Staying in Jakarta Best Area

[Ansett]

Hi all

Will be staying in Jakarta for a weekend and have no idea where to stay so need advise as to what area to stay in.

I shall be on my own and want something where there is food and entertainment easily available but NO seedy areas please. Looking for culture and history.

Somewhere that is easy to get to and from using public transport from and to the airport and that is not overly expensive.

Thanks for your help.

 

[theblank]

Start looking around Kuningan as your best bet IMO. Other names to check out on the maps are Senayan, Pondok Indah, Kemang, the latter two is where most westerners live. nightlife centres around the big shopping centres.
You want to be in Central or South Jakarta. East/West is boring. North is the seedy spot, but also where the history is. will be fine to go in daytime, Ancol is a nice spot. I go to JKT twice a year but I my expertise is mainly golf, and locations further south than South Jakarta. I rarely go to the city.

Find the website Jakarta 100 bars, it has all the seedy info, but has all the straight nightlife info as well. A bit of research here will also help you avoid what you dont want (its nothing like Bangkok for example), and I dont think there are any other websites with this much info.

I use UBER to go everywhere. Never used it for airport pickups but its possible, there is a normal pick up area. There are dedicated airport buses, never used those, I wouldnt recommend them to a weary traveller as the destination terminus is likel to be hectic, especially peak hours. Its a typical asian airport at arrivals, touts everywhere but not as bad as some. Do some googling on this. If you are worried, just get a Bluebird taxi (google them, best service in Asia) it wouldnt even cost you $20 to get to the city. Taxis are crazy cheap in JKT, google search "bluebird fare calculator" for some sample costs. Avoid non-bluebird taxis if any concerns. Most hotels seem to charge about $20 for airport pickup, last time I used that I was the only guest picked up so not waiting around.

Allow for long queeues, delays and traffic jams, and you will be fine. Immigration in JKT is always quick though.

What day of week, and what time you arriving?
whats your hotel budget?

 

[Ansett]

WOW Thank you

Fantastic and informative response very much appreciate it.

I arrive on a Friday evening and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Havent set a budget as have no idea of prices just after something clean quiet and comfortable that is close to interesting non sleazy areas.

 

[theblank]

I arrive on a Friday evening and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Hey, me too (late july)

Perhaps bus is fine arriving into city after 9pm, the bedlum is probably all over, you wont have a problem connecting with whatever transport you need to a hotel.
These buses get dedicated busways sometimes, so they can also be faster to get into town I guess.

Haven't set a budget as have no idea of prices just after something clean quiet and comfortable that is close to interesting non sleazy areas.

I have grabbed $30 a night hotel before, I would compare that to $100 (minimum) hotel rooms here. The cheap hotels are often in little side streets and are further from the action than you think. Again, Uber taxi is your best friend. If you like a bit of luxury than $100 a hotel room is going to be very nice.

I just discovered this service recently, https://www.zenrooms.com/ havent tried them yet.

 

[burrco]

Must be Jakarta season. I'm also heading up for a weekend. Hotel quoted around $70 for an airport pickup - it would appear to be quite a mark up on local rates.

 

[theblank]

Must be Jakarta season. I'm also heading up for a weekend. Hotel quoted around $70 for an airport pickup - it would appear to be quite a mark up on local rates.

Where you going, Surabaya?
you can fly to Bali for less than that

 

[heddles]

Rather than start a new thread, could I please also jump on here?

I'm heading to Jakarta for the first time 18th May - returning 23rd May.

1. Looking for a recommendation for a decent 4 or 5 star property for first 3 nights. Golden Triangle seems to be the area? But I'm happy to consider other suggestions.

2. My flight departs on Monday evening, so was thinking of going somewhere else (out of Jakarta) for the weekend. Any suggestions please?

Much appreciated.

 

[theblank]

If you like clothes shopping, go to Bandung for the factory outlets.
Other interesting places nearby are Bogor and Thousand Islands

 

[kevinkhchan]

We're headed to Jakarta too. The Mrs has her school reunion so we're dropping in mid early August. After looking around we settled for Pullman Thamrin CBD for the convenience. Would love to visit Novotel Bogor as well but the in-laws live in Bogor so that would cause trouble if I were to choose a hotel over their place...

 

[burrco]

So how about that traffic? Last night took two and a half hours to travel the 30klms to the airport - insane.

 

[Ewing]

So how about that traffic? Last night took two and a half hours to travel the 30klms to the airport - insane.

Took me 25 minutes on Sunday night to travel the 30km.

Ended up watching a movie in the lounge because I allowed 2 hours.

 

[DeKa]

This morning took me 40 mins from Senayan to the airport.
Yesterday afternoon I tried to go sightseeing. After a 2.5 hour Uber Black trip which cost about AUD$10, I gave up and went back to the hotel. Apparently they implemented bans on cars using bus lanes yesterday which caused the traffic chaos.

 

[theblank]

So how about that traffic? Last night took two and a half hours to travel the 30klms to the airport - insane.

Thats not insane, thats typical!

30km is a long way in Jakarta if travelling during peak hours. Better go to the dunny before you leave too.

 

[Scarlett]

I go to JKT twice a year but I my expertise is mainly golf, and locations further south than South Jakarta. I rarely go to the city.

G'day theblank. How do you rate the courses in southern jkt and south of the city? Where are your favs?

I should have some decent opportunities to play in that area in the future and have already got Rancamaya and Jagorawi on my list. How about around Bandung: any you'd recommend around there?

 

[theblank]

G'day theblank. How do you rate the courses in southern jkt and south of the city? Where are your favs?

All the courses are good, none are really on the dont play list. Just check the Sunday prices for a comparative guide to how good they are. If they are 200k on Sunday, then maybe you can aim higher. Pondok Cabe, Halim, and Sewangan are the cheap old courses, you would only play these if you cant find anywhere else.

IMO Jag is overpriced. Nothing special for me, I think they charge extra for exclusivity. I have only played the New and the Z though. Have not played Rancamaya. Riverside would be my favourite, Norman was on acid when he designed some of those holes, I want to get back to Gunung Guelis and Rainbow Hills, the elevation changes there are awesome. Couple of tee shots are nose bleeds. All of the Jag-Bogor courses are enjoyable, mainly because they were all built new in the boom years.

Imperial Klub is amazing value early in the week, < 300k from memory early weekday, and one of only a few that allows singles on, and open mondays, course was deserted, just me an the caddy, it was a nice day out. Not to mention the uniqueness, its a must play at least once or
Lots of people rave about Royale, it is in good condition, just reminds me of american courses though.

I havent played out at Bandung. Thats the place to go for factory outlet shopping. I have some friends that go for a weekend trip every easter to Giri Guhana

On Sundays, go join in Tee Set Jakarta - about 40-60 expats gather every sunday at various courses and welcome visitors with open arms. There you will also be able to connect with the mid-week golfers, if you cant find two more social games mid week, you aint trying or have two heads. But they let me play so I guess anyone is welcome.

Dont forget, many courses wont let you play as a single. so check that out carefully.

A word on caddies, the older courses mostly have male caddies, the newer mostly female.
The men smoke, lazy, think they are better than you, get grumpy when you miss a putt because they gamble their tips on you, steal stuff.
The women are delightful, cheerful, happy and would never let on if you under tip them. Funny that on the courses with the mixed caddies, the males are friendlier.

 

[Scarlett]

Thanks much. Sounds like plenty of good options and some good local info.
I wonder if it will make any difference being able to speak the local lingo: should be fluent by the time I'm there...