The first time I stayed in a hotel for more than a week was during Covid-19 quarantine. I had just arrived in Indonesia during the Omicron outbreak, and everyone entering the country was required to quarantine for ten days. I chose Ritz-Carlton Jakarta as my quarantine hotel because if I had to be indoors for 10 days, the room had to be super nice.
At first, it felt almost exciting. The room was beautiful, elegant. Meals were delivered on time outside my door. Laundry was taken care. I didn’t have to think about anything.
But very quickly, I learned that a long-term hotel stay — especially one you can’t leave — is a completely different experience from a holiday.
Luxury Doesn’t Cancel Isolation
At first, everything was perfect. The room was large, quiet, and comfortable. But I wasn’t allowed to leave. No walks outside. No gym. No fresh air. Food arrived at fixed times, always left outside the door like a silent ritual.
I was frustrated as I jog regularly. Running clears my head — and suddenly, that outlet was gone. I ended up running laps inside the room, worked out with some YouTube videos.
It was a strange contradiction: complete physical comfort paired with growing mental frustration.
When a Hotel Room Becomes Your Entire World
During quarantine, the hotel room wasn’t just where I slept. It became my bedroom, dining room, office, gym, and emotional container — all at once. Comfort stopped being a luxury and became essential.
What mattered most to me:
- Natural light to mark the passage of time
- Reliable Wi-Fi for distraction and connection
- Space to move, even minimally
- A layout that didn’t feel claustrophobic
Even in a luxury hotel, small limitations feel bigger when you can’t escape them.
Food Without Choice Feels Different
The food itself was good — but eating whatever arrived at the door, day after day, removed all sense of agency. I didn’t miss restaurants as much as I missed choosing what and when to eat.
My food during 10 days of quarantine:
It’s something you don’t realize until it’s gone: food isn’t just nourishment, it’s routine, comfort, and control.
The Emotional Side No One Talks About
Hotels can feel isolating under normal circumstances. During quarantine, that feeling intensified. Staff interactions were minimal, other guests invisible. Time blurred.
What helped me cope:
- Creating a daily structure
- Exercising inside the room
- Opening the curtains every morning
- Reminding myself this was temporary
In the end, I made it through all ten days without losing my sanity — but it wasn’t easy.
Would I Do It Again?
It was an interesting experience, and one I’ll never forget. I’m grateful I was quarantined somewhere comfortable and well-managed. But it also showed me that even the most luxurious hotel can feel limiting when freedom is removed.
I’m glad I experienced it.
But I truly hope I never have to do it again.
