Hotel Gran Mahakam

The Gran Mahakam is not just any hotel. Even the taxi driver called it a legend in Jakarta. When you first enter, you think of a scene from Kevin Alone at Home. Everything is dignified, the furnishings and the building are wonderfully classic. Like a grand hotel in Vienna. But there is one small difference. Just as the Gran is missing the fifth letter in its name, everything in the Gran Mahakam is a little smaller. The entrance hall, the square in front of the hotel, the pool on the roof. But that was never a problem for me. There are other things that I haven't seen anywhere else. Ironed and daily changed shower curtains, a small in-house clinic or personalised surprises for a guest's birthday. Also worth mentioning is the favourable location in the middle of an incredible selection of excellent restaurants, all within walking distance. But the most important thing that the Gran Mahakam has that sets it apart from most other good hotels: It has character, a kind of personality, or let's just call it a soul. The wonderful thing about this hotel is the people who work here. And it's not primarily about the fact that I, as a guest, am addressed with exemplary friendliness by each and every one of them. The most important thing is the team spirit of the staff. The colleagues work as a team. At the Gran Mahakam, there is only one ‘we’. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management for this. This is only possible if the demands placed on employees are feasible and not superhuman, as is unfortunately all too often the case. And when the focus is not on profit, but on satisfied guests. There is no doubt that the Gran Mahakam rightly bears this title: We are one of the Best Hotels in the World. Leaving now feels like a loss. I will definitely be back.

Gran Mahakam has always been my preferred hotel whenever I am in Jakarta since the past 20 years. I must say the hotel management has done a great job keeping the premise in an exquisite condition as long as I could remember. The breakfast spread although not extensive, has always been excellent. Staff was attentive and always helpful, and the strategic location with close proximity to Plaza Blok M and MRT makes it convenient to move around. I always take advantage to have my regular morning run at the park near the hotel (which I don't get to do if I stay at other city hotels). The gym is located at P1, albeit small but good enough for a quick workout. There is also this superb eatery called Ayam Bakar Ganthari which serves superb grilled chicken with rice, a mere 200m away from the hotel (must try).

Gran Mahakam has always been my place of stay whenever I am in town, and it feels great to be back here post COVID-19. I last stayed over in 2019. This time my wife and I stayed for 4 nights, and I must applaud the management to keep the hotel in a mint, exquisite condition, particularly post pandemic era. The ambience felt exactly the same the last time I visited, the staff always helpful and obliging. Breakfast is always something I look forward to every morning. The bed was very comfy and among the best ones I have been in. A truly memorable stay.

Very comfortable, clean hotel with good facilities. Included buffet breakfast was excellent.

I definitely enjoyed yet another stay in Hotel Gran Mahakam, for me the place to go to when I am in Jakarata. The service of the personel is beyond expectations, this made my stay to be very comfortable.