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rif and I enjoyed a short weekend away in Jakarta where he booked a two-night stay at the 5-star InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza. After a long queue at the airport immigration and braving 1.5 hours of traffic, we were greeted by pleasant smiles of the hotel staff.

As we got an upgrade to a Studio Suite, we were ushered to the 14th floor for check–in, just in time for cocktail hour. I helped myself to two glasses of sparkling wine to soothe the frustration of Jakarta’s gridlock traffic. The wine was crisp and delicious, and did just what I needed it to do.

Check-in was swift – all I needed to do was sip on wine and nibble on snacks, and my room key was ready. The studio suite was really spacious, with a living room, workstation and walk-in wardrobe with attached bathroom.

Our bed was comfortable and we got to choose our preferred pillow from the pillow menu provided. I also liked how the duvets were thick and soft; they kept me warm at night. The room comes with an in-room safe, mini bar, ironing facilities, hairdryer, satelite TV and iPod docking station, among others.

As guests staying at the Studio Suite, we were given access to the Club InterContinental Lounge on the 14th floor. We also had the option of dining at Club InterContinental Lounge or at Rasa Restaurant – I opted for the lounge and found the selection to be sufficient and of good quality. Service too, was very attentive.

They do a decent Eggs Benedict, a treat I enjoyed on both my breakfasts here. As InterContinental Jakarta caters to a large Japanese clientele, the breakfast spread had a small section of miso soup, udon, soba and pickled radish. We also got to enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and soft drinks and the lounge, and complimentary evening cocktails from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The latter was one of my favourite features of staying in a suite.

Some of the hotel amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre (with fitness instructors for personalised workout routines), childcare services, a large swimming pool, squash court, tennis court and SPA InterContinental. I didn’t manage to use to pool when I was there, but I did enjoy a pampering 2-hour spa session of my second day there.

InterContinental Jakarta offers five F&B outlets excluding in-room dining – Deli, Bacchus Bar, Scusa Italian Restaurant, Rasa Restaurant and Lobby Lounge. Deli is located on the Lower Ground Level and is perfect for those looking for quick bites such as gourmet sandwiches, pastries and cakes.

For those looking to unwind after a long day, head to Bacchus Bar for a glass (or two) of wine, cocktail or beer. I also indulged in some Pan Asian cuisine and grilled delights when I dined there.

Scusa Italian Restaurant on Level 2 is InterContinental Jakarta’s signature restaurant, featuring an open kitchen and woodfire oven. Rasa means ‘taste’ in Bahasa Indonesia and the restaurant boasts live cooking stations with indoor and outdoor seating. We found the lunch buffet spread quite extensive and liked the offering at the grill station best.

The Lobby Lounge makes a great venue for business discussion (seeing how InterContinental Jakarta is a business hotel) and offers a range of snacks and drinks. InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza is strategically located in the city centre of the business district; Sudirman and Thamrin.

The hotel is adjacent to the MidPlaza Office Complex and City Walk, and is also a short drive from Plaza Indonesia, a major shopping complex in Jakarta. This makes it an ideal location for business and leisure. After rush hour, it was fairly easy to get around – we went to a few night spots in the city and it took us 30 minutes or less by cab. There is a (pretty impressive) live jazz band in the hotel if you don’t want to paint the town red.

Service was attentive throughout our stay and I’m glad we were given this upgrade. I felt so pampered and despite it being a short break, we arrived in KL feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead!

From the airport, guest can hire a taxi (please enquire for price from the taxi counter at the airport) or opt for the hotel’s pick-up service. It costs Rp.560.000++ for the limousine pick up or Rp.300.000++ for Silver Bird.

For more information about InterContinental Jakarta and to check for room rates, visit the hotel’s official website here. Also, “Like” InterContinental Jakarta on Facebook here.

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InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav, 10-11,
Jakarta, Indonesia 10220
Tel: +62-21-251 0888
GPS Coordinates: S 6 12.540 E 106 49.176