Kempinski Apartments give security, luxury
With the glut of apartments hugging the city's main streets, prospective residents may feel that there is little to choose between the apartments on offer, particularly the ivory towers of luxury units.
They make the erroneous assumption that all conform to the same high standards of building design, services and location.
But there are differences which can make the crucial distinction between an untroubled and enjoyable life in the skies, and a harried existence hemmed in from the madding crowds.
Of course, security is an issue for Jakartans everywhere, with the swirling rumors of imminent unrest and the sobering reality of violent protests smack in the heart of the city.
This is where the Kempinski Apartments, with a prime location in the city center but with residents' privacy kept intact, offers supreme added value.
It is part of a superblock including the multitower MidPlaza and Kempinski Hotel, managed by the internationally renowned hotel chain. With the Kempinski Hotel Plaza's comprehensive range of services and amenities, tenants do not have to worry about a trip fraught with trepidation across the city.
Looking for a tasty meal but loathe to slave over a hot stove or venture out and about? Want to take in a movie or two in your own front room? In need of a quick haircut? Or hungering to cavort in a luxurious whirlpool with a stunning view of the city skyline?
All these services and more are on offer in Kempinski Hotel Plaza, with the apartments making a supremely tasteful home. After a strenuous day at the office, apartment residents can curl up with all the comforts and conveniences of an exclusive hotel within the privacy of their home.
Facilities
The hotel's facilities include 24-hour medical services, a babysitting service, foreign currency exchange, a round-the-clock business center providing laptops, printers and mobile telephones for rent, a Java restaurant featuring a mix of Western and Asian dishes (the menu changes nightly but the specialty is wood-fired pizza), Pool Bar, Lobby Lounge for a snack and live entertainment and the Kempi Deli, a European delicatessen offering the finest cakes and pastries, German sausages, breads and sandwiches.
"Many of our tenants also work in the MidPlaza so they find they seldom have to leave the site," says Husin Suhaidi, Director of PT Prima Adhitama International Development. He adds that many of the tenants hold top positions in multinational companies from around the world that have offices in Jakarta.
In addition to seven restaurants with Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese and European cuisine, the Kempinski superblock is also home to the Pantry Gourmet Store, with a full range of high- quality goods. A fully stocked wine cellar is scheduled to open at the Pantry in December.
For residents who do wish to venture out, the Kempinski Hotel Plaza is ideally located to all points around the city, says Director Hendarto Rahardjo A.
"We have our accessible location within the Golden Triangle," Hendarto says in ticking off the pluses of life at Kempinski Hotel Plaza. "And our concept of an apartment providing five-star facilities within one tower is unique in Jakarta. For most people this is a dream stay."
Accessibility
Kempinski Hotel Plaza is set far enough back from the main Jl. Sudirman thoroughfare to impart a sense of tranquility, but it has outstanding accessibility to all points in the city.
Residents can be at the Semanggi interchange within minutes on the way to Soekarno Hatta International Airport, or make a quick journey to embassy row in Kuningan, Central Jakarta.
There is a range of apartments on offer, from the smallest of 73 square meters to the grand perch of a two-story penthouse covering 415 square meters.
Even more choice is on offer. Units are furnished with high- standard items -- including a washing machine, clothes dryer, microwave and TV with satellite reception -- but occupants can also choose unfurnished apartments to create their own living canvas. All apartments have their own balcony and almost all apartments have private maid's room.
Serviced apartments
Fully serviced units include housekeeping services three times a week, cleaning and supply of bath towels and bed linen, water and electricity, plus cutlery, crockery, glasses, cooking utensils and serving dishes.
Amenities range from 24-hour room service, round-the-clock security, dry cleaning and laundry, a health club with gym, sauna and whirlpool, swimming pool, tennis court, squash and a children's playground.
"We do everything we can to assure that residents' needs are met," says R. Neilla. SF, Sales Manager for Apartment Leasing. "For instance, if a tenant has a problem, we do our best to have it resolved within 24 hours to ensure they are satisfied."
The chronic Jakarta headache of parking is remedied at the Kempinski Hotel Plaza. There are 1,700 spaces in the underground car park in the Midplaza building, with an ample allocation for apartment residents. The plaza management also arranges a convoy of bus transportation to the Jakarta International School, Japanese School and all major international schools.
Senior Marketing Manager Teguh Budiono says prime quality design was used in all aspects of the hotel.
"Prime specifications were used in the units. We use cast-iron pipes and a top quality sewage system. We emphasize safety aspects in all the units, including fire safety."
Security
A premium is placed on security and safety. Residents have an access card to enter the apartments and hotel areas (hotel guests cannot enter the apartments unaccompanied). There is a full fire safety sprinkler system, with smoke and heat detectors and fire extinguishers. The building is on high enough ground that flooding is not a problem.
Despite the area's convenience to shopping centers and businesses, Hendarto says its location set back from the street and full security measures will be a shield in the event of a recurrence of unrest similar to May 1998.
"People get to live like a king at Kempinski Hotel Plaza," he says. "It is a return to gracious and elegant living." (Bruce Emond)