Novotel Jakarta Gajah Mada Review

When traveling as a family with little kids, finding a hotel that strikes the right balance between comfort, location, and practicality can feel like a treasure hunt. Normally, we opt for apartments for the extra space and flexibility, but this time around, I wanted to try something different. We were set on exploring Glodok—Jakarta’s buzzing Chinatown—and since our usual Kozystay apartment at Maqna Residence was fully booked, we ended up booking Novotel Gajah Mada. And honestly? It was a pretty solid choice.

Great Location, Even Better Breakfast

The hotel’s location is one of its biggest strengths. It’s just steps from the historic Governor’s residence and a short walk to the entrance of Glodok, making it ideal for exploring the area on foot. The nearest TransJakarta stop is only about 300 meters away, which made getting around the city incredibly easy.

And let’s talk breakfast: the buffet was excellent. A wide variety of international and local dishes, changing daily to keep things interesting. It starts early at 6 AM and runs until 10, which gave us plenty of time for relaxed mornings without rushing the kids.

Looking for other tips where to stay in Jakarta? Read Where to Stay in Jakarta: Top Areas and Accommodations.

Family-Friendly Facilities That Made Life Easier

One of the biggest perks was the pool area. There’s a deep outdoor pool for adults, a shallower one for kids, and a round heated pool with jets—something you don’t always find in Jakarta hotels. While the kids’ playroom wasn’t functional anymore, the large open area in front of the hotel gave our little ones space to run around. We even had a bubble party out there one evening.

There’s also an on-site restaurant, though it’s on the pricier side. But right next door is a smaller, more casual eatery that belongs to the hotel too—and honestly, the food there was great, and likely cheaper than the food court at Petak Enam. Plus, ordering delivery through Gojek or Grab was a breeze, and there’s even a great local warung just around the corner for authentic and affordable meals.

What to do and see in Jakarta? Read The Only Jakarta Travel Guide You’ll Ever Need.

Comfortable Room, Though Not Without Quirks

One of the reasons we chose Novotel was that it allowed two small children to stay in the room with us—a rare find in Jakarta. The room had a king-size bed, a desk, fridge, kettle, and we appreciated the hallway dispenser for easy water refills. We were on the 18th floor with a great city view.

But the room wasn’t without flaws. Even with the AC off, it was cold—possibly due to central ventilation—so we all ended up bundled under the blanket (something we almost never do!). The carpets, while a bit stained and showing age, did help with warmth. The bathroom layout was the oddest part: one locking door led into a space divided into a shower, sink, and toilet area. The toilet had its own door but… no handle. Strange, but we managed.

Backindo Tip: Need a reliable driver in Java? We can share contacts of trusted locals we know personally – just drop us an email at hello@backindo.com.

The WiFi was weak and kept dropping out, which was frustrating even for basic use. The TV setup was basic too—no smart features or streaming apps, but we weren’t there for binge-watching, so it was a minor issue.

Final Thoughts

Novotel Gajah Mada isn’t a luxury stunner, and for the price, you might expect a bit more polish. I’d give it a solid 8 out of 10. The location, breakfast, and family-friendly policy made it a smart choice for this particular trip. But next time, I’d probably book elsewhere.

You can book Novotel Gajah Mada through all the usual suspects—Booking.com, Agoda, Traveloka, and even directly via the Accor website. I initially planned to book directly through Accor, but after comparing rates, I actually found a better deal on Booking.com—even after factoring in potential loyalty perks.