Four luxury hotels with an Indonesian flair
For those looking for more than just a pleasant stay, these hotels provide an interesting blend of five-star luxury and the elegance of Indonesia, which make them a destination in themselves.
MesaStila
Set within 22 hectares with the cool highland-air flowing through the site from the surrounding eight mountains, lush vegetation and coffee plantations, MesaStila is an interesting retreat in Magelang in Central Java.
Other than the original 1928 Dutch mansion, which was once used as a club house, and a colonial wooden railway station, the property also has 23 historic Joglo wooden villas that guests can stay in — they were all brought from around Java and reconstructed on site, in their original Limasan or Joglo form.
To keep guests busy, MesaStila offers plenty of exciting activities, such as exploring one of the many surrounding shrines and temples — including Prambanan and Borobudur —Javanese cooking and the Indonesian martial art pencak silat.
It even has its own local Jamu Master, offering healing tonics to soothe guests ailments. A daily dose of jamu is also offered at breakfast of which five varieties are produced daily.
MesaStila's room rate starts from Rp 1.6 million (US$139.20) for domestic visitors and US$300 for foreign visitors.
The Dharmawangsa Jakarta
Nestled in the prestigious housing estates of Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta, The Dharmawangsa Jakarta is on a mission to contribute to a renaissance of the great classical period of the Majapahit and Sriwijaya; thus, features traditional, yet contemporary, characteristics of those periods.
Its Majapahit Hall, for example, features a unique 14th century temple. While its Sriwijaya restaurant offers a fine-dining experience with the 8th century Sriwijaya kingdom as its inspiration. The hotel's rooms and suites are also decorated in traditional thematic schemes of Java, Pasisiran, Bali, Sumatran and East Indonesian— all adorned in a rich variety of textiles and classic artworks.
The name Dharmawangsa is the name of a 10th century just king from East Java who was killed during a court dance performance. His death motivated his true successor, Airlangga, to avenge this unjust death and unite the region stretching from Pasuruan to Madiun. This became the beginnings of the buildup of power that culminated with the great empire of Majapahit.
In addition to its soothing atmosphere, the establishment also provides plenty of Indonesian features such as Indonesian dishes for breakfast, Indonesian sweets for afternoon tea and traditional acoustic live music playing throughout the afternoon in the Majapahit Hall area.
The Dharmawangsa Jakarta's room rates starts from US$390 per night.
Hotel Tugu Malang
Owned by an enthusiastic antique collector, Hotel Tugu Malang is a must-see destination for those visiting Malang in East Java.
As the first property of the Tugu hotel group, through its immense antique collection, tells the history of Indonesia as well as shares romantic stories of the island of Java.
Out of its 49 rooms and suites, the 200 square-meter Apsara Suite is arguably the most interesting one; it symbolizes the romanticism and friendship between Indonesian and Cambodia through the role of King Jayawarman II, a prince that once lived in Java and ruled a powerful kingdom in Champa (presently known as Cambodia) during the 9th century.
The hotel is also home to Melati Restaurant, which offers a romantic insight into the city's history as well as original recipes; Roti Tugu is a bakery that serves traditional Malang delicacies; and the Tugu Tea House includes a traditional Javanese offering a variety of traditional snacks and herbal drinks.
Other than attractions nearby, guests can also enjoy activities at the hotel such as a cooking class; a jamu class; and Javanese body treatment course.
Hotel Tugu Malang's room rates start from US$130.
Royal Ambarrukmo
In terms of history, Royal Ambarrukmo has it in droves.
Built in 1857 under the order of King Hamengkubuwono VI, it initially served as a retreat for the royal family as well as a meeting place with governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. Later in 1821 to 1931, King Hamengkubuwono VII and family lived there after the king abdecated his throne.
The hotel opened for business in 1966, as an integral part of Royal Residence Ambarrukmo Palace — one of city's most prestigious hotels at the time, built by Indonesia's first president Sukarno and King Hamengkubuwono IX using a development fund from the Japanese government.
Presently, the hotel is a place where those longing to live like a king can literally do so.
Royal Ambarrukmo offers plenty of royalty-inspired activities to guests, such as a Javanese royal tea party, royal dinner, royal in house tour and traditional performances. The latter include an ancient Javanese archery art every Friday called Jemparingan.
Guests can also visit Museum Ambarrukmo, which is in the hotel's complex and has Indonesian cultural and heritage items such as batik, keris (traditional dagger) and wayang (puppets).
Royal Ambarrukmo's room rate starts from Rp 1.79 million
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