Jakarta is knowing as the very busy, crowded and messy city but very fascinating to be missed out. Many business travelers are visiting Jakarta as many as those who come for Holiday. For accommodation, especially in a Business Belt, Jakarta still offer Luxarious, Newest and Modern Hotel. You do not need to be frustrated to find the best 5 star hotels in town as most of these Five Stars hotels are managed by well known International Hotel Chain company. One of them is Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) who managed Intercontinental Hotel, Crown Plaza and Holiday Inn Hotels. One fine afternoon weekend I had a chance to stay over in intercontinental Hotel Jakarta MidPlaza and the story starts from here.
Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta MidPlaza located at Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10 - 11, Jakarta - Indonesia. For business travelers who visited one of the famous Sudirman business district in Jakarta probably knows this hotel. it is situated not exactly on the main road Jl. Jend Sudirman but the connection with an underpass from MidPlaza Building will give the address still at Jl. Jend. Sudirman. Well, it is strategically and conveniently located in the heart of the busiiness area, perfect place for both business and leisure too. This hotel has 14th storey, all the lowest category room -deluxe room- in the low level from 3rd - 6th Fl. Premiere Room, the next category, as well as executive / suite room are on the above level. This hotel also has equipped with 2 (two) Guest Rooms catered for guest with special needs.
In the room
I stayed at the deluxe 32 sqm room twin bed type (but it has a connecting door with the King Room). The design in this room is a modern with dark brown wooden style of the working desk, mirror frame, television cupboard with the big frame and the bedding head. The wooden closet / wardrobe is in white color as well as the bathroom atmosphere. Room has very good light thus it looks bright. I like the nuance. Bathroom has bathub and shower which are split from each other. Room also equipped wth Iron and the Ironboard, safety box, as a standard 5 star hotel. I feel convenient working from the desk, the light is bright good for the eyesight to see the laptop and the mirror on the wall above the desk make the feel of the room looks bigger in space, very good lay out covering. Well, coffee / tea is free but not a coffee machine provided, it is only the electric kettle to boil the water but that is fine, you can find similarity into other 5 star hotels as well.
In the hotel
This hotel has a mid size lobby, it is sure can accommodate the group booking as well. There are some comfortable coaches for people waiting here. Not too far from here there is a Lobby Lounge and an outdoor Jimbaran Lounge. The outdoor lounge has very specific in design, taken from Bali beach Jimbaran, the nuance is made for guest to feel the little cozy of Jimbaran atmosphere. The ballroom is also in the same level with the lobby and absolutely have a perfect access to this lounge directly. In this lobby level, there are several shops as well including the showroom / Boutique of the famous local Designer, Iwan Tirta, who designed beautiful Batik shirt / dress, as you may aware that Batik is the signature clothes from Indonesia. In the Mezanine Floor whole area are designed for breakout rooms / meeting rooms and absolutely great for business events / meetings. In the 2nd Level there is an Italian cuisine, Scuza Restaurant. Oh well, I like Italian food that is why this hotel is actually fit for me if I stayed here and for those who like Italian food you are not required to go far to find the one you love. Price is vary for a person starts from the IDR.150k. Here also you can find the Rasa Restaurant, it is the place where you can have Buffet for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I really like the buffet breakfast here, much variety of the food, also you can order cappucino, mochacino, latte, any kind of coffee for free as it is included in the breakfast beverages, very cool and for my personal opinion it is very worth as I am aware most of the hotel do not provide many kind of coffee in their breakfast package, it is a plus point. Fit for business traveler before jumping into the hard day at the office. The hotel facilities are also here such as spa, swimming pool and fitness centre. Spa seems very relaxing, next time I really want to spa myself there so I can tell the experience here *_*. Then continued, at the lower ground level you can find the Bacchus Bar, Deli Pastry Shop, the drugstore, I see the dentist here at this level too.
Surrounding of the hotel
One minute walk to the famous Jl. Sudirman or through the underpass adjascent to MidPlaza Building. Then, just next door are the Hospital, Apartments and City Walk or commonly it is called as CiWalk, a food mall, many restaurants, coffee shops here as well as the wine bar. One minute walk to the Casablanca Road as well, the alternative way to reach out another part of business district or malls in another 3-5 minutes drive, such as Lotte Shopping Avenue, Ambasador Mall, Kuningan City until a bit further to the east part is to Kota Kasablanka Mall (through the long way fly over). Casablanca Road is also the alternative way (the back street) access to Thamrin Area, the Grand Indonesia shopping complex, Plaza Indonesia until Sarinah Thamrin. You can find the grocery shop The Food Hall in one minute walk. However until now I write this there is two building constructions just in the neighbourhood and it can be viewed from the room but part of it you can still get a skycrapper view on surrounding. The construction is not too busy, during my stay so nothing to be worry about, I did not hear anything. The hotel is in the quiet area, so for those who like staying quietly, this is it, a plus point for you.
Services
I have no doubt about the friendliness of the staff here. Since you are get down from the car at the lobby they will greet you very well, until the check in process, the staff are very polite, friendly and informative. Great experiences. But they do not provide the welcome drink upon check in. Included to the room price is a free Wifi charge, it is the new service of the hotel according to the staff as before it, they will charge Wifi at USD. 20 for the duration of the stay, oh no, that is not wise to charge in-room Wifi while we knew that now internet connection has been already as a people's prime need. Thus, one step forward, the Management decision is good to include the WIFI charge to the guest room bill and no more in the extra charged. In-room, there is also a welcome package, what is that ? The local orange and the locald delicacy, Emping Manis Pedas means the taste is sweet and spicy, it is the delicious crackers typicaly from Surabaya, east Java. A little suprise of an adding value of service. Free parking is also available during the stay, no worries.
Overall, I enjoyed staying in this hotel and recommend for those who come to Jakarta for business purpose or leisure, this hotel can accomodate your needs. I cannot tell about the executive room because I did not stay there but the Service must be smilar. Oh, I had the chance to visit the club lounge on 14th floor. It is dedicated for the room who paid with the additional charge for the Club lounge. Here you can get free drink and food at all times but for free alcoholic drinks you can get from 5 to 8 pm and it is common actually for the same service from other 5 star hotel as well.
My day is so relaxing here. Thanks for the nice stay and service, Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta. I have something to share to my other travel buddy to add to their choices.
