Where is the best place to stay in Jakarta?
By Khadidiatou Amirou. June 07, 2022
Most people go through Jakarta when heading to other tourist hotspots in Indonesia. But if you have a chance to drop by, don’t hesitate to take it! As the country’s main hub, Jakarta is the best place to experience Indonesia’s culture and food diversity, especially if you don’t have the time to visit each of the country’s 34 provinces. From street food stall mie ayam (chicken noodle) to a 13-course meal in Namaaz Dining; a National Arts Gallery excursion to a helicopter trip exploring the city - Jakarta has a lot to offer no matter your budget.
Of all Jakarta’s regions, South Jakarta is the best area to stay in Jakarta. It features the city’s trendiest dining, nightlife, and shopping places. Plus, South Jakarta makes a great starting point for your trip, as the Transjakarta bus alongside the Commuter Line, MRT, and LRT train connect the area with the rest of the city. Avoid the city’s rush hour by zipping around on a motorcycle taxi operated by Gojek or Grab. To get downtown, take the airport train from Soekarno Hatta International Airport. In less than an hour, it’ll take you to BNI City Station, located at the heart of Sudirman-Thamrin.
Other areas to stay in Jakarta are: Central Jakarta, West Jakarta and **North Jakarta.**On the map, which shows the best place to stay in Jakarta, are located a selection of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Jakarta, you may also be interested in where to stay in Bali, where to stay in Lombok, where to stay in Sydney and where to stay in Singapore.
South Jakarta, the best place to stay in Jakarta
First Time / Partying / Shopping
South Jakarta is the best place to stay to dive into the best of Jakarta’s food, party, and shopping scene. Go club-hopping at SCBD-Kuningan on a Friday or weekend night, where you’ll find some of the city’s most extravagant nightclubs and bars such as Dragonfly, a high-end club, and Basque, a Spanish-inspired tapas bar.
You can also find the city’s most marvelous fine dining experiences here, in Senopati, with the Indonesian-fusion restaurant, GIOI, and the Javanese open-dining area, Plataran Dharmawangsa. Not too far from this area is Blok M-Melawai, where you can find Jakarta’s Little Tokyo and Koreatown; home to the izakaya Kashiwa and the Korean BBQ restaurant Chung Gi Wa.
Looking for a place to shop? No need to worry - you can find some of the city’s best malls in South Jakarta. A great pick would be Pondok Indah Mall, which boasts three separate yet interconnected malls, where you can find luxurious local and international brands.
Other areas to stay in Jakarta
Central Jakarta
Indonesian Heritage / Business / CBD
Central Jakarta is the ideal area to stay in Jakarta when you want to get to know the cultural side of Jakarta. It is home to dozens of museums and art galleries, including the National Museum of Indonesia, which exhibits the history of the country from prehistoric to the modern era. You can also catch a show at Taman Ismail Marzuki, ranging from traditional dances to musicals.
Also, don’t forget to drop by Grand Indonesia when you’re in the area. Inside the mall, you’ll find Galeri Indonesia Kaya, an art gallery that showcases contemporary Indonesian artists, and Alun Alun Indonesia, a department store selling local Indonesian products ranging from figurines, furniture, postcards, and even tea!
Want to try out your bargaining skill and get cheaper goods? Head over to Thamrin City, where you’ll find a dizzying array of local clothing options to take home with - located less than 200 meters away from Grand Indonesia.
West Jakarta
Budget-Friendly Eating / Local Jakarta Culture and History
West Jakarta is the perfect area if you’re looking for cheap eateries. Gajah Mada Food Street is an awesome place to hang out and eat some local and international dishes in one spot. Other great and affordable eating options in West Jakarta are the seafood eatery Layar Seafood & Ikan Bakar, the Manadonese restaurant Sarang Oci, and the Chinese-Indonesian Pantjoran Tea House.
West Jakarta is also a great area if you want to see more of Jakarta’s local heritage. Setu Babakan is a Betawi village that offers open tours, allowing visitors to see reenactions of local martial arts combat and traditional processions like wedding ceremonies.
If you want to learn more about the history of Jakarta, don’t forget to visit Jakarta’s Old Town, where you can visit the Jakarta History Museum and explore the remnants of the Dutch colonial era. Drop by Cafe Batavia while you’re there to really experience the old Jakarta vibe while drinking some bajigur.
North Jakarta
Beach / Ocean / Ecological Tourism
North Jakarta is a nice place to stay in Jakarta since it’s the only area that borders the sea. If you want to see an oceanview sunset, go to Baywalk Mall, which offers a spectacular boulevard, lined with restaurants, where you can pop open a beer and chill.
Another fantastic place that North Jakarta is known for is the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, a large park complex that includes a number of beaches, an aquarium, a waterpark, several hotels, and an amusement park. Within the same complex is also a port that allows you to travel by boat to the nearby Thousand Islands, a chain of small islands not far from the coast of Jakarta Bay.
In this area, you’ll also find the Mangrove Ecotourism Center, a large mangrove forest perfect for cooling down and seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta.
Our recommended hotels in Jakarta
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in JakartaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
