The Dharmawangsa Jakarta opened back in 1997 as one of the few Rosewood Hotels in Asia at the time. It was taken independent in 2005 after 8 years with Rosewood and has stayed that way ever since. Although there has been speculation that the hotel’s management will be transferred to the Luxury Collection, there has not been any development on that front. The hotel was designed by the late Indonesian designer, Jaya Ibrahim, who was also behind many of the original GHM hotels, including The Setai, The Nam Hai, The Legian, and The Datai, as well as the three original Amanresorts in China.

Booking The Dharmawangsa

Being a fan of Jaya Ibrahim’s symmetrical design, I have visited The Dharmawangsa many times over the years. Despite living in Jakarta, I decided to finally book a stay and take a look at the hotel’s rooms and facilities. As I often do, I booked this stay via Agoda.com, which had the best rate compared to other sites at the time. For this stay, I paid a nightly rate of IDR 2,728,000 (~USD 177, GBP139), which is the average rate charged by the hotel.

Location

The Dharmawangsa is tucked away in Kebayoran Baru, a leafy residential enclave in South Jakarta. It’s located 3  km south of the Sudirman Central Business District, far enough to feel calm and removed from rush‑hour chaos. However, it remains close enough that a quick ride brings you back into the busyness of the city. The neighbourhood, Darmawangsa, offers a gentle contrast to the frenetic energy of central Jakarta: more shade, fewer traffic, and a distinctly relaxed pace. Like The Legian, the 99-room hotel is designed to exude a low-rise residential ambience appropriate for the posh neighbourhood it surrounds.

Check-in

At the gate to the hotel, you’ll find a thorough security check, as is common at any luxury hotel in Jakarta. Having driven to the hotel, I was promptly motioned to park by the lobby, and was assisted by the wonderful doorman. With my bags taken care of, I passed through a second security check before heading to the reception for check-in.

As my room wasn’t ready, I was invited to take a seat at the Majapahit Lounge for a welcome drink of jamu, a local herbal concoction. Whereas the lobby feels palatial and grand, the enclosed lounge feels cosy and intimate.

My appreciation for the architecture was cut short as our friendly reception agent showed up to hand over my room keys. From there, he assisted us with our bags and walked us to the lifts at the very end of the lobby’s central corridor.

Design

Jaya Ibrahim’s design for The Dharmawangsa is a masterclass in quiet sophistication, layering traditional Javanese elements with a calm and almost monastic symmetry. Warm wood tones, soft lighting, and generous use of space create an atmosphere that feels both ceremonial and deeply lived-in, similar to the vibe at Amanjiwo.

Jaya Ibrahim’s signature symmetrism continues on to the hotel’s hushed corridors, exuding a quiet luxury so difficult to find nowadays. Each corner is lined with antique pieces, while the bronze sconces on the wall feature reproductions of ancient reliefs – all highlighting Java’s rich history of craftsmanship.

Executive Twin Room

Sized at a spacious 66 sqm (710 sqft), the entry-level Executive Room is the biggest in the city. We were assigned a room on Level 4, facing the front of the hotel, looking into the upmarket Darmawangsa neighbourhood. Much like the rest of the hotel, the room itself has a beautiful design; however, it has definitely suffered from years of wear and tear, in addition to a couple of years of being unoccupied during Covid-19. As such, the room feels quite worn out, despite its otherwise timeless character.

Bedroom

The bedroom features two single beds, each complemented by an ottoman on the end. There are three nightstands, two serving as a lamp platform, and one made up of two Indonesian-style chests. Across the bed is a television console and a large work desk, with a bedside chair also offered in addition. Furthermore, the walls are decorated with traditional batik cloths and chromolithograph prints, the latter characteristic of early visual depictions of Jakarta.

I might be biased, but I would say that much of the bedroom’s design still remains quite timeless. This is especially true if they were to switch up the carpets which something newer, and reupholster all the fabrics in the room. Adding to that, new and plusher bedding would definitely elevate the feel of the room to match the elegant style of the room.

Balcony

Right outside is a sizeable balcony, with views blocked by the many trees lining the driveway into the hotel. There is also a chair and a table, both of which look suspiciously similar to the in-room chairs showcased on the hotel’s website.

Bathroom

Located towards the interior of the room is the marble bathroom, which also feels very spacious and grand. Featuring double vanity sinks on each side, the space again applies Jaya Ibrahim’s signature symmetric styling. The bathtub is placed at the end, facing the room, adorned with metal flower sconces on each side.

On one side, you’ll find the shower and the bidet-equipped toilet, both housed within individual stalls. I’ll also add that The Dharmawangsa uses amenities from Budi Jaya. While the packaging looks suspiciously similar to those from Aromatherapy Associates, they were quite poor in terms of quality and feel.

Amenities

Outdoor Pool

At the far end of the hotel’s central corridor, you’ll find the door to the garden and outdoor pool. Surrounded by luscious foliage and a well-manicured garden, the pool feels serene and peaceful – a world away from the chaos of the city. Combined with the elegant Javanese-design the pool easily competes as one of the most beautiful in Jakarta. Lounge chairs are scattered throughout the garden, almost in a park-like manner, complemented by an elevated hot tub at the other end of the pool.

Shaded by tall trees and framed by palatial steps, the pool quietly exemplifies Jaya Ibrahim’s signature restraint and elegance. Everything –from the muted palette to the symmetrical layout – feels deliberately placed to soothe rather than impress. Unlike the design at so many new hotels, it doesn’t demand attention but exudes a beautiful stillness.

Fitness Centre

Past the outdoor swimming pool, you’ll find the Bimasena Club, which hosts the hotel’s wellness facilities. After registering at the reception, you’ll be invited to the second floor, where the fitness centre and the second pool are located. Unlike the rest of the hotel, the fitness centre offers contemporary and well-maintained equipment. Featuring a good range of Lifefitness cardio, strength machines, as well as free weights, it is definitely one of the more modern amenities offered by the hotel.

Indoor Pool

Located opposite the fitness centre is a small indoor pool, which complements the outdoor pool. Hosted on an elevated platform in a long-slung room, the indoor pool epitomises elegance and serenity. Featuring an infinity pool design, the facility views the hotel’s garden and the Jakarta skyline.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served at the Jakarta Restaurant and The Courtyard, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, located just to the right of the reception area. Featuring high ceilings and intimate lighting, the restaurant’s design continues on with the hotel’s grand atmosphere, employing a lot of warm colours and Javanese patterns.

Between 07.00 to 10.30, the restaurant serves a medley of local and Western breakfast dishes. While most dishes are served buffet style, there are a few live cooking stations. Sadly, a lot of the food in the buffet wasn’t the best in terms of freshness. During my visit, several items like yoghurt and crackers were stale and didn’t taste fresh.

Service

Although there are several aspects about The Dharmawangsa that need improvement, the service is one place where the hotel really shines. Everybody at the hotel was exceptionally warm and friendly, going out of their way to ensure that guests feel welcome and at home. Based on the consistent behaviour of all the staff I met, the service felt genuine and sincere. In fact, I’d probably say that The Dharmawangsa has among the best, if not the best, staff at any hotel in Jakarta!

Overall

Despite the ageing nature of The Dharmawangsa, the hotel remains a very solid choice of accommodation in Jakarta. Retaining an undeniable old-world charm, the residential-style hotel offers an experience that is hard to replicate at any other hotel in the city. Combined with the wonderful service, I’d say that the hotel has so much potential to be the best in the city once more. As such, I do hope that the owners would invest in much-needed improvements to bring the facilities back to world-class conditions.

Read more hotel reviews on Java Island here!