Review: Keraton At The Plaza Jakarta

Christmas Markets With A Touch Of Garuda

More from this series:

• Introduction: Christmas Markets With A Touch Of Garuda
• Review: Lufthansa First Class A330 Dallas To Frankfurt
• Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
• Review: Lufthansa Business Class A321 Frankfurt To London
• Review: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
• Review: No1 Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 3
• Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER London To Jakarta
• Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class Arrivals & Chauffeur Service Jakarta
• Review: Keraton At The Plaza Jakarta
• Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class Lounge Jakarta
• Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER Jakarta To Singapore
• Review: Dnata Lounge Terminal 3 Singapore Airport
• Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER Singapore To London
• Review: Lufthansa Lounge London Heathrow Airport
• Review: Le Meridien Munich
• Review: Park Hyatt Vienna Park Suite
• Lufthansa First Class 747-8 Frankfurt To Boston Review
• Review: Aloft Boston Seaport

As a Hyatt and Starwood loyalist, there are quite a few hotels to choose from in Jakarta. Beyond that, given how cheap luxury hotels are in Jakarta, it’s even tempting to stay at other properties, like the Four Seasons.

However, after much consideration I decided to book the Keraton at the Plaza, which is a Starwood Luxury Collection property. The rate at the hotel was about ~$220 per night, including the 20%+ taxes and service charge. I chose the Keraton because I heard good things about it, because it seemed to be the nicest Starwood property in the city, and because I was intrigued by the club lounge (more on that later).

The drive from Jakarta Airport to the hotel took only about 30 minutes. I had heard horror stories about traffic in Jakarta, though it seems we really lucked out. I guess that was thanks to our late night arrival.

The Keraton consists of both a hotel and residences, and even the hotel part of the building felt residential. The hotel had a gorgeous lobby with high ceilings, lots of glass, and a massive chandelier.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta lobby

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta lobby

The lobby was large, with lots of cool seating areas.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta lobby

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta lobby

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta lobby

Rather than having a traditional check-in counter, the hotel had a couple of desks, so that guests could take a seat during the check-in process. The process was efficient, and within a few minutes we were handed our keys.

The friendly associate explained that we had been upgraded to an executive room, that we’d receive complimentary breakfast in the restaurant, and that we had access to the executive lounge, located on level five.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta welcome letter

With check-in formalities complete, the associate escorted us to our room.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta elevators

We were assigned room 1906, which was at the far end of the hall.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta hallway

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta room entrance

As you can see, there are only about a dozen rooms per floor, so it’s not a massive hotel.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta floorplan

The room was gorgeous. It featured a long entryway with the bathroom and closet area to the right.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room entryway

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room entryway

Then straight ahead was the main part of the room, which featured a king size bed, desk with two chairs, and a couch with a coffee table.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room

The desk was at the far end of the room, and had two chairs as well as an ottoman of sorts. The desk also had a monitor, which I found a bit odd, at least in addition to the main TV.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room desk area

Across from the bed was the TV.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room TV

Back near the entrance was the couch with a coffee table.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room couch

There was a sweet welcome amenity waiting for us on the table. While I appreciate the gesture, hotels need to stop giving me junk food every time I check in!

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room welcome amenity

I thought the room was modern, so I found it a bit puzzling that there was a Sony alarm clock that looked like it was from 2003 next to the bed.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room alarm clock and lighting controls

Across from the sofa area was the illy coffee machine and minibar.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room coffee machine

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room minibar

The bathroom was off the hallway by the entrance, and was huge. It featured double sinks, a soaking tub, a large shower, and a separate room with a toilet.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room bathroom

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room double sinks

The shower setup was very impressive, and one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room shower

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room tub

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room toilet

While I love Japanese-style toilets, some of the descriptions on it were… unique.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room toilet enema?

Toiletries were Remede branded, which is the brand standard for St. Regis. However, I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen that at a Luxury Collection property.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room Remede toiletries

Right by the hallway was a luggage rack.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room luggage rack

The room had a nice view of Jakarta, at least as nice as views of Jakarta get. It sure is a bustling city.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room view

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive room view

Breakfast was served daily from 6AM until 10:30AM at Bengawan Restaurant, located on the seventh floor. I loved the decor of the restaurant.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant

The restaurant featured an impressive buffet, and on top of that you could order things off a menu. That menu read as follows:

I’ll let the pictures of the buffet speak for themselves.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast buffet

I ordered a veggie and cheese omelet one day.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast — omelet

The other day I ordered the vegetarian open toast.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast — vegetarian open toast

The iced coffee was also very good, and I loved the presentation.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Bengawan Restaurant breakfast — iced coffee

Service in the restaurant was fantastic, in particular from Daniel. He remembered our drink orders for the second morning, and was very attentive.

In addition to breakfast in the restaurant, we had access to Lima 5, which is the hotel’s club lounge, located on the fifth floor. The lounge is open daily from 10AM until 9PM. The space featured both high-top tables, traditional dining tables, and a couple of couches.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Lima 5 Executive Lounge

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Lima 5 Executive Lounge

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta Lima 5 Executive Lounge

While I’ve been to a lot of club lounges, this one in particular was unique. Rather than having a breakfast or evening spread, the lounge had a menu where you can order what you want when you want (and it’s all included as a club guest). The menu read as follows:

The beverage list read as follows:

We were up during really strange hours during our trip, so didn’t end up going to many restaurants. As a result, the club lounge proved very useful, as we could come and eat even during strange times.

As you can see below, all the portions were pretty small, and we were encouraged to order 3-4 things to make a meal.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — beef skewer and spicy tuna roll

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — chicken curry

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — opor ayam

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — tuna tataki

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — fried tofu salad

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — nasi goreng

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — tempe burger

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — crema catalane

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — ice cream

I also worked quite a bit from the lounge. They had great cappuccinos, and I always find it’s easier to stay awake and work efficiently when not in your hotel room.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta executive lounge — cappuccino

The service in the lounge was fantastic as well.

The hotel has a pool and gym on the seventh floor, next to the restaurant. The pool was pretty cool, especially thanks to the glass shield on the side.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta pool

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta pool

There was also an outdoor pool, though apparently it’s reserved for those who live in the residences.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta pool for residence

Next to the indoor pool was the gym, which was well equipped.

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta gym

Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta gym

The hotel also had a spa, though we didn’t have a chance to use it. The prices were quite reasonable for a five star hotel, however, and on top of that SPG members save 25%. The services menu read as follows:

So for example, an hourlong massage costs ~$44, and there’s a further 25% discount for SPG members.

Wifi in the hotel was fast, and the staff were friendly across the board. The Keraton also has a great location, in that it’s attached to a mall, and there are some nice areas to walk around near the hotel. However, Jakarta isn’t exactly the most walkable city, and traffic can be horrible. It’s not a city many people come to for vacation, so the best location will vary based on what area of town you need to be in.

I do have two minor complaints about the hotel. First of all, the sound insulation in rooms was pretty bad, to the point that we could hear the people in our neighboring room. Second of all, the hotel had fire alarm tests two days in a row, which coincided with our stay. I get that hotels have to do fire alarm tests, but having these two days in a row, and having each last about 20 minutes, sort of sucked. In one case the alarm woke us up from a nap, and there was no prior warning that the tests would happen.

Keraton at the Plaza bottom line

We had a fantastic stay at the Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta. The staff were excellent, I loved the design of the hotel, and the club lounge was one-of-a-kind. I’d highly recommend this property if visiting Jakarta. I’ll probably stay somewhere else next time I visit so I can review another property, or else I might return here.