Jakarta - Hotels

[Menteng]

After days of grueling research, I finally whittled it down to 3 hotels for my upcoming stay in Jakarta. Which one should I choose for the best location, girl-friendliness and quality?

1) Golden Boutique Hotel Kamayoran.

I'd be booking the "suite", which goes for less than $100/ night: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/gol...a-jakarta.html.

2) Novotel Jakarta Cikini Hotel.

I'd be booking the "Executive Suite, 1 king bed, also for less than $100/ night: https://all.accor.com/hotel/9799/index.en.shtml.

3) Merlynn Park Hotel.

I'd go for the "Prada Suite", should I stay here (less than $100/ night): https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/merlynn-park.html#.

You don't have to worry about girl-friendliness of those three. About location, if you want to be near the action, Merlynn Park is relatively the closest one, though not very near. The other two are not.

[Joe Brooklyn]

After days of grueling research, I finally whittled it down to 3 hotels for my upcoming stay in Jakarta. Which one should I choose for the best location, girl-friendliness and quality?

1) Golden Boutique Hotel Kamayoran.

I'd be booking the "suite", which goes for less than $100/ night: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/gol...a-jakarta.html.

2) Novotel Jakarta Cikini Hotel.

I'd be booking the "Executive Suite, 1 king bed, also for less than $100/ night: https://all.accor.com/hotel/9799/index.en.shtml.

3) Merlynn Park Hotel.

I'd go for the "Prada Suite", should I stay here (less than $100/ night): https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/merlynn-park.html#.

[Ge148]

Hi Guys, Could you please suggest a GF hotel / apartment in Jakarta with Smoking room or with balcony / terrace near action areas (Classic / Malio).

[Adindas]

Thanks, Mercure Jakarta Batavia looks the best choise for a few days.

Agree. It is close to Kota Indah. Also you could easily reach Classic Hotel by taxi.

[Bacchuss]

Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta.

Mercure Jakarta Batavia.

The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jakarta.

Thanks, Mercure Jakarta Batavia looks the best choise for a few days.

[Adindas]

Hi!

I am looking for an old colonial house in north Jakarta with reasonable price, and a colonial palace (what ever the price) for staying 1 or 2 days, maybe the Mercure?

Like, respectively, in Surabaya, Hotel Paviljoen and the Majapahit, but unfortunately Surabaya is dead since the closure of Dolly in 2014, never come back to Indonesia since then.

It seems action in Jakarta is almost unchanged, and hotels where I used to stay are closed.

Do you also know a hotel, colonial or not, near the sea? Even if its in a creepy area but close to our entertainment places.

Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta.

Mercure Jakarta Batavia.

The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jakarta.

[Bacchuss]

Hi!

I am looking for an old colonial house in north Jakarta with reasonable price, and a colonial palace (what ever the price) for staying 1 or 2 days, maybe the Mercure?

Like, respectively, in Surabaya, Hotel Paviljoen and the Majapahit, but unfortunately Surabaya is dead since the closure of Dolly in 2014, never come back to Indonesia since then.

It seems action in Jakarta is almost unchanged, and hotels where I used to stay are closed.

Do you also know a hotel, colonial or not, near the sea? Even if its in a creepy area but close to our entertainment places.

[Roy2920]

Hi, I am now torn between Redtop and Harris Vertu Harmoni. I previously stayed in Redtop and had excellent FS from very pretty masseuse every day there. Wondering if the in-room spa service in Vertu Harmoni also provide such service or are they strictly vegetable? Anyone here can share spa experience from Vertu Harmoni?

Just returned from Jakarta and would like to report my stay in Vertu Harmoni. Was a better hotel in term of comfort level, service and location. Its spa service does offer extra service for in room guest but their therapist are unfortunately on the plump side, even when I specifically request for a certain spec.

[BKKguru]

Stayed here over 2 weeks. Yes girl friendly. But once you go to Jakarta you'll realize why most here find that question stupid to begin with.

Hotel right now is in the shit side of construction. Loud and polluted heavy equipment across the street. (Traffic is psychotic and horrible). Taxi's will get confused since there are MANY IBIS hotels. Bring your hotel key or business card with the hotels' address of Jl Hayam Wuruk No 35, Jakarta Trust me.
<snip>
This is an Alcor brand hotel. Like Motel 6 but better quality. <snip>

I will say that someone mentioned they could walk from here to Classic in 15 mins. This is the main reason I chose Central Jakarta and this hotel. To be closer to Classic and Kota Inda. I would highly suggest to get get a blue bird taxi instead... "walking" around here SUCKS, especially now with all the construction.

Thanks for a detailed and candid Hotel review.
You touched on all the major issues - from the Shower to WiFi. I wish all Hotel reviews were this detailed.

+ IBIS is part of the Accor Group (correcting the typo in your post).

+ The Holiday Inn & Suites, Gajah Madah is a better choice. This Hotel is nearby. The price is higher than the IBIS, of course, but lower than the Grand Mercure Harmoni. I will only stay in this Hotel *after* the Construction ends in early 2026.

+ Luminor Hotel Kota (Jl. Raya Mangga Besar) is another option which comes close to the IBIS price. The bonus is you are right next door to the Lokasari Plaza. Look for streetwalkers after 11 pm.

+ Walking to Classic is very difficult. I only tried it ONE time when I stayed at the Grand Mercure. The better option is to take the mini-bus running in front of the Grand Mercure. This is a private business and not Government operated. If you are in a hurry, take the Blue Bird Taxi.

Thanks,
~BKKguru

[GentileBear]

Stayed here over 2 weeks. Yes girl friendly. But once you go to Jakarta you'll realize why most here find that question stupid to begin with.

Hotel right now is in the shit side of construction. Loud and polluted heavy equipment across the street. (Traffic is psychotic and horrible). Taxi's will get confused since there are MANY IBIS hotels. Bring your hotel key or business card with the hotels' address of Jl Hayam Wuruk No 35, Jakarta Trust me. I just saved you countless minuities of talking to the taxi drivers. Especially the blue 3 wheel Tuk Tuk's. Jumping out to ask another driver where this Bule's hotel is. Not many will know but say they know and still need to ask to make sure it is the right IBIS hotel. But fortunately this is the biggest negatives of the hotel.

This is a budget hotel directly next to Grand Mercure on the left and a 24 hours McDonalds to the right. Walking distance to the right is the Malio Club, and some restaurants like Dunkin Doughnuts, A&W and Indo Mart. Across the street there is a grocery store that has beer and soft drinks and chips and vegetable's and orange juice, etc.

The Hotel has a Good Bed. Not too soft and not like a rock. Very decent at this price point. They have 4 pillows. Soft! The shower is very powerful with hot water. Plenty of toilet paper and the usual signs to not flush it (like so many Asian hotels sorry not sorry). You get 2 mineral waters a day. Room is somewhat small and I did not have a slidable window much less a balcony. This is an Alcor brand hotel. Like Motel 6 but better quality. Especially the bed. No desk but there is a small couch type place to sit and make it a make-shift desk. For those who are picky. The rooms are dirty. I was surprised that the carpet had so many stains. The coffee pot was dirty, the water glasses were dirty, the hallway has dirty carpet. Sheets were fine and I am not picky at this price point. As I drink soda and beer in their own cans anyway. Staff was perfect. Elevator very smooth. One possible problem (and I hesitate here. Because I am NOT sure) but I think the air filters are probably dirty too. As I got a 48 HR flu and always kept the AC on. When I arrived the safe had a dead battery and I think my room wasn't rented in a long time. I am thinking the stale dirty polluted air and their dirty hvac got me sick, but this is just a guess. Maybe it was a girl? Anyway, safe worked fine. Small fridge (no freezer). No issues with security. WIFI worked. would be slower during 8pm - 10pm but still usable. WIFI password needs to be re-loaded every day but I auto - saved password to make it seamless. Closet space was a joke. Maybe 3 or 4 shirts - but honestly I am not picky about these things as I just kept most my stuff in luggage anyway. There seems to be lots of locals who meet here for business and have conferences, etc. I never ate at the restaurant. Always ordered my food by Gojek delivery. Oh and the driver will leave at the lobby for you. No stolen food - the parking attendants will store it for you at their booths. 2 ATMS, both useless to me since they only spit out 50K IDR notes and max of just 1.25 mil?! Overall Ibis Harmoni has decent accommodations in a shitty part of central Jakarta. It is NOT a "nice" hotel like Grand Mulia is. But it is decent enough. It was safe, staff friendly bed and shower good.

I will say that someone mentioned they could walk from here to Classic in 15 mins. This is the main reason I chose Central Jakarta and this hotel. To be closer to Classic and Kota Inda. I would highly suggest to get get a blue bird taxi instead... "walking" around here SUCKS, especially now with all the construction.

[Axel Heyst]

Hi all,

Just a quick question in case anybody has looked at this before / recently.

One of the things I definitely want to include in my next trip to Jakarta in Sep / Oct is to spend at least 2-3 nights a bit more upscale than usual (possibly Mandarin Oriental / Oakwood etc.) and get a room with a view. Partially since it is a view that I would like to share with a lady while enjoying some quality time. It seems that a corner room in the Mandarin with Monument View could be nice (on a first glance from a view perspective may beat e. G. The Mulia).

Budget can be relatively flexible, but based on a quick look at what is out there would target approx. USD 150-200 per night for this (I. E. The penthouse suites aren't really in my budget in most cases).

Does anyone have experience with the "with a view" aspect?

Best regards.

Thommy.

Thommy, there are a number of very excellent 5 star hotels in Jakarta. There is a lot to choose from. So, I rate the Mandarin as a pretty good 5 star hotel and I am sure you will have a pleasant stay there if you decide to book it, but the Hyatt across the street is IMHO the better hotel for a number of reasons.

1) I really like the Hyatt pool / garden. It is really great.

2) the Hyatt's king bedrooms are nicely appointed and larger than Mandarin's king rooms and the view from a room on a high floor of the Hyatt is just as good (if your Hyatt room faces west).

3) On location: it may not seem like a big deal, but the Hyatt's location on the east side of Jl. M. H. Thamrin above the Plaza Indonesia is a big plus thanks to the mall's many restaurants, a pharmacy, and its gourmet grocery store. It is very convenient.

4) The Hyatt is usually priced below the Mandarin, so it is no brainer. Check out the Hyatt before you make any decisions.

And note there are some newer 5 stars like the Fairmont and the Hyatt Park that might qualify as 6 star hotels. You might want to consider these two, if money is not an issue. The views are very good at these hotels too although not the iconic view you are looking for at the Mandarin or the Grand Hyatt. Lastly, I have never stayed at the Mulia. Too pricey for me, and it; s location is kind of isolated. You will need a taxi to go anywhere, but it is huge bonus to have a room above CJ's. I stayed at the Shangri La one time. I liked staying in thae hotel in a room above Bats. The Shangri La pool and a garden area rivals the same at the Grand Hyatt.

[Roy2920]

Hi, I am now torn between Redtop and Harris Vertu Harmoni. I previously stayed in Redtop and had excellent FS from very pretty masseuse every day there. Wondering if the in-room spa service in Vertu Harmoni also provide such service or are they strictly vegetable? Anyone here can share spa experience from Vertu Harmoni?

[Zippos]

I usually use booking dot com with the option of same day cancellation, specially if I want certain type of room with certain view. Also, make sure to include that in Booking msg and call up the hotel or visit (if you are in Jakarta) to confirm that you would only accept certain desired room. They will probably tell you "it depends on the availability" but be firm on your preference and make it very clear the fact of cancellation if you don't get the room. 90% of the time you will get it. Don't hesitate to BS saying you are their regular returning client and you always prefer certain room.

Hi all,

Just a quick question in case anybody has looked at this before / recently.

One of the things I definitely want to include in my next trip to Jakarta in Sep / Oct is to spend at least 2-3 nights a bit more upscale than usual (possibly Mandarin Oriental / Oakwood etc.) and get a room with a view. Partially since it is a view that I would like to share with a lady while enjoying some quality time. It seems that a corner room in the Mandarin with Monument View could be nice (on a first glance from a view perspective may beat e. G. The Mulia).

Budget can be relatively flexible, but based on a quick look at what is out there would target approx. USD 150-200 per night for this (I. E. The penthouse suites aren't really in my budget in most cases).

Does anyone have experience with the "with a view" aspect?

Best regards.

Thommy.

[Thommy84]

Hi all,

Just a quick question in case anybody has looked at this before / recently.

One of the things I definitely want to include in my next trip to Jakarta in Sep / Oct is to spend at least 2-3 nights a bit more upscale than usual (possibly Mandarin Oriental / Oakwood etc.) and get a room with a view. Partially since it is a view that I would like to share with a lady while enjoying some quality time. It seems that a corner room in the Mandarin with Monument View could be nice (on a first glance from a view perspective may beat e. G. The Mulia).

Budget can be relatively flexible, but based on a quick look at what is out there would target approx. USD 150-200 per night for this (I. E. The penthouse suites aren't really in my budget in most cases).

Does anyone have experience with the "with a view" aspect?

Best regards.

Thommy.

[Setzer]

Hello gents,

I am going to be in Jakarta and staying at the Grove Suites for a week. Does anyone have any experience with this hotel regarding what bars to go to pick up working girls? Much appreciated.

It's more like a service apartment at Grove Suites. There's a supermarket at the basement of the compound and restaurants on the ground floor. Otherwise, it's just ok, no WOW factor for me.

Picking up working girls, nearest probably would be Shangri La (BATZ Bar), Mulia Hotel (CJ's) IMHO. Otherwise maybe you want to try your luck around Mega Kuningan / SCBD with office girls.