Jakarta

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1736912]I just checked out the Mercure Kota on Agoda. The hotel looks real good, BUT I am a little suspicious because the rate quoted - $28 for a deluxe room and $32 for executive room seems very low to me. Usually when something is too good to be true something is wrong, for example, is there any noisy construction / remodeling going on inside the hotel. So has anybody stayed at this hotel recently and paid these unusually low rates? It just seems like a really really good deal for a nice 3. 5 star hotel. Is it too good is all I am asking.[/QUOTE]To Natty.

I stay there in March book by my customer it cost 48 usd a night if you can get a room there for 28 usd you better jump on it, I stay at this hotel many time the last 10 yr never see it that low before.

Fast eddie 48.

Natty Bumpo-thanks for that detailed info. I just booked on Agoda a 3 BR at Aryaduta Semanggi in late September for $147.72/ night (with taxes) --not bad split three ways. Rather large 135 square meters. Decided on that place because I really want to spend most of my time at CJ's and / or BATS. We will have a Wednesday night at CJ's and then the weekend. I am so looking forward to this visit to Jakarta--first time.

[QUOTE=PStevens999;1737093]Natty Bumpo-thanks for that detailed info. I just booked on Agoda a 3 BR at Aryaduta Semanggi in late September for $147.72/ night (with taxes) --not bad split three ways. Rather large 135 square meters. Decided on that place because I really want to spend most of my time at CJ's and / or BATS. We will have a Wednesday night at CJ's and then the weekend. I am so looking forward to this visit to Jakarta--first time.[/QUOTE]I know you are going to have a great time in Jakarta. This town currently has the hottest girly scene in Asia. CJ's on Wednesday night is amazing! So many hot girls looking for guys. I love it. But while you are in Jakarta be sure to visit Malioboro at least once. That place rocks too. I love the dancers there.

[QUOTE=PStevens999;1737093]Natty Bumpo-thanks for that detailed info. I just booked on Agoda a 3 BR at Aryaduta Semanggi in late September for $147.72/ night (with taxes) --not bad split three ways. Rather large 135 square meters. Decided on that place because I really want to spend most of my time at CJ's and / or BATS. We will have a Wednesday night at CJ's and then the weekend. I am so looking forward to this visit to Jakarta--first time.[/QUOTE]I used to live at those Aryaduta apartments. You are right next to Atma Jaya University there. Maybe you can pick up some University chicks! You can also walk to Plaza Semanggi Mall, that is a place where it is possible to pick up girls. Vertigo disco was in Plaza Semanggi and I have met girls there many times, but I think it may be closed now. They may have opened another disco there by now. The Crowne Plaza disco around the corner called Stingray has a small selection of girls as well and is ok on certain nights. Dragon Fly disco is just down the road and the girls there are hot, but many of them are not prostitutes. It's very easy to get to BATS, CJs and Blok M from there, but you are fairly far from North Jakarta. It will take you an hour to get to Malioboro, maybe 2 hours during rush hour. All that being said, sticking to Bats and CJs is always safe...

Thanks Smoothy. I think we will make a run to Malioboro one mid-afternoon--and and then hit Malio late into the evening --by then traffic should have died down a bit. Looks like a straight shot up Jenderal Sudirman to Malioboro--but it must be stop and go the whole way.

Another place that can be booked with multiple bedrooms that is close to that same area is Batavia Apartments. I believe you can book the 3 bedroom apartment for about $100 or the 200 square meter penthouse there for about $150 a night.

[QUOTE=LAGuy5;1736839]Out of curiosity, have you stayed at both Mercures? I haven't, but am under the impression the Grand Mercure Harmoni is in better condition and likely has better and more comfortable rooms. Given they are so close to each other, I'm not sure what your recommendation of the Mercure Kota over the Mercure Harmoni is based on. But let us know as I'm not saying your recommendation of Kota over Harmoni is wrong, just that your post doesn't give enough information to evaluate the basis for it.[/QUOTE]LA guy, you are right. My recommendation is not comparative as I have stayed only at the kota property. When I was booking I got a better rate then Harmoni and this hotel was a decent green property which I found so during my 5 days. I did not speak about the room as I had booked the executive room, need little more space then the usual cramped room. All said the staff at the hotel is extremely courteous. Get blue bird taxi from the hotel, the night staff know all the usual entertainment joints hence no hassle of figuring it out especially for a newbie like me. Women to room is no problem.

Forex across the road. All America fast food joints within walking distance. These are few of the reasons I suggested this hotel. It is not that Harmoni or any other hotel is not good.

[QUOTE=IllusionHeart;1737187]LA guy, you are right. My recommendation is not comparative as I have stayed only at the kota property. When I was booking I got a better rate then Harmoni and this hotel was a decent green property which I found so during my 5 days. I did not speak about the room as I had booked the executive room, need little more space then the usual cramped room. All said the staff at the hotel is extremely courteous. Get blue bird taxi from the hotel, the night staff know all the usual entertainment joints hence no hassle of figuring it out especially for a newbie like me. Women to room is no problem.

Forex across the road. All America fast food joints within walking distance. These are few of the reasons I suggested this hotel. It is not that Harmoni or any other hotel is not good.[/QUOTE]Well, I suppose one argument would be (and I'm being facetious) Mercure Kota = Burger King + Pizza Hut + Starbucks; Grand Mercure Harmoni = Dunkin Donuts. Mercure Kota wins that one.

Actually, I slightly prefer the location of the Mercure Kota because it is closer to Penjay, Lokasari Plaza, and that shopping mall across from the Burger King. I don't frequent Malioboro or Classic that much so closer access to them (I. E. , Mercure Harmoni) would not be much of a plus for me, but for a Malioboro addict, it clearly would be. However, it seems Mercure Harmoni is a bit more comfortable just based on its appearance and the fact it was just built (Mercure Kota, where I have had lunch once, seems a bit old unless it has been renovated recently). But both are reasonable choices unless someone prefers more expensive hotels.

[QUOTE=PStevens999;1737114]Thanks Smoothy. I think we will make a run to Malioboro one mid-afternoon--and and then hit Malio late into the evening --by then traffic should have died down a bit. Looks like a straight shot up Jenderal Sudirman to Malioboro--but it must be stop and go the whole way.[/QUOTE]Malioboro and Malio bar are next to each other, and I understand (although haven't done it) it is possible to go from one to the other without going outside. So you can kind of consider it one trip that begins late afternoon (I wouldn't show up earlier) and continues through the night. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Yes its correct, you may go from Malioboro to Malio bar trough a corridor located at 3th or 4th floor. The guards know where it is.

Wamena

[QUOTE=LAGuy5;1737195]Malioboro and Malio bar are next to each other, and I understand (although haven't done it) it is possible to go from one to the other without going outside. So you can kind of consider it one trip that begins late afternoon (I wouldn't show up earlier) and continues through the night. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=LAGuy5;1737195]Malioboro and Malio bar are next to each other, and I understand (although haven't done it) it is possible to go from one to the other without going outside. So you can kind of consider it one trip that begins late afternoon (I wouldn't show up earlier) and continues through the night. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.[/QUOTE]Malio club is inside Malioboro. Access is slightly funny though. You have to get inside Malioboro, collect token from the counter then take the lift upto the top floor then walk across the hallway. They check your token here and once you pass the security guys you take the lift down from the end of the hallway. On the ground floor is the malio club. Hence if someone dosent know about the club he would never reach there.

Domino's is also besides Burger king. Then there is also a KFC. I am sure because I ate only fast food for 5 days. Didn't bother to try the local fare.

The kota property is not renovated but dosent show too many signs of ageing. Beds are comfy, sheets are clearly. I was on a smoking floor hence there was some stench but since I am a smoker myself didn't matter much.

[QUOTE=IllusionHeart;1737415]Malio club is inside Malioboro. Access is slightly funny though. You have to get inside Malioboro, collect token from the counter then take the lift upto the top floor then walk across the hallway. They check your token here and once you pass the security guys you take the lift down from the end of the hallway. On the ground floor is the malio club. Hence if someone dosent know about the club he would never reach there.

Domino's is also besides Burger king. Then there is also a KFC. I am sure because I ate only fast food for 5 days. Didn't bother to try the local fare.

The kota property is not renovated but dosent show too many signs of ageing. Beds are comfy, sheets are clearly. I was on a smoking floor hence there was some stench but since I am a smoker myself didn't matter much.[/QUOTE]You are correct about Domino's; I got it confused with a Pizza Hut although I believe there also is one of those maybe a block or so north of the Mercure Kota.

Or just walk in from the street, straight along the driveway, past the water truck that seems to always be there pumping shit out and the main entry door is on the right. No need to go into Malioboro.

[QUOTE=IllusionHeart;1737415]Malio club is inside Malioboro. Access is slightly funny though. You have to get inside Malioboro, collect token from the counter then take the lift upto the top floor then walk across the hallway. They check your token here and once you pass the security guys you take the lift down from the end of the hallway. On the ground floor is the malio club. Hence if someone dosent know about the club he would never reach there.
[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1736912]I just checked out the Mercure Kota on Agoda. The hotel looks real good, BUT I am a little suspicious because the rate quoted - $28 for a deluxe room and $32 for executive room seems very low to me. Usually when something is too good to be true something is wrong, for example, is there any noisy construction / remodeling going on inside the hotel. So has anybody stayed at this hotel recently and paid these unusually low rates? It just seems like a really really good deal for a nice 3. 5 star hotel. Is it too good is all I am asking.[/QUOTE]I have used Agoda for the past 7 years and never had a problem. However, most of the discounted very low rates are nonrefundable. Agoda will send you an email with your voucher. You can also call the hotel to confirm the rate based on the voucher number. I have used the discount nonrefundable rates when I booked online the day before I arrive. That way I know I will be going to the hotel and nonrefundable is not an issue. I am in Bkk so I also book discounted rates for air and hotel to other Asian cities close by. That is the great thing about being in Asian, there is always some discount on air and flight which makes a weekend of sex fun very easy in another country.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1736912]I just checked out the Mercure Kota on Agoda. The hotel looks real good, BUT I am a little suspicious because the rate quoted - $28 for a deluxe room and $32 for executive room seems very low to me. Usually when something is too good to be true something is wrong, for example, is there any noisy construction / remodeling going on inside the hotel. So has anybody stayed at this hotel recently and paid these unusually low rates? It just seems like a really really good deal for a nice 3. 5 star hotel. Is it too good is all I am asking.[/QUOTE]I have used Agoda for the past 7 years and never had a problem. However, most of the discounted very low rates are nonrefundable. Agoda will send you an email with your voucher. You can also call the hotel to confirm the rate based on the voucher number. I have used the discount nonrefundable rates when I booked online the day before I arrive. That way I know I will be going to the hotel and nonrefundable is not an issue. I am in Bkk so I also book discounted rates for air and hotel to other Asian cities close by. That is the great thing about being in Asian, there is always some discount on air and flight which makes a weekend of sex fun very easy in another country.