Luxury living in Jakarta

Jakarta is the busy and bustling capital city of Indonesia and home to more than 11 million people. From business travellers looking for a luxury base to leisure travellers seeking a luxurious escape while in town, the choice of five-star hotels can feel overwhelming, with all the major global brands represented across the city. We decided to split our stay between two luxury hotels, spending two nights at Raffles Jakarta and two nights at Le Méridien Jakarta. We’re familiar with both brands, having stayed with them elsewhere in the region, and always enjoyed our time with them. Read on to discover our luxury living experience in Jakarta, and why we think our choices were spot on – especially if you’re planning your next trip to the Indonesian capital.

We were guests of Raffles Jakarta, one of the city’s leading luxury hotels and a brand synonymous with refined service and elegant surroundings for those who enjoy the finer things in life.

As big fans of both Raffles properties in Cambodia, we were excited for Raffles Jakarta to be our ‘home away from home’ and intrigued to see how it compared to Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh. After our weekend staycation, we were very impressed with our latest Raffles experience and can’t wait to return.

Raffles Jakarta boasts a number of sustainability initiatives, which were explained to us by the passionate Sustainability Director, Mr Indra, during our meeting on the 14th floor. This is also the location of Raffles Spa, where we experienced a couples massage like no other. Arriving early, we made the most of the stylish hydrotherapy and spa facilities, preparing us to be luxuriously pampered in the most memorable fashion. Everything about our afternoon at Raffles Spa was first rate and must be experienced to be truly appreciated.

The sustainability efforts at Raffles Jakarta go well beyond eliminating single-use plastics, in-room water filters, and biodegradable coffee capsules. This is a hotel that takes sustainability seriously and leads from the front. From using grey water to keep the lush gardens verdant to repurposing coffee grounds as fertiliser, there were thoughtful innovations throughout. Shower caps made from cassava, toothpaste in paper sachets, and bamboo razors and toothbrushes in our room were just some of the steps they’ve taken to make a difference. Education and training underpin everything they do, with staff encouraged to understand the impact of hospitality on the environment. Corporate Social Responsibility is not just a departmental initiative but a personal achievement for each colleague.

Our dining experiences at Raffles Jakarta included long and leisurely breakfasts (with plenty of choice), an in-room dining selection from Navina Pool Bar, and a special vegan set lunch served with style at Arts Café by Raffles. The menus listed both vegetarian and vegan options, but it was the staff’s willingness to adapt and create bespoke dishes that truly impressed.

From elegant plant-based sushi freshly prepared at the breakfast sushi bar to a divine miso vegan lobster that tasted even better than it looked, our vegan travel adventure was a delight. A flatbread topped with breaded local mushrooms, delivered to our room, made the perfect afternoon treat. We will never forget the excellent service and warm welcome we received each time we dined at Arts Café by Raffles.

We were also guests of Le Méridien Jakarta, a five-star hotel in the heart of the capital that offers an excellent base for both business and leisure travellers.

Situated in the CBD, it provides convenient access to nearby offices, glimmering towers, and several luxury shopping malls. The newly opened metro offers a great way to avoid Jakarta’s infamous traffic and explore the city. During your stay at Le Méridien Jakarta, unwind in your well-appointed room or suite, relax beside the inviting pool, or make a reservation at one of the on-site restaurants to enjoy a wide array of creative culinary offerings – which we’ll talk about next.

Speaking with General Manager Mrs Jennifer Suryadi about current and future sustainability plans, she highlighted three key focus areas: waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable certification. Single-use plastic water bottles have been eliminated, replaced by refillable glass bottles, and bathroom amenities are provided in refillable dispensers.

These efforts align with Marriott International’s 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals. Notably, Le Méridien Jakarta is the only hotel in the city with its own in-house mineral water production facility, thanks to a partnership with Tigris – a Singapore-based company driving sustainability innovation in the industry. This initiative also helps reduce the environmental footprint associated with transporting bottled water. In March 2025, the hotel received Green Key certification in recognition of its comprehensive commitment to sustainability, including rigorous standards across waste management, energy efficiency, and water use. While there’s an inviting pool and a 24-hour gym on-site, we spent most of our time discovering vegan options both in and around the hotel so didn’t fully enjoy the leisure facilities.

We were delighted to find a wide range of vegan options at Le Méridien Jakarta, including an exciting partnership with Green Rebel, which we’ll explore in more detail below. Plant-based dishes are available at all food and beverage outlets, with Handi (Indian) and Al Nafoura (Lebanese) offering particularly strong vegan selections.

These cuisines naturally lend themselves to plant-based eating, with dishes such as dal, vegetable curries, hummus, and falafel either already vegan or easily adapted. During World Vegan Month in 2024, Le Méridien Jakarta partnered with Green Rebel to introduce a special plant-based menu at Al Nafoura, La Brasserie (the hotel’s all-day dining venue), and through in-room dining. While demand for vegan dishes in Jakarta is still relatively niche, the hotel is proud to include these options to support guest wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

Green Rebel Foods is Indonesia’s leading plant-based food tech startup, launched in 2020. They specialise in developing plant protein and dairy alternatives that are delicious, healthy, and affordable – all while aiming to minimise environmental impact. For travellers wanting an authentic taste of Indonesia, the partnership between Green Rebel and Le Méridien Jakarta provides the perfect opportunity to experience local comfort food with a modern, sustainable twist.

This includes a rich and flavourful plant-based rendang and a hearty spaghetti dish with plant-based meatballs and vegan parmesan, all served in the elegant surroundings of Le Méridien. Speaking with Max Mandias, one of Green Rebel’s founders, he told us: “We believe this collaboration allows guests to experience Indonesian culinary heritage while making conscious choices, whether through in-room dining or at one of the restaurants.” We loved sampling the culinary creations and applaud Le Méridien Jakarta for choosing to support a local startup – and we have to say, that rendang was seriously tasty.

Our luxury living experience in Jakarta exceeded all expectations. We’re already scanning our travel calendars to see when we can return. Both Raffles Jakarta and Le Méridien Jakarta offer exceptional options for a luxurious city break, combining thoughtful sustainability, excellent service, and delicious vegan dining. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, Jakarta’s top-tier hotels are ready to welcome you with style and substance – and a touch of plant-based indulgence for good measure.