The place to stay in Jakarta. Very classy and different to your usual identikit 5-star with a low rise approach and gorgeous outdoor pool with overhanging trees. Also the standard butler service is fantastic.
It's about 20mins away from the central business district but close to Kemang.
It's certainly not a night spot - the bar is very low key - but if you want to treat yourself or have a secure, quiet stay away from the centre this is the place. Try a chocolate martini (if you can afford one!)
Review based on an 8 week stay with family during relocation to Jakarta. Only down side may be they are building high rise just next door as part of the same complex. I hope it does not spoil the ambience or tranquility.

The Dharmawangsa is a boutique 5* hotel in a quiet residential suburb close to Blok M. The hotel itself has an air of calmness in this crazy city and although the location is off the beaten track, it is worth it if you are looking for somewhere quiet to put your feet up.

Hotel style is 'traditional Indonesian' but with a modern feel. Staff are exceptional and always willing to help. Rooms are very spacious - more like a suite in a regular hotel. Bathrooms have shower and a bath for those that like a soak.

For the business traveller, broadband is in the room for $15 a day and is very good for Indonesia. The 24hr butler service is great for getting shirts pressed etc.

The food in the restaurant was excellent although the fine dining restaurant is trying to hard with their menu (lobster thermidor) and the prices are very high. The Jakarta restaurant is more mixed menu and prices are reasonable.

The hotel is very quiet which is good but also bad as it feels like you're the only guest at times.

Fantastic service, amazing rooms, great food but just a bit out of the way.

One of the best hotels in SE Asia. If you are familiar with Indonesian history you will appreciate the atmosphere created at this hotel. Also good for evening drinks or dinner if you live in Jakarta. Rooms are all suites.

Alongside the Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe and The Oriental in Bangkok, I consider it to be one of the best hotels in the world. You must have some sense of culture and history to appreciate it, otherwise you are better off staying at one of the international chain properties, of which there are several good examples in Jakarta.

It is hard if not impossible to fault this hotel.

The Dharmawangsa is an oasis of calm in amongst the traffic and noise of Jakarta. The decor is quietly Javanese and therefore genteel and calm. Fresh flowers, dark wood, simple yet bold statues and features, marble and high ceilings blend beautifully in the most subtle and calming way.

If you are looking for a bustling restaurant and bar with music you will not find it. Inside, the restaurant is peaceful with a truly superb level of fresh food available; local, Asian and European. I resisted the fabulous looking brasserie on the Thursday opting for a very light lobster salad. The steak, lobster, salads and desserts looked as good as anything I have ever seen. My own choice was also just perfect. Al Fresco dining is offered against a backdrop of greenery and a gently bubbling water feature.

The rooms follow the calming theme of the lobby and the restaurant. They are light, huge spotlessly clean and with fresh exotic fruit and flowers every day. Incidentally, feast on the fruit. Wonderful.

The gym and spa are very good indeed, good kit, all working, spotless with fresh towels, sterlised headphones (for the aerobic machines) and bottled water all available. Great sauna and massage too by excellent masseurs. With no funny stuff either!

A nice touch is the butler service. Make a call, anytime, and an immaculately attired butler arrives to deliver or help with just about anything. Broken zip? no problem, fixed in a jiffy. Jet lag induced coffee at 2am ? Right away Sir. Shoes polished for the next days meeting? It goes on.

Besides the exquisite decor, catering and calm of this hotel there are two other things that set the place apart.

1 Everyone knew who I was, calling me by my name. Everyone smiled and made a point of making sure I felt at home. And everyone seemed to genuinely pleased to welcome me back even though my last visit was over a year ago. (where does the time go?)

2 The attention to detail shows an outstanding level of management, training and staff commitment. Everything works to the point you just don’t notice. And here’s the thing; if you stay somewhere and they forget the soap or forget you when you ask for another coffee it is irritating, you notice. If a bulb flickers or the TV remote is damaged it is not the end of the world but, it should work shouldn’t it?

Here, it all works perfectly and consistently. Everything.

So, in conclusion, one of the finest places to stay. Even with a hectic business schedule you come away happy, refreshed and with the blood pressure a few points down. Really.