Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
With serene and peaceful ambience, resorts surrounding Jakarta
\nwitness regular customers wishing to spend their weekends or
\nholiday breaks. Staying in a resort has become an alternative
\ngetaway for Jakartans, especially revelers wishing to avoid the
\nhustle bustle of the city.<\/p>\n
Most of the retreats are situated outside the bustling
\nmetropolis but not too far away. It only takes a few hours drive
\nto reach the sites.<\/p>\n
Although guests at resorts wish to relax, most do not stay the
\nwhole day in a locked room without doing anything but will
\nusually spend their time engaged in outdoor activities based on
\ntheir interests. And several well-managed resorts do not only
\nprovide the needed facilities but also organize outdoor
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
If you want to try the pleasures of spending your holidays in
\nretreat islands, or some places located at the coastal area in
\nthe Sunda Straits or at a lake, there are a plenty of choices
\nwaiting for you.<\/p>\n
Increasingly popular sea resorts are found in Kepulauan Seribu
\nor the Thousand Islands, located to the north of the capital even
\nthough a few hours boat trip is needed to reach the site. There,
\na group of islands scattered across the Java Sea, where cottages
\nwith 'back to nature' concept are readily available. Most of the
\ndeveloped islands has its own resort, like Pulau Seribu Marine
\n(Pantara Island), Kulkul Kotok Island Resort, Mentari Resort and
\nSepa Island Resort.<\/p>\n
At the resorts, high heed is paid to preserving nature, with
\ntheir buildings made of bamboo and wood instead of cement.
\nDespite buildings adopting traditional architecture, the resorts
\nor cottages are well equipped with modern facilities. However,
\ncertain cottages present 'fully natural setting' by using oil
\nlamps, instead of electricity lights, creating a romantic
\natmosphere.<\/p>\n
To the west of Jakarta, one can find a handful of resorts
\nalong the beach in Banten province like Carita Beach Resort,
\nAnyer Beach Resort, Patrajasa Resort and Prima Resort.<\/p>\n
Jakartans are the majority of guests taking advantage of
\nstaying at resorts, with executives, business people and families
\nbeing regular visitors. The average occupancy rate of the resorts
\nis between 50 percent to 60 percent but on holidays or the peak
\nseasons, usually from June through August and December, the
\noccupancy rate at particular resorts can reach more than 70
\npercent. Guests at Pulau Seribu Marine Resort also include
\nJapanese and Korean.<\/p>\n
Although resorts all offer comfortable facilities and services
\nto stay and relax, each has its own outstanding appeal.<\/p>\n
\"With our 'Back to Nature Concept', all of the supporting
\nfacilities at Pulau Seribu Marine Resort refer to the concept.
\nYou will not find a television or radio in your room. The only
\nsounds you hear are those of the roaring waves, singing insects
\nand other natural sounds that you will not find when you stay in
\na busy city,\" said Pulau Seribu Marine Resort's marketing analyst
\nIndon Nuvo.<\/p>\n
Pulau Seribu Marine Resort is located about 35 kilometers from
\nJakarta, or about a one and half hour trip by motor boat.<\/p>\n
The resort boasts clean and unpolluted sea-water, an ideal
\nsite for diving and other marine sports. The resort has 116 rooms
\navailable in standard, suite and cottage types.<\/p>\n
With Java Sea encircling the Thousand Islands, visitors can
\nenjoy exciting water sports, including wind surfing, water
\npedals, jet-skis, swimming, sailing or boating, snorkeling and
\ndiving. Almost every resort in the Thousand Islands provides
\nwater sport equipment.<\/p>\n
Tourist attractions around Pulau Seribu Marine Resort include
\ninteresting diving sites around Papateo Island and Matahari
\nIsland. \"We organize recreational activities for our guests. We
\noffer boats and other water sport equipment for rent,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Driving further to the south west of the capital, one can find
\nresorts in Sukabumi, West Java, including those in the 'Jewel of
\nWest Java', Pelabuhan Ratu or a Harbor Queen that faces the
\nIndian Ocean.<\/p>\n
Unlike resorts in the Thousand Islands whose recreational
\nactivities are mostly linked to marine tourism, those in Banten
\nand Sukabumi province with mountains, hills, lakes and bays also
\noffer land attractions. 'Things to do' in the provincial resorts
\nrange from fun-filled activities like watching the sunset or
\nsunrise on a beach, fishing and leisurely walks to the most
\nchallenging activities like white water rafting, climbing,
\nskydiving, ultra light rides and scuba diving.<\/p>\n
Padi-Padi Resorts and Hot Springs, located on Jl. Cisolok,
\nPelabuhan Ratu, is also known for its unique architectural and
\ninterior design. The building of the resort has been styled to
\nblend traditional and modern architecture, with an interior
\ndesign of Mediterranean ambiance.<\/p>\n
Awaking to a Padi Padi morning is to find yourself immersed in
\nbirdsong from the rice-fields and the sound of Indian ocean waves
\nas they dance on the sandy beach nearby. In the afternoon, the
\nhotel affords romantic views of the sunset, and you can also
\ncomfortably view the mountains and forests of Halimun National
\nPark.<\/p>\n
The hotel has 25 rooms available in six types: Garden View,
\nSea View, Small Deluxe, Large Deluxe and Penthouse. Each has a
\ndifferent design that give a sense of individuality. The rooms
\nare equipped with controlled air conditioning, refrigerator,
\ninternational TV programs and laser disc equipment.<\/p>\n
To satisfy your appetite, the Padi-Padi Beach Resort has two
\nrestaurants that serve seafood with their own special recipes.
\nThey also offer delicious cuisine from Sunda (West Java) and
\nEurope.<\/p>\n
As a beach resort, the Padi-Padi Resort offers a variety of
\noutdoor activities, including white water rafting, ocean fishing,
\nsnorkeling, diving, boating, surfing and wind surfing. With a
\nmountain nearby, the hotel also offers hiking and mountain
\nbiking.<\/p>\n
If so desired, the hotel resort will readily arrange organized
\nexcursions, including waterfalls, hot springs, the harbor, bat
\ncaves, fishing trips, traditional markets, fish auctions, white
\nwater rafting and the Abah Anom trip.<\/p>\n
Lido Lakes Hotel and Resorts is well known for its scenic
\nbeauty as it is encircled by Lido Lake, and having fresh air as
\nwell as the wide range of activities on offer. Outlined by the
\nnatural ensemble of greeneries, streams and hills, the Lido
\nresort covers the total area of 17,000 hectares, rising to the
\nheight of 1000 meters.<\/p>\n
\"Most of our guests choose Lido Lakes as their primary holiday
\ndestination because they seem to be bored with Puncak which
\nfrequently suffer from severe traffic jam. Besides, Lido Lakes
\noffers a form of 'eco-tourism' hotel which is different from
\nother hotels,\" Dery Kuhr, the hotel's director for room, sales
\nand marketing, said, adding that Lido Lakes is also a primary
\nchoice when it comes to aero-club, all terrain vehicle (atv) and
\nother adventurous activities.<\/p>\n
Room rates at resorts are varied, depending which resort you
\nstay and which room type you choose. At Padi-Padi Resort and Hot
\nSpring, Standard Garden View is set at Rp 299,000 per night,
\nSuite at Rp 525,000 per night and Penthouse at Rp 699,000 per
\nnight.<\/p>\n
Room rates at Lido Lakes Hotel and Resort are set between Rp
\n415,00 000 per night for a standard room and Rp 690,000 per night
\nfor suite.<\/p>\n
The room rates at resorts in Thousand Islands are commonly
\ncalculated per package, not per room. The package will usually
\ninclude round trip transportation, welcome drink, accommodation
\non twin sharing basis, a breakfast. two lunches, one dinner and
\n21 percent Tax and Service Charge. The Standard Package at Pulau
\nSeribu Marine Resort, for instance, is Rp 600,000 (twin sharing,
\nfirst night) for weekday and Rp 950,000 for a weekend.<\/p>\n
Most of the resorts offer 20 percent discounts on weekdays and
\n10 percent on the weekends.<\/p>",
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