Jakarta

[Explorer8939]

Howdy Gents,

If you've been to Jakarta before or lurked around this forum long enough, you've probably heard whispers about Novotel Gajah Mada Hotel. Sadly, my recent escapade has led me to believe those whispers were either drunken exaggerations or outright lies. Allow me to regale you with the saga of my stay.

Arrival & First Impressions.

Checking into this so-called "four-star" establishment is akin to stepping into a time machine. The lobby resembles a mid-90's office building that hasn't seen a renovation in decades. Think: uninspired decor, non-air-conditioned discomfort, and a charm that screams municipal government office.

After receiving a welcome drink voucher at check-inmore on that travesty laterI embarked on a wobbly ascent in a lift that could moonlight as a thrill ride at Alton Towers.

Guest Friendliness & The Walk of Shame:

In terms of guest friendliness, the lift requires a key card, so you'll need to escort your companion all the way up unless they somehow acquire a card of their own. This adds an extra layer of effort for any rendezvous. The lobby, while tiny, ensures that the infamous walk of shame is unavoidable, depending on the time you choose to venture out.

An alternative is to ask your companion to meet you at the sixth-floor restaurant, assuming it's open. During my stay, I didn't notice many people lingering in the lobby, which could be a small blessing. Sadly, due to my health condition, I couldn't host any visitors myselfa truly unfortunate turn of events.

The Room: Sweet or Not So Suite?.

If only there were a topic here called "Jakarta Hotels".

[Gabacho]

Howdy Gents,

If you've been to Jakarta before or lurked around this forum long enough, you've probably heard whispers about Novotel Gajah Mada Hotel. Sadly, my recent escapade has led me to believe those whispers were either drunken exaggerations or outright lies. Allow me to regale you with the saga of my stay.

Arrival & First Impressions.

Checking into this so-called "four-star" establishment is akin to stepping into a time machine. The lobby resembles a mid-90's office building that hasn't seen a renovation in decades. Think: uninspired decor, non-air-conditioned discomfort, and a charm that screams municipal government office.

After receiving a welcome drink voucher at check-inmore on that travesty laterI embarked on a wobbly ascent in a lift that could moonlight as a thrill ride at Alton Towers.

Guest Friendliness & The Walk of Shame:

In terms of guest friendliness, the lift requires a key card, so you'll need to escort your companion all the way up unless they somehow acquire a card of their own. This adds an extra layer of effort for any rendezvous. The lobby, while tiny, ensures that the infamous walk of shame is unavoidable, depending on the time you choose to venture out.

An alternative is to ask your companion to meet you at the sixth-floor restaurant, assuming it's open. During my stay, I didn't notice many people lingering in the lobby, which could be a small blessing. Sadly, due to my health condition, I couldn't host any visitors myselfa truly unfortunate turn of events.

The Room: Sweet or Not So Suite?.

This belongs in the Jakarta Hotels section.

[EdAdams]

Gents,

I'm currently at the Novotel Gajah Mada Hotel for a few days—likely until the weekend—and while fate has temporarily sidelined me with a about of balanitis, I'the still love to make the most of my time here.

If any of you are in Jakarta and fancy meeting up tonight for drinks or need a trusty wingman, drop me a message. With any luck, my medical situation will improve soon, and I'll be able to indulge in our favourite sport. Until then, consider me your loyal sidekick for good company and a bit of banter.

Cheerio.

Ed.

[EdAdams]

Howdy Gents,

If you've been to Jakarta before or lurked around this forum long enough, you've probably heard whispers about Novotel Gajah Mada Hotel. Sadly, my recent escapade has led me to believe those whispers were either drunken exaggerations or outright lies. Allow me to regale you with the saga of my stay.

Arrival & First Impressions.

Checking into this so-called "four-star" establishment is akin to stepping into a time machine. The lobby resembles a mid-90's office building that hasn't seen a renovation in decades. Think: uninspired decor, non-air-conditioned discomfort, and a charm that screams municipal government office.

After receiving a welcome drink voucher at check-inmore on that travesty laterI embarked on a wobbly ascent in a lift that could moonlight as a thrill ride at Alton Towers.

Guest Friendliness & The Walk of Shame:

In terms of guest friendliness, the lift requires a key card, so you'll need to escort your companion all the way up unless they somehow acquire a card of their own. This adds an extra layer of effort for any rendezvous. The lobby, while tiny, ensures that the infamous walk of shame is unavoidable, depending on the time you choose to venture out.

An alternative is to ask your companion to meet you at the sixth-floor restaurant, assuming it's open. During my stay, I didn't notice many people lingering in the lobby, which could be a small blessing. Sadly, due to my health condition, I couldn't host any visitors myselfa truly unfortunate turn of events.

The Room: Sweet or Not So Suite?

Ah, the "suite. " For 80 a night, I wasn't expecting the Ritz, but I did anticipate a modicum of comfort. Instead, I was met with a mattress so firm it could double as a physiotherapist's table. Even after piling on four mattress toppers, it felt like a cruel joke. Not ideal when one's intentions include the sort of athletic endeavours we frequent fliers know and love.

Plug points, or the lack thereof, were another delight. Forget European sockets or even basic functionalitymy travel adapter kept falling out of the wall. The one working socket was inconveniently placed, meaning I had to abandon my comfy (read: hard) sofa every time I needed to charge a device. Ambient lighting? Flickering. Air-conditioning? Tepid, at best. By morning, I was sweating like a sinner in church, and not from any exertion.

Maintenance did pop by to "fix" things. Their contribution? A shrug-worthy effort that changed nothing. Truly inspiring.

The Welcome Drink Debacle.

Ah, yes, the welcome drink voucher handed to me at check-in. One would expect a refreshing cocktail or perhaps a glass of wine to soothe the weary traveller. But no, this voucher was redeemable only for tea, coffee, or soft drinks, and only until 9 PMthe bar's inexplicably early closing time. Whose brilliant idea was it to exclude alcohol from a welcome drink? A teetotaler's, no doubt.

Room Service & Dining.

The culinary offerings here redefine mediocrity. Room service is slower than a snail on Valium, and when the food finally arrives, it's lukewarm at best. They brought me a "fresh" orange juice that was unmistakably canned. The coffee? Lukewarm. The cutlery? Missing. The accompanying sauces? Non-existent. I had to repeat my order multiple times, only for them to still get it wrong. I swear, a Premier Inn in the British countryside would outshine this circus.

For my troubles, I was "gifted" a welcome fruit platter. Lovely, except for the rotten apple grinning back at me. The coffee cups in my room were equally hygienicrinsed but clearly not washed. And let's not forget the pice de aresistance: hair on the bedsheets upon arrival. A delightful touch that screams attention to detail.

Amenities & Ambiance.

The so-called executive lounge? Closed. The top-floor views? Tarnished by the faint echo of mosque prayers penetrating the 20th floor at 7:30 PM. I don't mind the cultural backdrop, but soundproofing clearly wasn't a priority in this establishment.

As for breakfast, I can't comment. Your humble narrator values his sleep far too much to indulge in such morning frivolities.


Final Thoughts.

This is not a four-star hotel by any stretch of the imagination. If you value proper service, tasty food, hot food, and a thoughtfully designed room, this hotel is not for you. While I could tolerate the endless list of shortcomings, there are two absolute deal-breakers for me: the rock-hard mattress and the pathetic air-conditioning. These two issues alone would deter me from ever returning.

In summary, avoid this place unless you're desperate, and even then, proceed with caution. I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemyor maybe just on a rival forum member.

The only redeeming quality is its proximity to certain extracurricular venues. Alas, fate dealt me a cruel hand with a bout of balanitis (there, I said it), putting all shenanigans on hold.

If any of you fine gents are also in Jakarta, I'the be delighted to join you for drinks and a spot of wingman-ing. Consider me your loyal sidekick during this unfortunate downtime.

Cheers,

Ed.

[Gaijin Gigolo]

Hi,

I haven't been back to Jarkata since late 2020, and finally decided to go back in mid 2025. Last time I was there, Classic Hotel ATM provided better exchange rates than the money exchange place near Classic. It was a few hundreds IDR different per 1 USD. Can't recall.

Anyone on the ground that could / have compared the exchange rates between ATM and money exchanger; report which is better? TIA!

Personally, I would never use a money changer rather than an ATM machine, anywhere in Asia. Too many crooked ones out there.

Having said that, be sure to check your bills carefully, either way. Last time I was in Cambodia, a bank ATM CONNECTED TO A CAMBODIAN BANK dispensed three counterfeit USD $100 bills. The difference was very slight and I had no chance of getting this resolved on the spot with the bank as it was past closing hours on a Friday. Luckily Navy Federal had my back and got me sorted. They'd seen this happen more than once.

[Gaijin Gigolo]

Reached around 10:30. Good live music which I like about this place. Especially on Fridays. 20-25 girls. Mostly milfs some good. One girl looks at me in the eye and comes over. I speak to her for 10-15 minutes. Buy her a drink but she smells of smoke which is a deal breaker so I call it off. Have my eyes on an 8 on 10 who is dancing. Unsure if she is FL, so I try to make eye contact but she doesn't look. I see guys approaching her but no long conversations. I am thinking maybe she is not an FL but little head wants to think otherwise. Around 12:30 am I go to buy a new drink next to her and finally I say Hi. I ask her if I can buy her a drink and she says thank you but is upfront she wants 4 m for the night. Her upfront attitude comes across as someone who may be mechanical in bed so I politely decline. I sit at the bar area and a nice lady comes to me. Starts small talk. I buy her a drink and after 15-20 min she is grinding her ass over my pants. Given it's around 1:30 now and I have early morning flight I am now not in mood to take her but again. Anyways I tell her I'm tired and will leave soon. She goes to toilet and some guy follows her. After 10-15 min she is back and tells me she is afraid of the other guy (don't remember the exact term), but she literally begs me to take her out of the place. I know she is trying to play me, but her seduction works and I take her to hotel. She says thank you all the way during the taxi ride. When we reach our hotel she tells this guy was troubling her since early night and he was asking her to do some stuff she didn't want, that's why she loved that I was able to take her away from him, and kisses me. This leads to more and soon she has my dick in her mouth. Like I've mentioned, I usually opt for CBJ, but this happened very quickly and seductively. 15-20 minutes of pure bliss when I literally cum in her throat and she drinks it all. Then she cleans my dick with her mouth and I almost want to pee and I tell her this. She says she is ok with that but not something I am so I go to washroom. This is followed by an hour long of cuddle and small talk which makes me feel super loved. It's already 4 am almost and she asks if I want her to stay. Given I have a flight in 6 hours I ask her to leave and also ask if she is ok with 800 k vs 1 mn we agreed for full night, specially because we didn't fuck. Surprisingly, she is ok with it. I pay her and she asks me to join her in shower. We shower for 15 min where she cleans me up, gives me a short BJ but not to cum. Once she confirms I am all cleaned up, she washes herself, brushes her teeth and leaves. Amazing experience but I didn't take her number. Sleep for 2 hours and then checkout for my flight.

Nice report. But yeah, she was trying to play you with that 'some guy is scaring me' routine. Heard that more times than I care to remember. Glad you caught on without paying her exorbitant initial asking price.

Did you survey any of the other clubs in the Bats area? I'll likely spend some time there when my visit commences in January.

[LoveItHere69]

I got rejected again from the Phantom Zone at Classic. Then the girl I chose (but rejected me) got up and went to the stage and all the girls on that side got up and followed her onto the stage. She grabbed the mic, looked deep into my eyes, and started to sing Meghan Trainor "NO! The rest of the girls danced and did backing vocals.

Meghan Trainor. NO (lyrics) - YouTube.

(I think it's so cute and I think it's so sweet!

How you let your friends encourage you to try and talk to me.

But let me stop you there.

Oh, before you speak.

Nah to the ah to the, no, no, no!

My name is no.

My sign is no.

My number is no.

You need to let it go.

First you going to say you ain't runnin' game, thinkin' I'm believing every word.

Call me beautiful, so original, telling me I'm not like other girls.

I was in my zone before you came along, now I'm thinking maybe you should go.

Blah, blah, blah, blah.

I be like nah to the I, to the I, to the no, no, no!

All my ladies listen up.

If that boy ain't giving up.

Lick your lips and swing your hips.

Girl all you got to say is.

My name is no.

My sign is no.

My number is no.

You need to let it go.

Thank you in advance, I don't want to dance (nope!

I don't need your hands all over me.

If I want a man, then I'mma get a man.

But it's never my priority.

I was in my zone, before you came along.

Don't want you to take this personal.

Blah, blah, blah, I be like nah to the ah to the, no, no, no!

I'm feeling.

Untouchable, untouchable).

OK that did not happen. But in my mind it felt just like that. That song should be flagged as a hate song against guys by the feminists and lesbians. Watch the video.

Months ago guys were complaining about that side and several posted that they were going to talk to the manager and / or mamis to find out what was going on. But as always everyone is full of SHT. But I did months ago. The manager if found is near the bar which is furthest from the girls but I never sit over there and never saw him until I asked. Anyways he said he was not the manager but said maybe he could help. Nothing of course. Two mamis on that side when I asked about it suddenly could not speak English. But some mamis still try to get me to take their girls so they must be available. Only answer I can figure is that a few of the girls had bad foreigners and they spread the word. Now it is considered fact because the story has been told so many times and for so long. Two weeks ago I actually had a girl from that side that was good and repeated with her.

[LoveItHere69]

I used these money exchange services at different times, and they all allowed me to make the exchanges of not too shabby USD and leftover Singapore Dollars, Thai Bhat, and Malaysian Ringgit from my previous trips to Indonesian Rupiah without much hassle just showing my passport on my phone.

I checked 4 different money exchanges and used 3. This year I exchanged 70 $100 bills in Indonesia so I can assure you I know real well what they will and will not accept. I had a brown water mark, small ink spot, and a tear that was like half a millimeter on different bills and all were 3 bills were rejected at two different exchanges. Luckily found a place in Thailand that accepted when I was there. Plus, in general the smaller the bill the more picky they are because they really only want the bigger bills.

[Expat American]

I do not think so. All my money was like brand new. One place wante to give me less money for a bill. Another one would not accept at all because of a small ink stain. They bills have to be like new rather than "not too shabby".

I think this is true. I gave an SA girl some USD and she told me the exchange place offered here a lower rate because "bill was old". However I got the proper rate from exactly the same bills at the airport. So it seems to depend on the exchange place and sometimes they may try to screw you over by complaining about the bills. All in all, ATM is the best option for cash and I mostly pay with CC everywhere.

[DaveTheKnave]

Have you read this Jakarta thread atleast 30 minutes?

You only have 3 posts.

Greetings,

If you're coming to Jakarta for the first time, you'll find the prices cheaper than Pattaya but the biggest problem for me is finding proper food. TGI Fridays, Tony Romas, Outback Steakhouse, etc. Have all closed leaving you to search Italian restaurants dotted around the city or the big hotels in Sudirman business area. Do not stay in Blok M. I was there last year and the whole place around Jalan Phelatan has completely closed down. Having said that, I was there 2 months ago and there was one club or more like a restaurant / bar with girls, opens at 6 or 8 PM on the street at Hotel Phelatan, about 40 meters up on the left.

You don't have to worry about girls coming to the hotel. There was some concern about new legislation recently, but nothing came of it. You can always email the hotels before and check. Just make sure you book the room for 2 persons, especially if it includes breakfast. I have stayed at the Ritz, the Meridien, Holiday Inn, Mayflower, Swiss and they don't even ask for the girl's ID. You can pull girls out of the bars at any of those hotels but they are going to cost you about 3 mil.

If you are a first timer, you will want to stay in North Jakarta because that is where most of the good brothels are. The Classic hotel is all you really need. I stayed at the Mercure Manga Dua last time for less than $50 night including breakfast for 2 and a bathtub. This is a must for me. All the girls I've taken back with me all say that having a hot bath is the first time in their lives. Imagine that. Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia. Sitting in a hot bath for an hour with a beautiful 20 year old Asian girl is the ultimate for me. I also need a balcony, but getting a hotel with balcony, breakfast AND bath is a bit much to ask these days. Even the Ritz Carlton Kuningan, Marriott and Meridien didn't have balconies.

Just go to the Classic. Second floor- there are 200 girls in there and they all cost 365,000 Rp. For 1 hour. Ask her for her Whatsapp number or phone because sooner or later you'll want a girl to spend the night. Arranging for a bar girl to spend the night isn't that difficult but remember that they are cheating the club out of their commission, so it's a bit tricky. You can expect to pay 1. 5 mil for the night. My last girl from the Classic came over about noon and we had lunch and dinner, then spent the night, had breakfast and she left about noon the next day. Don't expect this but anything is possible.

Another good reason to stay in this area is its proximity to other clubs. Just Google Starmoon Bar and you will see it's close to the Mercure Manga Dua. On that same street you'll also see about 4 other clubs. All more or less the same. I think 400,000 Rp. For an hour. All young girls. Don't be afraid to go in and see if one of the 50 girls is your type and, if not, just walk out and go to another one. It's just down the street about 20 meters. Once again, if you find one, exchange numbers with her because sooner or later you're going to ask someone to freelance for you and you certainly don't want to pay the stupid prices they ask in the clubs - 3 mil +++. They will even go with old guys like me. They don't get many white guys in Jakarta anymore, it's not like the old days for sure.

If you want to waste your money, go to the Malioboro or other high end club. The girls are nice. Like almost ALL of them are a higher class but let's face it, it's just a pussy with 2 tits and a cute face after all. All the girls in the Classic and Starmoon, etc, are all 24 or younger. The percentage of beautiful girls is higher in the Malioboro but if you look around and have a drink and wait a bit, you'll be fine with paying 365,000 Rp. For your jollies.

After Covid, I tried setting up my trips with Indonesian Cupid, Thaifiendly for Indonesia, etc. But never had much luck. However, now the girls I have added to Whatsapp and their friends because Indonesian girls will share their friends with you if they can't make your schedule, are more than enough that I could just never use the clubs at all.

I have asked mamasans and Indonesian guys where all the 30 + girls hang out. There must be 100's of 1000's of them. Nobody knows. They aren't being coy or trying to force me with their girls, they honestly don't know where all the middle aged girls hang out. If you find out, please tell me.

[DaveTheKnave]

I am doing the same thing based on my visit in the past and exactly the same input from the girls I met last time. I also spent more time coming to Central Jakarta which had better bars and restaurants. Yes it does take time to get to Classic (and with Jakarta traffic it can be a pain) -but unless you plan to go to classic / emporium multiple times a day -central Jakarta is better.

That's right. Blok M is a waste of time too.

[DaveTheKnave]

Hi Seniors, I just subscribed to the membership and I have never been anywhere except Pattaya / Bangkok.

Jakarta and Pattaya / Bangkok are both equally accessible for me (100 USD round trip) and I can do them on weekends.

I am looking for help to compare Jakarta to Pattaya in terms of few parameters before I decide my next trip (whether to go again to Pattaya or try Jakarta):

1. Looks. I like Thai girls but I like Asian looking girls more (read China, Japan, Vietnam).

2. Avenues to find girls. Is Freelancing prominent like ThaiFriendly app or just very few chicks on the road.

3. ST cost for bar girls inside the bar (including any bar fine).

4. ST cost for freelancers.

5. Police. In Pattaya, no bar gets raided LOL. But I hear news in Indonesia.

6. Is classic the only place here because that's all I read LOL.

Help much appreciated.

Greetings,

If you're coming to Jakarta for the first time, you'll find the prices cheaper than Pattaya but the biggest problem for me is finding proper food. TGI Fridays, Tony Romas, Outback Steakhouse, etc. Have all closed leaving you to search Italian restaurants dotted around the city or the big hotels in Sudirman business area. Do not stay in Blok M. I was there last year and the whole place around Jalan Phelatan has completely closed down. Having said that, I was there 2 months ago and there was one club or more like a restaurant / bar with girls, opens at 6 or 8 PM on the street at Hotel Phelatan, about 40 meters up on the left.

You don't have to worry about girls coming to the hotel. There was some concern about new legislation recently, but nothing came of it. You can always email the hotels before and check. Just make sure you book the room for 2 persons, especially if it includes breakfast. I have stayed at the Ritz, the Meridien, Holiday Inn, Mayflower, Swiss and they don't even ask for the girl's ID. You can pull girls out of the bars at any of those hotels but they are going to cost you about 3 mil.

If you are a first timer, you will want to stay in North Jakarta because that is where most of the good brothels are. The Classic hotel is all you really need. I stayed at the Mercure Manga Dua last time for less than $50 night including breakfast for 2 and a bathtub. This is a must for me. All the girls I've taken back with me all say that having a hot bath is the first time in their lives. Imagine that. Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia. Sitting in a hot bath for an hour with a beautiful 20 year old Asian girl is the ultimate for me. I also need a balcony, but getting a hotel with balcony, breakfast AND bath is a bit much to ask these days. Even the Ritz Carlton Kuningan, Marriott and Meridien didn't have balconies.

Just go to the Classic. Second floor- there are 200 girls in there and they all cost 365,000 Rp. For 1 hour. Ask her for her Whatsapp number or phone because sooner or later you'll want a girl to spend the night. Arranging for a bar girl to spend the night isn't that difficult but remember that they are cheating the club out of their commission, so it's a bit tricky. You can expect to pay 1. 5 mil for the night. My last girl from the Classic came over about noon and we had lunch and dinner, then spent the night, had breakfast and she left about noon the next day. Don't expect this but anything is possible.

Another good reason to stay in this area is its proximity to other clubs. Just Google Starmoon Bar and you will see it's close to the Mercure Manga Dua. On that same street you'll also see about 4 other clubs. All more or less the same. I think 400,000 Rp. For an hour. All young girls. Don't be afraid to go in and see if one of the 50 girls is your type and, if not, just walk out and go to another one. It's just down the street about 20 meters. Once again, if you find one, exchange numbers with her because sooner or later you're going to ask someone to freelance for you and you certainly don't want to pay the stupid prices they ask in the clubs - 3 mil +++. They will even go with old guys like me. They don't get many white guys in Jakarta anymore, it's not like the old days for sure.

If you want to waste your money, go to the Malioboro or other high end club. The girls are nice. Like almost ALL of them are a higher class but let's face it, it's just a pussy with 2 tits and a cute face after all. All the girls in the Classic and Starmoon, etc, are all 24 or younger. The percentage of beautiful girls is higher in the Malioboro but if you look around and have a drink and wait a bit, you'll be fine with paying 365,000 Rp. For your jollies.

After Covid, I tried setting up my trips with Indonesian Cupid, Thaifiendly for Indonesia, etc. But never had much luck. However, now the girls I have added to Whatsapp and their friends because Indonesian girls will share their friends with you if they can't make your schedule, are more than enough that I could just never use the clubs at all.

I have asked mamasans and Indonesian guys where all the 30 + girls hang out. There must be 100's of 1000's of them. Nobody knows. They aren't being coy or trying to force me with their girls, they honestly don't know where all the middle aged girls hang out. If you find out, please tell me.

[Gabacho]

Hi,

I haven't been back to Jarkata since late 2020, and finally decided to go back in mid 2025. Last time I was there, Classic Hotel ATM provided better exchange rates than the money exchange place near Classic. It was a few hundreds IDR different per 1 USD. Can't recall.

Anyone on the ground that could / have compared the exchange rates between ATM and money exchanger; report which is better? TIA!

ATMs always offer better exchange rates than money exchange kiosks. Make sure to use a debit card that doesn't charge any foreign ATM fees such as Capital One, Charles Schwab, or Fidelity and always make sure to decline the ATM exchange rate if it offers one.

Hope this helps.

-Gabacho.

[Gabacho]

Chilli1, I seriously doubt ExpatAmerican has ever fked anyone for free, especially someone from SA. Take whatever he says with a HUGE grain of salt.

Exactly, there are those of us who admit that we pay for sex and report about our experiences to help other mongers along the way. And then there are those guys who make up fake stories about fucking girls for free from SA or using a fake service called "grab feel" to grope women on motorcycles just trying to earn an honest living, in order to impress their internet buddies and to stroke their massive "I am better than you because I pay more than you" arrogant egos.

-Gabacho.

[Gabacho]

Good to know, thanks for the update. I definitely will be spending some time there during my visit which commences in Jan or Feb. I'm not asking for your contacts, but do the girls / mamasans share the IG handles or other social media of their friends who are also in the game? Cheers, mate.

To ExpatAmerican, from another expat American with 20 years experience living in Asia, Lokasari is only "crap" if you don't know what you're doing.

In my experience they are all using WhatsApp which is a messaging app. Make sure you have WhatsApp when you get here as that is how everyone communicates. I am not on social media such as Twitter or Instagram so I don't know if they use those apps or not but I think with WhatsApp you should be fine.