“For those who are traveling with ultimate privacy, the hotel also has a rooftop helipad for helicopter landing,” explained Carlos Monterde, General Manager of Fairmont Jakarta. In an interview, we discussed the atmosphere, accommodations, amenities and more of this brand new luxurious five-star hotel.
Tell me a little bit about the philosophy and design behind the Fairmont Jakarta. How would you describe its decor, atmosphere and ambiance?
Fairmont Jakarta is the flagship hospitality brand in the prestigious development by Senayan Trikarya Sempana, a subsidiary of Kajima Overseas Asia. It was built as the last piece of the puzzle of Senayan Square complex. The square has one of the most prestigious shopping center in the city, Plaza Senayan; well-established office towers of Sentran Senayan; Senayan Apartment; Senayan Arcadia that has bars, clubs and restaurants; and now a five-star hotel.
Fairmont Jakarta is strategically located in the south end of Jakarta’s business district. It offers amazing views of the hotel surroundings – from the lush green of the golf cross right across the hotel, the landmark of Gelora Bung Karno national sports stadium, to Jakarta city skyline. The hotel is conveniently linked to Plaza Senayan and Sentral Senayan office towers through an underground passageway that gives more opportunity to have foot traffic between the mall, the office towers and the hotel.
The design reflects modernity and simplicity without being too minimalist. It gives the impression of understated elegance throughout the exterior and interior. The main lobby is one of the biggest in the city, with its massive size, high ceiling; grand flower centerpiece and natural daylight from its floor-to-ceiling windows. A combination of dark wood and high-quality marble can be found in public areas and guestrooms.
What kinds of accommodations and amenities are available?
The hotel comprises of a total of 488 rooms, consisting of 380 well-appointed guestrooms. The guestrooms have unrivalled views of the Jakarta skyline and the golf course and feature plush bedding, elegant Japanese spa-inspired bathrooms and state-of-the-art in-room technology. Each room is remarkably spacious (with the size of 49 sqm as the entry level Fairmont Room), complete with premium amenities for both business and leisure travellers.
For a more luxurious experience, the 108 units of Sky Suites offer guests the best of both worlds: suite-style living in a five-star hotel with the comfort of home. The one- and two-bedroom Sky Suites range from 85sqm to 128sqm, and include a kitchen and dining area for guests that are traveling for extended periods. Sky Suites guests also enjoy a dedicated reception desk and private elevator.
The Fairmont’s signature spa brand, Willow Stream Spa, will be open in April 2015. Designed to promote inner peace and serenity, the Willow Stream Spa which is situated on the fourth floor of Fairmont Jakarta, boasts 900 square meters of peaceful space comprising nine well-appointed treatment rooms, including couple suites with spa baths and single suites. The spa also features wet area with sauna and steam rooms, jet body shower and Jacuzzi.
For those who are traveling with ultimate privacy, the hotel also has a rooftop helipad for helicopter landing.
With regard to dining, what kind of cuisine is available on-site and what are some of the signature dishes?
The hotel will have a total of 10 dining outlets. Spectrum, the hotel’s innovative all-day-dining restaurant, is where guests can wine and dine, enjoying international cuisine with several ‘Culinary Theatres’ surrounding the main dining room, bar and lounge.
K22 Bar has spectacular views from the 22nd floor with both indoor and outdoor spaces. It is renowned for its creative ‘culinary cocktails’ with house-made infusions, fresh juices, muddled fruit, flavoured syrups, earthy spices and savory herbs. Meanwhile, View restaurant offers the best of creative culinary fusion with absolute respect for the ingredients to give guests a total experience of the senses. Superb view of Jakarta city skyline can be enjoyed through its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Peacock Lounge is a sophisticated space where guests can relax and enjoy light bites, tea and coffee throughout the day, including the famous Fairmont Afternoon Tea experience. Mont Bar offers progressive, innovative cocktails in a sleek yet relaxed ambience. It also features a refined selection of champagne and premium spirits with particular focus on Fairmont’s renowned selection of rare and unique malt whisky. The menu has delicious and simple food to match.
Sapori Deli artfully combines casual meals to eat in or take out – with a professional barista and gourmet breads and treats.
Aside from the above hotel-operated outlets, Fairmont Jakarta will also host a Japanese restaurant, Chines restaurant, an upscale Indonesian restaurant and a jazz club.
If you were to describe the perfect itinerary for guests looking for the full experience of the new Fairmont Jakarta, what would you recommend they do?
An ideal itinerary for those spending a weekend in Fairmont Jakarta would be a stay-cation with your partner or family. Guests can start their day with powerful breakfast at Spectrum.
Sports junkie can enjoy various sports options available. A great way to start the morning is with some exercise. The hotel’s fitness center is equipped with the latest fitness equipment from TechnoGym. Or guest can simply tackle a few laps in the outdoor pool. If they are into golf, they could simply go right across the hotel to play a round of golf at the prestigious 18-hole Senayan National Golf Club. If they’re into running, they can take benefits from the hotel’s own jogging track, or even beyond towards the Gelora Bung Karno sports arena. For a more adventurous souls, every Sunday morning the nearby Sudirman Road is closed for a Car Free Day, where people can do a whole lot of activities, from jogging, cycling, group aerobics, street performances, and communities of specific hobbies and interests.
Fairmont’s President Club (FPC) members can benefit from the Fairmont Fit program. No need to worry traveling with a whole list of exercise gear as FPC members could use the running gears provided by the hotel. And even more, the hotel also has two BMW bicycles that an FPC member can borrow for cycling around the city.
If they are in the mood for a shopping spree, they could go straight to one of the most prestigious shopping centers in the city, Plaza Senayan, through an underground passageway that connects the hotel to the mall – ideal to avoid the blasting sun or rain outside.
After a day of shopping or sports, guests can enjoy pampering themselves for a relaxation treatment at Willow Stream Spa. When it opens in late Q2, guests can spend their evening in style by having dinner at View restaurant, continued with post-dinner drinks at K22 Bar – both located on the 22nd floor with a superb view of the hotel’s surroundings.
Rahim Kanani is the author of critically-acclaimed hotel management book and hospitality management book A Wealth of Insight: The World’s Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality.
