Holiday Inn Express Jakarta Wahid Hasyim by IHG

The location is the strongest part of this hotel, right in the city center with malls and local attractions close by. The other rooms our family booked were fine, and service was average. Room 515 was a different story. It was visibly dirty, moldy, and had a strong musty smell that made the air feel unsafe to breathe. We had booked seven rooms, but the hotel was full during the peak period, so we had to stay in that one. Its condition and lack of cleanliness spoiled what could have been a great stay. Room upkeep needs urgent attention.

Friendly staff and a convenient location were the only real positives. The service itself was just alright, nothing special. My room's “view” was a concrete wall, and there was no natural light. It also smelled strongly of perfume, clearly trying to cover another odor. Cleanliness was the bigger problem. Both towels were stained and heavily perfumed. They replaced them the next day, but the new ones still had stains. There were faint marks across the bed sheets too, and the study chair looked moldy, with white spots. The water heater didn't work at all, so the water wasn't warm. That would've been manageable if the room hadn't felt freezing even with the AC off. I know it's a budget hotel, but a clean room matters. I wouldn't recommend it or return.

Our four nights here worked well for the price, especially since we were out touring all day and only came back in the evening. Restaurants and malls were within walking distance, which was one reason we picked this hotel. We booked the room with our flight. Breakfast was served every morning, and they changed the hot dish each day. The room was clean, and all the switches, plugs, lights, and electrical devices worked properly. I also liked the Dove hand soap, body soap, and shampoo, plus the hot and cold water dispensers on our floor. Check-in went smoothly, and the front office staff were courteous. Everyone we met in the front office, F&B, and housekeeping was polite and welcoming. It was a good Jakarta stay for the cost and location.

The pillows were just as comfy as I remembered, which is why I came back after years. The staff are nice, breakfast is average but fair for the price, and the small gym worked fine for me. Still, the hotel feels a little run down. My “city view” looked out on a big tree and a parking lot instead, and cars and motorbikes were really noisy at night, making sleep difficult. The shower seems old, and the towels had a strange smell. Fine for a short stay, but the maintenance needs work.