5 Star Hotels in Jakarta

Most popular areas in Jakarta for 5-star hotels

Forever changing and transforming, dynamic Jakarta has boomed in recent decades to become a place of shimmering high-rises as well as earthy Indonesian neighborhoods. And 5-star luxury has arrived here, too. Just take the opulent skyscraper hotels of Kebon Melati, the buzzing downtown area. Or, look to the leafy and green reaches of East Kuningan, where even the names of the grand palatial residences evoke images of rooftop pools and celebrity chefs. And if that's still not enough, there are the more 5-star hotels to be found in Gelora.

Top 5-star hotels in Jakarta

One of the undisputed jewels amongst all the luxurious hotels in Central Jakarta, the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia is a colossal 427-room residence that bursts with bubbling spa tubs dressed in black marble, rooftop pools, craft coffee shops, and masterfully designed lobbies. The Gran Melia to the south boasts a similarly eye-popping design, with curved steel facades giving way to its opulent suites and their panoramic city views. Then there’s the soaring tower of the InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza with its palm-dotted pools, sun terraces, and acclaimed Asian fine dining restaurants.

Where to find the best restaurants in Jakarta

The gastronomic delights of well-to-do Jakarta Selatan – South Jakarta – rarely fail to get even the most discernible of gourmands licking their lips. The name of the game here is meticulously crafted Japanese sashimi platters, refined Indian cuisine, and even the occasional Italian trattoria. And then come the tempura kitchens, the Thai restaurants, and the exclusive dim sum dumpling houses of Jakarta Pusat – Central Jakarta – all of which are neatly balanced out by the mix of more down-to-earth warungs, traditional Indonesian kitchens, and chichi cocktail joints found on Jalan Cikini Raya.

The most popular things to do in Jakarta

Shopping is top of the list for many a visitor to this great Indonesian megalopolis. There are markets and strips of high-street stores around virtually every corner. Make a beeline for the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town in the middle of the city, or the exclusive Pacific Place Jakarta, with its sought-after jewelry boutiques and luxurious department stores. And once you've sated the retail appetite, why not opt for a private cooking lesson with one of the many high-profile chefs in the capital? These guys can help reveal the ancient secrets of Indonesian stir-fries, and get you cooking like a Javanese local in no time. The evening means nightlife here – whether it's a masterfully-mixed cocktail in a rooftop bar overlooking the Jakarta sprawl, or a heady night amidst the expat clubs of Blok M.

Best ways to get around Jakarta

While bajaj rickshaws and ojek buses are just about everywhere in Jakarta, and offer a convenient way of hopping about the town, it's also possible to get private taxis with air-con and plush upholstery if you're after a more comfortable ride. Alternatively, chauffeured cars and limos can be organized for the duration of your stay, and there are even firms offering personal, piloted helicopter rental – perfect if you want to avoid the car-choked streets altogether. Car hires however aren't recommended, on account of Jakarta's hard-to-navigate layout.