Hotel Review: The Fairmont Jakarta

The Fairmont Jakarta opened January 2015 and is strategically located at the south end of Jakarta’s business district. It is conveniently located close to Sentral Senayan office towers, and the Jakarta Convention Centre. The Senayan mall is linked by an underground walkway or you can also choose to take a leisurely stroll outside and enjoy the fresh air. Gelora Bung Karno Sports Arena is also within walking distance making the Fairmont Jakarta the ideal hotel to stay for the Asian Games 2018 from 18 August to 2 September 2018. The sports complex was built to host the 1962 Asian Games.

The 18-hole par-69 Senayan National Golf Course is just across the road. Golf courses in town are not very common these days. It sure did look tempting to go hit a few balls during my two-night stay at Fairmont Jakarta to experience The Taste of Savoy.

The Fairmont Hotel Jakarta is a building of luxury. From the column-free hotel lobby with very high ceilings, the 488 spacious rooms with spectacular city views and bathrooms you don’t mind spending more time in, an impressive executive lounge and a plethora of food and beverage outlets to fill your tummy, an outdoor pool and expansive fitness centre.  I have stayed at the Fairmont Bab Albahr in Abu Dhabi and the Fairmont Singapore. One thing that is consistent with these Fairmont properties are the hotel lobbies with extremely high ceilings as well as the bedrooms that I wouldn’t want to leave as well as the Le Labo Rose 31 bath amenities that I fell in love with.

The Presidential Suite at The Fairmont Jakarta

A tour to the presidential suite at Fairmont Jakarta revealed a luxury apartment taking up 303 sqm. The Presidential Suite features a separate living room, dining table for at least eight, a work desk, kitchenette, private massage room, gym and spa marble bathroom with separate rain shower and bathtub. For around US$5,000 a night, you can enjoy a romantic getaway or celebrate your anniversary or even propose in Jakarta.

You don’t even have to leave your room to enjoy a massage or get some exercise done on a threadmill. The abundance of many areas within the suite ensures you get the privacy and alone time if you need.

There is a rather large walk-in closet. This is where you can put on your make up and blow dry your hair.

 

That jacuzzi tub looks simply irresistible while the enclosed rain shower has a seat in there so you can actually sit down and shower. Or maybe sit down while someone special shampoos your hair. Absolutely romantic.

 

The Fairmont Room

The room I stayed in was room 1706, a Fairmont room with a city view. Nowhere as spacious as any of the suites, the 49 sqm wooden flooring room was still comfortable. This hotel is already a favourite because the room is uncarpeted.

Fairmont Room 1706

The small work desk and a separate sofa by the window lets one sit by and enjoy the views of the city while also allowing natural light into the room as you get some work or reading done.

 

I like a well-equipped bathroom, just in case I forget something. You get the amenities such as toothbrush and toothpaste, cotton swabs and other Le Labo branded amenities.

If you prefer a larger room, then go for the 65 sqm Fairmont Gold Deluxe Room. These rooms offer views of Jakarta City or Senayan Golf Course.

The Fairmont Gold Lounge at Fairmont Jakarta

Suite and Fairmont Gold guests have access to the Fairmont Gold Executive Lounge located on level 21. Fairmont Gold guests get to check-in in the lounge on arrival.

The lounge offers breakfast here where eggs are also freshly prepared when requested. At any time of the day, you can also enjoy coffee & tea and other beverages. This is where you would find me for breakfast because I generally prefer a quieter venue for breakfast and the selection at executive lounges are more than sufficient for my rather small appetite.

Enjoy the sunset here while having canapes and evening cocktails. I find it rather calming despite being in a busy city hotel.

 

On the other end of the lounge, away from the food area are relaxing seating options. I can sit all day by the window and read a book.

 

Dining at Fairmont Jakarta

There are 10 food and beverage outlets within the hotel. We dined at a few of them and had cocktails at Barong Bar when Witek Wojaczek from The Savoy Beaufort Bar was in town to mix a few signature cocktails from The Savoy.

Spectrum

Spectrum is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. Come here for a multi-cultural buffet spread during breakfast, lunch and Dinner. You get a great selection of local and international dishes. I was rather intrigued by the selection of Indonesian desserts.

Dim Sum at Spectrum

The Sunday Brunch here offers an extended buffet spread, with pop-up stations serving eggs benedict, foie gras, waffles and pancake cooked to order. Kids get to enjoy various activities planned out for them including a mini library filled with storybooks, dolls, puzzles and lego. There is also an art area, face painting and nail art and a toys section with kids kitchen set, mini golf, flying rings and sliding car.

 

Sapori Deli

Sapori Deli is a casual café outfit with a deli and a restaurant that offers Italian dishes. The barista, gourmet retail, bakery and bistro was awarded Indonesia Tatler Best Restaurants 2017.

The Restaurant menu features antipasti, salads, soups, pizzas, pasta and meat and fish dishes. Pizzas and Pasta are priced from IDR90,000 while the mains start from IDR150,000.

The deli operates from 6.30 am to 8 pm while the restaurant opens for lunch at 12 pm till 10 pm.

 

Peacock Lounge

Step into Peacock Lounge and you step into a huge room as ladies of leisure and the young at heart enjoy light bites, tea and coffee throughout the day. The sophisticated lounge was recently voted Best Tea & Coffee Venue at NOW! Jakarta Best Restaurant, Bar & Cafe Awards 2017.

Enjoy afternoon tea here. For IDR388,000 you can enjoy the Peacock Signature or IDR508,000 you can enjoy The Peacock Signature Prestige with Sparkling Wine. The afternoon tea features a daily changing selection of petit fours, scones, tea sandwiches and canapés. It comes with two cups of TWG teas or coffee.

 

Barong Bar

Barong Bar at Fairmont Jakarta offers a cosy respite where you can enjoy classic cocktails, champagnes, wines by the glass or bottle, beers and spirits. Cocktails are priced from IDR150,000 Into single malts? There is quite an impressive selection including Cardhu, Cragganmore, Glenlivet, Highland Park, Macallan, Singleton, Talisker, Glenmorangie, Royal Lochnagar and Glenfarclas.

Sit at the bar and watch the bartender create cocktails or enjoy a chat with friends in a much dimmer area on one of the sofa seats.

Barong Bar operates from 3 pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar closes at 1 am daily.