Jakarta - Hotels

[Mega Borneo]

Hi Guys,

Do you know any hot spot around or within this Gren Alia Hotel in Cikini? I'm going the today arriving there around 8pm LT. Any call girls willing to come to this hotel?

[Non Olet]

Just a general comment.
I notice in many reports that posters are surprised that many Indonesians do not speak English. Well, it is not their native language and until about five years ago it was not tought in elementary school and only basically in Junior High School. Not surprisingly in a country with 195 million inhabitants, where teaching a common language is considered to be more important.
What would, for example, an American think of a tourist who came to the USA but who spoke only, for example, russian?
It is just a matter of courtesy to buy a small dictionary and/or phrasebook and to try to speak a little Indonesian. You will be surprised how much this is appreciated by the Indonesians.

Hear, hear, I fully agree. Considering that far more people in the world speak spanish than english, how many english speakers can communicate with latin americans in spanish in their own country? Moreover, speaking some words of bahassa Indonesia increases the fun considerably.

NO

[Bkk212]

Hi,
For those of you looking for a budget hotel near the busway try Smart Hotel. The rooms are clean, comfortable but small. There is a small TV with limited English channels and free Wi-fi.
It's within walking distance to the Toksari busway station and you can walk to Plaza Indonesia.

It's definitely no frills but reasonable.

[Bkk212]

Hi,
For those of you looking for a reasonable budget hotel you can try Smart Hotel.
On my last night in JKT I stayed there and the rooms were clean, comfortable but small. Tv in room small and had some English programs not a lot. Free Wi-fi in rooms.
The hotel is right on the maind road near the Toksari busway station, less than a minute walking.

[Koperen Ko]

Just a general comment.
I notice in many reports that posters are surprised that many Indonesians do not speak English. Well, it is not their native language and until about five years ago it was not tought in elementary school and only basically in Junior High School. Not surprisingly in a country with 195 million inhabitants, where teaching a common language is considered to be more important.
What would, for example, an American think of a tourist who came to the USA but who spoke only, for example, russian?
It is just a matter of courtesy to buy a small dictionary and/or phrasebook and to try to speak a little Indonesian. You will be surprised how much this is appreciated by the Indonesians.

[Cooze Hound]

Also with the Damri buses they call the destination at the Airport, as there are 4-5 different Damri terminating destinations. Usually but not always they are written on the front of the bus also. Blok M of course is a destination, the bus stops at Blok M Plaza.

[Menteng]

Yes it goes to Gambir but not sure of the pricing!

The DAMRI buses have different destinations. Those will be announced when the bus arrives at the stop. You can also read it on the sign in front of the buses.

[KL Guy]

Think it goes to Gambir next to Monas and costs 25K.

Yes it goes to Gambir but not sure of the pricing!

[Sol111]

Manga Besar. Sparks, small room. $55 nett internet rate, incl breakfast. Close to Stadium. It's... OK. While it sits clearly on Manga Besar, well-lit in green, multiple taxi drivers in the area had no clue in finding it, even when I handed them a map and directions. One night the taxi from Sparks to Stadium was 12K over (5 minutes). On the way back the driver wanted 70K (no traffic and no meter). He kept driving down back alleys, thinking I would pay for it. He didn't want to pull over to let me out, or take me back to Stadium (10 minutes of this). Finally I stopped chatting with him to see how long he would continue wasting gas. Then he went back to Stadium and dropped me off. He seemed torqued at me for not giving him any money. The next driver had a meter and it was 15k. Sheesh.

Traveller's hotel, Pangeren Jayakarta near Manga Besar. 5 drivers took me to Hotel Travel (which is nearby) in 3 days, including the driver taking me from Sparks to Traveller's. Didnt matter what I told them, they just kept going to Hotel Travel. I told them TRAVELLERZ, NOT HOTEL TRAVEL. Showed them a map with directions and address. There are even signs posted with arrows on the street near Manga Besar, every driver missed wildly. I was out with Playa one night, the 30-minute drive up from the block to MB turned into 45 minutes at 2am. This was typical. 450k nett/night for buisiness room on the website, but when I booked it thru their site it knocked the rate down to 380K -- nice. Free wifi everywhere, internet in lobby is 20K/hour for those without laptop, breakfast, seems a nice hotel. Except its a TOP SECRET hotel to the taxi drivers...

Two more taxi horrors. Picked up taxi at Travellers to Hotel Mercure Rekso. Short ride, about 8 minutes. The hotel doorman told the driver where to go. I was reading in the back. 20 minutes later I realized we were not on M Besar or near, we were heading north into Ancol. I asked the driver to turn around and showed him the address. Another 10 minutes and hes clearly lost. He asked directions several times, including when we were within sight of the Mercure. Sheesh. I gave him 1/2 of what was on the meter (being kind) for the 1-hour trip. He seemed fine with it.

From Plaza Senayan I picked up the Silverbird. Was in mood for larger car and nice aircon. Heading to Travellers hotel. Map and address for the driver. Driver was pleasant and spoke good english. Again I started reading and after a bit I noticed he was heading south instead of north. Had him turn around. Told him I would not pay for the money on the meter because of his wrong direction (he was fine with that). Traffic was awful at 5pm. It took an hour to get north to M Besar. Then he missed the hotel driveway turn-in on Jakartaraya. It took another hour in stopped traffic to get to the next turn-around and get back. Damage in time: over 2 hours. Damage on the meter: 240K. I handed him 100-110K (some bills and coins). He was apologetic and fine with it.

I didn't care for the disco's anyway. Lesson learned, stay south or central.

[Sol111]

Gents, correct on the prices. I've silverbird-ed from the airport in the past for 130-150K typical one way. Just didnt feel like dickering or looking around for other taxi service for five stinking bucks.

[Haggis Man]

Anyone on an ultra tight budget can get the "Damri" which is a good air conditioned bus. Not sure how much or where it stops at th eother end.

Think it goes to Gambir next to Monas and costs 25K.

[Bulai69]

You are right, Jaimito Cartero, coincidentally I made that very point just a few a days ago. I'm afraid Sol111 has been ripped off as I said. A Silver Bird (new Mercedes with a driver who knows where he is going) to the Meridien hotel is only 100k with average traffic (i.e. macet!) - say 125k with tip and road tolls max. Lesson - DO NOT get a taxi from the first guys you see in the stalls! Don't get one from the taxi touts either - just go to the taxi stands, Silver Bird or Blue Bird (usually busier but a bit cheaper). If it's really busy and you feel adventurous, go up to arrivals and flag down a taxi which has just dropped someone off. This is slightly more risky as you could get a "dodgy" one with a "broken" meter so be careful.

Also, the Silver/Blue Bird guy will give you a receipt (for any amount you want).

Anyone on an ultra tight budget can get the "Damri" which is a good air conditioned bus. Not sure how much or where it stops at th eother end.

[Jaimito Cartero]

On my way out of the JKT airport yesterday I stopped at the counter to get a taxi into town. I normally get a silverbird, but happened to stop at the bluebird counter. They quoted a toyota corolla for 320K, and a much larger van at 190K. Odd, you would think the van would cost more. You can find cheaper, but went ahead and grabbed the van and stretched out in the back.

Why not just get a metered Blue Bird? Depending on where you're going, it would be 100k-150k. I think even a Silverbird wouldn't be over the 190k you paid.

[Expat Thai]

Well, Manhattan is reasonable close to Blok M. But what is reasonable? Why not try Ambhara or Gran Mahakam? Ambhara is within spitting distance from the Blok M bars while Gran Mahakam is far more reasonable close to them than Manhattan is.

Thanks for your suggestion of the Mahakam. It looks very good albeit with seemingly expensive in-room internet. That's what I'll probably go for though as it's coming in at just under $80 a night on initial searches and that seems very reasonable by comparison to others I've looked at.

[Menteng]

I'm going to be making my first trip (5 nights) to Jakarta next month and I'm looking for a hotel that's clean, modern and, ideally with free in-room wifi. Guest friendly of course and anywhere in the $60-100 range.

Anyone know if the Manhattan is reasonably close to Blok M?

Without anything much to go it seems sensible I should try to stay around the Blok M area but if you old-hands know better please advise. I've spent a lot of time around Asia but mostly Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam so whilst Indonesia is new to me, I'm safe let out alone. :-))

Any hotel recommendations would be appreciated though - most of those featured in recent reports aren't really ideal.

Thanks for any help.

Well, Manhattan is reasonable close to Blok M. But what is reasonable? Why not try Ambhara or Gran Mahakam? Ambhara is within spitting distance from the Blok M bars while Gran Mahakam is far more reasonable close to them than Manhattan is.