The Diary of a Hotel Addict
Jakarta's Grande Dames: Hotel Indonesia & Mandarin Oriental
© yohanes.budiyanto, 2009
Jakarta might not have the same world recognition in comparison to its sister cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok; or the same high-profile, world-renowned historic landmark hotels such as The Raffles, Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or The Peninsula Hong Kong. But it certainly has one of the best kept secrets: a historic hotel that was the precursor of modern five star hotels in South East Asia: Hotel Indonesia.
Little do people know that the 15 storey Grande-Dame was the first five-star hotel in South East Asia when it opened in August 5th, 1962. Originally built to anticipate the 4th Asian Games in 1962, it has ever since became the rendezvous for the rich, famous and powerful Jakartans and has become a symbol of luxury during its heyday.
Competitions arrived in 1974 when both Hyatt Aryaduta (now The Aryaduta) and Sahid Jaya (now Grand Sahid Jaya) opened its doors; and Hilton International (now The Sultan) followed soon after in 1976.
It was only until 1978, when The Mandarin finally opened that it took Indonesia's hospitality scene by storm by taking it to a new level; and it has certainly tamed all competitions. The Mandarin was finally rebranded as Mandarin Oriental, and has long been recognized as the city's finest hotels, until the arrival of the modern super-luxury grand hotels of the 90s and beyond: Grand Hyatt, Ritz-Carltons, Shangri-La, Four Seasons and The Dharmawangsa.
Both Mandarin Oriental and Hotel Indonesia suffered tremendously during the turn of the millennium; and with small cosmetic renovations, they have come to a state of decaying, which culminated by the closure of Hotel Indonesia in 2004.
When financial aids finally came to a rescue, both hotels were closed for the much needed extensive renovation. Mandarin Oriental closed for almost 2 years until it reopened on the 5th October 2009; while Hotel Indonesia closed for 5 years and reopened on the 28th February 2009 as a Kempinski Hotel.
Now that both Grand Dames have been fully rejuvenated, Jakarta could now be proud of having two of the most luxurious hotels in Indonesia; and I will give the first hand review of both hotels shortly. Stay tune!.
HOTEL INDONESIA KEMPINSKI
Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Jakarta
Indonesia
General Manager: Gerhard E. Mitrovits
Executive Chef: Andrew Phillips
Architect: Abel Sorenson
Interior Designer: Hirsch Bedner Associates
MANDARIN ORIENTAL JAKARTA
Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Jakarta
Indonesia
General Manager: Andrew Abram
Architect: P&T Architects
Interior Designer: LTW Designworks
Jakarta's Grande Dames: Hotel Indonesia & Mandarin Oriental
© yohanes.budiyanto, 2009
Jakarta might not have the same world recognition in comparison to its sister cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok; or the same high-profile, world-renowned historic landmark hotels such as The Raffles, Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or The Peninsula Hong Kong. But it certainly has one of the best kept secrets: a historic hotel that was the precursor of modern five star hotels in South East Asia: Hotel Indonesia.
Little do people know that the 15 storey Grande-Dame was the first five-star hotel in South East Asia when it opened in August 5th, 1962. Originally built to anticipate the 4th Asian Games in 1962, it has ever since became the rendezvous for the rich, famous and powerful Jakartans and has become a symbol of luxury during its heyday.
Competitions arrived in 1974 when both Hyatt Aryaduta (now The Aryaduta) and Sahid Jaya (now Grand Sahid Jaya) opened its doors; and Hilton International (now The Sultan) followed soon after in 1976.
It was only until 1978, when The Mandarin finally opened that it took Indonesia's hospitality scene by storm by taking it to a new level; and it has certainly tamed all competitions. The Mandarin was finally rebranded as Mandarin Oriental, and has long been recognized as the city's finest hotels, until the arrival of the modern super-luxury grand hotels of the 90s and beyond: Grand Hyatt, Ritz-Carltons, Shangri-La, Four Seasons and The Dharmawangsa.
Both Mandarin Oriental and Hotel Indonesia suffered tremendously during the turn of the millennium; and with small cosmetic renovations, they have come to a state of decaying, which culminated by the closure of Hotel Indonesia in 2004.
When financial aids finally came to a rescue, both hotels were closed for the much needed extensive renovation. Mandarin Oriental closed for almost 2 years until it reopened on the 5th October 2009; while Hotel Indonesia closed for 5 years and reopened on the 28th February 2009 as a Kempinski Hotel.
Now that both Grand Dames have been fully rejuvenated, Jakarta could now be proud of having two of the most luxurious hotels in Indonesia; and I will give the first hand review of both hotels shortly. Stay tune!.
HOTEL INDONESIA KEMPINSKI
Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Jakarta
Indonesia
General Manager: Gerhard E. Mitrovits
Executive Chef: Andrew Phillips
Architect: Abel Sorenson
Interior Designer: Hirsch Bedner Associates
MANDARIN ORIENTAL JAKARTA
Jl. M. H. Thamrin, Jakarta
Indonesia
General Manager: Andrew Abram
Architect: P&T Architects
Interior Designer: LTW Designworks