Hotel Royal Dago is a branch of the Bandung based Royal group, consisting of 3 hotels and an apartment complex. The Dago location is the oldest in the group and unfortunately it shows. The building that houses the hotel on Jalan Ir. H. Juanda is archaic (possibly colonial) and consists of a low complex without any interesting features.
Inside, the lobby is a small grey marbled area that leads to a spacious albeit dark restaurant. On the far side there is a small cocktail bar that doesn't look very inviting and the school canteen like restaurant lacks character and atmosphere. Basically, the public spaces in this hotel have several traits in common, mainly being dark, uninviting and grim.
The rooms are quite alright though. They are spacious enough and are equipped with some unexpected luxuries such as satellite television and bath tubs. The hotel seems to be a very quiet place, ensuring all the privacy you need and more.
The staff are friendly but seem just as tired as the building itself. They kept assuring me that this hotel was ‘nothing special', which might be humble, but also indicates the sense of ‘pride' they feel working here.
What this hotel needs is some TLC to at least make it a welcoming place to stay at. The sense of history one gets at this place is of the kind of someone creeping up from behind with a hourglass telling you time is running out. With some TLC it could become a well maintained and cared for artifact from the past. For now it just remains a thoroughfare for business people without offering a homely atmosphere or any character of its own.