Where to stay

From traditional musical art to drama, contemporary art galleries, and world-class museums, West Jakarta is the best place to stay for a cultural feast. Stay close to Old Jakarta to explore the city's Dutch colonial roots, see the puppets of Museum Wayang, and visit the Indonesian Maritime Museum and the Jakarta History Museum. The Gambir neighborhood in Central Jakarta centers on grassy Merdeka Square and the towering National Monument. A range of popular chain hotels here provides easy access to the Taman Prasasti Museum, the National Gallery of Indonesia, historic colonial buildings, and plenty of restaurants to try Indonesian food. Family-friendly Kemang, in South Jakarta, is home to BIASA ArtSpace and trendy hotels.

Step out of your hotel in Central Jakarta and start a shopping spree at Pasar Baru. One of the city's oldest shopping complexes, it's the place for souvenirs, clothes, watches, cameras, and bargaining skills. One of Jakarta's largest malls, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, is also in the area. Kuningan and the area of Setiabudi have some of the best department stores, including Lotte Shopping Avenue, with high-end hotels surrounding them. Book a hotel in the neighborhood of Senayan to be near the luxury international brands at Plaza Senayan. Pademangan is a great place to stay for a vacation that includes visiting theme parks and shopping for Indonesian arts and crafts at the Ancol Art Market.

With street food stalls and cuisine from every corner of the globe, no one stays hungry for long in Jakarta. This city is foodie heaven, with everything from fine dining in Kebayoran Baru to rooftop restaurants in busy Kuningan. Find a room in South Jakarta to taste your way around this district. For those dreaming of sipping beer in a casual atmosphere and eating authentic Indonesian cuisine, hotels in Menteng may be the best fit. From here it's not far to the vibrant backpacker's hub of Jaksa Street. For something a little different, dine among 17th-century temples in Chinatown or choose a hotel near the beach in Ancol to feast on fresh seafood.