The part of the room that really blew me away was the bathroom. I felt that the bathroom was one of a kind, as it effectively combines a contemporary yet futuristic theme, and yet the main root of luxury was not forgotten and neither was it neglected. The bathroom itself is very large, and is even comparable in size with the bedroom.
Stepping in, you will be greeted with a large oval bathtub that sits in the middle of the bathroom floor. This placement and design of the bathtub follows closely to that of modern super luxurious hotels and condominiums and thus, I found it quite appealing that I was able to experience living in a similar kind of luxury.
Female guests would love this bathroom as there is an enormous vanity area located right beside the bathtub. There is ample space on the table for the make up and toiletries that female guests could use. As such, there would be no more overcrowding of toiletries as there would be more than enough space for the toiletries of all guests. I also loved the marble clad table top, which is joint to the sink as it further enhances the feeling of luxury on the bathroom.
 For those who do not wish to use the bathtub, there is also the option of a stand up shower. The shower area is also nicely designed, reflecting simplicity and yet exhibiting some signs of classiness. The tap controls were however slightly complicated as there were a couple of knobs to turn. One disappointment I faced was the lack of a rainfall shower in the bathroom, as it has become a norm and a must have in luxury hotels nowadays. Then again, the rainfall shower feature is still nothing more than a luxurious add on and doing without it will not have adverse impacts on your experience in the bathroom.
The bathroom also had fantastic technologies to make the lives of guests convenient and also, amusing for some. For instance, the toilet bowl came with a washer in which you can select programmes to wash your parts after doing your ‘business’! Though unnecessary, such advanced technology only reflects the level of luxury that the hotel is trying to provide to guests.
Through all the above pictures, I am sure that many of you would have noticed that the bathroom is clad mainly in black and white. This setting, coupled with the special designs of the black taps seem to give a slight vintage feel into the bathroom. However, such a design may get mixed reviews as some would like the mixture of different themes whereas others might find it a little confusing.
The hotel also had all the standard facilities that you would expect from other 5 star hotels, just that the architecture of those in this hotel were more amazing.
One of the beautifully designed facilities was the indoor swimming pool. The pool area was accented with marble, rough stone floors and decorated with pebbles, all of which makes the pool area seem very private and personal. Furthermore, the pool itself was made of glass, which adds a little class to the overall design. With comfortable cushion sofas and floor to ceiling windows, even non swimmers would find it a joy to hang out by the pool.
However, serious swimmers will not enjoy the pool as it is only a 15 meter long pool – far from the more standard sizes of 25m or 50m. As such, this pool is only targeted for use by guests who wish to have a quick dip or to de-stress and enjoy some peace and quiet in the pool. Also, being an indoor pool, there is a lack of sunshine in the place even with floor to ceiling windows surrounding the pool. This takes away a part of the sunny, beach-like feel that I feel pools should have. Furthermore, guests who like tanning might not be able to do so at the pool. Hence, I feel that albeit the beautiful and luxurious design, the indoor pool was lacking in practicality and would not appeal to guests who want to exercise.
Serious swimmers and true sun lovers might want to try the outdoor pool instead, as it serves more practicality to guests who want to make full use of the pools. Nonetheless, the outdoor pool also looks fantastic and does not pale in comparison with the outdoor pool.
The indoor pool is also adjacent to the fitness centre at the 7th floor of the hotel. The fitness centre was adequately equipped with all the basic machines that guests would most commonly use. However, the fitness centre wasn’t large in size and during peak hours, one might find it a little crowded. Another good point to note is that the fitness centre is open 24 hours a day, so guests can use it whenever they like, without having to worry about whether the fitness centre is still open. The hotel is known to be rather private and quiet without the hustle and bustle of the city so guests hardly have to queue to use the equipments.
The gym also features floor to ceiling windows and the treadmills are placed in front of the windows. This allows for ample natural lighting into the room. Another benefit of the windows is that it gives runners a good view of the scenery outside and make running less torturous for those who lack motivation.
By now, I am sure that you have noticed the extensive usage of floor to ceiling windows in this hotel. Although this beautifies the hotel and its features, I feel that it gets a little boring as most of the rooms display the same themes and the same kind of views. Furthermore, the hotel lacked a selection of restaurants and bars (as there are only one each), and there are no special lounges for member guests as well. As a result, there is really not much to offer to guests over a long period of time. However, those visiting for a short trip will definitely enjoy the beauty of the hotel and the comfort it has to offer despite its somewhat repetitive design and architecture.
Keraton at the Plaza Jakarta is not one that is specifically targeted at a certain group of people, and neither does it have niche. I feel that most families would enjoy the stay in the hotel due to its relatively peaceful and quiet environment and its spectacular design. If possible, go for the executive junior suite that I stayed in, as it would not burn a hole through your wallet yet you will be able to experience the life of a modern king.
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