Somerset Sudirman Jakarta

We were disappointed with our two nights and wouldn’t recommend this hotel. We came from overseas after seeing good Agoda reviews, but several things made the stay uncomfortable. The room itself was clean, though the shower was broken and sprayed water everywhere from its hose. Our requested nice view turned out to face an apartment where people could easily see inside. The bottled water seemed spoiled, and we don’t know why it was still provided. Breakfast was so poor that we only ate it once, on the first day. The pastries were hard, as if they’d been out for days, and the sausage and salad were low quality. The salad was just dry lettuce, cucumber, paprika, and cabbage. There were only papaya, watermelon, and melon, and the juices weren’t fresh squeezed. The mung bean porridge was bland because its coconut milk seemed heavily watered down. Getting to the main road took about 20 minutes on foot. There were plenty of street food stalls nearby, but we didn’t feel comfortable eating there because much of the food was uncovered and traffic pollution was constant. Another time, we booked a GrabCar and asked the driver to wait around five minutes. Four security guards saw us talking to him. My husband went upstairs for our passports while I waited in the lobby, but when we came out, the driver had left. He texted that the guards told him to go. They said GrabCars couldn’t park there even briefly, although two Bluebird taxis had been waiting outside for other guests the whole time. The staff generally felt unfriendly. Nobody greeted us when passing, and most seemed occupied with their phones or other tasks.

I barely slept because of the noise from the mosques around the area. It began around 04.08 while I was there, and each of the five sessions lasted about 35-45mins. That’s why I wouldn’t return. If you sleep lightly, I’d find somewhere else. With good earplugs and a high tolerance for noise, there are plenty of positives. The staff were the biggest one for me: helpful, cheerful, and generally good at English, especially at reception. Rooms were clean and fine for this price range. Breakfast was good, though it could be better organized, and they really need a toaster. I also had hygiene concerns when a server coughed into their hand and continued handling food without washing. The gym is basic, doesn’t open until 06.00, and the treadmills are popular. I didn’t use the pool, but it looked nice. They call it a jogging track, but it’s a path around a small garden, no more than 60m a lap.

The room view changed with the day, from sunrise through sunset to a starry night, with Jakarta lit up below and the city looking almost cinematic. I went to Somerset Sudirman for a week of business, but the grand, spacious room had such a calming scent and a heavenly bed that it was easy to forget about work and stay wrapped up in its comfort. The infinity pool looked over the concrete jungle, and I found myself standing there amazed and a little emotional at the beauty in the city’s chaos. Even the lobby and corridors felt luxurious, with marble floors and lighting that made the place seem exclusive. The corridor felt like a runway, ending at that bed instead of backstage.

I stayed two nights for a nearby concert and a bit of a staycation. The Executive room king was spacious and had the usual amenities, plus an iron and board, bathrobe, slippers, and mini fridge. I liked being able to set the temperature with the individual split AC. There was also a balcony where I could open the sliding door, get fresh air, and sit outside. The gym, pool with towels, hot tub, sauna, laundry, and lounge on level 7 were all good and free to use. Everything looked fresh and well maintained, and staff answered my questions and were accommodating. For practical things, food and mini markets are just steps away, with lots of choice, and Bluebird taxis wait outside if you don’t want to wait for a Grab/Gocar. The main drawback is traffic getting in from Sudirman, with long jams around Benhil, so allow time if you’re in a rush. I could hear murmurs from next door, so bring earplugs or ask for an isolated room if that bothers you. The pool was crowded on the long weekend I visited, so try before 8am or after 6pm. Also, the emergency stairs don’t connect, so even one floor up or down means using the lift. It can be annoying, though I understand it’s for guests’ safety. Sign up for the ASR membership for discounts. The ASR website price is always cheaper than Agoda.