Jakarta hotels

Hotels in Jakarta

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia is a honey pot for tourists with its thriving cultural centre. Positioned on the northwest coast of Java, it is also one of the most populated cities in Indonesia. Jakarta Hotels are numerous and varied, offering basic to luxury accommodation to fit most budgets.

Jakarta Old Town, known as Kota, or Old Batavia was dubbed ‘the jewel of Asia' by visiting European sailors, during its heyday in the 16th century. As the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, the buildings reflect their colonial past, although sadly much of it is crumbling away. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's still possible to wonder the streets and admire the Old Batavia architecture, such as the Jakarta History Museum, the Post Office and the Maritime Museum.

Check out the National Monument, standing proud in Merdeka Square to commemorate the fight for Indonesian Independence. Merdeka Palace, the official residence for the President of the Republic of Indonesia, stands nearby. So too does the Jakarta Cathedral, with its fine masonry and Neo Gothic design.

Cultural Highlights:

To visit a classical concert hall, try Aula Simfonia Jakarta in Kemayoran or the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta near Pasar Baru. For some traditional Javanese Wayang Orang performances, try the Wayang Orang Bharata theatre. The city is a cultural hub with various International Fairs and Festivals held annually throughout the year including an International Film Festival, Jazz Festival and Fashion Week.

Jakarta is full to bursting with museums. If you're interested in science, try the Research and Technology Information Centre, then there's the Transportation Museum, Komodo Indonesian Fauna Museum and Insect Museum to name but a few.

Take a trip to the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, located east of the city where life in Indonesia is depicted via textiles, artefacts and architectural design. There's also an Imax cinema, cable cars and lake to explore.

Ancol Dreamland, part of Ancol Bay City is perfect for those seeking a great day out. Dunia Fantasi theme park, an international championship golf course, Sea World and Atlantis Water Adventure are just a few of the facilities available.

Local Cuisine:

Food here is rich and varied. The local Betawi Cuisine is a hybrid of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Arabic and European influences. It makes for some exciting dishes. Try the Soto Betawi, a beef and offal dish in a spicy coconut milk broth or the gado-gado Betawi, made up of steamed vegetables, boiled eggs and peanut sauce.

Shopping:

Jakarta is one of the best places to shop in South East Asia. It's various shopping malls as well as the more traditional markets make for some great retail therapy. For luxury goods and designer brands, try the Plaza Senayan or the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. For high street shops, try Central Park Jakarta or Mal Kelapa Gading. For the more traditional markets, visit Blok M, Glodok or Senen.