BACKGROUND Opened at the end of last year, this hotel was the Jakarta debut of Accor’s five-star Pullman brand. It is part of a 21-hectare mixed-used development called Podomoro City, which also hosts 11 apartment towers, a six-level shopping centre, department store Sogo, Carrefour, a grade-A office block as well as four hectares of green space.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Properties in the Pullman portfolio vary in style, and this property is modelled on a contemporary art museum. Some of the walls have been treated to achieve an aged feel, and exposed pipelines and vents on the ceiling create an industrial character. Various art pieces are mounted on the walls, ranging from abstract paintings to surrealist psychedelic animal heads and Dali-esque ants. I found some pieces slightly disturbing, such as the sculptures of alien-looking children jumping ropes.
WHERE IS IT? Podomoro City is located in West Jakarta, between the airport and city centre. Depending on traffic, it takes about 30-60 minutes to get to Jalan Bundaran HI roundabout by taxi and 25-45 minutes to the airport.
ROOM FACILITIES My 68-sqm executive suite, like the rest of the hotel, was inspired by contemporary art, and presented a very open view to Podomoro City and beyond. All the expected amenities were there, such as two 42-inch LCD TVs – one in the living area and another in the bedroom – a separate bedroom with king-size bed, and bathroom with roll-top bath and open-concept rain shower. The universal sockets and connectivity panel are located below the TV in the living room.
Once I started using the room, however, I discovered quite a few design flaws: the oval-shaped coffee table with mirror-top looked very stylish, but it was so low I couldn’t use it unless I really slouched down. The glass-topped work desk, also oval, was by the window, but the sockets were half way across the room and I had to push the desk closer to reach them. The minibar, or refreshment centre as the hotel calls it, features a coffee machine, but the compartment it’s placed in was so small I struggled to reach the switch behind it. Finally, the bed bench was made from a large chunk of wood, and it became a bit of a hazard.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Collage, on the upper L floor, is a spacious and airy all-day dining venue featuring a good-quality buffet as well as à la carte offerings. Bunk on the lobby level is an industrial-style bar featuring lounge seating, a bar counter with high stools, as well as an elevated glass-encased private room overlooking the lounge area and reachable by a spiral staircase.
The brightly decorated executive lounge has a board-room that club guests can use for free for two hours a day, and the evening drink and food presentation is extensive. There are many cold appetisers, salads and hot dishes such as curry, enough to make a meal from.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are 6 function rooms named after artists, starting from Drexler for up to 50 theatre-style, to the Warhol for 140. Warhol can be split into two rooms. Pullman Grand Ballroom, at 2,886 sqm, can be divided into three spaces, and there is also a 550-sqm Sky Terrace Garden. There is also the Chill Out lounge, a Pullman signature, where people can relax between meetings and charge their handsets in the phone lockers.
LEISURE FACILITIES The gym and spa are located on the fourth floor. Fitness equipment is limited, but there is a TRX mounted on the ceiling, which allows for many exercises. There is a medium-sized outdoor pool down two flights of stairs, surrounded by sun beds. The pool is overlooked by buildings, but at one corner you can look out to a rather open view of West Jakarta. A sauna, hammam and spa bath are also available.
VERDICT It’s a hotel with a difference, and enjoyable for the most part. But the furniture in the rooms definitely represents style over substance.
Fact File
- HOW MANY ROOMS? 317 units in seven categories, starting from deluxe park view from 32 sqm to the executive suite at 68 sqm.
- ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The oversized shower compartment, free wifi and a very spacious executive lounge with excellent food and beverage offerings.
- PRICE The unrestricted internet rate for an executive suite on a weekday in mid-November is US$200.
- CONTACT Podomoro City, Jl Let Jend S Parman Kav 28, Jakarta Barat; tel +62 21 29200088; www.accorhotels.com
Reggie Ho
