Jakarta - Hotels

Just arrived in Mangge Besar and staying at the Magnolia Hotel which I can recommend for anyone on a budget. It's got Air con, wifi in room, fridge, safe, a decent sized shower and the room is about 20sqm. I booked through Agoda. Com from the airport only an hour ago. It was a good decision as the site gave me a 60% discount on a Superior room. There was other hotels with similar last minute discounts and I find the site to be better than booking. Com and hotels. Com. Agoda tends to have much more hotels and more discounts and offers on rooms.

Total cost including 10% service charge and 10% taxes came to €60 for a three night stay which is approx 900, 000 rupiah, a pretty good price IMO. Breakfast is not included but there are plenty of cheap cafés around here.

[QUOTE=TiVida; 1495294]I booked through Agoda. Com from the airport only an hour ago. It was a good decision as the site gave me a 60% discount on a Superior room. There was other hotels with similar last minute discounts and I find the site to be better than booking. Com and hotels. Com. Agoda tends to have much more hotels and more discounts and offers on rooms.[/QUOTE]Did you ever check at the airport with Kaha Travel? You need to pay cash to them and get a voucher. Its normally the cheapest price but only for the leftover rooms.

Agoda charges once you add all extras are exactly the same as if you book direct a promo rate with the hotel. I did compare many times. And never found Agoda a real advantage.

[QUOTE=Botaki6; 1495409]Did you ever check at the airport with Kaha Travel? You need to pay cash to them and get a voucher. Its normally the cheapest price but only for the leftover rooms.

Agoda charges once you add all extras are exactly the same as if you book direct a promo rate with the hotel. I did compare many times. And never found Agoda a real advantage.[/QUOTE]To Botaki6.

I have try Kaha travel at the airport but most of the hotel I want they only have the expensive room avalible but at 30 % discount but you can get walk in discount at most hotel in Jarkata.

Fast Eddie 48

I made a leap of faith and booked two nights at the Puri Denpasar. My regular apartment is currently occupied by my semi-regular girl-friend but there's an old firecracker who's coming to Jakarta after a long time. Can't miss the chance!

I've tried the Ibis and Four Seasons before for such trysts but wanted to try Puri Denpasar. Any horror stories anyone? The WOS is limited and it's in a good location apparently.

[QUOTE=Botaki6; 1495409]Did you ever check at the airport with Kaha Travel? You need to pay cash to them and get a voucher. Its normally the cheapest price but only for the leftover rooms.

Agoda charges once you add all extras are exactly the same as if you book direct a promo rate with the hotel. I did compare many times. And never found Agoda a real advantage.[/QUOTE]I tried Kaha once and it took them quite a while to find a room. Looked like there was a whole gaggle of conventions in Jakarta because a series of hotels was "fully booked" when they called. They persisted and in the end a room was found, but it was a sobering experience for me. Since then I either book directly or through Agoda so I am assured of a room before I arrive.

Regards,

Ko

[QUOTE=Koperen Karel;1499561]I tried Kaha once and it took them quite a while to find a room.[/QUOTE]Normally they're pretty quick and efficient, and their prices are very good. I've used them all over the country and have always been satisfied.

But yes, at peak times now you really don't want to arrive in Jakarta without a reservation. There's always something available but it's likely to be overpriced or badly located or just nasty.

I was in doubt whether to choose a hotel in North or South Jakarta. I the end I ended up in Hotel Mercure Kota Jakarta in North Jakarta. It is near a lot of action (Classic, Travel and Stadium). It is girl friendly. The breakfast is excellent, with a big selection of Indo / Asian and Western food. Going south to Blok M / Jalan Faletehan takes around an hour in a taxi during day time due to nightmarish traffic. But it seems Blok M is mostly interesting at night, when you can get there in about 20 minutes in a taxi. There is another hotel Mercure, Grand Mercure. It is quite nearby and I am unsure which of them has the best location.

Hi,

Is it the norm here for an hotel to charge 50% of the rate for an early check in?

I booked 3 nights for next month and they said check in is at 2pm therefore they can t guarantee my a room but if I show up at 7am they will charge me 50%.

Seems pretty unusual but again this will be my first time in Jakarta.

[QUOTE=Prison Break; 1518058]Hi,

Is it the norm here for an hotel to charge 50% of the rate for an early check in?

I booked 3 nights for next month and they said check in is at 2pm therefore they can t guarantee my a room but if I show up at 7am they will charge me 50.

Seems pretty unusual but again this will be my first time in Jakarta.[/QUOTE]Strange story. A reservation is a reservation so if you arrive at 2 pm they'd better have a room for you. If you arrive at 7 am your room could very well still be in use by the previous occupant. What hotel is that?

Regards,

Ko

[QUOTE=Prison Break; 1518058]Hi,

Is it the norm here for an hotel to charge 50% of the rate for an early check in?

I booked 3 nights for next month and they said check in is at 2pm therefore they can t guarantee my a room but if I show up at 7am they will charge me 50.

Seems pretty unusual but again this will be my first time in Jakarta.[/QUOTE]To Prison break.

I think it depend on the hotel I have early check In around 11. Am at the Pullman hotel and the Olympia hotel at Lokasari plaza if they have the room avalible no extra charge. Some hotel want to charge more even they have plenty of room empty.

Fast Eddie 48

Planning a visit to Jakarta very soon and wanted to stay in Blok M area. Is Ambhara Hotel girlfriendly?

[QUOTE=Michelangelo;1523604]Planning a visit to Jakarta very soon and wanted to stay in Blok M area. Is Ambhara Hotel girlfriendly?[/QUOTE]Yes, very much so.

There haven't been any recent posts about it, but I do recall reading several posts in past years about guys liking Ambhara Hotel because of its location and being girl-friendly.

Look forward to reading your trip reports!

[QUOTE=Michelangelo;1523604]Planning a visit to Jakarta very soon and wanted to stay in Blok M area. Is Ambhara Hotel girlfriendly?[/QUOTE]To Michelangelo.

I stay there many time no problem bring girl back will be staying there again next week very good hotel but bar at Blok M are going down hill, N Jarkata Kota and Glodok is where all the action are now.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48; 1523984]To Michelangelo.

I stay there many time no problem bring girl back will be staying there again next week very good hotel but bar at Blok M are going down hill, N Jarkata Kota and Glodok is where all the action are now.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]The Ambhara is getting a bit old and tired like the pubs in Blok M.

North Jakarta or the Menteng area is a better option for flexibility and reaching the more uptodate nite spots. Plenty of deals on booking.com.

[QUOTE=Prison Break; 1518058]Hi,

Is it the norm here for an hotel to charge 50% of the rate for an early check in?

I booked 3 nights for next month and they said check in is at 2pm therefore they can t guarantee my a room but if I show up at 7am they will charge me 50.

Seems pretty unusual but again this will be my first time in Jakarta.[/QUOTE]For 7AM they need to block the night before. I'd expect 100% charge. They are kind.