Jakarta Hotels

Visiting Jakarta - A City Guide

Big, brash and bold, Jakarta is the sprawling capital of Indonesia, a nation of 250 million people and 17,000 islands. It’s a city of contrasts, home to a variety of cultures that influence its architecture, lifestyle and food. Visitors come from around the world to discover its appeal, and to engage in international trade and finance.

Jakarta: City Layout and Top Attractions

The heart of Jakarta is leafy Merdeka Square, framed by impressive colonial architecture and backed by the districts of Cikini and Menteng.

To experience the city’s rich history, visitors head to Kota Tua, or the Old City. Restored colonial buildings around Taman Fatahillah square harbor restaurants, museums and galleries, including the Jakarta History Museum. North of Kota Tua in Sunda Kelapa, traditional pinisi sailing ships still visit the old port. To the south is Glodok, Jakarta's vibrant Chinatown.

Families visiting Dunia Fantasi Theme Park Ancol can stay at nearby Jakarta hotels such as Holiday Inn Jakarta Kemayoran, about a mile away. Booking directly through the IHG website gives access to special “Your Rate” offers.

Eating Out in Jakarta

As a major world city, Jakarta overflows with international cuisine, but it's also the perfect place to discover specialties from Indonesia's numerous islands. To try Sumatran classics, travellers can head to eateries labeled “Masakan Padang” and pick from the myriad bowls on offer.

Street markets and food streets such as Jalan Sabang are the place to go for pan-Indonesian favorites such as sate kebabs and Javan nasi goreng. For the best Chinese food, you can graze along Pecenongan and Petak Sembilan in Chinatown, or visit the Duck King restaurant in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town.

Kemang is the city's best neighborhood for fine dining, including restaurants in Jakarta hotels. A favorite nightspot for both food and drinks is the Shy restaurant and rooftop bar atop The Papilion complex.

Shopping in Jakarta

From modern, high-fashion malls like Plaza Indonesia to Menteng's sprawling Flea Market, you can buy everything from turtle's eggs to Cartier in Jakarta. Signature Indonesian goods include batik clothing, Java coffee, keri daggers and spices such as nutmeg and cloves. Colony 6 is a quirky and contemporary complex in the Kemang neighborhood, offering a fusion of fashion, food and wellness.

Malls near JLN Gatot Subroto and the Inner Ring Road put you in close proximity to major hotels in Jakarta. Redeem your IHG^® Rewards Club points for overnight stays at Crowne Plaza Jakarta and you’ll be minutes from Plaza Semanggi and Pacific Place. 

When staying at Holiday Inn Express Jakarta Pluit Citygate, you’re directly connected to Emporium Pluit Mall and close to the Pluit Central Business District.  

Culture in Jakarta

Traditional Javanese art forms such as classical dance and gamelan orchestras still flourish in Jakarta, and wayang shadow puppetry takes center stage at Museum Wayang. The city’s modern art scene flourishes at Art:1 in Kemayoran, home to several good Jakarta hotels.

Built in 1862, the grand Museum Nasional on Merdeka Square showcases ethnological and historical exhibits from across the archipelago.

Set in a glorious neoclassical building in the heart of Kota Tua, the Museum Bank Indonesia highlights Indonesian financial history from the days of the Spice Trade to the modern era.