The Hotel Jakarta was the Amsterdam hotel included in our Gate 1 Travel Tulip Time Cruise package.
We often price-shop before booking an early-arrival hotel. Sometimes we find that extending at the group hotel can be oddly more expensive, and others it’s pretty close.
However, as over 65 travelers, we have to look beyond the dollar signs. If the amenities at the group hotel are just okay, we’d consider staying a few extra nights.Â
We’ve learned that we really like being able to relax in the room when we arrive early. Having a good restaurant on site as well as others in the Neighborhood are also huge pluses. And, is it worth it to have to check out of another hotel, haul luggage, and check in at the group hotel?
With that said, the Hotel Jakarta checked A LOT of boxes!
Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam
Javakade 766
1019 SH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
For starters, the Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam is located just two trolley stops from Amsterdam Centraal. That means you’re close to Dam Square and easily accessible to most other major city attractions, with a short ride on public transportation. It is not a far walk either; we have done both by walking and by trolley.
The Neighborhood sits on the waterfront, and while it is mostly residential, we did find a few local restaurants, too. Just across the bridge from the hotel, there were a good number of bars and restaurants as well.
But let’s talk about the hotel!
The building is located on what is known as Java Island, which was a breakwater and shipping terminal for the Netherlands Shipping Company, moving goods, mail, and passengers to and from the Dutch East Indies.
It’s gorgeous, sitting at the end of the island; it has a clean geometric shape that shimmers with reflective glass. Inside, the decor follows a minimalist vibe, with a twist.
The hotel’s interior is lined with sustainable woods, and the atrium is filled with subtropical plants. The Hotel Jakarta is the most sustainable hotel in the Netherlands.
The Rooms
The rooms follow the same decor and sustainability choices. They are somewhat minimalist. The one negative we found was that the open concept storage doesn’t work well when staying for more than a few days. It just felt a bit cluttered.
The bathroom and one of the decor choices were interesting.
We really liked that we were given a refillable water bottle and could fill it up in the lobby. The sustainable touches, such as towels, linens, and bathroom products, were awesome too.
The Amenties
Despite Chuck not being a fan of heights, the glass railings and walkways over the atrium garden, and the views were awesome.
Walking through the lobby, the paths, and the sitting areas is a wonderful, relaxing touch.
Mark used the pool several times, and it was rarely crowded.Â
Wester’s Bakery was a nice take on the so-called bakery many hotels have. This was a legit bakery, with outside access to the local community. The breads and sandwiches looked incredible, and we really enjoyed the sweet treats we tried.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar, Cafe Jakarta, were so amazing that they need their own section!
Â
Cafe JakartaÂ
The restaurant and bar space is gorgeous—lots of glass, access to outdoor seating, and views of the waterfront and the interior gardens. The miniature terrariums on each table were a nice touch, too.
Breakfast is a big deal. It’s generally included in our tour package, and we enjoy a nice breakfast before heading out for the day, since we often pick at street food and snacks throughout the day.
The breakfast buffet here was incredible, lots of variety, the staff kept everything fresh and replenished, and whether you wanted something healthy or decadent, there was plenty to choose from.
Arriving a bit late on our first day, we opted to stay in and enjoy a cocktail and a nibble.Â
Mark went straight for the Jakarta Today cocktail made with Bombay Gin, Lychee, Peach, and Lime. It was sweet and tart and paired really well with the gin. Chuck stuck with his go-to, the Gin and Tonic; however, the Fever-Tree Indian Tonic was a nice upgrade.
For dinner, Mark went for an appetizer plate. The Indonesian Bites included Shrimp Pangsit, Beef Rendang Croquettes, Crab-Chili Croquettes, Vegetarian Spring Roll, and Krupuk, an Indonesian seafood cracker. It was delicious and the perfect light dinner.
Chuck opted for Mie Goreng, Indonesian sweet-and-spicy noodles; he chose the chicken option, and it was, despite the poor photo, delicious.
Having a lighter dinner and seeing some really interesting offerings, Mark opted for dessert and coffee. The Pandan Kalamansi was insane! Kalamansi cake with Pandan Mousse, Lemongrass, Galanggal Jelly, and Coconut Sorbet – amazing!
The restaurant was one of the highlights of our stay.
TheNeighborhoodd
The neighborhood was ” interesting. ” We loved the views, and it was accessible to the city by crossing the bridge. The residential portion was walkable, had adorable canal views, and some interesting art installations.
The Shock of Seven Chakras
In researching the neighborhood, we found an Indian restaurant nearby. We
don’t have much Indian food here in Merida, so it’s always a nice treat when we find some while traveling.
Mark made a reservation, but we arrived a bit early while wandering the neighborhood. We were quite surprised that the place was empty. We were seated without any issues, but that’s’s where the experience went south.
Bottles of wine were displayed on each table. When we opted not to buy wine or have a cocktail and stick with soft drinks, the tone seemed to change. Ordering appetizers while looking at entrees seemed to be inconvenient.Â
After ordering, food came fast and furious, with entrees right on top of the appetizers. The Samosas were okay, the Onion Bhaji were dry, and no sauces were offered. Mark’s Lamb Korma was flat and one-note, as was Chuck’s go-to, Saag Paneer. Even the Naan was meh.
The waiter disappeared right after taking our order; food runners brought the food, and we finally saw the waiter when we were finished and asked for a check.
As of this blog post, Google shows them as Permanently Closed, and their website is no longer available.
Thankfully, this one very minor hiccup was one of the only low points of the upcoming trip. We hope you follow along as the food and adventures on our Tulip Time cruise are awesome.
