Jakarta

While I was booking my room at Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni, I found out that this hotel has "men's only" spa at 5th floor. It is called Sparadise Spa Harmoni. Have anyone tried this spa? Could you share some info?

[QUOTE=Intois;1947134]While I was booking my room at Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni, I found out that this hotel has "men's only" spa at 5th floor. It is called Sparadise Spa Harmoni. Have anyone tried this spa? Could you share some info?[/QUOTE]You look through pictures of girls on a computer monitor, and pick a number. If you are lucky, you will get a girl who looks similar to the picture. She will then lead you back to a private room with a shower and a mattress for doing the massage. After the massage comes the negotiation with the girl for any extras, watch out for sticker shock! 500 k for topless he seems to be standard. You could probably negotiate for more extras if the girl likes you.

Afterwards, you take the elevator at the back of the building down to the carpark, so there's no walk of shame through the lobby.

[QUOTE=Intois;1947134]While I was booking my room at Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni, I found out that this hotel has "men's only" spa at 5th floor. It is called Sparadise Spa Harmoni. Have anyone tried this spa? Could you share some info?[/QUOTE]I stayed at the Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni October 2015 as the previous member mentioned you will be able to choose the girl from a computer monitor and the photos can be typical 'selfies' and photos with 'soft' filters to make the women look a bit younger and try to blur the flaws away. Of course not all the girls are available and it did seem the prettier ones were booked already.

I was going for the HJ only and was not offered any 'extras' by the girl. Last year's price was 330 K+tax (normal room) and everyday from 11 am-5 pm is happy hour so the price is reduced to 290 K+tax- but pricing may have changed in 2016. As I know the price includes massage + HJ only. The normal room had a shower inside and was very clean.

The Jakarta Post reported today that Mille's has been closed by authorities after another case of drug use was discovered. This time a policeman was the culprit.

Surprise, surprise.

Regards,

Ko.

[QUOTE=KoperenKlaas;1948639]The Jakarta Post reported today that Mille's has been closed by authorities after another case of drug use was discovered. This time a policeman was the culprit.

Surprise, surprise.

Regards,

Ko.[/QUOTE]Shocking. Who would have thought there were some people doing drugs at that place?

I never went there anyway.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1948867]Shocking. Who would have thought there were some people doing drugs at that place?

I never went there anyway.[/QUOTE]Correction to my previous post:

ADj. Comm. Sunarto was arrested for using drugs on October 8. The closing date of Mille's is yet to be decided.

Sounds to me like the negotiations have started.

Regards,

Ko

Following the interesting post about the excessive tip seeking of staff at places like Classic I had a couple of experiences in the past few days that have really made me change my attitude to tipping and service standards.

Previously I would have been free with the tips, I worked in my youth in the service industry and I know what a difference tips can make, not just to a server's income but also to his or her standards of service. There was a link and given that a) we are not talking about huge sums in relative terms and b) I don't want to come across as a cheap charlie in an environment where men are after all judged on their ability to provide cash to attractive young women I was open with my wallet.

However that has changed and I am now coming around to my wife's contemptuous opinion of my freeness with tips to everyone from the waiter at dinner to the valet parker. She has always claimed it didn't make a blind bit of difference and all I did was come across as a naive soft touch, I think (as so often when it comes to my better half) she may have a point.

Let me explain. I was in Classic the other night. The dancers were working the floor and one quite fit tall girl came to my table. She was enthusiastic, allowed my hands to roam freely and also groped me in the appropriate places. In no time flat she had run up 10 shots (Rp 35 k ea) and I called it quits. As is customary in Classic when you hit 10 drinks a floor manager comes over to confirm you ran up the bill and have no objection, I hadn't and signed accordingly. The dancer gave me a slobbering kiss and then opened her panties for a tip, which I provided. All told maybe a couple of minutes, I didn't mind the bill I had run up, I'm a big boy I know the form. I didn't think I had bought the right to her undying affection, she worked the session well and each of us were satisfied with the results of the transaction.

But shortly thereafter I witnessed something that soured me very rapidly. At the table next to mine were seated two ethnic Chinese gentlemen. She worked one of them hard, giving him the same treatment I got, with one exception, she spent at least 15 minutes with him, and was much, much more forceful, mounting him, pulling her panties down to knee length, and as I watched I noted that he too had run up 10 drinks. The slight resentment that I felt at the difference in time and service erupted into outrage when I saw what happened next.

He called it quits and the floor manager came over to confirm the bill and this is when my eyes went out in stalks. He casually counted out the empty glasses, kept four at his place and pushed six over to the manager. He was negotiating the bill, willing to pay for four but not all 10. Now at this point where I come from two large bullet-headed bouncers arrive at the table and end negotiations promptly, but not here. The dancer and the manager got into mock-angry haggling with the bloke as you might see at a vegetable market. The bill went back and forth, the glasses were slid around the table for a good 20 minutes before they settled on six glasses (as one suspects they all knew they would).

Now I have no problem with what the bloke did, good luck to him, it is part of his culture never paying the first price offered. He showed an admirably business-like demeanor as he got his way doing something which no bule guy would ever have the effrontery to do (and why China will be ruling the world in 50 years time). What I objected to was the dancer's attitude, she stood there, panties down, topless, cajoling him, grabbing his hand and thrusting it to her crotch, hugging him, and when the deal was agreed smiling broadly and giving him a big kiss. He in other words had got the equivalent of 20 times the dance I had got for 60% of the price.

That gentlemen sums up how we western guys are viewed. We are cash cows, who can be given a perfunctory service in the knowledge that we will over pay and then tip handsomely before moving on to work the real tough jobs, the local guys and especially Chinese men, who will need a really top-notch performance but who will still pay less money.

Bear that in mind the next time you guiltily hand over a tip even though you weren't particularly happy with the service, think of the Chinese guy in the next room who is working his girl like billy-oh knowing he won't be paying as much as you.

I've written enough, I'll mention the other experience later.

[QUOTE=LAGuy5;1946450]Well, it is interesting that he said about a year ago I had no credibility on this board because I carried my passport with me while in Jakarta. He has since admitted the reason he does not do so himself is because he would likely lose his passport owing to the fact he is usually drunk while traveling around the city. It made me wonder the state of his intoxication when he does post some of his negative posts here.

In any event, I also wonder how many of those who were caught up in the Blok M raid without their passport were in that position because they were following his advice posted here about not carrying such documentation while in Jakarta, advice that would have cost them either 25 million rupiah, or a night in a virtual jail.[/QUOTE]This guy is not very smooth and I just ignore his useless advice completely, and caution others from doing so likewise. I actually kinda feel sad for him, as he spends most of this time posting in other international tourist sex forums instead of building a real life in Jakarta and connecting with local people. He doesn't have a KITAs or working permit to live in Indo, so he needs to do constant Visa runs in neighboring countries such as Singapore, Thailand etc. I'm always weary of trusting people like this because they are basically transients who are unwanted by the countries they live in. If he could actually attract real woman and build a real life, he wouldn't be running away from the States to live in exile in Indo, and trying to find validation from random strangers over the internet.

[QUOTE=Hilo77;1949100]Now I have no problem with what the bloke did, good luck to him, it is part of his culture never paying the first price offered. He showed an admirably business-like demeanor as he got his way doing something which no bule guy would ever have the effrontery to do (and why China will be ruling the world in 50 years time).
That gentlemen sums up how we western guys are viewed. We are cash cows, who can be given a perfunctory service in the knowledge that we will over pay and then tip handsomely before moving on to work the real tough jobs, the local guys and especially Chinese men, who will need a really top-notch performance but who will still pay less money.
Bear that in mind the next time you guiltily hand over a tip even though you weren't particularly happy with the service, think of the Chinese guy in the next room who is working his girl like billy-oh knowing he won't be paying as much as you.[/QUOTE]Just to let you know, not all bules act like you did. I stopped the girl from gulping down the first drink and hence there was no confrontation. Been around and know the ropes. Just be aware of the circumstances and be smart while having fun. You did what you did and others necessarily do not do the same.

[QUOTE=Hilo77;1949100]I am now coming around to my wife's contemptuous opinion of my freeness with tips to everyone from the waiter at dinner to the valet parker. She has always claimed it didn't make a blind bit of difference and all I did was come across as a naive soft touch, I think (as so often when it comes to my better half) she may have a point.[/QUOTE]Wow, where can I find one like that? My Indo girlfriend is always bitching that I don't tip enough. She even wants me to tip guys like the bluebird stand taxi guy when we cue at the mall and other such ridiculous things. I notice that nobody else tips those guys.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;1948867]Shocking. Who would have thought there were some people doing drugs at that place?

I never went there anyway.[/QUOTE]There was always a corner at Millies where these things were available. Similarly I think at Golden crown as well.

Usually you tip taxi guys, and traffic guys 20 cents or less for hailing a cab, or opening a door etc. Tipping is purely optional, but these people work in a 3rd world country where the government doesn't do enough to support them, and they make around $100-200 a month to survive on. If you are an expat who can't afford to give 20 cents here and there to a taxi guy, I think that is really low pathetic, not Smooth at all. Especially cheap charlies who deliberately walk one block away from buildings and hotels to avoid paying a 20 cent tip. Basically, you are either super cheap, selfish, and have no compassion and generosity in your heart. I feel sorry for such folks.

[QUOTE=Hilo77;1949100] What I objected to was the dancer's attitude, she stood there, panties down, topless, cajoling him, grabbing his hand and thrusting it to her crotch, hugging him, and when the deal was agreed smiling broadly and giving him a big kiss. [/QUOTE]I object to that too. She should have been telling him to go F himself. Maybe he was a regular there, who knows?

However, the Chinese guy was getting sloppy seconds off of you. And if he mouth kissed the same girl, he probably swallowed some of your saliva. So that's basically equivalent to you spitting in his mouth. Would it really be worth the discount to have some other dude spit in your mouth? It does always pay to get these girls first. You got a bargain.

Whenever those dancers come over, there is little chance they will ever drink 10 drinks with me (although at 35 k a drink, I wouldn't worry too much about it). I normally tell them "pelan pelan" and will buy 2 drinks. For 10 drinks, she better give me a BJ in the corner.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1949165]Just to let you know, not all bules act like you did. I stopped the girl from gulping down the first drink and hence there was no confrontation. [/QUOTE]As the great Larry David says, Good for you! Good for you.

You scrutinize the girls drinks carefully as she's trying to stick her tits in your face, and in return you get two or three minutes longer than I did. Good for you.

What you aren't getting, and which was rather the point of my post that you appear to have completely missed, is that you're not getting the best part of half an hour's dance, without caring what the girl's running up and then getting a 40 percent discount, which is what the gentleman I was referring to managed to achieve.

Good for you.

In response to the real point, I see it broken down into 2 issues: 1. The service you received, and 2. The price you paid. 1. Service is always YMMV with any girl, but I find I get better service when you try the be playful, relaxed, charming, and engaged with the girl, and yes looks and age are a factor. If you can speak the language that helps too. With some girls you can be more assertive and initiate more contact, so that is worth a try also next time. If you have stiff body language and not smiling (not saying you acted that way) the girls don't react well and you may get worse service. Body language is important, especially if you can't speak the language. 2. Are you sure the guy was 'negotiating' after the fact? Or is it more likely the Chinese guy only agreed on paying 6, and they tried running the tab on him to 10 (it happens to many). Usually, you only pay for what you agree verbally in these places, and I don't think it is negotiable below what you've agreed to pay for and received. However, you were there and I wasn't there to see it. If he was able to negotiate the agreed upon price to something lower, and you felt slighted by this, maybe you can try this and let us know if this works. I think if he 'agreed' to pay for 10 shots, and than later said he's only paying for 6, that the girl or management would take that very well.