After a week of stressful activities, it feels only right to take the entire family away from home to relax and refresh over a weekend. Located on Jl. Sudirman in Jakarta’s Central Business District, The Orient Hotel Jakarta offers exactly that, with convenient access to shopping malls and business centers, allowing guests to enjoy some time out with loved ones without leaving the city.

One step into the lobby shows that the hotel has a unique character: two enormous rattan chairs are arranged on one side, with statement lamps made of seashells standing in the corners.

The hotel is designed by Bill Bensley, an American architect and interior designer with a studio in Bali, whose clients include five-star hotels worldwide. Bensley is also known to incorporate environmental or cultural elements in eclectic touches to his designs.

For the Orient Hotel, Bensley highlighted Indonesia’s diverse heritage through pop art twists. Oversized Javanese and Balinese batik prints adorn the walls, for instance, while wood-paneled floors, including in the rooms, lend a rustic ambiance.

Stress relief: The semi-infinity pool at the Orient Hotel Jakarta is equipped with therapeutic waterjets, making it the place to relax while enjoying a view of the city. (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta) (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta/Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta)

Rooms

The hotel occupies the top floors in a building it shares with the Sudirman Suites Apartment, spanning from floors 26 to 31. The Orient currently offers five types of rooms: Superior, Deluxe, Grand Deluxe, Orient and Grand Orient. Three more room types are in the pipeline: the Orient Suite, Presidential Junior Suite and Presidential Suite, all offering more space ranging from 91 square meters to 265 sqm.

What makes the Orient unique is that each room has a distinct design, starting from the room door. Each wooden door features a different painting of Indonesian flora, fauna or folklore, each created by a local artist.

The door to the Grand Deluxe room where The Jakarta Post stayed, for instance, had a painting of little birds on a tree, while the doors of other rooms featured exotic plants, the sun or a horse with a horn. These works of art make it feel as though guests are walking into a whimsical, relaxing space.

The Grand Deluxe room occupies a comfortable 40 sqm and has a spacious living space. The king-sized bed, covered in premium Italian linen, is cozy and luxurious, and likely to send guests off to quality sleep.

The open bathroom concept marries simplicity with style, featuring bespoke Italian fixtures, and comes equipped with a shower room in white marble. The floor-to-ceiling windows make bathing feel inspiring, soaking in the hot water while looking out at a view of the Jakarta skyline.

Facilities

The Orient’s fifth floor offers health and leisure activities. Book enthusiasts can spend quiet time with a fresh drink in the Library Lounge. The 24-hour gym offers state-of-the-art equipment and workout sessions with an overlooking view of the city. A studio on the gym’s mezzanine floor is ready for yoga and Pilates, with the hotel providing personal trainers and nutritionists for a complete fitness regime.

Luxury sleep: The Orient Hotel Jakarta's namesake room is adorned with oversized batik wall prints, while a king-sized bed is sheathed in Italian linen for quality sleep. (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta) (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta/Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta)

While the spa is currently being built, it doesn’t mean guests can’t indulge in relaxing therapies. The semi-outdoor infinity pool is the place to recharge while enjoying the cityscape. The pool also has a hydrotherapy system, equipped with therapeutic waterjets to relax sore muscles from head to toe.

For maximum stress relief, take a dip in the Jacuzzi, and then continue by lounging on one of the sunbeds, ordering a refreshing tiki cocktail from the aptly named Pool Bar.

Rustic ambiance: The Grand Deluxe room at the Orient Hotel Jakarta features an open concept bathtub with a full floor-to-ceiling window with a view of the capital city's skyline. (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta) (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta/Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta)

Culinary experiences

The Orient also presents an excellent culinary experience. Furusato Izakaya, situated on the ground floor of Sudirman Suites Apartment, offers authentic Japanese food in a warm, wood-toned setting. Fresh individual portions of sushi and sashimi are of course, available, or order 300 grams of the Saikoro Steak teppanyaki to share. Sit at the floor-level tatami table or at the sushi bar and take in the izakaya ambiance.

Breakfast is available from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Caspar Spanish Restaurant and Lounge on the ground floor. Choices of cereals, yogurts, cheeses and a variety of homemade pastries are displayed on a wooden table in the middle of the restaurant. Be sure to try the mini pain au chocolat, bite-sized crispy pastry wrapped around chocolate, and stop by the egg station, which is always at the ready in one corner.

The Orient also offers an a la carte breakfast menu with selections of international and Japanese dishes, such as Eggs Benny (poached eggs on an English muffin with hollandaise sauce) and Okayu Teishoku (traditional Japanese porridge with pickles).

Indonesian favorites are also available for breakfast. Try Lontong Sayur with rice cakes, boiled egg and thick coconut broth for a fulfilling start to the day.

Literary leisure: Enjoy a quiet time reading with a refreshing drink in the Library Lounge at the Orient Hotel Jakarta. (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta) (Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta/Courtesy of The Orient Hotel Jakarta)

Caspar’s outdoor seating is perfect for a sunny morning, or better yet, recline in one of the daybeds. Surrounded by lush greenery, the tropical nuance helps guests forget about busy life in Jakarta.

From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Caspar reveals its true identity, serving up authentic Spanish fare from Croquetas de tinta (croquette with squid ink) to Costillar con pimiento de piquillo (slow-cooked short ribs). For a sweet delight, homemade churros are available for both lunch and dinner.

Every Saturday night, Caspar comes alive with a DJ and sangrias to dance the night away. But for guests who prefer to chill with friends and family over a well-nurtured drink, head to the mezzanine floor, which is flanked by a cigar and whisky lounge on one side and a wine lounge on the other.

Visit The Orient Hotel Jakarta online, call +622139707777 or send a WhatsApp message to +6287877807777 for more information.