Nick Walton checks into one of Jakarta’s most iconic and beloved hotels, Gran Meliá Jakarta, to see how this hotel has evolved with the changing times

A haven of serenity and luxury in the heart of Indonesia’s capital, the Gran Meliá Jakarta is an urban oasis nestled in the prime Golden Triangle central business district of Kuningan, meaning you’ll always be in the thick of the action. Cutting an elegant figure against Jakarta’s cityscape, and inspired by its Spanish heritage, the 5-star hotel boasts 366 luxurious guest accommodations, five dining destinations, and a spa and wellness sanctuary by Meliá Hotels International’s signature wellness brand YHI Spa.

First Impressions

After weaving through the chaotic traffic of Jakarta, arriving at the Gran Meliá Jakarta is a welcome respite. As I make my way up the escalators and into the hotel’s cavernous lobby, there is a sense of peace and order that’s accentuated as I’m guided up to the 15th floor, the coveted RedLevel, which is home to the special executive RedLevel Lounge. It’s here, in this boutique hotel within a hotel, that I’m checked into my Deluxe Suite, a sprawling and elegant space that makes travel far from home comfortable and convenient.

The Room

While my suite isn’t the most modern in the city, it’s certainly large and well-appointed. The foyer opens onto the main living space, where an expansive dining table sits and can double as a meeting space, and there is a separate workspace, a couch along one wall, and panoramic city views. The bathroom features both a standalone bathtub and walk-in shower as well as double vanities, and opens into both the vestibule and a separate dressing room. Other room amenities include both wifi and high-speed cable internet and dual 42-inch LCD televisions. As a base from which to explore the city it’s great; there’s plenty of space for him and her, and guests can enjoy intimate in-suite dining, host casual catch ups in the living room, and the master bedroom can be easily closed off.

The Executive Lounge

One of the things that stands the Gran Meliá Jakarta apart is the RedLevel (above). An elegant, refined space that feels like an exclusive club rather than a business setting, the Lounge serves buffet breakfasts for RedLevel room and suite guests, as well the renowned RedLevel Lounge tea service and evening cocktails and canapés. Staying on a RedLevel guest floor also entitles guests to a raft of additional perks, including complimentary garment pressing upon arrival, personalised check-ins and check-outs (with arrival cocktail), free local calls and complimentary internet access. I love the quiet evenings in the lounge, where travellers from around the world meet over a range of libations and refreshments, the perfect precursor for a night exploring the neighbourhood’s leading eateries.

Dining

Like many of these Grand Dame hotels, Gran Meliá Jakarta offers a spectacular array of dining experiences. At Café Gran Via you can expect a gamut of flavours from across the globe, including spectacular breakfast spreads and thematic dinners. The hotel is also home to the acclaimed Yoshi Izakaya restaurant (above), whose verdant garden setting provides a relaxing ambience while enjoying chef Tomoaki Ito’s modern approach to Japanese cuisine. For the best flavours from Sichuan and Canton, guests can head to Tien Chao, whose menu highlights include authentic Peking duck and weekend dim sum. Meanwhile, the Lobby Lounge is the perfect setting for casual meetings during the day, thanks to its elegant tea and coffee service – with pastries from adjacent El Bombon patisserie. Come back in the evening for cocktails and nightly live jazz sessions.

Wellness

For travellers looking to relax after a busy day of meetings or to fend off the grips of jetlag, make a beeline for the YHI Spa, which offers a selection of soothing, stressbusting massage and beauty treatments influenced by local traditions, helping you forget the frenzy of daily life. These are complemented by a wide variety of holistic therapies, including hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and reflexology. There is even access to an intimate outdoor swimming pool, which is a great way to beat Jakarta’s tropical heat