House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta

The one thing that could be better is communication before a visit. I never got replies to my WhatsApp messages or front desk inquiries, which made it a little hard to ask questions beforehand. In person, though, the staff I met were polite and welcoming, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. I visited Hotel Tugu for the heritage dining experience, eating at Babah Koffie and Jejago Restaurant. Afterwards I wandered through different parts of the property. It feels more like a living archive than an ordinary hotel, full of Indonesian history, antiques, artwork, and preserved cultural details. The rooms and hallways seem to hold objects and stories from the past, and walking around was almost like visiting a small museum. Hotel Tugu has a rare sense of history and nostalgia that made the experience memorable.

20260523. The hotel was about a 30 min ride from the airport. It had opened in Nov 2025 and was featured in Time's magazine best places to be for 2026. Everywhere felt like a museum, with each piece of artwork telling part of a story. They included a free 20 min massage per pax and afternoon tea. I booked the massage for noon, and it was very relaxing. Afterwards we got an early check in at 1pm. The room was new, clean, and aesthetic, with cool aircon, a hot shower with strong pressure, and a very comfortable bed. I got some rest before the afternoon tea set. Breakfast the next day was even better, with options to order from their cafe menu. When we got late check out at 2 pm, they also gave us a complimentary lemon grass soap as a souvenir. Everyone provided exemplary service. Truly one of the best hotels I've stayed in, highly recommended!

Pak Noval took us around and explained the history behind the artifacts, which made the visit even more special. The gallery feels like a free museum, with a striking mix of Chinese, Hindu, and Indonesian influences. There’s a huge private collection belonging to the Tugu Group’s founder, including a section on the Oei Tiong Ham family, among the wealthiest Chinese businessmen in Indonesian history. Babah Koffie is a traditional coffee shop, while Jajaghu serves modern Indonesian food. We enjoyed the meal, and 150k-250k for a main course felt reasonable for the setting. Such a wonderful visit.

After a day out in Jakarta’s noisy streets, the quiet spa rooms and lovely bathroom were exactly what we needed. The facilities are beautiful and relaxing, and the staff were warm and professional. We came just for a massage, and both the treatment and spa were amazing. Prices seemed fair for the quality. It’s a shame the hotel website doesn’t show the spa menu. We’d definitely recommend it.