Recommendations and advice on Jakarta

[MrHyde]

Hi,

It looks like I will be adding to my countries visited list in a week's time when I go to Jakarta for business purposes. I've been reading up on Jakarta on wikitravel and am struggling a little bit with finding suitable accomadation. My work location is at Jakarta, Jakarta Capital Region, Indonesia - Google Maps. From google maps, that looks like it is in South Jakarta. I've been told that Jakarta traffic is terrible during peak hours and hence, I am trying to find a hotel close by to where I need to be and not having much luck.

Looking at the Accor hotels (current 50% off deals) and they are all in Central Jakarta or North Jakarta. So, basically I've got two questions:

1) Is traffic really that bad... how long would it take to get from somewhere like Mercure Jakarta Kota to the location above?
2) Can anyone recommend a mid-budget (about A$50 per night) in Jakarta, preferably close to my work location? I am not tied to a particular chain and prefer hotels that have free wifi in room.
3) What is recommended for cash? I normally withdraw money from an ATM on arrival (Westpac ATM card), is that still doable in Indonesia (at the airport and then later on wherever I am) but I think I'll need some US$ for the visa on arrival cost. Should I get convert some money in Rupiah and take it with me?

Thanks

MrHyde

 

[Sprucegoose]

It's been awhile since I lived there.

Get a driver. Traffic is shocking. Plan well ahead. Stay close to work.

Get latest version of USD, understand wha you need. No change at the airport. Get as spread of notes.change what you need there.

NEVER USE TRAVELEX AS THEY ARE UNETHICAL.

Accom others will advise. There is a hotel in South Jakarta that the major companies use. Let me shoot an email off for you to a mate whose there at present.

 

[moa999]

Thats not that far South.
Have had a client with offices on Jalan To Lingkar, the next ringroad about 10km further south.

Was generally going out there early from Le Meriden which is central and leaving at 7.30 it was a good hour.
I'd think you would be 30-45min or so.

All the Jakarta hotels are relatively cheap... I would be going something central.
I would recommend Le Meridien but it is double your budget.

If flying Garuda you can pay for the visa at airport and they process it on the plane. Others on arrival and from memory there is no ATM just a single bank counter so I would think better having some USD and Rupiah before you go.
Get ready for lots of notes -- the largest is worth about $20.

Taxis - SilverBird and BlueBird all the way

 

[docjames]

Get latest version of USD, understand wha you need. No change at the airport. Get as spread of notes.change what you need there.

NEVER USE TRAVELEX AS THEY ARE UNETHICAL.

.

Please expand on that statement - in general, specifically in Jakarta/Indonesia? What is their unethical practice?

 

[richie9x]

Hi,

It looks like I will be adding to my countries visited list in a week's time when I go to Jakarta for business purposes. I've been reading up on Jakarta on wikitravel and am struggling a little bit with finding suitable accomadation. My work location is at Jakarta, Jakarta Capital Region, Indonesia - Google Maps. From google maps, that looks like it is in South Jakarta. I've been told that Jakarta traffic is terrible during peak hours and hence, I am trying to find a hotel close by to where I need to be and not having much luck.

Looking at the Accor hotels (current 50% off deals) and they are all in Central Jakarta or North Jakarta. So, basically I've got two questions:

1) Is traffic really that bad... how long would it take to get from somewhere like Mercure Jakarta Kota to the location above?
2) Can anyone recommend a mid-budget (about A$50 per night) in Jakarta, preferably close to my work location? I am not tied to a particular chain and prefer hotels that have free wifi in room.
3) What is recommended for cash? I normally withdraw money from an ATM on arrival (Westpac ATM card), is that still doable in Indonesia (at the airport and then later on wherever I am) but I think I'll need some US$ for the visa on arrival cost. Should I get convert some money in Rupiah and take it with me?

Yes the traffic can be bad. I have been stuck in a traffic jam at 10pm on a Sunday night. Once it took me 5 hours to travel a distance that would normally take 30 mins, but that was the end of a holiday weekend so more traffic than normal. It can be quite unpredictable sometimes when you think there should be a traffic jam there won't be one. You just need to be prepared.

The only hotels I have stayed at near there are a bit out of your price range. For $50AU per night you are unlikely get an international chain hotel for that much. Although there are some Ibis hotels in Jakarta you might get for close to $50. You will probably get some local hotels for that much. But $100 per night would get you a lot more choice if you can stretch your budget.

There are a number of ATMs at the airports. Commonwealth Bank has quite a big presence in Indonesia so if you feel safer withdrawing from an Australia bank you can go with them. You should be alright withdrawing at the airport. If I remember correctly the ATMs are near the baggage claim area.

 

[futaris]

I'm currently in Jakarta visiting relatives...

Traffic can be extremely unpredictable. Make sure you have a decent driver that knows their way around, and which roads to take when.

From your link, it looks like your work is on Jl Gatot Subroto, one of the major roads in the centre of town.

Hotel Bidakara is the closest major hotel. IIRC I've stayed their once before. No mall attached to it, though. IIRC a convention centre is there.

I'd second the recommendation about just using ATMs when necessary. Commonwealth Bank is very cheap especially if you have a Commonwealth Bank keycard.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Please expand on that statement - in general, specifically in Jakarta/Indonesia? What is their unethical practice?

Thanks for reminding me Doc.

I have posted this previously and it was lively debate.

They quoted me a rate (Sydney departures near the QF Club) which included points earn, added another product (guaranteed buy back..) and then after swiping my card and knew i was boarding said the points earn did not apply. They waited to inform me after they processed the transaction and knew I didn't have time to argue the toss. I arguewd and they said tough luck, basically. I can only pass on what I have experienced. And I do!!

Their rates have always been the highest, points have not posted and quite frankly they must view people like me as the village idiot.

Enough is enough.

Can someone give me the Rupiah spread at a Travelex at any Australian Airport now?

Lets do a simple test.

 

[MrHyde]

Thanks for all the valuable suggestions.

Hotel Bidakari looks good, just need to find an English translation for their site so that I can figure out what whether the wifi is free in room or only in lobby. I could push my budget up to $100, but I'm not a user of hotel facilities. I never use the gym or swimming pool or restuarants in the hotel or even buy anything. All I'm looking for is a nice quiet clean room with a working TV and clean toilet. Hence, I don't really get much value out of the higher priced hotels.

I think a budget of $50 is sufficient... Mercure is available at $52 per night with Ibis available between $33 and $46 per night. The problem with most big chains is that they then charge far too much for internet access.... I normally end up requiring about 6-7 hours of internet a day and hence need to get a 24 hr or 7 day plans. Hence my biggest criteria being free or reasonably priced wifi.

Thanks for the recommendations on money. Thanks for the tip on Travelex. I mostly avoid the exchange places at Australian airports and will look at what rates I can get at some of places in MEL CBD.

Based on the responses on the traffic, I think I'd need to plan on leaving atleast an hour before I need to get to my meetings. I've already read about Bluebird and Silver Taxis, so those tips are useful as well.

 

[munitalP]

The Park Lane Jakarta - Luxurious Business Hotel in Jakarta

I have stayed here a few times - Highly recommended. The restaurant downstairs with the tom yum bar is out there.

Entertainment if you leave the hotel - Welcome to X2 A club for all ages

Once told to me by my ex CEO...

"if you go to Jakarta married, you will likely come home single, if you go there single, you will likely come home married..."

Good advice ;-)