While this is pretty niche, a former Marriott in Jakarta will become a Hyatt, and I’m pretty excited that…
In this post:
Basics of the Keraton at The Plaza Jakarta
Keraton at The Plaza Jakarta is expected to join Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, which is one of Hyatt’s “soft” brands for unique properties. The current plan is for the 138-room hotel to open in Q4 2024, though the hotel isn’t yet accepting reservations.
You’re probably thinking “so what, who cares about a random hotel opening in Jakarta?” Well, there are two things that make this noteworthy.
For one, Keraton at The Plaza used to be a Marriott Luxury Collection property (and prior to that, a Starwood Luxury Collection property). I actually stayed here during my 2017 visit to Jakarta. The property closed in early 2020, around the start of the pandemic, so it’s interesting to see it reopening now, over four years later.
I’m not sure what happened there. Did it just remain closed due to lack of business at the time? Has the property been fully renovated? There’s very little info out there as of now, though I’m sure we’ll learn more soon. Despite the imminent opening, Hyatt’s website doesn’t even have any pictures of the interior of the hotel.
Second, what makes this property special is that it’s an all-club hotel. We’re all familiar with the concept of hotel club lounges, but this hotel takes it to the next level, and has a club lounge for all guests. Back when I stayed, there was a restaurant for breakfast, and then guests could order unlimited food in the club lounge throughout the day, from an expansive menu.
Almost think of it like an all-inclusive, except you’re in a city business hotel, rather than a resort. Hyatt refers to this as an “all-club hotel,” so it sounds like this concept is sticking around, even when the hotel reopens.
Hyatt’s Jakarta footprint is impressive
I’m planning a trip to Jakarta in the coming weeks for a review trip (I’ll let y’all guess which product I’m looking to review), and I plan to visit Jakarta for a few days. Jakarta is of course an excellent value luxury hotel city, at least from an international perspective. Just about all the city’s top hotels are available for $200-300 per night.
As someone who is most loyal to World of Hyatt, I can’t help but point out how great Hyatt’s portfolio is:
- I’ve heard the Park Hyatt Jakarta is incredible, and I absolutely plan on staying there
- The Alila SCBD Jakarta seems to get generally positive reviews, though isn’t to the same level as the Park Hyatt; the hotel also has an evening happy hour for Globalist members
- The Grand Hyatt Jakarta has undergone a renovation, and it seems like both the updated rooms and the club are pretty great
Now we’re going to have yet another option, in the form of Keraton at The Plaza. I guess I need to get to Jakarta before this other hotel opens, or else I’ll just be too overwhelmed with choice.
To those more familiar with Jakarta than me, I’m curious which property you’d stay at in addition to the Park Hyatt? I guess it doesn’t even have to be a Hyatt, and could belong to another brand…
Bottom line
Keraton at The Plaza Jakarta is expected to open in late 2024 as a Hyatt Unbound Collection property, after being closed for over four years. This is a unique property, as it’s an all-club hotel, meaning all guests receive unlimited food and drinks in the lounge throughout the day.
Hyatt has quite the portfolio of premium and luxury properties in Jakarta, and I can’t wait to check them out soon.
What do you make of Keraton at The Plaza Jakarta?
Mandarin Oriental and Kempinski, both great hotels across from the Grand Hyatt and the Grand Indonesia mall. Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, Pacific Place are also good.
Mandarin Oriental and Kempinski, both great hotels across from the Grand Hyatt and the Grand Indonesia mall. Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton, Pacific Place are also good.
You might want to try the Kempinski, not least because it's in a huge mall and Jakarta is the worst city for pedestrians that I have ever visited (and I have been to some pretty challenging places). It's also a points hotel as they belong to GHA.
Whole I'm a Hyatt loyalist 99% of the time, I usually stay at the JW or RC, both near my office in Mega Kuningan when I'm in Jakarta for work. Fantastic hotels and staff.
Best location Thamrin (Central):
Kempinski, Mandarin, GH.
Keraton is in same complex.
Near by Sudirman: St Regis.
PH of course, but trickier location.
2. Kuningan area (CBD):
RC, JW, Langham
Fairmont (Senayan)
The Gunawarman
Westin Jakarta is one of the better ones.
Kemang (South):
The Dharmawangsa
Jakarta is a tricky city, with the traffic and lack of walkable sidewalks.
It's driving all day,...
Best location Thamrin (Central):
Kempinski, Mandarin, GH.
Keraton is in same complex.
Near by Sudirman: St Regis.
PH of course, but trickier location.
2. Kuningan area (CBD):
RC, JW, Langham
Fairmont (Senayan)
The Gunawarman
Westin Jakarta is one of the better ones.
Kemang (South):
The Dharmawangsa
Jakarta is a tricky city, with the traffic and lack of walkable sidewalks.
It's driving all day, everywhere.
That's why most hotels are adjacent to major shopping malls and office complexes.
Well compensated with probably 15-20 fantastic city hotels though.
You're gonna fly Garuda first class again at last!
Looking forward to your re-review!
Maybe you'll also be flying Starlux first class between TPE and SIN before you jump over to Jakarta.
Defiantly give the St. Regis a try in Jakarta. It’s the old Four Seasons and the bones are the same but it’s had a stunning redesign by Bill Bensley in the public areas. The pool area and lobby are stunning as is the spa. Service is top notch. Whilst I found the Park Hyatt to by physically stunning, and the room was indeed spectacular, the service was lacking at a hotel of its calibre.
...Defiantly give the St. Regis a try in Jakarta. It’s the old Four Seasons and the bones are the same but it’s had a stunning redesign by Bill Bensley in the public areas. The pool area and lobby are stunning as is the spa. Service is top notch. Whilst I found the Park Hyatt to by physically stunning, and the room was indeed spectacular, the service was lacking at a hotel of its calibre.
I also tried the Raffles and was blown away by the service. It’s an all suite hotel so the rooms are generous but a tad dated.
@ben- Jakarta review of FS, Raffles, Lang, MO, PH. Please?!
I really like the Mandarin Oriental. It's a great value booked through Amex (and a great use of the credit), thought I'd recommend booking Club access which comes at a very reasonable premium.
No one's suggested the Langham Jakarta yet, the pictures look amazing! Planning to stay there sometime in the coming month with the gf, would be great to get Ben's opinion & review!
I usually stay at the JW Marriott in CGK, but that's more out of inertia and habit.
I'm loving the comments here - there are great suggestions, and I really appreciate them, so thank you, everyone!
PH Jakarta and Raffles Jakarta are the two best city hotels I’ve ever stayed at. Absolutely sublime.
PH is great. While in the area check out https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lbjlc-taaktana-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa-labuan-bajo/overview/
You can really look forward to staying at the PH Jakarta, surely one of the top 3 city hotels I ever stayed at.
The Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta is also all-club.
I can't but wonder if this is a legacy Starwood owner who exited Marriott because of all the changes, namely the rapid brand inflation. Marriott seems totally disinterested in its legacy Starwood and legacy Marriott brands. I, for one, would be very mad if I was a "good" hotel owner doing everything I'm supposed to do to comply with Marriott standards.
Which Ritz-Carlton? Jakarta has 2: Mega Kuningan and Pacific Place
The Park Hyatt Jakarta is bar none the best city hotel I have stayed at in the world.
The Park Hyatt is indeed excellent. Suggestion for another hotel is the Pan Pacific Jakarta.
Last but not least: as an aviation geek I absolutely suggest you to try out the recently renovated Sheraton at Soekarno Hatta Airport.
Raffles, without a doubt. I mean I remember the times in this blog when the Westin would have earned a great review but you’ve kinda outgrown this :)
FWIW, while Accor is weak from the points perspective, their status game has improved. Ability to get free breakfast and club access in many nice hotels all while _always_ finding a hotel even in minor towns is a strong argument for business travelers. Hyatt is pointless in...
Raffles, without a doubt. I mean I remember the times in this blog when the Westin would have earned a great review but you’ve kinda outgrown this :)
FWIW, while Accor is weak from the points perspective, their status game has improved. Ability to get free breakfast and club access in many nice hotels all while _always_ finding a hotel even in minor towns is a strong argument for business travelers. Hyatt is pointless in Asia unless you’re someone who only visits a country’s single CBD. And while everyone complains about everyone being platinum with Bonvoy, ALL isn’t that top-heavy
You can't miss St. Regis, and suggest try be there on Friday or Saturday to enjoy free Champagne in lobby at 1800 after saber-rattling ceremony or enjoin lobby lights show every day at same time, further hotel and service is outstanding.
Hyatt Globalist living in Indonesia here! The Park Hyatt CGK is certainly the best hotel in the country (I think it's the best PH property in the world, but I'm a tad biased) and an excellent way to burn Cat 1-4 certs. If you have a few days to spare, you should hop over to Solo, a small city about 1 hour flying from Jakarta. They have an Alila property that is on par with...
Hyatt Globalist living in Indonesia here! The Park Hyatt CGK is certainly the best hotel in the country (I think it's the best PH property in the world, but I'm a tad biased) and an excellent way to burn Cat 1-4 certs. If you have a few days to spare, you should hop over to Solo, a small city about 1 hour flying from Jakarta. They have an Alila property that is on par with the Park Hyatt CGK but costs around $50 a night... they have a fantastic rooftop lounge for Globalists, amazing breakfast, the best hotel spa in Indonesia, live music every night, and it's (somehow) still just a Cat 1, with many nights available for just 3,500 points. The city itself (Solo) is also a true hidden gem of the country. Right down the road from there in Yogyakarta is the Hyatt Regency, a jungle-vibes, expansive resort-type property. It's more dated, but also a Cat 1. Enjoy Jakarta; we Hyatt nerds are all waiting for the Keraton as well. :)
Went last week. I'd put it in a top 10 Hyatt spot. Still liked a few others better.
Didn't really explore Jakarta this time around, but with such a great property, who wants to leave it? ;-)