mosquitoes' attack at the cafe even though, it's located on the 3rd floors. Overall recommended.

(-) Parking lot is limited that your car can be parked on the street or across the street, far away from the hotel, and left unattended. Wifi connection is very very poor/ doesn't work. You have to use your own mobile data to connect to internet.
(+) Manager responded to review and complaint seriously. Staff is attentive.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
Upon arriving at a hotel @Jemursari Surabaya yesterday, I was very happy seeing a wooden Ferrari horse statue as a warm welcome at the front lobby of the hotel. Cannot resist to take a photo.
But in the bedroom you can see yourself, when I compare the color of my polo shirt against the color of the bath towel. I think it is best for my feet than for my head. I strongly complained and soon afterwards it was replaced.
Glad that I was able to shower very fast because the hand shower and overhead shower pour water stimultaneously. Feel like I shower under a waterfall though.
On breakfast I was also pleased that I loose my apetite when I saw the salad on my plate. I think the hotel chef must wear a good spectacles so he can see the worm.
Already reported these problems when I checked-out, but no response from the duty manager yet.

A nice 4 star hotel, it used to be ibis hotel but it's upgraded. Close to the airport and highway. The service is top notch.

I only use the vip room for transit before enjoying the lunch buffet, so not yet using the room for a staycation.

The lunch at the hotel with a scenic view, tasty food, and attentive service created a memorable dining experience. The combination of great ambiance and culinary satisfaction makes it a place worth revisiting.

Stayed there for 2 weeks straight. Totally satisfied with the services. Staffs are friendly, efficient, and nice. Cleanliness top notch.
Walking distance to marts (Indomaret & alfamart) to buy for Indonesian foods, snacks and drinks that not sold in Malaysia haha.
Note that I can hear the bar's noise (music and singing) from my room (level 8th) at night, but I am fine with it.
I'm suggesting to have few seating at the lobby (especially for pregnant women or elderly) since I need to stand while waiting for Grab.
They have seating at the lobby café area, but I feel bad to sit there without ordering anything.