An Art-Filled Retreat in Downtown Jakarta
The Alila SCBD brings art and design together, from Asia and abroad
A successful and enjoyable trip to Jakarta starts with well-planned accommodation. The city is sprawling, and its reputation for badly congested traffic precedes it. As regular visitors, and fans of the Indonesian capital, our tip is to locate yourself somewhere central, and the new Alila SCBD is a great place to start.
Not to be confused with the sister property in the city’s north, this urban resort is situated in a new tower at the heart of Jakarta’s Sudirman Central Business District, a new retail and business precinct, right next door to the Indonesia Stock Exchange in a building designed by Bangkok-based IAW.
Guests are greeted by Orbital of Joy, a large-scale art piece by Yogyakarta-based duo Indieguerillas, followed by an installation in the lobby entitled Birds, Bats and Butterflies created by Australian-born architect and artist Richard Hassell, co-founder of WOHA. Art is a prominent element throughout, with a number of original works collected and commissioned for the property. A number of antique pieces have also been sourced from across the country, including overscaled architectural elements in the lobby and hand-woven antique textiles that are proudly displayed in a number of the guest rooms.
In total, there are 227 studios and suites including a number of innovatively designed twin rooms, designed with business travellers in mind. The resort also offers event spaces, a spa, a gym and an outdoor pool, in addition to elevated dining concepts. All-day dining is on offer at modern French-American bistro Vong Kitchen and 24-hour Le Burger, both designed by renowned New York-based design firm Rockwell Group, suitably oozing hip Manhattan vibes, with Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and son Cedric at the helm. Perched on the 25th floor is the dramatic GBRH-designed Hakkasan, the group’s first outpost in South East Asia, offering modern Cantonese with an equally dramatic view.
While it’s only been open a short time, the Alila SCBD looks set to become a long-awaited beacon of culture, art and design in the cityscape.
Text / Suzy Annetta
Images / Courtesy of Alila Hotels & Resorts
