Alila Jakarta

Hotel description

The word “Alila” is related to the Sanskrit word for surprise - and a surprise it is, to find such a sleek, modern hotel in Jakarta, of all places. Designed by the multinational firm of Denton Corker Marshall, Alila opened its doors in 2001 and became Jakarta's first high-design boutique hotel. And it's about time, as Jakarta is a bustling, cosmopolitan capital - where else are the tech executives and media types supposed to stay?

The rooms are decorated in the minimal modern boutique style, but with some touches of personality, like parquet floors and earthy colors rather than the typical blank white. This is a high-rise hotel, and the rooms benefit from this fact, with far-ranging views of the city. High-speed internet is standard, and Executive rooms have computers already installed, so you can give that laptop a rest.

Facilities are more extensive than at most trend-chasing boutiques; the obligatory restaurant and nightclub are present, joined by a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a swimming pool, with a view and a poolside bar. Business travelers will find the meeting and conference facilities much more than adequate, and the business center frighteningly efficient. And there's a whole world outside, or at least a vibrant downtown - the location is right in the middle of the central business district, and a stone's throw from the Presidential Palace and any number of famous landmarks.