House of Tugu, Old Town Jakarta — Attraction in Jakarta

Expectations sway much thinking about our family’s stay here. The opulence and detail in Tugu House promise much. Unfortunately, it does not meet its standards as a complete hotel. A fact that the hotel staff seemed only too apologetic about during our stay. The hotel, I understand, formally launches in February 2025; we booked for two nights on a ‘soft launch’ basis in December 2024. ||The lower floor comprises the hotel's public spaces, restaurant and a ‘museum’. In the latter, curios and antiques jostle for attention in galleries packed with artefacts that the family have collected from across Indonesia and Asia over their 200-year custodianship of the warehouses in old Batavia. It is a heartfelt display of family history. Alongside the proud celebration of their heritage, there is an impish sense of humour behind the curation: ancient artefacts are flanked by vermillion gorillas. As a guest, you can wander the atmospheric cloisters at leisure.||The accommodation rooms are, apparently, designed by the owner’s daughter. They are calmer in design, citing design elements from the Peranakan community. Despite the antiquity of features, they are modern and comfortable. The impression is glamorous. ||The staff are effusively friendly. Our four-year-old was treated like a long-lost friend. One member of the team invited us to an impromptu tour of the museum and rooms. The breakfast was lavish, offering a generous array of beautifully prepared Peranakan and Western dishes. ||Despite the warm hospitality of the staff and the striking appearance, the hotel is not ready to receive guests. The top floor is currently available for ‘soft launch’ bookings. However, this places sleepers underneath large machinery on the roof floor, which emits pumping sounds that pulse around the room every 40 seconds. Sleep was disrupted and the family rose to a weary-eyed start to the day.||The reception was understanding and accommodated a room change for the second night. We moved to a lower floor, where the pumping sounds were still audible, although muffled. The room itself was beautifully decorated but was not ready to receive guests. There was no hot water, the sinks didn’t work, and the communication devices were nonfunctional. The floors were also unvarnished. There appears to be a swimming pool on the ground floor, but its muddy water and apparent lack of accompanying facilities suggest that it, too, is not finished. ||Despite these teething issues, we had a positive experience. I understand that its actual launch is in February 2025, whereafter I would recommend another investigation – assuming, that is, they have resolved the noise and other issues. ||The care and detail that have comprised this unique establishment over the twenty years of its reconstruction will ensure that, once finished, it will be one of the great hotels of Southeast Asia. However, as much as I would like to give the hotel the top score, it’s hard to be overly fawning, when you’re paying for the privilege to stub your toe on Asian curios at 4 am trying to identify...

Love has a strange way of manifesting itself, so when two of my bestest travelling buddies fortuitously (also rather ominously) decided to be in Jakarta at the same time, it’s a treble trouble birthday celebration of sorts. To end my 50th birthday (that’s 51st btw) at one of Jakarta’s most anticipated boutique hotel which took over 10 years to complete is my very definition of love. Founded by Indonesia’s sugar king family, every room is unique, every corner an experience, with rooms dedicated to its many illustrious family and friends; like Raden Saleh, Sukarno, Charlie Chaplin, Megawati and many more. Were we intoxicated? Yes! Were we drunk and lustful for its rich history and antiquities collected from around the region? Yes, and yes! Were we awed and mesmerised by the harmonious yet clashing colours of its interiors? Off course! And it’s glorious cuisine and service to top it off. We practically were the first guests of @houseoftugujakarta and indeed are very lucky to be here this week. History however bears many lessons for us to learn. In order to be pioneers of its time, the sugar king, Oei Tiong Ham must have broken many rules and tradition and along the way, had sufferred many consequences. Alas, fortune favours the brave and I guess it is a road we have to take in order to progress in life. I just hope I can withstand the consequences, if any. With like minded friends, Inshallah I can.

To Bimo and team at House of Tugu, please know that you guys made us feel like the most special guests, to the chef and f&b team, the food was excellent, breakfast in particular was far too much but we had to try them, all three mornings, and the birthday dinner was also so so good! The spa, just opened for us as it was still new, had the best therapist we had in a very long time. And love, love, love the pool, a must for visitors to destress and wonder at all the statues alongside it.

Overall, it felt like a long stay at a mansion filled with objets that the owners love and cherish but also one they happily shares with everyone. It’s like going to a museum but you are allowed to live and breathe in it, to touch, sit and sleep and take it all in, one Kawasari coffee...

House of Tugu Jakarta is an absolute hidden gem and one of the most memorable hotel experiences we’ve ever had. We stayed for seven nights and from the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth, care, and genuine hospitality. Every team member—from the front desk to the restaurant—was attentive, professional, and always greeted us with a smile. It is rare to find such consistently outstanding service, and it truly made us feel at home.

The hotel itself is like stepping into a living museum. Each corner, corridor, and courtyard is filled with antiques, art, and unique details that transport you into another time and place. It is both an oasis of calm in bustling Jakarta and a cultural experience in itself. Even after a week, we still felt there was more to discover and look forward to returning to explore further as new sections are completed.

Our room was comfortable, beautifully furnished, and immaculately maintained, providing a perfect retreat after busy days in the city. Dining was another highlight: both Jajaghu and Babah Koffie offered exceptional food and drinks, with a menu full of variety and creativity. Some standouts included the Nasi Uduk Tugu Batavia, Roti Bakar Nai Nai with Srikaya, refreshing Nona Manis, homemade ginger beer, and the beautifully crafted cocktails at Jajaghu.

Staying here elevated our time in Kota Tua far beyond a regular hotel visit—it felt like we were part of something truly special. House of Tugu is more than just a place to stay; it is a sanctuary, an artistic haven, and a destination in its own right. Highly recommended to anyone looking for comfort, culture, and an unforgettable...