An Epic Indonesian Adventure

Located in the bustling commercial district of Mega Kuningan, the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta is one of the capital's most luxurious five-star properties. The hotel offers 333 luxurious rooms and suites including one Presidential Suite, three Ritz-Carlton Suites, 31 Mayfair Suites, two Grand Spa Terrace Villas, 298 spacious guest rooms and club level rooms. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, high quality linen, sunken bath, designer bathroom amenities, ironing board and iron, free WiFi, LCD TV and a fridge and minibar. The hotel spa and fitness center is one of the finest and most exclusive in Jakarta, and offers a range of invigorating spa treatments. Dining options consist of Asia, an all-day international/Asian buffet; Lobo, a chic high-end Italian restaurant that also serves over 100 different martinis; and Tempus, a sophisticated bar, nightclub and karaoke lounge.

This elegant, luxurious five-star boutique hotel in Jakarta is located in Kebayoran Baru, an exclusive residential area in Jakarta. Consisting of 64 rooms and 36 suites, each guest room and suite opens onto a large private balcony. All rooms and suites are adorned with fabrics and art pieces, and feature dual-line telephones, data port, high speed internet access, briefcase-sized safes, fax machines and multimedia entertainment centers. The hotel is home to three restaurants: Jakarta, which serves Indonesian, Asian, and Western fare in a casual setting; Sriwijaya, inspired by the eponymous, eighth-century Indonesian kingdom, which offers French cuisine; and Sekitei, reputedly Jakarta’s top Japanese restaurant. The hotel also offers indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and tennis and squash courts. The Dharmawangsa is approximately thirty-three minutes from Jakarta's international airport.

A refitted klotok, or traditional Indonesian boat that plied the trade routes of the Spice Islands for centuries, the Kalimantan Explorer has been renovated with recycled hardwoods and materials. The Explorer is decorated in a simple but practical manner, with a spacious cabin outfitted with air conditioning and a bathroom with hot water. The Explorer also possesses a large outdoor deck – a perfect way to explore the environs of the Tanjung Puting river.

Once a local fishing boat, the Kumai Boat is 19.5 meters in length and 3.8 meters wide and has been remodeled by experienced Bugis boatmen to comfortably accommodate 6 passengers in 3 cabins: a Superior Large with a small terrace on the bow, a Double Cabin, and a Twin cabin. Each cabin features air conditioning (silently powered by solar panels), en suite in every room, and is fitted with innerspring mattresses, reading lights, and basic toiletries. The cabin windows have mosquito netting and sliding shutters for privacy. Cameras and phones can be charged on board, and the viewing deck and all cabins have power outlets. The deck has waterproof blinds with clear inserts for rainy periods. Cruises are accompanied by 4 crew and an English-speaking guide.

The Sekonyer Boat is 18 meters in length and 3 meters wide, using a traditional local klotok hull. It has 3 cabins, each one air-conditioned, with a double bed fitted with innerspring mattresses, reading lights, and an en suite bathroom. The cabin windows have mosquito netting and sliding shutters for privacy. The upper viewing deck is completely open to nature’s views and is furnished with comfortable rattan furniture and a dinner table. The deck has waterproof blinds with clear inserts for rainy periods. Cameras and phones can be charged on board, with power outlets being available at the viewing deck and in all cabins. Cruises are accompanied by 4 crew and an English-speaking guide.

In the heart of Central Java lies Amanjiwo, built from Yogya, the area’s famed local limestone. The bell-shaped rotunda of the main building echoes the nearby Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist temple and one of Indonesia’s most visited sites. The resort offers unspoiled views of this wonder, in addition to the fertile paddyfields of Kedu Plain. Indonesian and Western cuisine are served in the Dining Room, which is opulently decorated with gold-leaf murals of scenes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, and breakfast, lunch and light snacks can also be served in the colonnaded Pool Club that extends into the rice fields. Other places for guests to unwind include the library, art gallery, spa, tennis center and outdoor infinity-edge swimming pool. Amanjiwo’s 36 suites are arranged in two crescents, which frame the main building. Each suite is topped with a traditional volcanic ash tinted roof and interiors include hand-carved coconut wood furniture, exotic Javanese textiles and antique glass paintings. Wireless broadband access is available in all public spaces and in all accommodations.

Hotel Tentrem Yogyakarta takes its inspiration from a Javanese word that, in their culture, refers to a peaceful, tranquil, and calm state of being. This independent hotel prides itself on providing a quality experience to its guests by focusing on every detail. The property is situated just 5 minutes from downtown Yogyakarta and 20 minutes from the airport. Dining options include Kayumanis Coffee Shop for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Eboni Bar and Lounge for light fare and drinks; and The Grand Duck King for lunch and dinner. 

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta is situated in the heart of Yogyakarta just minutes from the popular Malioboro shopping district and 15 minutes from Yogyakarta International Airport. The hotel was originally commissioned in 1918 to be built as the private residence for a wealthy Chinese merchant. Later, the building served as the Chinese consulate. Asian and European influence can be seen in each of the hotel’s 144 rooms and suites, each with its own private balcony. Amenities include a spa, swimming pool, and fitness center. Dining options include Paprika, which offers Indonesian, Chinese, and Western cuisine and the 1918’s Terrace Lounge. Vino Bar offers a wine and cocktail selection.

In the heart of Indonesia lies Mount Bromo, a beautiful, active volcano situated among a "sea of sand." A favorite destination for naturalists and adventurous adventurers alike, today it can be enjoyed from the comfort of the Plataran Bromo hotel. After full days spent exploring, guests can retreat to the hotel’s luxurious accommodations or even its stand-alone residence that houses up to ten people. Two opulent restaurants match stunning views with world-class cuisine, and the hotel’s state-of-the-art facilities and services ensure a memorable experience.

Located at 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) above sea level, this contemporary lodge provides easy access to the majestic Mt. Bromo. Each room has a scenic view of the rich landscape surrounding the lodge. Each room is furnished in a simple, but comfortable manner, with plush beds, understated wood furniture, cable TV and hot water. Amenities are sparse, as the lodge is intended primarily for retreats, though there is a small photo gallery at the main lodge that showcases stunning photographs of the area. There is a lovely, onsite café serving fresh, local coffee and Indonesian and European food. Jiwa Jawa Bromo is only a one-hour drive to the starting point for a sunrise excursion to Mt. Bromo, and a 90-minute drive from Malang airport and 2.5 hours away from Surabaya airport.

Set in a beautifully restored Dutch colonial mansion, Tugu Malang is filled with antiques and artworks to give it a charming and intimate old-world feel. This boutique property has just 49 rooms, all with complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite TV, DVD player, free newspapers and tea/coffee facilities. The Tugu hosts a number of restaurants, including the upscale Melati Restaurant, which serves Indonesian delicacies, Dutch Colonial fare, and Peranakan, or Chinese Malaysian fare; the romantic Silk Road, a private-room, reservation-only dining experience; an upmarket, refined Javanese tea house; an elegant wine shop and bar; and a bakery. Other amenities include a business center, outdoor swimming pool, meeting room, full-service spa, and a luxury jewelry boutique. The Tugu Malang lies approximately 26 minutes from Malang’s airport.

Amandari welcomes you to stay in central Bali at its 30-suite luxury property designed to resemble a traditional Balinese-style village with coconut wood posts, Javanese marble and volcanic stone. The suites come with a private garden, courtyard and outdoor sunken marble bath. The open-air restaurant serves Indonesian and Western cuisine with views of the lush gorge. Amenities at Amandari include a swimming pool, fitness center with state-of-the-art machines, private outdoor yoga classes, tennis courts and a library. Wi-fi is available in all rooms and public areas.The spa is surrounded by a lotus pond and has a beauty room, sauna, steam room and two bales (gazebos) for outdoor treatments.  Amandari is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Denpasar Airport (DPS) in Bali.

Situated above the treetops and perched dramatically over Bali’s sacred Ayung River gorge, the Four Seasons Sayan is a beautifully appointed and secluded jungle retreat. There are 18 suites and 42 ingeniously bamboo-camouflaged villas with private outdoor terraces, all decorated with local art, woodwork and hand-lomed fabrics. There are two restaurants, the casual, open-air Riverside Cafe, which has a wood-burning pizza oven, and the elegant Ayung Terrace, where the outdoor area is jaw-droppingly cantilevered over the gorge for spectacular views. The Four Seasons has a two-level, infinity-edge pool by the riverside, a fully-equipped fitness center and complimentary cycling or hiking excursions in the surrounding area. The Sayan’s spa has three spa villas designed with natural materials such as teak wood cabinets and flooring, hand-blown glass wash basins, and thatched roofs, and offers a full menu of holistic aesthetic and therapeutic treatments that draw from Ayurveda and other Asian traditions.

Set amid lush rolling hills and rice paddy fields, surrounded by the mandapas for which it is named and overlooking the Ayung river in Ubud, there’s scarcely a more picturesque location for a peaceful getaway then at Mandapa, a Ritz Carlton Reserve. Each of the 60 private villas and suites is attended by a personal butler and features its own outdoor space with views of the natural scenery in abundance. Guests can relax on their terrace, in their private pool or within the elegant interior, or opt to venture out to enjoy the resort’s outdoor vitality pool, indulging in a light snack from the pool bar. Full relaxation is guaranteed at the spa, where local herbs are used in ancient therapies, or in the fitness center where yoga pavilions overlook the river’s waters. Dining, meanwhile, is a delight: with four outlets to choose from, guests can enjoy fresh cuisine from Bali and beyond in beautiful settings.  

Capella Ubud promises to bring guests close to nature while ensuring the luxury for which the hotel group has made its name. Not a single tree was cut in constructing the resorts 22 unique one-bedroom tents and two-bedroom lodges allowing for an immersive experience of the Ubud rainforest. Inspired by European settlers of the 1800s, the resort is designed by renowned architect Bill Bensley. Merging the spirit of adventure with modern comforts, all retreats feature a private salt water Jacuzzi pool, lavish indoor and outdoor bathrooms, spacious lounge area, luxurious and comfortable bedrooms, and two outdoor decks befitting intimate candlelit dinners. Additionally, all rooms enjoy modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, an Illy espresso machine, and a complimentary smart phone with ample data. There are various dining options offered from western flavors to gourmet Asian barbeque, as well as a state-of-the-art gymnasium, exclusive spa, and local storyteller for guests to enjoy. Various day trips can be arranged to experience nearby Hindu temples, the Puri Lukisan art museum, the sacred Wos River, rice paddy fields, and other natural splendors all readily accessible by foot or hotel transport.

One of six ecolodges operated by Ecolodges Indonesia, the Kelimutu Crater Lakes Ecolodge is a low-impact resort whose mission is to showcase the natural beauty that Flores has to offer, while maintaining environmentally friendly operations. The lodge’s bungalows offer stunning views of the volcano Kelimutu. The main attractions of the area are arguably the three crater lakes that lie on Kelimutu, at about 1,400m elevation. The lakes change colors, but are generally found to be hues of red, green, and blue. Accommodations are basic, but comfortable and include terraces and gardens, balconies with views of Kelimutu, a bar, and a restaurant.

Hotel Happy Happy is a simple, clean guesthouse located in Bajawa. Owned by a couple from The Netherlands and staffed entirely by locals, the small guesthouse places special attention to customer service and hospitality. Hotel Happy Happy has only six rooms for guests, which ensures that you will be a priority during your stay with them. Amenities include hot water (a rarity in these parts of Indonesia), free wireless internet, and breakfast with homemade bread and fresh juice.

Wisma Santa Maria, also known as Hotel Susteran, is a guesthouse operated by the nuns of a convent. The guesthouse began operations to meet the internal needs of the order, but began to offer stays to the public and has continued to offer modest accommodations to travellers visiting Ruteng. The rooms and amenities are scarce, however, the hotel is widely regarded as the best in the area.

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views. With your own private boat, you will have the freedom to explore this amazing territory at your leisure, stopping off for diving, island-hopping, snorkeling, swimming and trekking. Schooners are equipped with a full crew, in order to make your stay as comfortable and special as possible.

Navigate the waterways and explore the islands in luxurious style and comfort on your private schooner. Remote Lands offers a range of vessels for your stay, with air-conditioned cabins, en-suite bathrooms and spacious decks on which to relax and admire the views. With your own private boat, you will have the freedom to explore this amazing territory at your leisure, stopping off for diving, island-hopping, snorkeling, swimming and trekking. Schooners are equipped with a full crew, in order to make your stay as comfortable and special as possible.

On the island’s southwestern tip, lapped by the waves of the Indian Ocean, Seminyak has long been a by-word for luxurious Balinese vacations. Now stretching along the beachfront, allowing access to the sand in seconds, Alila Seminyak is attracting sunseekers from all over the world. Boasting a great range of accommodation, from cozy couples’ rooms to the lavish penthouse, no compromise is made on comfort and convenience. Likewise, the restaurant and bars provide laid-back dining in a range of settings. The excellent facilities cater to families as well as couples, with dedicated pools and a kids club. The spa and fitness facilities, meanwhile, allow for relaxation and invigoration, according to guests’ whims. 

Located on a hilltop with dramatic views of Jimbaran Bay, the Four Seasons Resort Bali has winding stone walkways to the beach and 147 spacious, thatched-roof villas with private plunge pools. There are four restaurants to choose from: PJ’s specializes in seafood, Taman Wantilan serves Indonesian specialties in open air pavilions overlooking the Bay to Bali’s volcanoes, Warung Mie has Asian noodle dishes and exotic drinks, and the Pool Terrace Café has a light menu of salads and sandwiches. The facilities at the Four Seasons include a fitness center with free weights and cardiovascular machines, an aerobic studio, a pool and a tennis court. The comprehensive Healing Village Spa mixes traditional pamperings with science-backed treatments, as well as holistic practices using light, sound, nature, and crystals. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

Six Senses Uluwatu Bali extends the luxury, beauty and spirituality of the Six Senses brand to the bucolic southern coast of Bali. Perched on the dramatic cliffs of Bali’s southwest peninsula, Six Senses Bali offers spectacular views of the Indian Ocean as well as the serene Pura Luhur Uluwatu, perhaps Bali’s most picturesque seaside temple.

The resort is comprised of 28 sky villas, 62 one-­bedroom villas and seven two-bedroom villas, each incorporating touches of local character along with the contemporary comforts and modern design sense of a world-class resort. On-site dining includes a pool bar and a specialty restaurant, which also offers cooking classes as well as visits to the resort’s organic garden. Enjoy a complimentary morning yoga classes and locally-inspired specialty treatment at the spa, along with an extensive menu of signature therapies, from multi-day wellness programs to rejuvenation therapies and detox. Facilities include a shared pool and gym, a ballroom, a meeting room and a Balinese temple.

Located on Seminyak beach, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Bali offers a range of rooms, villas and pool villas, each of which includes broadband internet, satellite TV with DVD player, IDD telephones and 24-hour room service. The Oberoi’s on-site facilities include open-air massage pavilions at the Oberoi Spa, a tennis court, a fully-equipped gym and a business center. Dining options include Kura Kura Restaurant, which serves gourmet traditional Indonesian cuisine, was voted Indonesia’s Best Restaurant in 2011 by Indonesia Tattler, and cited in the 2011-12 Miele Guide; Frangipani Café for al fresco breakfast or fresh seafood and light meals throughout the day; and Kayu Bar for aperitifs or post-prandials. The Oberoi is approximately 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

Overlooking the sparkling, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and hidden amongst swaying palm trees, this five-star luxury retreat offers the ultimate utopian dream. It is located in one of the world’s most exclusive destinations, also referred to as the ‘Island of Gods’, and is a typical representation of the tropical exquisiteness of Asia. A combination of sleek, contemporary design, traditional Balinese touches and the beauty of the unspoilt natural surroundings is what makes this destination an indulgent getaway. Boasting an impressive eight accommodation options over 237 retreats, villas and suites, guests are met with either striking garden views of rich, verdant foliage or stunning ocean scenes with panoramic seascapes. Light, spacious rooms with contemporary design that have been finished with delicate Balinese touches provide guests with their own exotic oasis. A number of decadent bars and restaurants provide guests with sophisticated dining options to suit every taste. Guests can spend days of peace and tranquility, relaxing by the resort’s pool, listening to the waves on the beach, getting fit in the gym or indulging in luxurious treatments at the spa.