Jakarta - Hotels

[QUOTE=HihiSter;1759490]Gents, not only did he really send me a PM with his e-mail (that he has the PM function is at least a plus one), there are at least 3 other members that have send me a PM asking to have girls waiting at the airport.

Just to clear it up, perhaps I wasn't clear earlier; my message was sarcastic. Read 2 or 3 pages of just the "Jakarta. Hotels" section and you will have all the information that you need. Nobody here is going to help you if you're too lazy to read.[/QUOTE]While it was obvious that your reply was sarcastic, one can't help but dream that you would send that blindfolded 21 year old from the photo gallery to the airport to pick them up.

[QUOTE=HihiSter;1759490]Gents, not only did he really send me a PM with his e-mail (that he has the PM function is at least a plus one), there are at least 3 other members that have send me a PM asking to have girls waiting at the airport.

[/QUOTE]I don't know how it is nowadays, but there was a time that when leaving the arrival hall, among those who were there to pick up family or friends from international flights, were also girls trying to hook up.

[QUOTE=Menteng;1759622]I don't know how it is nowadays, but there was a time that when leaving the arrival hall, among those who were there to pick up family or friends from international flights, were also girls trying to hook up.[/QUOTE]Yup remember them girls, there was a flurry of chicks that arranged their timings around the european flight arrivals. One of the girls managed to finally hook up with a fresh pale brit backpacker. Within 3 weeks a pregnancy test proved positive and a marriage was hastily scheduled. The husband was a genuinly nice guy and it took him a few years to wake up and work out what had actually happened to him.

The offspring I'm told is now a sinetron / tv star. It must be trickier nowdays for those breed of girls to pull of their tricks what with all the budget flights and tacky online dating scenarios.

On a seperate note. The Aston Rasuna apartments at the Bakrie Epicentrum complex is offering their 3 bed suite apartments with balconies for about $75 per night. Is their a catch? Anyone tried them?

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1759596]While it was obvious that your reply was sarcastic, one can't help but dream that you would send that blindfolded 21 year old from the photo gallery to the airport to pick them up.[/QUOTE]She's working as cabin crew so you might actually see her around the airport.

[QUOTE=HihiSter;1759941]She's working as cabin crew so you might actually see her around the airport.[/QUOTE]Will she be wearing the blindfold so I can identify her?

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1759947]Will she be wearing the blindfold so I can identify her?[/QUOTE]I'll suggest it, but think I'm going to have to disappoint you. .

[QUOTE=UsPete;1759672]
On a seperate note. The Aston Rasuna apartments at the Bakrie Epicentrum complex is offering their 3 bed suite apartments with balconies for about $75 per night. Is their a catch? Anyone tried them?[/QUOTE]I've stayed there. It's hit or miss with the apartments. The apartments are privately owned and depending who owns it, it could be nice or a dump. If you are staying by yourself, there are likely better options. If you have a family, the 3 bedroom is a good choice at $75. The balcony is small and almost a non-factor in my opinion. But the good thing about the balcony is you can have the girls who smoke go out on the balcony to smoke.

I've been searching the forum for this information. Does anyone actually stay at the Hotel Melawai 1 as a hotel?

The reviews on Tripadvisor are mixed but I was thinking if I upgraded to a Deluxe etc room it might improve the quality.

Anyone stayed there?

[QUOTE=TheRedBaron;1769541]I've been searching the forum for this information. Does anyone actually stay at the Hotel Melawai 1 as a hotel?
The reviews on Tripadvisor are mixed but I was thinking if I upgraded to a Deluxe etc room it might improve the quality. Anyone stayed there?[/QUOTE]First, let me say that I've never stayed in Melawai (except for the odd few hours on the sixth floor whenever I could!) so I may not be the person to comment definitively. However, there's a reason that I've never considered a stay: the hotel is a well worn, down-at-the-heels place. You might want to look at options.

Two hotels that have been mentioned on this forum in the past are:

Amaris Hotel Panglima Polim 1.

Win Hotel (Jl. Panglima Polim Raya No. 99).

Both are within a few minutes walk of Melawai.

If you want to upgrade a bit:

Ambhara Hotel Jl Iskandarsyah Raya No 1, Kebayoran Baru, (located on the far side of Blok M Square from Melawai).

Hotel Gran Mahakam Jl Mahakam I No. 6 Blok M.

All this said, maybe you should stay at Melawai and report back!

If you've looked at Trip Advisor, you may know all this. I will PM a link to you that may be helpful.

[QUOTE=TheRedBaron;1769541]I've been searching the forum for this information. Does anyone actually stay at the Hotel Melawai 1 as a hotel?

The reviews on Tripadvisor are mixed but I was thinking if I upgraded to a Deluxe etc room it might improve the quality.

Anyone stayed there?[/QUOTE]I've stayed at both Melawai I and Melawai II. II is nicer and it's right across the street. There are so many new options in the area, I'd stay at one of those rather than Melawai. If you do book Melawai, don't pay their posted rates. Walk to the right of Melawai I toward Blok M Square and turn right on the street next to Blok M Square. There on the right is Kaha Tours (little tiny crap hole up the stairs). If you book the room through them, it's almost half the price of the Melawai posted rates.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1769926]I've stayed at both Melawai I and Melawai II. II is nicer and it's right across the street. There are so many new options in the area, I'd stay at one of those rather than Melawai. If you do book Melawai, don't pay their posted rates. Walk to the right of Melawai I toward Blok M Square and turn right on the street next to Blok M Square. There on the right is Kaha Tours (little tiny crap hole up the stairs). If you book the room through them, it's almost half the price of the Melawai posted rates.[/QUOTE]Thanks. Your advice is gold.

Can you tell us your general thoughts on Melawai I?

How clean were the rooms? Any wifi or cable tv? Breakfast any good?

Was the in-room massage the smorgasbord that I imagine?

[QUOTE=TheRedBaron;1772261]Thanks. Your advice is gold.

Can you tell us your general thoughts on Melawai I?

How clean were the rooms? Any wifi or cable tv? Breakfast any good?

Was the in-room massage the smorgasbord that I imagine?[/QUOTE]I stayed in Mel I with a Korean lady who wanted an indescrete hotel to spend the night about 10 years ago. Unlike toaday there weren't many choices in blok m 10 years ago and the room was fairly run down and stale. I don't think there's been any renovations since then beyond a lick of paint. Although I haven't been in the 6th floor for about 5 years as I met an old girlfriends daughter working there, which kinda made me feel too old.

I didn't make breakfast but imagine it would be a very basic banana, sugary bread and strong sumatran coffee.

I would though recommend the new M Hotel round the corner opposite the taxi rank at Blok M square. They have a very tight security / jawara thing going on with the entrance concierge but some sort of link up with the Japanese Karaoke bars. I've been pretty impressed with the quality of girls that they've got to knock on my doors after midnight. The breakast was also basic Java fare, but excellent. A better breakfast than the 4 and 5 star hotels found elsewhere in Town.

Sinyo Tambora.

[QUOTE=UsPete;1772267]I stayed in Mel I with a Korean lady who wanted an indescrete hotel to spend the night about 10 years ago. Unlike toaday there weren't many choices in blok m 10 years ago and the room was fairly run down and stale. I don't think there's been any renovations since then beyond a lick of paint. Although I haven't been in the 6th floor for about 5 years as I met an old girlfriends daughter working there, which kinda made me feel too old.

I didn't make breakfast but imagine it would be a very basic banana, sugary bread and strong sumatran coffee.

I would though recommend the new M Hotel round the corner opposite the taxi rank at Blok M square. They have a very tight security / jawara thing going on with the entrance concierge but some sort of link up with the Japanese Karaoke bars. I've been pretty impressed with the quality of girls that they've got to knock on my doors after midnight. The breakast was also basic Java fare, but excellent. A better breakfast than the 4 and 5 star hotels found elsewhere in Town.

Sinyo Tambora.[/QUOTE]This is excellent advice. I would not stay at Melawai I. The "in room" massage is not as good as you get in the Maribaya rooms. The last time I was there (about 6 years ago), they still had the old style tube TVs and limited channels. I never tried the breakfast. I doubt they have renovated at all. No need to book a room at Melawai. The only time I ever do it is during Ramadan when Maribaya is closed. The Maribaya girls like to meet up at Melawai during Ramadan.

[QUOTE=UsPete;1772267]I would though recommend the new M Hotel round the corner opposite the taxi rank at Blok M square. They have a very tight security / jawara thing going on with the entrance concierge but some sort of link up with the Japanese Karaoke bars. I've been pretty impressed with the quality of girls that they've got to knock on my doors after midnight. The breakast was also basic Java fare, but excellent. A better breakfast than the 4 and 5 star hotels found elsewhere in Town.

Sinyo Tambora.[/QUOTE]Thanks brothers. I'll take your wise advice.

Quick question: is the M Hotel walking distance from Top Gun (if you have a girl)? Looks a little far on the map.

Makasi!

[QUOTE=TheRedBaron;1773483]Thanks brothers. I'll take your wise advice.

Quick question: is the M Hotel walking distance from Top Gun (if you have a girl)? Looks a little far on the map.

Makasi![/QUOTE]Kembali.

If it's dark it's rather complicated as it involves walking under the new bus terminal.

I would advise taking a bajaj for 10 - 20 k, you will get a lot lot more respect from your girl. A bajaj is Jakarta's romantic equivilant to a Gondola. If she won't get a bajaj with you she's a sure sign of trouble ahead. Ask for Blok M Square. It's far too short for a taxi and taxis can't actually get into the Blok M precinct without a pass.

If you like University students the myriad of book shops in the basement of Blok M Square are always worth a venture.