Stayed there for 1 night, here are my comments:
1. While I did my check-in, the key programmer machine was broken so they asked me to wait for a while. After waited for a few minutes, suddenly the bell boy asked me to follow him to go to my room. After arrived in the room, apparently he was using his key just to put my luggage and I was inside the room with no electricity because the key progammer machine was still broken so they unable to give me the key. Finally I have to go down to the reception again and ask for the key.
2. After The key issue was done, I left for another meeting with my client. After I went back, I found a dead cockroach in the room ( I don't know how the cockcroach can end up dead in my room)
3. Took a shower and apparently the drain can't work properly so my bathroom was flooding while and after I took a shower. Same things goes with the sink.
The only good thing is the bed is comfortable with great choice of pillow.
The hotel located right besides the biggest mall in Yogyakarta so it was very easy to find somethings to eat or shop.
Over all, the hotel is built nicely but I don't think the price is worth it with the service or the quality of the room.

We spent the last day of 2011 and the first day of 2012 at this newly renovated hotel (2 nights). I should add that this hotel holds a nostalgic value to our extended family with memories of its hey-days in the 80's. This was the main reason why the family chose this hotel for a family reunion with uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Being named "Royal", I personally expected it to live up to its name. I was pleasantly enough surprised that they maintained the exterior of the hotel to its near collonial state. The interior is another matter, though. It was allright to have a modern minimalist lobby. However, rooms that I expected to have somewhat a royal feel to it had nothing of the such. So the balcony and the railings were in its old wonderful state (albeit with new finish), but the room was done "contemporarily" bland. I wish they have put more thought and woven some of that magic feeling into it. But then again, it could be just me and my expectations that the hotel live up to my little girl dreams.

To the average traveller with no crazy expectations, the rooms were spacious, the beds were King Koils that guaranteed a good night's sleep (if you are lucky enough not to have little kids screaming and running up and down the corridor on your floor), the ammenities were adequate, and being newly renovated, it was super clean (except when we moved the bed and there were dust underneath). The towels were fluffy whites and there were Dilmah Teabags waiting for you. Better than the average hotel, I should say.

The only thing I could fault was the hot water system. During the 2 nights' stay, I gave up trying to figure it out. One minute (more like 10 seconds) it was wonderfully warm before it scalded your skin. The next minute (10 seconds), it went back to warm before freezing your insides off. It went on an on until the end of your excruciating shower. The best thing I could do was to time it so it ended while it was in it warm state so I could pretend that I had a nice warm shower. On the day that we left it was, for some unknown reason (or maybe because it was 5.30 in the morning and everyone else was still asleep), there was some improvement, but there was still the noticeable temperature variety.

The service was near faultless, though. So I guess they are off to a good start. Check in and check out was fast. Concierge was very helpful. Everyone else was very courteous and friendly. They also offer free shuttle to the airport, so make sure you book a day earlier or so.

Breakfast was nothing short of lavish. In addition to the usual fare of toast, eggs, cereals and fruits, there were at least 3 different traditional dishes (gudeg, traditional chicken porridge to name a few). And even though they have the juice counter, they went one step further by adding a freshly squeezed juice station with staff who could cater for "custom made" mixes. They even had a "jamu" (traditional herbal drinks) counter. Absolutely no complaints there.

The location of the hotel itself is not downtown near Malioboro and the likes. However, there was a sizeable mall next to the hotel, called Plaza Ambarrukmo. It had everything from gold jewelleries to Crocs sandals and sells shampoos to expensive massage chairs. Anchor tennants were Carrefour, Centro and there is also a 21 (cinema). Food was abound with the top floor hosting a food court and a handful of mid-priced restaurans as well as main chains like MacDonalds, KFC on the ground floor.

So overall, if you do not have some unreasonable expectations like I did, this isca better than average choice if you do not mind its location away from Malioboro and that the only entertainment you can walk to was the Plaza.

it reopened in october 2011 with a new name, royal ambarrukmo.. its a 5 star hotel, just next to a plaza. got there at 10 pm, we booked a club room through travel agent for US$ 105, but when we got there they gave us an upgrade to suite room on 7th floor.. which was great, with a huge living room. bathroom was spacious with bathtub, hot and cold water working perfectly, towels were clean, toiletries was complete with loofah scrub etc, bed was "king coil" so it was comfortable, free wifi in room for 1 user (get the username and password when u check-in) the breakfast selection was great.. a trully 5 star hotel.. its a bit far from central town, so its a bit incovinient.. taxis from central (malioboro area) would cost around US$ 4 - 5. we stayed 2 nights there.. wanted to stay there longer but we already planned on staying at another city..

I was staying for 2 days in Royal Ambarukkmo Palace Hotel during my visit in Jogjakarta on December 2011.

(+) The hotel room has been renovated by changing the furniture, tiles, lighting and swimming pool. And the result is good and more comfortable room.
The staffs is very nice, helpful and full of smile. The location is good since it near the airport and the malls.

(-) Just a point of improvement : Eventhough the hotel room tiles been changed into marbles, the floor still needs carpet.