I can’t even remember the last time I stayed at an Accor hotel. It is not the first chain that I go for when I am looking for accommodations. I had a couple of nights in Jakarta late last year and decided to stay at the Raffles. It was a very good deal on a luxury agent rate, and somehow, Accor have really aspiring properties over here. I will be trying out both the Raffles and the Fairmont. Stay tuned for the latter. This will be my second time in Jakarta. Jakarta, like KL and Bangkok, have an plethora of luxury hotel options. This is the capital of Indonesia, where you can find the top 1% with all sorts of brands. There can be really nice gems at an affordable price to be found here. I decided to check out the Raffles. It will be my first ever stay at the Raffles Hotel, a luxury hotel chain from Singapore. I do not have any noteworthy Accor status and will be simply basing it on the luxury rate. This hotel is about a decade old and connected to a mall. This makes it pretty well connected for both leisure and business travellers. This is important over here since the Jakarta traffic is crazy. The hotel is part of a mixed-use development building with offices and a mall. Let’s check out the Raffles Jakarta!
Booking Process & Pre Arrival
I will be staying here for 1 night and got the base-level room. I got some information from the hotel ahead of my stay. For booking an Accor Preferred Rate, you pay the best available rate and get to enjoy extra benefits such as a 100 USD credit, breakfast and priority for early check-in and late check-out. It is also a fully qualified rate for earning Accor points. I was expecting a lot from this hotel, given how prestigious the Raffles brand always appears to me. In fact, the pre-stay contact came a little bit too early. I booked this stay months ahead, and the pre-arrival contact from their concierge came a couple of days later. I will very much prefer them to contact me roughly about two to three weeks ahead at a max. That will be much more polished. I reach out for some requests, reservations and booking the spa. The Raffles Jakarta comes with 173 guest rooms and suites across 7 categories. You can find the breakdown below.
| Rooms | Bathtub | Room Size |
|---|---|---|
| Raffles | Yes | 60 Sqm |
| Raffles Garden View | Yes | 60 Sqm |
| Signature King | Yes | 60 Sqm |
| Artist Suite | Yes | 97 Sqm |
| Gallery Suite | Yes | 135 Sqm |
| Garden View Suite | Yes | 135 Sqm |
| Raffles Suite | Yes | 390 Sqm |
Checking In
I landed at Jakarta way ahead of schedule at around 8.30am despite the late departure. It was a very comfortable flight. I got a Golden Bird Airport transfer arranged ahead of time, and it was very affordable. I paid around 190K IDR. As expected, the ride took a long time, given the horrendous traffic. We departed at around 9am and only arrived at 10.30am. Upon arrival, the butlers immediately came over to help us with offloading our bags. We were also ushered through the security scans and over to the check-in counters. The lobby area is on the quieter side. I was expecting a much grander and more spacious lobby area. Checking in is a sit-down experience and over in a small room at the end. It was so polished. The staff frequently engage in small talk and ask about your stay. This is a sign of a top-tier polished hotel.
We were helped by a friendly associate who greeted us by name and asked about my stay. It was a polished service and done in no time. Sadly, my room is not ready at this moment, but it’s perfectly fine since I have a spa appointment at 11.30am. I was also informed that they have upgraded me to an Artist Suite. That is very unexpected and so outstanding. I was not expecting a multi-level upgrade on a luxury travel agent rate. Late check-out is also extended till 1pm. I was also informed that in-house guests enjoy 15% discount at the spa and 20% at the dining restaurants. As part of my rate, the 100 USD rate is converted to 1.57m in local currency.
They have a direct entrance to the mall located on level 1. The only complaint I had about the check-in process is the lack of a welcome drink and welcome letter, which should be a standard for a property of this calibre.
Let me also point out how thoughtful and polished the front office team is. They sent up my key cards to the spa while I was still having my treatment, and the spa staff simply passed me the keys after I was done. How proactive and polished is this!
Artist Suite
I was assigned an Artist Suite on the 19th floor. I got suite 1909, to be exact. This is the entry-level suite over here at Raffles Jakarta. There is nothing entry-level about the size. It measures an amazing 97 Sqm. This is huge! It is all indoor space. That just amplifies how massive this suite is. It is located in the corner. I was pleasantly surprised the moment I entered the suite. It looks so vibrant and welcoming. I love the decor with tons of natural light. The regular layout makes it even more spacious.
Right upon entering the suite, you have a powder room on the left. This is handy given that it is a full one-bedroom suite.
The entrance way is very wide. They could use a full-length mirror over here, as well as maybe an ottoman or a bench by the side. This will help wear your footwear. On the right is the entrance into the walk-in wardrobe area, which links to the bathroom on the other side as well. The main space of the suite is so elegantly presented. I love the setup and the colours. It is very cosy with residential vibes and a strong contrast from the vibrant colours. The comfortable and luxurious living space comes with a coffee table in the middle as well as a sofa set consisting of two armchairs and a sofa that seats about 3 people. This is perfect for gathering with your friends.
Left on the coffee table was a welcome amenity consisting of some chocolate, cakes and a welcome note; they have also kindly set it up with some balloons for the special occasion.
Mounted on the wall is a high-quality smart screen television. It comes with a huge number of both local and international cable TV channels. The system also supports casting capabilities, where you can cast content from your mobile devices. I did feel like the TV was on the smaller side for a suite of this size. On both sides of the television are additional compartments for you to store items. They also have a little display over here that adds to the cosiness.
In the corner over here, you can also find a connecting door to a room next door to convert it into a two-bedroom suite. The mini bar corner comes well stocked with all sorts of amenities and glassware; there is also a Nespresso coffee machine. Do note that drinking water is not provided over here. They only have a water dispenser machine for filtered water. This is disappointing. I would have expected bottled drinking water here and definitely at a Raffles. Thankfully, the connecting mall comes with a supermarket, and you can easily stock up.
Behind the sofa, in the living area, you can find a working desk. This comes with an armchair that provides decent back support for a short period of working. All sorts of power plugs and outlets are located within reach. It is a pretty good setup if you need to get some work done. Wi-Fi is readily available, and the connection is good.
I did feel like some of the space was slightly underutilised, such as this corner right behind the sofa.
The living area comes with a lovely view over the surrounding area. I won’t say that it is majestic, but it ain’t too shabby. Along the corridor heading to the bedroom area, you can find another stand over here that allows you to hold some small items. The bedroom is separated by a proper door from the living room. The bedroom is equally spacious and gorgeous. It is nicely decorated in a cream decor with soft wooden finishes.
Straight ahead, you have a vanity area with an accessories holder and a mirror. I am sure guests will appreciate this spot. It comes with an armchair. On the side, you also have a coat hanger. The amount of space in this suite is endless.
The bedroom also comes with another television of a similar size that is mounted on the wall. It is of a similar quality but once again slightly on the smaller side. I did wish that they could improve on this aspect.
The centrepiece of the bedroom area definitely goes towards the plush king-size bed. It is super huge, super plush and luxurious. The bed is on the firmer side, which I really enjoyed. The sheets were crisp, high-quality, and so comfortable. I also love that they had a pillow menu available for you to customise your sleeping experience. I got some additional contour pillows and slept so well. They even had bolsters. This is one of the best beds that I ever lain on at a hotel. On both sides of the beds, you can find nightstands with controls for the power outlets and lighting.
The double doors lead you to the bathroom. The bathroom is another favourite part of the suite for me. It comes with his and her sinks with plenty of counter space. All sorts of amenities are provided. It is really lacking drinking water, even in the basin. There are also no mouthwashes available. The amenities are house brand and not labelled. The bathroom offers a great view where you can relax in a relaxing soak from the tub at the same time. It comes with a luxurious tub with a bath pillow. This is the pinnacle of providing a bath service.
The bathroom comes with a spacious standing shower with a ledge, which helps in washing your lower extremities. It comes with both a handheld showerhead and a rainshower. The water pressure and temperature control are excellent.
Linking to the bathroom is the walking wardrobe area. It comes with a spacious luggage storage rack that can fit a check-in size luggage. Portable racks are also available upon request. On the side, you also have additional wardrobe and cabinets with numerous hangers. Inside, there is also a safe and an ironing kit. Bathrobes and bathroom slippers are also being provided alongside laundry bags.
Turndown service is automatically offered in the evening with the room, refreshed and prepared for resting. In the evening, the butler also came by to extend her warmest welcome. She also brought over a little birthday cake for my mum since we are celebrating her birthday, and a Stamford bear as a gift. What a nice touch this is. How cute it is. We were certainly pampered to the moon.
Raffles Club
Located on the 12th floor of the hotel, the Raffles Club boasts spectacular views of the Jakarta skyline. This is an exclusive space available for Accor Platinum & Diamond Members. You can also pay to access the club lounge. The Raffles Club is not commonly found; it is only in selected properties. They are adults only, and children are only allowed access on the weekends. During my stay, I was quoted IDR 1,000,000++ per person. They offer Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and Evening Cocktails. I did not pay for it since I already have breakfast included. I did briefly check it out to see how it is.
Fitness Centre
All of the hotel facilities are located on the 14th floor, which is designed with a landscaped garden. The Fitness Centre is located at the corner. It is accessible 24 hours a day. During the day, it is manned by the staff. It is a very nice and wide space with multiple sets of equipment. Towels and water are provided. The spot is well-maintained. You can find the typical equipment with a lovely view over the surrounding area and the city. This will be handy for a workout.
Swimming Pool
I love the pool area. It is so gorgeous and quaint. This is the first thing that you see the moment you enter level 14. The pool is so well-maintained and clean. It comes with a shallow playing area for the little ones or to soak up the sun in the semi-immersive pool beds. They also have a bigger regular-sized pool that is good for doing laps or lazing in it. The area is kind of like a little urban oasis, with the gardens and all. It is surrounded by the buildings around, and with how cloudy Jakarta gets, it does not get much sun here.
By the pool is also the Navina Pool Bar, where you can order drinks and food to enjoy poolside. You can find the menu over here. Prices are very reasonable. Surrounding the pool are plenty of sunbeds and cabanas, all available on a first-come, first-served basis. Besides, the pool there is also a very gorgeous sculpture garden.
Playground
Spa
Getting a spa is a must when in Indonesia. It is the perfect way to relax after your flight. I got a Raffles Spa since I had some credits to spend, and the price over here is also pretty fair and attractive for a five-star luxurious property. Members and in-house guests also enjoy a 15% off your stay, which kind of takes away the service charge and taxes. I paid about 1.4m IDR for a 90-minute massage, which is around 110 SGD. That is fair at a hotel of this calibre. You can check out the spa menu here.
We got the Raffles Jakarta Signature Heritage Massage. We were invited to take a seat and then offered a cool, refreshing towel as well as a lemongrass drink. It is on the sweeter side. I was then led into my individual spa suite, which comes with an ensuite toilet and shower. The therapist first does a foot wash before introducing three different types of essential oils that we can choose from. I felt so relaxed after the treatment. The environment was very good and clean with the heated massage bed. The service ended with tea and cookies.
Breakfast at Arts Cafe by Raffles
Breakfast here is served at the hotel’s main restaurant, Arts Cafe by Raffles. It is located on the first floor, near the entrance to the mall. Breakfast is served daily from 6.30am to 10am. It is way too early even for a city hotel. 10.30am will be better. We were shown to a table, and it was really crowded when I went down for breakfast. Drinks orders were taken by the staff, and I appreciate that the coffee drinks were made from an actual barista coffee machine. It was excellent. I also tried some of their signature tea.
Breakfast here works on a buffet concept, and in addition to that, they have an à la carte menu to supplement the fantastic selection. You can find the menu over here.
It was a feast! Let me first cover the buffet. There was an amazing spread of dishes. You have some local selections, including fried rice and local Indonesian-style chicken. There is also a salad bar and some even more local dishes behind. The Ayam Balado is amazing! In the middle of the restaurant, you have some fresh juices, milk and cut fruits. On the next station are the western items. They have some soup, corn, grilled chicken and potatoes.
Heading to the end, you have a live station where you can order some freshly cooked noodles. I love the noodle soup; it goes extremely well with the sambal that they provide. I went for seconds. Over here, there are also some cold cuts, cheese and more local dishes.
Back to the entrance area is where you can find all the pastries and baked goods. You can choose whatever you want, and the staff will serve it to you. In addition, there are also these little cakes and sweet treats.
If you think this is all! Check this out! They have a sushi bar for breakfast with freshly cut sashimi, chawamushi and maki rolls. What the heck!!! This got to be the first in my life after countless hotels! I tried some of the salmon sashimi! They were delicious! Do not forget that they can also provide pork bacon upon request. All the trimmings are cooked fresh.
In addition to this, there’s also the small à la carte menu that you can choose from to supplement the buffet. I tried a couple of dishes. Some of the more interesting ones are definitely the steak and egg with LA Galbi. It was so good. I also tried the lemon fancier and smoothie.
I definitely do have to say that this is one of the best hotel breakfasts I ever had around the world. It might even be a close match to WA Bangkok. Don’t ever miss out on this. It is worth heading down early for. Suffice to say, I am skipping lunch after this!
Conclusion
Raffles Hotel is a very niche collection of luxury hotels with a heritage and signature. The flagship is definitely the one we have over here in Singapore. You can also find them in places like Jakarta and London. This was a fantastic stay. I had an amazing experience. The staff are so polished, and I was well treated. Elite recognition is excellent even with my luxury rate alone. I was a little bummed that the stay was so short, and I could not stay longer. The only thing that I could find fault with was the lack of a welcome drink and a welcome letter. They could also improve and provide bottled water rather than just offering a filter. Bottled water should be a given at this destination. I really like the suite and the breakfast. It was such a spread! This is going to be my go-to hotel in Jakarta as of now. There are so many nice properties to try out, too. I will definitely have no qualms coming back here again for another stay. The rate is very attractive with the inclusion of short stays. I got back almost half of it in hotel credits. Don’t miss out on the spa, too. Prices are pretty affordable at a luxury hotel. The property is dated but well-maintained. Being directly connected to a mall also makes it very convenient. I am definitely keen to acquire Accor elite status soon. It is so attractive if all of their top properties are thus good. I need to stay at more Fairmont and Raffles hotels around the world. I should check out the flagship Raffles Singapore soon.
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