Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta

Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta

Sudibyo M. Wiradji
Contributor
Jakarta

With serene and peaceful ambience, resorts surrounding Jakarta
witness regular customers wishing to spend their weekends or
holiday breaks. Staying in a resort has become an alternative
getaway for Jakartans, especially revelers wishing to avoid the
hustle bustle of the city.

Most of the retreats are situated outside the bustling
metropolis but not too far away. It only takes a few hours drive
to reach the sites.

Although guests at resorts wish to relax, most do not stay the
whole day in a locked room without doing anything but will
usually spend their time engaged in outdoor activities based on
their interests. And several well-managed resorts do not only
provide the needed facilities but also organize outdoor
activities.

If you want to try the pleasures of spending your holidays in
retreat islands, or some places located at the coastal area in
the Sunda Straits or at a lake, there are a plenty of choices
waiting for you.

Increasingly popular sea resorts are found in Kepulauan Seribu
or the Thousand Islands, located to the north of the capital even
though a few hours boat trip is needed to reach the site. There,
a group of islands scattered across the Java Sea, where cottages
with 'back to nature' concept are readily available. Most of the
developed islands has its own resort, like Pulau Seribu Marine
(Pantara Island), Kulkul Kotok Island Resort, Mentari Resort and
Sepa Island Resort.

At the resorts, high heed is paid to preserving nature, with
their buildings made of bamboo and wood instead of cement.
Despite buildings adopting traditional architecture, the resorts
or cottages are well equipped with modern facilities. However,
certain cottages present 'fully natural setting' by using oil
lamps, instead of electricity lights, creating a romantic
atmosphere.

To the west of Jakarta, one can find a handful of resorts
along the beach in Banten province like Carita Beach Resort,
Anyer Beach Resort, Patrajasa Resort and Prima Resort.

Jakartans are the majority of guests taking advantage of
staying at resorts, with executives, business people and families
being regular visitors. The average occupancy rate of the resorts
is between 50 percent to 60 percent but on holidays or the peak
seasons, usually from June through August and December, the
occupancy rate at particular resorts can reach more than 70
percent. Guests at Pulau Seribu Marine Resort also include
Japanese and Korean.

Although resorts all offer comfortable facilities and services
to stay and relax, each has its own outstanding appeal.

"With our 'Back to Nature Concept', all of the supporting
facilities at Pulau Seribu Marine Resort refer to the concept.
You will not find a television or radio in your room. The only
sounds you hear are those of the roaring waves, singing insects
and other natural sounds that you will not find when you stay in
a busy city," said Pulau Seribu Marine Resort's marketing analyst
Indon Nuvo.

Pulau Seribu Marine Resort is located about 35 kilometers from
Jakarta, or about a one and half hour trip by motor boat.

The resort boasts clean and unpolluted sea-water, an ideal
site for diving and other marine sports. The resort has 116 rooms
available in standard, suite and cottage types.

With Java Sea encircling the Thousand Islands, visitors can
enjoy exciting water sports, including wind surfing, water
pedals, jet-skis, swimming, sailing or boating, snorkeling and
diving. Almost every resort in the Thousand Islands provides
water sport equipment.

Tourist attractions around Pulau Seribu Marine Resort include
interesting diving sites around Papateo Island and Matahari
Island. "We organize recreational activities for our guests. We
offer boats and other water sport equipment for rent," she said.

Driving further to the south west of the capital, one can find
resorts in Sukabumi, West Java, including those in the 'Jewel of
West Java', Pelabuhan Ratu or a Harbor Queen that faces the
Indian Ocean.

Unlike resorts in the Thousand Islands whose recreational
activities are mostly linked to marine tourism, those in Banten
and Sukabumi province with mountains, hills, lakes and bays also
offer land attractions. 'Things to do' in the provincial resorts
range from fun-filled activities like watching the sunset or
sunrise on a beach, fishing and leisurely walks to the most
challenging activities like white water rafting, climbing,
skydiving, ultra light rides and scuba diving.

Padi-Padi Resorts and Hot Springs, located on Jl. Cisolok,
Pelabuhan Ratu, is also known for its unique architectural and
interior design. The building of the resort has been styled to
blend traditional and modern architecture, with an interior
design of Mediterranean ambiance.

Awaking to a Padi Padi morning is to find yourself immersed in
birdsong from the rice-fields and the sound of Indian ocean waves
as they dance on the sandy beach nearby. In the afternoon, the
hotel affords romantic views of the sunset, and you can also
comfortably view the mountains and forests of Halimun National
Park.

The hotel has 25 rooms available in six types: Garden View,
Sea View, Small Deluxe, Large Deluxe and Penthouse. Each has a
different design that give a sense of individuality. The rooms
are equipped with controlled air conditioning, refrigerator,
international TV programs and laser disc equipment.

To satisfy your appetite, the Padi-Padi Beach Resort has two
restaurants that serve seafood with their own special recipes.
They also offer delicious cuisine from Sunda (West Java) and
Europe.

As a beach resort, the Padi-Padi Resort offers a variety of
outdoor activities, including white water rafting, ocean fishing,
snorkeling, diving, boating, surfing and wind surfing. With a
mountain nearby, the hotel also offers hiking and mountain
biking.

If so desired, the hotel resort will readily arrange organized
excursions, including waterfalls, hot springs, the harbor, bat
caves, fishing trips, traditional markets, fish auctions, white
water rafting and the Abah Anom trip.

Lido Lakes Hotel and Resorts is well known for its scenic
beauty as it is encircled by Lido Lake, and having fresh air as
well as the wide range of activities on offer. Outlined by the
natural ensemble of greeneries, streams and hills, the Lido
resort covers the total area of 17,000 hectares, rising to the
height of 1000 meters.

"Most of our guests choose Lido Lakes as their primary holiday
destination because they seem to be bored with Puncak which
frequently suffer from severe traffic jam. Besides, Lido Lakes
offers a form of 'eco-tourism' hotel which is different from
other hotels," Dery Kuhr, the hotel's director for room, sales
and marketing, said, adding that Lido Lakes is also a primary
choice when it comes to aero-club, all terrain vehicle (atv) and
other adventurous activities.

Room rates at resorts are varied, depending which resort you
stay and which room type you choose. At Padi-Padi Resort and Hot
Spring, Standard Garden View is set at Rp 299,000 per night,
Suite at Rp 525,000 per night and Penthouse at Rp 699,000 per
night.

Room rates at Lido Lakes Hotel and Resort are set between Rp
415,00 000 per night for a standard room and Rp 690,000 per night
for suite.

The room rates at resorts in Thousand Islands are commonly
calculated per package, not per room. The package will usually
include round trip transportation, welcome drink, accommodation
on twin sharing basis, a breakfast. two lunches, one dinner and
21 percent Tax and Service Charge. The Standard Package at Pulau
Seribu Marine Resort, for instance, is Rp 600,000 (twin sharing,
first night) for weekday and Rp 950,000 for a weekend.

Most of the resorts offer 20 percent discounts on weekdays and
10 percent on the weekends.