Keeping up with the Jonses: HI undergoes renovation<\/p>\n
By Jim Plouffe<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The long neglected grandmother of Jakartan
\nhotels has undergone some much needed surgery.<\/p>\n
One wing of rooms, a restaurant and a business section have
\nbeen totally redone at Hotel Indonesia in the center of the city.
\nMore renovations will follow in order to allow the 33-year-old
\nhotel to compete with her siblings in Jakarta's crowded hotel
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
The hotel was constructed in 1962 under the order of
\nIndonesia's first president Sukarno. He envisioned a hotel run by
\nIndonesians for Indonesians. And this is what it has become.<\/p>\n
The Ramayana wing was first renovated in 1982, but it was not
\nuntil the most recent renovation, completed last week, that the
\nhotel touched anything in the five-star range.<\/p>\n
The 60 remodeled rooms are very comfortable and very
\nfunctional. They have the standard beds, wardrobes and TV
\ncabinet. The bathrooms are tastefully done in teak and green
\nmarble and include all the toiletries you would need, including
\ncombs, razors and aftershave. There is also a hair-dryer.<\/p>\n
What makes the rooms special is the price. For the same
\ncomfort found in any double room in Jakarta, you pay Rp 416,250
\na night. Singles cost Rp 393,750, not including the various
\ntaxes.<\/p>\n
The only comfort that you give up is marble lined elevators
\nand soothing hallways, although the halls in the renovated wing
\nhave been done in pastels in an attempt to lessen the drone of
\nthe traffic on Jl. Sudirman below.<\/p>\n
A small executive club has been added on the fourth floor.
\nHere business people can relax over an American breakfast while
\nwatching TV, surprisingly set below ear shattering levels. The
\nclub offers coffee, tea and snacks all day. Next door is a small
\nmeeting room equipped with overhead projectors, a fax machine and
\nan electronic white board.<\/p>\n
Although a first time visitor to Jakarta may not appreciate
\nthe Indonesian ambience of the hotel, it truly reflects the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
From the large murals in the Ramayana terrace to its somewhat
\nancient elevators, Hotel Indonesia prepares visitors for their
\nstay in its namesake.<\/p>\n
The only thing that is not a true reflection is the staff.
\nThey are all very courteous, while remaining relaxed, and they
\nall know the hotel inside out. This may be due to the fact that
\nmost of them have worked their way up in the government run
\norganization.<\/p>\n
The public relations person, Meriem Roy, has worked at the
\nhotel for 19 years. She started out as a waitress and has worked
\nin every branch of the hotel, from reception, to administration
\nto personnel. Roy knows every detail, unlike staff in other
\nhotels who check in and out quicker than the guests.<\/p>\n
Only the decor in the Nirwana supper club has been around
\nlonger than the staff. The 12th floor restaurant's bubble
\nwindows, overlooking the Hyatt across the street, illuminate the
\n1970s velour covered walls and funky lighting. It's like a club
\ntravel writer Paul Therioux would happily whine about. Although
\nmy host assured me that they did a booming business on Wednesday
\nnights when their house band, Flashback, belted out hits from the
\n50s, 60s and 70s, I couldn't help thinking, \"if this is heaven, I
\nwould hate to see hell.\"<\/p>\n
On Saturday night a large number of regulars come to dine on
\nthe very good food and reminisce about when the supper club was
\nthe only thing going in Jakarta. The hotels administration
\nofficer pointed out one couple who had come every Saturday night
\nfor thirty years. Many other regulars where getting down on the
\ndance floor to an out of tune cover band.<\/p>\n
The other restaurants offer relaxed dinning in very elegant
\nsurroundings. The Nusantara restaurant on the eighth floor offers
\nIndonesian delicacies enhanced with custom made, soon to be
\nantique Hotel Indonesia plates and serving vessels. A real touch
\nof class. Each week a different Indonesian province is featured
\nand traditional dancers from Taman Mini Indonesia perform at 8:00
\np.m.<\/p>\n
There is a good Japanese restaurant called Yamazato in the
\nlobby. It offers quite good food, and has wonderfully presented
\nset lunches at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n
To ensure a steady flow of business travelers, Hotel Indonesia
\nhas established a preferred guest group, called the Heritage
\nClub. For a Rp 250,000 joining fee, club members receive a
\ncomplimentary night in the hotel, drink vouchers and a 40 percent
\nsaving on future stays. The club also offers up to 50 percent off
\nrooms at other government hotels, including Samudra Beach Hotel
\nin Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java and the Manado Beach Hotel
\nin North Sulawesi. Members receive 15 percent off meals when
\ndining alone, or get their meal free when entertaining guests.<\/p>\n
Hotel Indonesia has taken the right steps toward attracting
\nmore guests. The rooms are comfortable, the food is good and the
\nstaff are outstanding. Now that the internal surgery has been
\ncompleted it may be time for a exterior facelift. As General
\nManager Ismojo Martokoesoemo says: \"Its the little things that
\ncount.\"<\/p>",
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