Jakarta is not a city that reveals itself instantly. At first glance, it can feel overwhelming—sprawling, energetic and unapologetically urban. Yet beneath the traffic and towering skyline lies a rich cultural fabric that rewards those willing to explore it properly. For our family, Mercure Jakarta Sabang was a well-located and comfortable base from which to do just that.
This was our first visit to Indonesia, and we flew into its capital from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, just three hours away. From the airport, a Grab ride brought us to the hotel, which occupies a particularly convenient position in central Jakarta. Major landmarks are within easy reach, making it a sensible choice for first-time visitors who want to maximise their time there without spending hours in traffic.
Hotel Lobby
Mercure Jakarta Sabang has all the facilities you’d expect from a well-run city hotel, including a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. The hotel has 163 rooms, among them three themed suites. We stayed in the Games Centre Suite, an innovative concept that sets the hotel apart for families travelling with older children, with its playful décor and entertainment options.
The Games Centre Suite
Inspired by nostalgic games from the 1990s, including Tetris, Monopoly, and Mario Bros, the suite took me and my husband down memory lane, inviting us to be kids again. My teenage son, a gamer, was also impressed and entertained himself with the arcade game in the room.
Living Area
Comfort was not sacrificed for novelty. The suite was spacious, featuring a separate bedroom and living area, ample storage, a coffee machine and fast Wi-Fi.
Arcade Game
The flat-screen TV was made to resemble a game controller. Even the en-suite bathroom continued the games theme, with the toilet sporting a tongue-in-cheek “Still Loading” sign.
Themed decor
Dining at Mercure Jakarta Sabang was a highlight of our stay. Meals were served at Clovia Restaurant, which offers a wide selection of Indonesian and international dishes. My husband and I enjoyed sampling local flavours, while our son gravitated towards familiar favourites. On our first evening, we ordered from the à la carte menu, while our second night featured a generous Indonesian buffet feast.
Clovia Restaurant
Another memorable part of our stay was a walking tour with Wisata Kreatif Jakarta, which was organised by the hotel. Walking tours are one of our favourite ways to get to know a destination, and this one did not disappoint. Led by Ira, a knowledgeable local guide, the tour offered insights into Jakarta’s history, culture and everyday life that we would never have picked up on our own. We learned about Jakarta’s colonial past and modern identity and gained a deeper appreciation for the city beyond its traffic and skyscrapers. Having the tour arranged through the hotel made the whole process seamless and hassle-free.
View from the National Library
We visited Monas, the National Monument, Istiklal Mosque—the largest mosque in Southeast Asia—the Jakarta Cathedral and the National Library, the world’s tallest library building, from where we enjoyed panoramic city views. We also squeezed in a visit to a local market to sample some street food before ending the tour with decadent ice creams at Ragusa Es Italia, the oldest ice cream shop in Jakarta, which was founded in 1932.
Our stay at Mercure Jakarta Sabang ticked all the right boxes for a family city break. Its central location, creative and comfortable accommodation, and good food made it a great place to stay in Jakarta. The added value of experiences like the walking tour enhanced the stay and allowed us to connect with Jakarta on a deeper level.
For more information, visit Mercure Jakarta Sabang or book here.
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Disclosure: 7
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 53 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
What’s lovely place to Cochin. I agree that a walking tour is my #1 thing to do when I visit a new place. It is nice that the hotel offers the tour.
The Mercure looks like a peaceful respite in the midst of the busy city. My youngest would love the game room theme!
I found Jakarta quite exhausting, and this definitely would have helped. The hotel looks beautiful and calm. What did you think of the area? Could you do much there in walking distance, and what was traffic like?
This looks beautiful!! I'd love to stay there.
This is a really helpful review, especially for families visiting Jakarta for the first time. I liked how you explained why the Sabang location works so well in such a spread-out city, and the Games Centre Suite sounds like a smart idea for traveling with older kids. The hotel-arranged walking tour with a local guide is also a great touch and gives the stay much more depth than just using it as a place to sleep.
Beautiful hotel. I will be saving this for when I next go to Jakarta. The food looks good, too.
Looove the room so much! I'd definitely stay there even without kids lol and the food looks delicious!