Showing posts with label Jakarta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jakarta. Show all posts

August 09, 2023

Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel

I can’t believe that we only have a few days left to enjoy our school break and to be honest, I did not feel the summer vacation this year because we did not have any trips. Well, for the past several weeks, my husband has frequent Jakarta Indonesia and we had the opportunity to travel with him. Still, I let go of the chances because Jakarta is not on my bucket list, airfare is expensive, and for tourist spots, I only need a day or two to visit those. So I chose to have a staycation na lang at home and save money. 

Anyway, I mentioned in my other post that my husband usually stays at The Westin Jakarta but during his trip, it was fully booked so his colleagues informed him to book at Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City. This is the 6th hotel that my husband tried in Jakarta Indonesia and since he frequents Sheraton hotels, he has his own expectations. 


But unfortunately, his expectations were not met. It started with the reception where the staff wanted him to pay his booking in full. What?!? We are aware of incidental deposit pero full payment agad upon check-in, first-time sa Sheraton. What if he wanted to shorten his stay like his previous trip

When he reaches his room, the room looks good but there is a certain smell that he doesn’t know kung saan ba nanggagaling, parang amoy kulob or molds. It is not the same with other Sheraton rooms na mabango pag open mo pa lang ng door. 



The room and bathroom are spacious. The staff even prepared welcome snacks and handwritten cards.





He stayed on the 17th floor but can still hear the noise outside so it is hard to sleep. 


Buffet Breakfast at Anigre Restaurant 

The following day, while they were eating their breakfast, a hotel staff approached them and asked for feedback and my husband was surprised when his colleagues started talking because they stayed in 3 different rooms but they had the same concern which is the “smell of the room”. But the hotel did not transfer them to a different room so they endured the smell for almost a week. 

About breakfast, there are so many options like Indonesian, Asian, and Western cuisine but the taste is just okay. I won’t go into details but after his colleagues shared their feedback about the food, the chef even went out and told them, that if they wanted a certain meal, they could prepare it for them. But they did not make any special requests; it just so happened that the hotel staff went to their table and asked for their feedback. Unfortunately, their reviews are not positive. 





But on a positive note, the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel has a good location because it is adjacent to Gandaria City Mall so you can easily shop and dine. They have a 24-hour fitness center and swimming pool. 

Lobby Lounge 

Aside from Anigre Restaurant, they have a Lobby Lounge too which serves cocktails and appetizers. My husband stayed and dined here while waiting for his midnight flight. 


Update: December 2024

Just this month, my husband went back to Indonesia for a business trip and stayed at the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel during his first and last days. And because of his past experience, he booked here without expectations so he was surprised when he arrived at the hotel. 





There is a welcome note on television, handwritten notes, and welcome snacks, and the surprising part is, that he has complimentary access to Sheraton Club. 

Complimentary Sheraton Club Breakfast Buffet - 6:00AM to 10:30AM 
Complimentary Evening Hors D’oeuvres with selected house wines, beer, and basic spirits.
Complimentary snacks, coffee/tea, and soft drinks were available throughout the day 
Complimentary Sheraton Club Meeting Room usage
2 pieces pressing per stay 

He also received a coupon for a one-time lunch/dinner at Anigre (1 pax) and a Special Happy Hour drink at Lobby Lounge (one time only).

There are so many freebies, unfortunately, he was not able to enjoy all the benefits because he only stayed for several hours. On his first day, he arrived in the wee hours so he missed the Evening Hors D’oeuvres but he was able to eat breakfast at the Sheraton Club before he checked out. 







After a few days, he went back to the hotel so he could rest before his midnight flight. The staff changed the expiration date of his coupon so he had a buffet dinner at Anigre.


Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel 
Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, Kebayoran, 
Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia, 12240

November 22, 2019

JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta Indonesia

A few weeks ago, I’ve blogged about JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi and today let me share with you another JW Marriott hotel. Hubby was back from Jakarta, Indonesia and he usually stays at The Westin Jakarta but the hotel was fully booked so he had no choice but to look for another hotel. He remembered JW Marriott Hotel because they had an event here on his last visit to Jakarta.

Read: Where to Stay in Jakarta Indonesia

JW Marriott Hotel is 30 km away from the airport and it is located in Central Business District in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta. It is near the business offices, embassies, and even shopping centers. The hotel was opened in 2001 so the look is a little bit old already and you will notice that when you see the room photos.

When my husband booked at this hotel, medyo paranoid ako because this hotel has been bombed twice by terrorist in the year 2003 and 2009. And because of that, the hotel has now five layers of blast walls and the security is very tight. If you have small scissors or any tools, you need to surrender it at the concierge.

Governor Suite Room 

My husband usually stays at Deluxe room but it is no longer available so he has no choice but to book the cheapest available room during his trip which is Governor Suite. The room is about 84 sqm, you have a separate bedroom, living room, workstation, walk-in closet, and 2 comfort rooms. There are coffee and tea area, minibar, fridge, two television, three phones, and wired and wireless internet. This hotel room is spacious for one person and it is bigger than our tiny house. Hehehe!







What special about this room is you have Executive Lounge Access, it is open from Sunday to Saturday, 6AM to 12AM. You have a private access floor, complimentary food and drinks, and other complimentary business services.

* Complimentary food
* Complimentary cocktails
* Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
* Complimentary 2 pieces pressing per day (non-accumulative)
* Complimentary wifi in the lounge and meeting room
* Complimentary use of meeting room for 2 hours per day (subject to availability)
* Complimentary business services like fax, printing, scanning (free 20 pages per day)
* Free local call excluding mobile phone call.
* Drop off shuttle in Mega Kuningan area from 6AM until 11PM.
* Complimentary culinary offering all day with evening cocktails.
* Personalized check-in and check-out
* Evening Service Bar

Executive Lounge at 29th Floor

Breakfast 6AM - 10:30AM (Weekday) | 6AM - 11AM (Weekend and Public Holidays)
High Tea 2:30PM to 4:30PM
Hors d’oeuvres 05:30PM - 9:30PM
Evening Cocktails 5:30 - 9:30Pm (Wine, Spirit, Beer & Cocktails)
Cheese & Dessert 05:30 - 11PM





 Aside from the executive lounge access, my husband got two vouchers; one voucher worth IDR 150,000 at Alameda Spa & Health Club and one voucher worth IDR100,000 at Sailendra Restaurant. He can also choose one gift from JW Marriott, he can choose from the following.

* Asuka Maki Sushi Roll at Asuka Japanese Dining
* A bowl of Indonesian Soup (Sop Buntut, Bakso or Iga) at Sailendra Restaurant
* A choice of appetizer at Pearl Chinese Restaurant
* A choice of dessert at Pearl Chinese Restaurant
* A glass of house beer at Blu Martini
* A glass of house red or white wine at Blu Martini
* Avail IDR50,000 off your in room dining orders.

Sa dami ng free foods and drinks, parang gusto mo na lang magstay ng hotel at magfood trip. Before his business trip, alam ko diet siya pero ewan ko na lang kung ano nangyari sa diet niya during his trip. hehehe!

Sailendra Buffet Breakfast 

For breakfast, he has two choices; he can eat at the lounge or at the Sailendra restaurant. He tried both. Sailedra Buffet Breakfast offers international dishes like American, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Chinese and of course Indonesian dishes. The advantage of the Executive Lounge is they serve pork dishes daw.





You can also eat and drink at Asuka Japanese restaurant, Pearl Chinese restaurant, Blu Martini Bar & Lounge, and Sailendra Restaurant. If you want to save money, you can eat the nearest shopping mall. My husband just walked from JW Marriott hotel up to the shopping mall.



JW Marriott Hotel is a 5-star hotel that offers a fitness center, spa, swimming pool, meeting room, and event venue. The room, food, and service is good. Just like the Hanoi branch, they give complimentary chocolates every turndown service.

This hotel reminds me of our stay in Sofitel Club Millesime Manila because of the executive lounge and Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok sa dami ng freebies. You can check other Marriott hotels that I have reviewed in the past.

Read: JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam
Marriott Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel 
Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive by Marriott in Dallas Texas
Chengdu Marriott Hotel Financial Centre in China 
Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake 
Cebu City Marriott Hotel 

JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta 
Jalan DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Kav E.1.2 No 1&2, 
Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta  12950 Indonesia

July 05, 2019

Where to Stay in Jakarta Indonesia

Jakarta Indonesia is not a tourist destination, in fact, it is notorious for having horrible traffic so it is very important to choose a hotel that is near a shopping center or restaurant so you don’t have a problem when you want to buy something or you want to eat out.

But despite the fact that Jakarta has traffic problems, what caught my attention is their hotels. My husband is a frequent visitor to Jakarta, Indonesia, and for the past few years, he was able to try different hotels and one of his favorite hotels is located in Indonesia.


So if you are planning a quick visit to Jakarta after your Bali trip, if you want to have a family staycation, or if you want to have a relaxed business trip then check these hotels.

Where to Stay in Jakarta Indonesia 

1. Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta 

Among the hotels that my husband has visited, Hotel Mulia Senayan is his favorite hotel so far. I have no doubt about that because Hotel Senayan is an award-winning hotel. It was part of the Top 15 Hotels in South East Asia in 2015 and Top Hotels in Asia: Readers’ Choice Awards 2017. Even their hotel in Bali Indonesia is also an award-winning hotel.


They are true to their word “Experience a stay like no other” because when it comes to service my husband was very pleased. Service is excellent, and you will feel spoiled and pampered especially for returning guests.

The bed, pillows, and duvet are very comfy that you just want to sleep and sleep. They replenished fruits and toiletries every day. They also give complimentary chocolates every night and sometimes they give a voucher that you can use at their restaurant. They have 5 restaurants, one lounge, a bar, and a cake shop. For amenities, they have a fitness center, swimming pool, and spa.

Read: Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta 

2. Shangri La Jakarta 

Shangri La Hotel is located in the heart of the capital of Indonesia. It offers 662 rooms and suites, 7 restaurants, a cake shop and bar, a health club and spa, fitness centers, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and shops. It is 45 minutes away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and 10 minutes drive from the hotel to Soekarno-Hatta Airport Rail Link.


Shangri La is an oasis in the city, it is ideal for business and leisure trips. If you have kids in tow, your kids will definitely enjoy the wet play area. It is quite similar to EDSA Shangri la Hotel in the Philippines.

Read: Shangri la Jakarta Hotel Review 
EDSA Shangri la Hotel Review  

3. The Dharmawangsa Hotel Jakarta 

Dharmawangsa Hotel is an award-winning boutique hotel in Jakarta, their Bimasena Spa got an award from Conde Nast Johansens Readers Award 2016. It is 35 km away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and 5 km away from Central Business District.


If you want to unwind, relax and you want some privacy, then this eco-hotel is a good choice. It offers a minimum of  66 sqm room so it is really spacious. You have a big room, bathroom, and private balcony. The bathroom has two vanity basins, a separate shower, and a bathtub. The toiletries are from Belgium. It offers restaurants, gym, spa, and an indoor and outdoor pool.

Read: The Dharmawangsa Jakarta Hotel Review

4. The Westin Jakarta 

The Westin Jakarta Hotel is one of the newest hotels and is located in the heart of the JK Business District. It is situated on the top 20 floors of the tallest building in Indonesia which is Gama Tower. It has a 360-degree view of Jakarta city skyline whether night or day.


It offers a fitness studio, spa, and indoor heated swimming pool. It is near shopping malls like Kota Kasablanka Mall and Lotte Shopping Mall. There is a bank in the building. If you have kids in tow, Kidzania Jakarta is just 3.4 miles away and Dunia Fantasi is 9.7 miles away from the hotel.

Read: The Westin Jakarta Hotel Review

5. JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta


JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta opened its door in the year 2001, this hotel has been attacked by terrorists in the year 2003 and 2009. And because of these two incidents, the hotel increased its security. This is a five-hotel hotel that is situated in the heart of the business district. It is near multinational corporations, shopping centers, and embassies. It has meeting rooms, event venues, restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, and a swimming pool.

Read: JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta Review

6. Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel


Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel is ideally located near Gandaria City Mall so guests are just a few steps away from shopping, dining, and entertainment. This hotel has a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor pool, Anige restaurant, and Lobby Lounge.


These hotels are not budget-friendly hotels but if you don’t mind spending more for good accommodation and service, then treat yourself. I’ve mentioned before that Jakarta, Indonesia is not on my bucket list but if ever I will go there, I will have a staycation. Eat, Sleep, and Repeat.

July 03, 2019

Glimpse of Garuda Indonesia Executive Lounge at Jakarta International Airport

My husband was back from Jakarta, Indonesia last week and he was surprised when he landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Aiport Terminal 3. It was his first time in this terminal, it was different because of the modern design compared to Terminal 1 and 2 of Jakarta International Airport. In fact, it was the best airport terminal in the year 2017 in Indonesia at the 9th Bandara Awards.


And because of that, he was able to visit Garuda Indonesia Executive Lounge in Terminal 3. He used to stay at Premier Lounge so he was happy to try Garuda Lounge. Passengers of other SkyTeam Member Airlines of the same class with SkyTeam Elite Plus have free access to this lounge.
Read: Premier Lounge in Jakarta International Airport 

Who Has Access to Airport Lounge?  

You may stay in Mabuhay Miles Lounges if you are Mabuhay Miles Elite, Premier Elite, and Million Miler member. If you are not a member but you have a Business Class ticket you can access the lounge for FREE. Check the list below of different lounges.

Domestic Lounges
International Lounges


Garuda Indonesia Executive Lounge is much better because it is not crowded, they have more options for foods and drinks. They offer beer and wine upon request. They have wi-fi, television conference room and smoking area.






Read: 5 Ways to Get into Airport Lounge
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