Maximum security, '6-star' Ritz-Carlton opens

The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, opened its doors to the public on Sunday, the first Ritz in Jakarta.

The "six-star" hotel is the 59th worldwide for the U.S.-based hotel chain. A soft opening took place on Sunday in a modest ceremony and the grand opening will be on May 9.

Standing tall in a key business area in the capital, each of the its 333 rooms -- including a 400-square-meter presidential suite priced at US$5,888++ per night -- cater to the guests' needs for privacy and comfort.

"What makes the hotel stand out from others is the service we provide," public relations manager Daneshwari Retnowardhani told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Diners can consult with the hotel's experts when selecting wine in its Prime Steak House or enjoy a satisfying gastronomic experience at its other two restaurants -- the Portovenere Italian restaurant and Airlangga restaurant -- along with the club lounge or the private leisure room for lunch or snacks with family members and colleagues.

As recreation is also an important part any full-service hotel, there is a 24-hour fitness center available.

Run under the same management as JW Marriott Hotel, which stands across the street, the hotel is designed for maximum security, possibly a reaction to the terrorist bomb at the Marriott in August 2003. That attack killed 12 and injured 147 others. -- JP