FUTURE Classic

Hailed as Jakarta’s ultimate address, St. Regis Jakarta is where opulence meets soul, crafting an experience that’s as lavish as it is deeply personal.

- SYAZIL ABD RAHIM

Jakarta buzzes with unrelenting energy, but St. Regis Jakarta casts a spell of its own. As we cruised through the city’s famously chaotic traffic — thankfully cocooned in a sleek, air-conditioned SUV — we wondered how anyone navigated these streets solo. The 30-minute ride felt like a rite of passage, culminating in a lush oasis where bronze gates opened to reveal a gilded entryway shimmering like a mirage.

The façade, drenched in Gatsby-esque grandeur, flaunts rich burnt-gold tones and architectural symmetry that’s pure eye candy. Add to that Bill Bensley’s signature whimsy with anthropomorphic sculptures peppered throughout, and you’ve got a promise of a stay unlike any other.

Opened in November 2022, this 17-storey marvel is the brainchild of award-winning designer Alexandra Champalimaud, with a concept rooted in the soundscape of Indonesia. From the moment you step inside, the hotel immerses you in the country’s vibrant culture — think music, dance, art and gastronomy — all masterfully interwoven. Digital projections of indigenous flowers, curated by Bandung-based collective Tromarama, set the tone as you’re welcomed by impeccably trained staff.

The cultural homage doesn’t stop there: cushions adorned with Iwan Tirta’s iconic batik fabrics and Eddy Susanto’s jazz-meets Javanese shadow puppetry mural in the cocktail bar tie it all together, making St. Regis Jakarta not just a hotel, but a love letter to Indonesia’s rich heritage.