A relaxing romantic escape worth every rupiah at The Park Lane

Like the man said, I crave luxury but my wallet is limited, which is only to be expected when you are working for an Indonesian newspaper.

So, when a freebie comes your way, don't pass it up.

The Park Lane in South Jakarta kindly invited us to try out their Romantic Getaway weekend, which, with a value of Rp 1.3 million, at first seems a little too steep for comfort just to put a some oomph into your love life.

Then, you realize and experience what comes along with that package -- massage for two, dinner at Riva, an undiscovered gem for me of a fine-dining restaurant, inclusive of a bottle of French wine (red or white, take your pick), plus breakfast -- and it's worth every penny and then some.

Add to that the hotel's beautiful, sedate surroundings (including a small but complete fitness center and pool), its location a little off the beaten track of Jakarta hotels and a young, friendly, accommodating but never obsequious staff, and you really do have something to write about.

"When we priced it, we thought about everything that was included and its value," says the hotel's marketing manager Deborah English. "We believe it really is value for money."

The pampering starts from the moment you check in, when the receptionist asks you what time you want your massage and your reservation at Riva. We quickly settled into our Deluxe room, relaxed and awaited the massage and dinner that lay ahead.

After both of us had head and neck massages, we headed to Riva for dinner. I had heard about Riva before -- a colleague had once raved that it was the best restaurant in Jakarta -- but had never tried it before.

Well, if the way to the heart really is through the stomach, then eat to your heart's content at the discreet, genteel New York-style bistro, run by chef Eric Guilbert and his able team. You get a choice for your three-course meal, all delicious and freshly cooked, washed down with that bottle of wine.

For us, it was the highlight of our very pleasant stay at The Park Lane. Hopefully, we will be able to return in the near future for another romantic escape. It really is worth it.

-- Kevin Vickers