Jakarta Luxury: 2BR Palazzo Kemayoran Apartment Awaits!
Jakarta Luxury: 2BR Palazzo Kemayoran Apartment Awaits! - A Raw, Honest Review (Brace Yourself)
Okay, so let's talk about the Palazzo Kemayoran. Specifically, this 2-bedroom apartment that promised me Jakarta luxury. And yeah, promised. Let's just say the reality…was a rollercoaster. Buckle up, buttercups, because this review is going to be less curated brochure and more, well, me.
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Keywords: Jakarta Apartment, Kemayoran, Palazzo, 2BR, Luxury Apartment, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, On-site Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Spa, Fitness Center, Free Wi-Fi, Jakarta Accommodation, Jakarta Hotels, Family Friendly, Non-Smoking Rooms, Cleanliness, Safety Measures, Covid-19 Protocols, Airport Transfer, Car Park, Business Facilities.
Accessibility:
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room first. Accessibility, or lack thereof, is a major downer. Sure, there's an elevator. Thank. God. But I didn't spot any signage explicitly catering to wheelchair users. The website mentioned "facilities for disabled guests", but further digging would be needed to determine if those facilities were actually usable. This seriously needs improvement. If you have specific accessibility needs, call ahead and ask detailed questions. Don't just trust the website's fluffy pronouncements.
The Good Stuff (and the Bad Stuff): A Rambling Account
So, I booked this place expecting, you know, luxury. Think crisp white sheets, a view to die for, the whole shebang. And some of it delivered, but like a pizza that forgot the toppings.
Arrival & First Impressions:
The airport transfer was smooth, thank goodness. A weary traveler’s best friend! The lobby was… impressive. Gleaming floors, a chandelier that probably cost more than my car. Doorman? Check. Concierge? Present and, initially, helpful. They even whisked my bags away like I was some kind of VIP. (I’m not, by the way.) Check-in was relatively painless (thanks to the contactless check-in/out option, which is a big win these days). But…
The Apartment Itself:
The apartment was… okay. Spacious, yes. That 2-bedroom promise? Kept. The air conditioning was a godsend in the Jakarta heat. Air conditioning in Public areas? Also a huge win. However, the décor felt a bit… generic. Like, someone had raided a catalog of "Luxury Apartment Aesthetic" and slapped it all together. The view from the window that opens, though? Spectacular. Seriously, it was one of those "breathtaking, let's forget all our worries for a moment" views.
Rooms and Amenities (The Mixed Bag!)
- Available in all rooms: This is where it gets interesting.
- Additional toilet: Good. Always good.
- Air conditioning: Already covered, essential.
- Alarm clock: Useful, if you like being jolted awake.
- Bathrobes: Nice touch! Felt properly pampered at first.
- Bathroom phone: …Really? Who uses that anymore?
- Bathtub: Yes! Needed a proper soak after a long flight.
- Blackout curtains: Wonderful! Helped mask the early morning sun.
- Carpeting: Okay. Not my favorite for hygiene, but it was clean.
- Closet: Plenty of space for my (over)packing.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential. The little sachets of tea were…okay.
- Complimentary tea: Appreciated, but the quality could improve.
- Daily housekeeping: Mostly on point. One day, the towels were forgotten. Sigh.
- Desk: Perfect for attempting to get some work done.
- Extra long bed: YES! Finally a bed that fits my 6'4" frame.
- Free bottled water: A lifesaver. Jakarta heat is no joke.
- Hair dryer: Standard, gets the job done.
- High floor: The view! See above.
- In-room safe box: Secure and peace of mind.
- Internet access – LAN: Didn’t even bother.
- Internet access – wireless: Free Wi-Fi [free], and it was generally reliable.
- Ironing facilities: A godsend for those who can't live without wrinkle-free clothing.
- Laptop workspace: Perfect.
- Linens: Clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar: Meh. Overpriced snacks, but hey, it's an option.
- Mirror: Present.
- Non-smoking: Thank heavens.
- On-demand movies: Didn’t try them.
- Private bathroom: Always a plus.
- Reading light: Nice touch.
- Refrigerator: Useful for keeping water cold.
- Safety/security feature: I felt safe, but more on that later.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of options.
- Scale: Tempting but dangerous.
- Seating area: Comfy enough.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Nice!
- Shower: Worked.
- Slippers: Nice.
- Smoke detector: Let's hope it works!
- Socket near the bed: Genius.
- Sofa: Comfy for napping.
- Soundproofing: Decent, but I could still hear the distant Jakarta horns.
- Telephone: Still a thing!
- Toiletries: Basic, but adequate.
- Towels: Mostly clean, as mentioned above.
- Umbrella: Didn't need this time.
- Visual alarm: Didn't use.
- Wake-up service: I set my own.
The "Luxury" Experience: Where it Wavered
- Cleanliness and Safety: This is HUGE.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Claimed on the website.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seemed to be happening.
- Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Not sure.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes, at breakfast.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Efforts were made.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Hope so!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn’t see this option.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Assumed.
- Safe dining setup: Seemed safe.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Hope so!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Hard to say definitively.
- Sterilizing equipment: Nope, didn't see.
- CCTV in common areas: Yep.
- CCTV outside property: Yep.
- Fire extinguisher: Present.
- Safety/security feature: Locks that work, more or less.
- Security [24-hour]: Yep.
- Smoke alarms: Present.
I will say, though, I got the distinct impression that the cleaning was thorough, even if the delivery was a little uneven. I had a good sense of cleanliness, and that's important these days.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Buffet Blues):
- A la carte in restaurant: Didn't try.
- Asian breakfast: On the buffet, somewhat limited.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't try.
- Bar: Yes.
- Bottle of water: Provided in the rooms, nice touch.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Included.
- Breakfast service: The breakfast buffet was the epitome of “meh”. Nothing spectacular, but did the job.
- Buffet in restaurant: See above.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Standard.
- Coffee shop: Nope.
- Desserts in restaurant: Looked decent.
- Happy hour: Didn't see or hear about.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Didn't try.
- Poolside bar: No.
- Restaurants: One main one.
- Room service [24-hour]: Very convenient.
- Salad in restaurant: Didn't try
- Snack bar: Nope.
- Soup in restaurant: Didn't try.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my brain on Jakarta. And trust me, it's a wild ride. We're starting at the Apartment 2 BR Palazzo Kemayoran By Travelio Jakarta Indonesia. Which, let's be real, sounds fancier than my actual life.
Jakarta Jamboree: A Totally Unprofessional Itinerary (Subject to Change Based on Coffee Intake and Random Impulse)
Day 1: Arrival & Apartment Admiration (Mostly the AC)
- Time: 1:00 PM - Arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). Pray to the baggage gods. Because you know, sometimes… stuff gets lost.
- Transportation: Grab a ride to the Palazzo Kemayoran. Hopefully, the driver understands you pointing and shouting "PALAZZO! BIG BUILDING! AIR CONDITIONING! HOT!" (Jakarta heat is no joke, people).
- Reaction: Okay, the apartment itself. Honestly? Pretty sweet. The AC? GOLD. Pure, blessed gold. Spent a good five minutes just standing in front of it, letting it wash over me like a refreshing glacier. Almost cried.
- Afternoon: Unpack. Fail at unpacking. End up just chucking everything haphazardly onto a spare bed. Accept that my suitcase is now a permanent fixture of the room.
- Quirky Observation: The little packet of instant coffee is tempting. But I'm a coffee snob, and I suspect it's going to taste like despair. The struggle is real.
- Evening: Venture out in search of food. This is where things get… interesting.
- Dinner: Found a Warung (small, local eatery) nearby. Ordered something promising called "Nasi Goreng Special." Received a mountain of fried rice, chickeny things I think were chicken (couldn't be completely sure), and a fried egg staring back at me. Ate it all. No regrets. Maybe.
- Imperfect Moment: Accidentally pointed at the wrong item on the menu. Ended up with a side dish I couldn't identify, which tasted vaguely… floral? Not sure. But the Nasi Goreng was amazing.
- Emotional Reaction: Exhausted. Overwhelmed. But also… slightly mesmerized. There’s something about Jakarta that grabs you, even when you're sweating buckets.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Culinary Adventures (Possibly a Stomach Ache)
- Morning: Attempted to get some work done (yeah, right). Got sidetracked by the view from the window. Jakarta's a chaotic symphony of sounds and sights. Motorcycles weaving through traffic like a caffeinated ballet. Street vendors hawking wares with sing-song voices. And the sheer density of everything! It’s awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying all at once.
- Reaction: Just… wow. I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore.
- Breakfast: Failed spectacularly at trying to find a "Western" breakfast (aka, something resembling toast). Ended up with another Nasi Goreng, because… consistency.
- Destination: Old Town Jakarta (Kota Tua). Oh boy.
- Transportation: Ride-hailing service, battled insane traffic. Saw some seriously impressive driving skills. Also, people on scooters carrying entire families… and goats? Jakarta!
- Afternoon in Kota Tua: Stepped back in time. Literally. The colonial architecture is beautiful, albeit a little crumbling. Took photos of everything. Felt like a tourist, but embrace the cliché!
- Quirky Observation: The little shops with the kitsch – all those little souvenirs. So many things, I wanted to buy everything, which is why is was easier to ignore everything.
- The BIGGEST, MOST IMPORTANT, ALL-CONSUMING EXPERIENCE: The Museum Wayang (Puppet Museum). Oh. My. God. It's a wonderland of puppets. Elaborate, ornate, ancient puppets. I spent hours there, mesmerized. From the intricate wooden figures with their painted faces, to the shadows cast by the wayang kulit (shadow puppets), the story-telling was so evocative. I felt like a child again. It was… pure magic. I had this feeling that the eyes on the wayang puppet were following me around the room.
- Messy Observation (and a Bit of a Ramble): Okay, the Wayang puppet theatre. I watched a live performance, couldn't understand a word of the narration but I got the gist of the story. The music - a gamelan orchestra – was otherworldly, a constant thrumming and clanging that resonated deep inside. I swear I saw a puppet wink at me. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the fact that I’d accidentally consumed an entire bottle of water in like five minutes, but I was moved. I can't even begin to describe it.
- Evening: Dessert. Went on a quest for "Martabak." Found it. Ate a sugar-laden, ridiculously delicious version of this sweet doughy thing and regretted nothing.
- Dinner: Craved something completely different, ventured out and ended up with some street food I couldn't identify. It was delicious. I just didn't ask what was in it.
- Imperfect Moment: Possibly got a mild stomach ache. Blamed it on the mystery food, not my tendency to overeat.
- Emotional Reaction: Completely overwhelmed. Both by the beauty and the utter chaos. But definitely in a good way.
Day 3: More Exploration and the Dreaded Departure
- Morning: Sleep in. The city just beats you down. Let. It. Go.
- Breakfast: Nasi Goreng for the win. (My stomach, however, says otherwise).
- Destination: Possibly a shopping mall. Or maybe the National Monument (Monas). Honestly, the shopping is more appealing right now.
- Pacing: Slow. Very slow. Jakarta is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Afternoon: Shopping. Found some interesting things. Got completely ripped off, probably. Didn't care.
- Quirky Observation: The mall food courts are a microcosm of Indonesia. I saw everything. Every type of human. Every type of food. Was amazing and overwhelming.
- Imperfect Moment: Got lost in the mall. For like, an hour. Was mildly panic-stricken. Found a gelato shop. Crisis averted.
- Evening: Packing. Sigh. The worst part. Trying to squeeze everything back into that tiny suitcase (which now weighs a metric ton).
- Dinner: One final, gloriously greasy meal before leaving.
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of sadness (leaving this messy, beautiful, vibrant city) and relief (the return of my own bed).
- Departure: Head to the airport. Fly home.
- Final Thoughts: Jakarta is intense. It’s loud, chaotic, and sometimes a little scary. But it’s also incredibly beautiful, welcoming, and full of surprises. I'll be back. Eventually. After I've recovered from the traffic. And the Nasi Goreng. And the sensory overload. But yeah, I'll be back.
Disclaimer: This itinerary is a highly subjective and probably somewhat embellished account of my trip. Your experience in Jakarta may vary. You might love it (I did). You might hate it (unlikely, but possible). But either way, it'll be an adventure. Bon voyage, and for the love of all that is holy, wear sunscreen. And watch out for those scooters.
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Jakarta Luxury: 2BR Palazzo Kemayoran Apartment Awaits! (Uh... maybe?) - FAQs, Brutally Honest Edition!
Okay, seriously, what *is* "luxury" in Jakarta apartment terms? Is it like, gold-plated faucets and butlers named Jeeves?
Alright, so "luxury" in Jakarta... Let's just say it's a spectrum. Palazzo Kemayoran? They *definitely* lean towards the swankier end of the spectrum. Think: a decent gym (hopefully not filled with guys flexing in the mirrors for hours!), a pool that *looks* like it gets cleaned occasionally, and hopefully, a decent view. Jeeves the Butler? Pfft, probably not. More like a helpful security guard who *might* remember your name (if you tip well, wink wink). It's more about the feeling, you know? Escape from the Jakarta chaos, even if just for a few hours. I mean, after battling that insane traffic, *anything* with air conditioning feels luxurious, to be honest. My last "luxury apartment" had roaches. Never again. *Never* again. This place… fingers crossed, it's better. But hey, at least it *sounds* promising, right?
Two bedrooms… who is this apartment *really* for? Families? Party animals? Extroverted cats?
Two bedrooms… well, the possibilities are ENDLESS. You could have a family, sharing the occasional Nasi Goreng by the pool. Or… you could be a couple who needs a guest room that *actually* gets used (unlike my ex’s "dedicated meditation space," which was just a storage room for his questionable art). Maybe you're a couple who needs a *separate* office space because, let’s be honest, working from the living room is a recipe for snacks and disaster (been there, done that, gained the weight, got the t-shirt). Or, yes, a party animal. But remember, Jakarta has *very* strict noise regulations. So, maybe, a *quiet* party animal? With… good soundproofing? Ugh. The complexities, people! They're endless! Just trying to envision the vibe… *Okay, deep breaths.*
Kemayoran? Isn't that… like, near the airport? Is it actually, you know, *livable*?
Kemayoran! Yes, it's close to the airport. And honestly, the airport traffic can get... well, let's just say, you'll get very familiar with the concept of "patience." Okay, so, is it *livable*? That depends on your personal definition of "livable." I'm not going to lie, it's not quite the vibrant heart of Jakarta, but it's getting better. There are shops and restaurants popping up (thank goodness for GrabFood!), and the location *does* have its advantages – easy access to the airport (when the traffic cooperates, of course), and it's relatively central so you can get to other parts of the city without a day trip. My biggest worry is the *dust.* Jakarta dust is a real thing, and it gets *everywhere*. But hey, at least it's not the smog of Central Jakarta. I'm trying to stay positive, okay? *Trying.*
Alright, let's talk money. How much are we *really* talking? I see "luxury" and my wallet starts screaming.
Ah, the million-dollar (or, let's be real, the *thousand*-dollar) question. Pricing for these "luxury" apartments can vary wildly. I'm talking… it depends on the floor you're on (the higher the better the view, the higher the price!), the length of the lease (short-term equals pain), and the time of year (high season = gouging season!). Honestly, you're going to need to look, and then look again. Compare prices, and don't be afraid to negotiate. Landlords, are you listening??? "Luxury" doesn’t inherently mean "robbery." I'm trying to be optimistic here, you know, manifesting some kind of affordable greatness. But yeah, your wallet *will* be crying a little. Get ready.
What's the *biggest* potential downside to this apartment? The one thing that keeps you up at night?
Hmm… the *biggest* downside… besides Jakarta traffic? That's a tough one. Okay, I'll level with you. It's the *potential* for noise. Big city living! It's unavoidable. Air-con units droning all night. The neighbor's karaoke. The *endless* construction. And then the sirens… oh god, the sirens. My last apartment, I swear, there was a parade outside my window. Every. Single. Night. I haven't slept properly in *months*. It was glorious, said no one, ever. You *really* have to consider the type of person you are when it comes to noise. If you are the kind of person who can fall asleep to a helicopter buzzing overhead, then you are golden. I am not that person. I need total silence; it's probably why I live alone. I once considered moving to the countryside, but then I remembered the insects. Maybe I'll just buy earplugs by the gross. Or better yet, find a place with *soundproof* windows. Pray for me! Pray for silence!
Okay, okay… So, what's the absolute *best* thing about this apartment, in your opinion?
The best thing? Okay, let me be positive for a change! The potential! (Deep breath). The sheer *possibility*. I'm a big believer in the power of a fresh start, you know? A clean slate, a new beginning, a place to... actually *breathe*. I can already picture it in my head – the sunlight streaming in, the comfortable furniture (hopefully not that awful cheap stuff that you find in the other apartments), a nice view (fingers crossed!). The apartment doesn’t even *exist* yet, and I love it. Well, the idea of it. I’m a little bit of a dreamer. Okay, a huge dreamer. I can be in it, living the dream. Okay, okay. But seriously, a nice apartment can change everything. It can be a sanctuary, a place where you can recharge and get ready to face the jungle that is Jakarta. Or, at the *very* least, to be able to sleep at night. That's the dream.
