Jakarta - Hotels

[QUOTE=Westcoast1;1128351]Getting a taxi in to the Blok is easy. Getting out: walk out of top gun, turn right with your girl. Ignore the touts from the street guys for a taxi. Walk to the end of the block (Sportsmen Bar on your left). When you get to the end of the block, there are regular Bluebird taxi's waiting.[/QUOTE]Thanks mate, checked out the ambhara on the map, seems very close to to Blok M bars. What's Jakarta like at night? I mean is it quite safe to walk? Is Ambhara girl friendly? What's the walk of shame like? Sorry too many questions for a first time traveller to Jakarta!

[QUOTE=KingJohn;1128355]Thanks mate, checked out the ambhara on the map, seems very close to to Blok M bars. What's Jakarta like at night? I mean is it quite safe to walk? Is Ambhara girl friendly? What's the walk of shame like? Sorry too many questions for a first time traveller to Jakarta![/QUOTE]

No problem in walking around the Blok or to Ambhara, but if you go further (Melawi, Gran Mahakam or Gran Melia) do take a taxi. All hotels around the Blok (and the rest of Jakarta) are girl-friendly and there are so many "walks of shame" that nobody will notice. Stick to Blue Bird taxi's and avoid the touts in Jl Palatehan. Around the corner at the end of the street (from Top Gun turn right and from D's Place and My Bar turn left) are always Blue Bird taxis waiting. Even easier is to ask the girl you are leaving with to arrange a Blue Bird for you and she will contact the security guy or you ask the security guy yourself (be sure to state that you want Blue Bird). Before you go into the taxi you give the security guy 10 000 rups and the parking guy 2000 rups to secure their future sevices because they have a good memory .

I visited the Blok several times a year for about 10 years and never had any problem at all except that once, because of the bad pavement, I stumbled during a bandjir and my mobile phone washed away into the guttar.

Have fun.

NO

[QUOTE=Sapperken; 1120793]Thanks for the advice CG.

The truth is, I'm enjoying myself. She is sweet, beautiful and she makes me feel good. I hope it goes on for a long time. At the moment it is win / win. [/QUOTE]Hey SK were you in town last week by any chance? The one I posted about before made some lame excuses last week about why she could not see me, I know she was boning somebody else, I don't really care, this week she is all over me like stink on shit. :P

Hi Guys,

I stayed at the LM for 10 days in Dec / Jan 2011, it's fine. I too read the reports on Trp advisor and they are not all true. The hotel was clean, room was big, LD TV Limited English channels, gym was fine. It is pricey but it's fine no issues with the guards. Had a different girl everynight they didn't even blink an eye, just made their comments amongst themselves.

If it's within your budget then LM is fine as it's close to Blok M and it's on the busway during rush hour.

[QUOTE=Jo Malone;1124197]Thanks a ton Gerald078. I will probably end up staying in the LM, out of loyalt to SPG even though the tripadvisor reviews aren't that great.[/QUOTE]

If just in Jakarta for the nightlife try and find a hotel near a mall, or a hotel with plenty to occupy you during the day because Jak City sucks during the day, heat, traffic and pollution.

#1 Swiss-Belhotel International Mangga Besar [url]http://www.swiss-belhotel.com/sbmb/?subtask=sbmb[/url]

Superior / Delux room including Breakfast around the US $60, Great staff, service, food and GF fiendly. Good for a 2 day stop over and the Kota night life, price includes a free daily taxi to the Mall for shopping.

#2 Swiss-Belhotel Cipurta [url]http://www.swiss-belhotel.com/Indonesia/Jakarta/jakarta-ciputra#hotel[/url]+information.

Superior / Delux room including breakfast around the US $70, A older hotel, a bit out of the way and in need of a face lift, average service and food, but is GF friendly and does have a Mall attatched, which has its benifits.

#3 Merlynpark Hotel [url]http://www.merlynnparkhotel.com/[/url]

Superior / Delux room including Breakfast around the US $70, Brand spanking new, good location and crap service, from the door man to the managers, food average but GF friendly.

* Note all hotels where booked on agoda. Com, if you want to stay longer don't book at the front desk as the price will be higher, go to the buisness centre and book online through agoda and print out the reciept.

[QUOTE=Ceegee;1130946]Hey SK were you in town last week by any chance? The one I posted about before made some lame excuses last week about why she could not see me, I know she was boning somebody else, I don't really care, this week she is all over me like stink on shit. :P[/QUOTE]I was in town from 27/02 to 06/03. Does that coincide with the time you are thinking about?

I had a week of holiday with my squeeze from 13/02 for a week I think we were only apart for about 20 minutes when she left me in a resto while she went back to her kost for some fresh clothes. I had a really good time, felt like I was courting again.

After a week back in the UK I returned for a week of work and she dutifully met me every evening after the obligatory social gatherings of colleagues.

Since then she has gone back to her kampong in central Java for a few days.

SK

[QUOTE=Sapperken]I was in town from 27/02 to 06/03. Does that coincide with the time you are thinking about?[/QUOTE]LOL, that timing matches precisely. There are millions of nubile young things in jakarta, surely we are not boning the same one!

Trying to rack my brain, but pretty sure the first time I saw her last trip was 07/03, although she went home very late (like 1am) that night saying she had to video chat with her boyfriend. Saw her a couple of other days that week as well. It couldn't be the same one, could it?

[QUOTE=Ceegee;1134127]Trying to rack my brain, but pretty sure the first time I saw her last trip was 07/03, although she went home very late (like 1am) that night saying she had to video chat with her boyfriend. Saw her a couple of other days that week as well. It couldn't be the same one, could it?[/QUOTE]Hahaha it could be, but the odds are increased as we all look for the same thing in the same places LOL. I won't give her name in open forum but pm me hers and we'll know if we are 'pussy brothers'.

SK

[QUOTE=Sapperken]I won't give her name in open forum but pm me hers and we'll know if we are 'pussy brothers'.[/QUOTE]Same, I would not post it here, but I have not signed up for the paid plan here because I don't like the idea of a paper trail from here leading back to me.

Reading your previous posts, in order for it to be the same one, I think you would have to be boyfriend #2, and I would be #3, because she just got on an airplane today to go see #1. So maybe we are not sperm brothers, or maybe we are because you said she went kampung which could mean. Well, anything really. .

[QUOTE=Ceegee;1134439]Reading your previous posts, in order for it to be the same one, I think you would have to be boyfriend #2, and I would be #3, because she just got on an airplane today to go see #1. So maybe we are not sperm brothers, or maybe we are because you said she went kampung which could mean. Well, anything really. .[/QUOTE]Alas, I would say we are probably not connected then. She was on the bus to kampong and SMS almost relentlessly and then sent dozens of Picts with her family.

This lady is 24, barely 5 feet tall (forgive me I'm British) and currently wears a brace, teeth not legs LOL (I'm seeing so many more of these being worn by 20 something's. It seems fashion has arrived in the dental industry in jakarta). She speaks pretty good English and is about to start work as a waitress. Anybody would notice us if they saw us out walking as I'm 6 feet 4inch and 50 so even in the land of mismatches we are unusual.

Anyway, if it's not you it will be somebody else. Maybe another bro will own up (don't all shout at once)

SK

[QUOTE=KingJohn;1128285]Hi guys, I'm visiting jakarta for business it the end of March. I like the pub / bar pick-up scene as you can observe the girls before you make your choice. I hear South Jakarta is great for this. I have been told some pretty scary stories about people being ripped off by Jakarta taxi drivers so I'm a little apprehensive of taxi rides at night. Can anyone suggest a good place to stay that is walking distance to the nightime action spots? And what are the best pplaces to meet lovely WLs? (or even normal girls)[/QUOTE]I like to stay at Hotel Gran Mahakam. I've walked to Jalan Palatehan from there, but I don't recommend it as you'll be a bit sweaty (maybe an understatement.) I've tried all their rooms and the junior suite is my favorite. Taxis are simple. As others have stated, from Jl. Palatehan, you can avoid the con men and preman by walking to the end of the block where there will be some blue birds waiting. If you're staying in Jakarta, you'll probably end up taking a lot of taxis so you may as well learn the ropes and get used to it. It's not so bad. I'd prefer a taxi after a few too many than walking anyway. I've never tried Ambhara though so I can't say one way or the other on that.

In response to travelling by bluebird. I have found the service very lacking lately. As a bule the drivers tend to get lost on the longer rides, never carry correct change. All in all I prefer express taxi's and have never had a problem with them. When you get in a taxi if there is no meter, get right out. Nothing good can come of it

[QUOTE=Monkey Pig;1134543]I like to stay at Hotel Gran Mahakam. I've walked to Jalan Palatehan from there, but I don't recommend it as you'll be a bit sweaty (maybe an understatement.) I've tried all their rooms and the junior suite is my favorite. Taxis are simple. As others have stated, from Jl. Palatehan, you can avoid the con men and preman by walking to the end of the block where there will be some blue birds waiting. If you're staying in Jakarta, you'll probably end up taking a lot of taxis so you may as well learn the ropes and get used to it. It's not so bad. I'd prefer a taxi after a few too many than walking anyway. I've never tried Ambhara though so I can't say one way or the other on that.[/QUOTE]Thanks mate, have booked Ambhara & will update all soon. Is Blok M Ok on a Monday night? Is there much going on? Don't want to waste a single night! If not what are the options nearby?

Had a couple of recent stays at Grand Flora in Kemang. I highly recommend it. They have a very good long-term stay package (14 days or longer) of RP635,000 per night which includes breakfast. 4 pieces of free laundry each day, and a few other amenities. The hotel could use a little sprucing up, but the rooms are actually quite nice and clean. I think if they just changed the carpeting in the halls the place would look much better. Pool and fitness center on the top floor. I recommend asking for a room on the back side of the hotel as they are much quieter. The breakfast was perhaps slightly below average, but I'm fine just having an omelette or cereal so it didn't bother me. I think a big plus is being in the Kemang area. It is a very nice area to just walk around and find many nice cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. The fine Blok M establishments (Top Gun and My Bar) are usually just 10 minutes by taxi except on Friday and Saturday nights when Kemang traffic slows to a crawl between about 10 and 1AM or so. But IMHO, you just can't beat being in the Kemang area; I have not found a nicer area of Jakarta to stay in.

My company always puts me up in the Grand Kemang Hotel or if thats full in the Grand Flora.

The breaksfast at the Grand Kemang is really great and diverse both for Indonesians and Expats. The corporate rate is 625, 000. I don't mind the Grand Flora but like you said the breaksfast is mediocre especially compared to the Grand Kemang. Also Eastern Promise is just up and across the road from the Grand Kemang. The variety of bars, restaurants, food stalls is impressive and is also the best area I have stayed in Jakarta also.

[QUOTE=John Marigold99;1137689]Had a couple of recent stays at Grand Flora in Kemang. I highly recommend it. They have a very good long-term stay package (14 days or longer) of RP635,000 per night which includes breakfast. 4 pieces of free laundry each day, and a few other amenities. The hotel could use a little sprucing up, but the rooms are actually quite nice and clean. I think if they just changed the carpeting in the halls the place would look much better. Pool and fitness center on the top floor. I recommend asking for a room on the back side of the hotel as they are much quieter. The breakfast was perhaps slightly below average, but I'm fine just having an omelette or cereal so it didn't bother me. I think a big plus is being in the Kemang area. It is a very nice area to just walk around and find many nice cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. The fine Blok M establishments (Top Gun and My Bar) are usually just 10 minutes by taxi except on Friday and Saturday nights when Kemang traffic slows to a crawl between about 10 and 1AM or so. But IMHO, you just can't beat being in the Kemang area; I have not found a nicer area of Jakarta to stay in.[/QUOTE]