JAKARTA REFERENCE

 

Siapa bilang Sulawesi Utara hanya terkenal dengan pantai dan keindahan bawah lautnya? Provinsi ini juga kaya akan keindahan alam lainnya, salah satunya Danau Linow di Minahasa. Danau ini unik karena terlihat berwarna-warni.

Danau seluas 34 hektar ini merupakan lokasi favorit masyarakat setempat. Selain warna-warni danau yang indah, alam sekitarnya pun cantik. Burung-burung belibis (ada yang menyebutnya itik liar) terbang rendah sambil sesekali berenang di permukaan air.

Lalu apa yang membuat danau ini memiliki beberapa warna yang berbeda? Ternyata danau ini terbagi menjadi dua sisi. Salah satu sisi memiliki kandungan belerang yang tinggi, sementara sisi yang lain tidak. Kandungan belerang ini, ditambah dengan efek cahaya matahari mampu membuat danau seolah-olah memiliki warna yang berbeda.

Sejak tahun 2006 pihak swasta membangun taman di pinggir danau — dengan tiket masuk Rp 25.000 per orang. Harga tersebut sudah termasuk kopi dan kue kelapa yang disediakan pengelola. Taman pinggir danau sebagian besar terdiri dari rumput yang terawat rapi, tempat duduk-duduk, serta kafe.

Sebuah jalan setapak dibangun di pinggiran bagi pengunjung yang ingin berjalan-jalan, maupun untuk mereka yang ingin berolahraga lari.

Para pengunjung biasanya duduk-duduk di pinggir danau sambil menikmati pemandangan Linow yang hijau kebiruan. Di sisi lain terlihat warna biru keputihan. Dari sisi lain warna danau terlihat berbeda, tergantung sudut pandang pemirsa.

Satwa lain yang juga menarik perhatian adalah serangga yang oleh masyarakat setempat disebut sayok atau komo. Serangga bersayap yang hidup di air ini juga sering ditangkap untuk dikonsumsi.

Di sekeliling danau ditumbuhi pohon cemara jarum dan bunga sepatu beraneka warna. Ada juga berbagai bunga lain yang saya tidak tahu namanya.

Satu peringatan, di pinggir danau sering ada gundukan lumpur panas, Anda sebaiknya menjauh. Selain itu, terkadang bau belerang juga tajam. Bila ada angin cukup kencang bau ini tercium dari kejauhan.

Di sisi kanan danau terdapat sebuah bangunan rusak yang tampaknya dimaksudkan sebagai Pusat Informasi Geotermal dan Geowisata Tomohon. Sebenarnya pembangunan kantor semacam itu adalah inisiatif yang bagus, sayangnya bangunan belum selesai dibangun, dan entah kenapa dibiarkan begitu saja. 

Danau Linow ini berada di Desa Lahendong, Tomohon. Bila ingin berkunjung ke danau ini paling ideal adalah menyewa mobil karena dapat mengunjungi beberapa objek wisata sekaligus. Bila ingin hemat, Anda dapat naik angkutan umum dari Terminal Tomohon, namun harus melanjutkan perjalanan dengan berjalan kaki sekitar 700 meter.

Dari kota Manado hanya butuh waktu sekitar 45 menit untuk mencapai danau.

Di wilayah tersebut Anda juga beberapa lokasi menarik yang dapat disinggahi. Salah satunya adalah Woloan, di mana Anda dapat melihat pembuatan rumah panggung khas Minahasa. Selain itu ada pula Desa Pulutan, sentra industri gerabah.

Kunjungi juga blog perjalanan Olenka di www.backpackology.me

Central Jakarta & Hotels Within
Central Jakarta is as its name implies central to the life of Jakarta. It is here that The Presidential Palace and many other of the most important government offices are located as well as where most international firms are headquartered.
The main thoroughfare, Jl. Sudirman, anchors Jakarta's Golden Triangle to the west. It is on Jl. Sudirman (and its northern extension Jl. Thamrin) that you will find Jakarta's largest, most prestigious office buildings and luxurious five star hotels. As such, if you are in Jakarta for business this is most probably where you will be spending most of your time and of course, money. (FYI - Jakarta's Golden Triangle is actually in South Jakarta).
The exclusive residential areas of Menteng and Casablanca are located here together with many major shopping malls that feature designer boutiques, beauty salons as well as numerous state of the art health and fitness centres. FYI, in order to remain objective hotels are listed in alphabetical order. We don't favor any hotel for any reason.

1. Alila Hotel
Hotel Overview"Alila" is a Sanskrit word that means "surprise". The availability of Alila Hotels and Resorts Jakarta today enables a surprisingly different and favorable quality partnership, that can be proven beneficial to all business coming into the capital city of Jakarta.Alila Hotels has earned recognition for its contemporary design coupled with stylish decor and furnishings, as well for its fine dining and cheerful service, setting new standards for the city's hotels.Located in Jalan Pecenongan Kav. 7 - 17, Central Jakarta. Overlooks the national Presidential Palace, the National Museum (Monas) and just 4 km from the city's business district also the biggest Indonesian Trade Center as well as the fair ground of Kemayoran. Alila Hotels offer's a cool, modern retreat for young and urbanities and executives.
Rates: Deluxe Room US$ 114.95 / Executive Room US$ 139.15 (include breakfast)

2. Arcadia Hotel
Ideally located on Jl. Wahid Hasyim, the Arcadia Hotel Jakarta is just a few minutes from many shopping centres, restaurants, banks and government offices. Hard Rock Cafe, Plaza Indonesia, Sarinah Dept. Store, Jakarta Theatre are all within walking distance.One of the first 'boutique' type hotels in Jakarta Arcadia Hotel has been a favorite home away from home for many travelers since 1994.Managed by Accor Hotels, the rooms at the Arcadia Hotel are clean, comfortable & tastefully furnished - that together with friendly & courteous staff adds up to good value for money. Long stay guests will find the size of the suites appealing.
Rates: Standard - IDR 525,140

3. Aston Hotel Senen
Managed by the Hawaii based Aston Hotels, Aston Atrium Senen Hotel & Convention Center brings a refreshing Aloha Spirit to Jakarta. Indeed, every Friday night the hotel holds a Hawaiian Luau by the poolside.But there is more to the hotel than just spirit. This four star property is located in Senen - central Jakarta - close to gov't offices & the central business district. Next door you will find the Atrium Shopping Centre. There is a wide choice of room accommodation sure to fit the needs of most traveler - from generously sized superior rooms geared to value oriented travelers up to executive class suites located on the top floor that give access to the hotel's Executive Lounge.
Rates: Superior US$ 62.00 / Executive US$ 99.00 (include breakfast)

4. Aston Rasuna Hotel
The Aston Rasuna Hotel and Residence Jakarta is an all-suite hotel offering apartment style accommodation combined with the services and facilities of a four star deluxe hotel that is ideal for both short and long stay accommodation. Guests can choose between one and two bedroom suites that are larger than an average hotel room. Tastefully furnished and complete with facilities like a kitchenette and laundry room that make any stay in Jakarta comfortable and productive.
Rates: Executive Suite Rp 700,000 / 2-bdrm Deluxe Suite Rp 750,000 (include breakfast)

5. Sari Pan Pacific Hotel
Situated on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in the heart Jakarta's downtown business district, the Hotel Sari Pan Pacific couldn't be better located.
A five star, deluxe hotel, the Sari Pan Pacific offers all the comforts, facilities & services you come to expect from a Pan Pacific Hotel.The Sari Pan Pacific's prime location allows convenient & easy access to government offices, museums and cultural attractions, restaurants and entertainment and shopping (indeed, the hotel is next to the Sarinah Department Store and within close proximity to Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta's most sophisticated shopping centre).
The hotel also offers a wide range of meeting and banquet rooms capable of handling private meetings of just a few people up to a conference for 500 persons.
Rates: Standard US$ 110.11 / Deluxe US$ 129.47 (include breakfast)

6. Hotel Ibis Kemayoran
Conveniently located the Ibis Kemayoran, a 3 star property located in Jakarta's Central District, offers business and leisure travelers alike a value for money budget hotel just on the fringe of the business and diplomatic districts. As well, the Ibis Kemayoran hotel is only a few minutes away from Stasiun Gambir, (the main rail station), Chinatown and the Jakarta Fairgrounds.
Rates: Standard - IDR 364,500

7. Hotel Ibis Tamarin
You will be hard pressed to find a budget hotel better situated than the Ibis Tamarin. Smack in the heart of the city centre everything you need whether a businessman or leisure visitor - banks, government offices, several embassies - is nearby.
Located on Jl. Wahid Hasyim, the three star Ibis Tamarin is directly behind and within easy walking distance to Hard Rock Cafe, Plaza Indonesia, Sarinah Department Store, Jakarta Theatre and just minutes from Jalan Jaksa (perennial favorite tourist area in Jakarta).
Rates: Standard - IDR 364,500

8. Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta
One of Jakarta's most prominent landmarks, the luxurious Hotel Borobudur Jakarta is set in 23 hectares of lush tropical gardens and parkland. With its central location, close to government offices and the central business district, shopping and tourist attractions the hotel is, quite literally, a quiet oasis in the heart of Jakarta.

9. Hotel Sahid Jaya
Ideally situated along Jl. Sudirman in the centre of Jakarta's Golden Triangle, with easy access from either Jl. Sudirman or Jl. MH Thamrin the locally owned and managed Sahid Jakarta (one of several Sahid Hotels in Indonesia). The hotel's traditional decor and all the ammenities of an international hotel combined with friendly staff offers visitors a taste of Indonesian hospitality in the heart of Jakarta.

10. Le Meridien Hotel
Situated in the very heart of Jakarta's 'Golden Triangle' stands the elegant Le Méridien Jakarta. Offering 346 comfortably appointed guestrooms with airy, spacious bathrooms, the hotel exemplifies intimate luxury and personalised service. Le Méridien Jakarta features sleek and refreshing bars, delicious Lebanese and Japanese cuisine, and a world-class spa and wellness centre making it an ideal choice for business and leisure stays.

11. RedTop Hotel
Don't let the inconspicuous name deter you, the RedTop Hotel Jakarta is a surprisely nice hotel in the northern part of Central Jakarta - near Mangga Dua and all the commercial, trading & entertainment areas of Kota (Chinatown) as well as Government offices of Central Jakarta. Combining large, well appointed and comfortable rooms with a friendly professional staff the RedTop Hotel offers good value for money in an excellent location allowing guests to combine business with pleasure

The oldest historical sites in Jakarta are located here as well as many of the cities best known amusement parks and nightlife. When the sun sets there are diversions of every sort from karoke, massive 3 storey discos, (Raja Mas, the notorious Stadium, Sydney 2000 etc), 'dangdut' bars and intimate 'amusement centres'. Whilst a day trip to this part of town can be educational and entertaining a late night trip can be compared to a trip through several layers of Dante's inferno. The genuinely curious can often read about someone else's misadventures in Kota in a Sunday edition of the Jakarta Post.

Strategically located in the heart of Mangga Dua shopping centre in the North Jakarta, nearby the recreation area ANCOL and historical Colonial architecture buildings in chinatown area and business disctrict. It takes only 5 minutes from Kota train station and 30 minutes from/to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.Ibis Mangga Dua Hotel is a 3 star hotel featuring 202 rooms and 17 three bedroom unit apartment - that offer good value for long staying guests.

Being the only international resort hotel in Jakarta with direct access to a beach the Mercure Convention Centre is unique indeed. Combining its resort like location with together with a complete array of meeting and banquet facilities and tastefully decorated, comfortable guestrooms complete with all the ammenities required by today's internatonal business traveler, the Mercure Convention Centre is one of Jakarta's most popular hotels (guests wishing weekend accommodation should book well in advance).
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Strategically located in the prominent Mangga Dua area of the Northern Jakarta. The hotel is having 363 comfortable modern and trendy designed rooms with a contemporary Asian interior. An ideal place to stay for meetings or conference, leisure and relaxation with business partners or family. State-of-the-art equipment including Wi-Fi in all areas, Olympic size swimming pool with resort appeal, completed with "The Square" Restaurant, Lounge Bar and Executive Lounge, 24 hours Room Service, Grand Odiseus Fitness & Spa as well as a Business Center.

Located in the area of old Chinatown, Le Grandeur Mangga Dua (prevously Dusit Mangga Dua) is nicely situated for both business travelers and visitors looking to shop. The Mangga Dua area itself is synonymous with shopping - a haven with more than 4,000 wholesale outlets in a setting that still retains the hustle and bustle of a traditional bazaar. Le Grandeur Mangga Dua combines international standard facilities and service in a interesting & historical area

Located on the grounds of Indonesia's largest amusement park, Taman Impian Ancol (Ancol Dreamland) complete with South East Asia's largest oceanarium, Fantasy Land, golf course, art and craft village and entertainment venues the Hotel Raddin Ancol is one of Jakarta's favourite hotels for both business and leisure.