security is tight for historical reasons. two layers, first when you drive in, the second before you enter the lobby.

after that, it was pure luxury. greeted by the sound of the traditional indonesian gong (in-house musician). someone offered to take my trolly bag. receptionist gave me a nice sweet iced tea and towels. i was upgraded to a suite to top it off!

the room was spacious with an alright view of the surroundings. everything was first class - beds and shower.

breakfast was the only downside for although the staff was polite and the food was good, it was limited in my opinion (i had it at the executive level).

overall, i will recommend this for anyone who goes on business trips which the company pays for! absolutely worth it!

cannot fault the spacious room, faultless service, great club lounge facilities (pool table), never saw the housekeeping, they drift in and out leaving fresh towels, t-bags, ice. The pool area is not the biggest but the towels are 'too heavy' ie large and fluffy, the gym is good and the asian restaurant nightly buffet is just the best. Downstairs in the night clubs the local rock band was unbelievable. all in all, its got to be one of the best hotels in Jakarta, LA Galaxy were staying there..so if its good enough for Becks....

I stayed in a Grand Room, their "standard" accommodation. Nothing standard about the room size, easily double the size of a room in North America. With the walk-in closet, huge bathroom and seating area this felt more like a junior suite. Furniture and carpet were a bit tired for a Ritz property, and I was surprised that wet caulking coated part of the shower handle. But ultimately these were forgivable given the freedom afforded by a very big hotel room. Also good selection of tv and movie channels.

My dining experiences were another matter. Lobo, the showcase Italian restaurant was fully booked when I called at 4pm Thursday for a same day, 1-person 8:30pm reservation. A notice could have been posted given a couple restaurant attendants and a menu board are parked at the lobby entrance. As with virtually all staff I encountered the friendliness was high, English language skills were limited to none and the amount of service information was basic. "Lobo is fully booked" was the extent the reservation clerk's telephone response. Absent were questions about my food preference and a suitable plan B inside or outside the hotel. Given the location of this Ritz Carlton property I was left to dine at Asia, a cafeteria-style restaurant. Keen to try a proper nasi goreng on my first trip to Jakarta that's what I ordered. The chicken looked old, the rice was hard. Asia performed better in the morning as a buffet breakfast venue. However curious that this meal service was not extended on the weekend as at their Club Lounge which served full American breakfast until 10:30am- Asia cleared out breakfast promptly at 10:00am.

Must mention my gratitude and comfort at the high level of security measures at this hotel. Unlike other posters I was appreciative, priority must be to keep the hotel's staff, suppliers and guests safe.

Jakarta is a city rich in history and culture and I will be back to learn more about it. However I'll try the Ritz Carlton Pacific Place or other newer properties to compare with this experience.

Overall experience was good but perhaps not of the level one would expect from ritz Carlton. Food was average. Staff at front desk and concierge were not that great.