Jakarta's Hidden Gem: Amethyst Apartment Studio - Book Your Cozy Escape!
Jakarta’s "Hidden Gem" Amethyst Apartment Studio: A Deep Dive (And My Honest Take)
Okay, so Jakarta. Let's be real, it's a whirlwind. Bustling streets, crazy traffic, and a general vibe that's… intense. That's why I was so intrigued by Amethyst Apartment Studio – Book Your Cozy Escape! - the promise of “cozy” felt like a lifeline in this concrete jungle. And look, I'm gonna be straight with you: this isn't your cookie-cutter hotel review. This is my experience. Buckle up.
First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting There (The Initial Hustle!)
Right off the bat, I'm a little torn. Accessibility? The website hints at facilities for disabled guests, but a deeper dive is needed. I’d definitely recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specifics, especially if you require wheelchair access. The Elevator is definitely there, which is a huge plus in a city where stairs are a workout in themselves.
Getting there (aka the traffic gauntlet) was, as expected, an adventure. Airport transfer options are available, and I'd HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of them after a long flight. Jakarta traffic… ugh. The car park [free of charge], and car park [on-site] are a massive bonus – finding parking in Jakarta is like winning the lottery. There's also Taxi service, and with a Valet parking option I would take it anytime.
COVID-19: Navigating the New Normal (Safety First, People!)
Let's talk safety. This is crucial in the post-pandemic world. Amethyst seems to be trying. They've got Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer strategically placed (thank goodness!), and Rooms sanitized between stays. They have a Hygiene certification, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Staff trained in safety protocol with Sterilizing equipment. Now, I didn't see the sanitizing in action, but the effort is there, and that's a HUGE win. I felt reasonably safe, which is a massive relief. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which is cool if you're a germophobe (no judgment!). Individually-wrapped food options and Safe dining setup are also good signs.
The Room: Cozy Escape or Miniature Apartment? (The Million-Dollar Question!)
Okay, the studio. This is where the "cozy" element should kick in. And honestly? It mostly does.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank the heavens!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains (a MUST for Jakarta!), Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (I asked for one!), In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Additional toilet (nope), Additional toilet (nope), Interconnecting room(s) available (which, I can't quite figure out the purpose of), Internet access – LAN (Internet access – LAN), Scale (??), Soundproofing, Visual alarm (might be useful, I don't know??).
I mean, I did get a window that opens, so that felt like a win!
The Air conditioning? Heavenly. The Blackout curtains were my best friend after those long days exploring. The bed? The Extra long bed meant I could actually SPREAD OUT! But Interconnecting room(s) available? I'm still not sure why.
The studio layout itself was pretty efficient. The complimentary tea and coffee maker was a lifesaver (hello, caffeine!), and access to a Refrigerator made it easy to store water and snacks. There's a desk for getting some work done, a desk for work, and a pretty good sofa to crash to. The In-room safe box gave me peace of mind. The Mini Bar… let's just say it was an adventure in and of itself.
The Amenities: Spa Day Dreams & Fitness Fantasies (Did They Deliver?)
This is where things get interesting. Amethyst claims some pretty amazing offerings. Do they live up to the hype?
- Spa: Yes, a Spa is mentioned. (Details needed.)
- Spa/sauna: They also claim a Spa/sauna. (More details needed!)
- Sauna: Is there a real Sauna? (I didn't find one.)
- Steamroom: Steamroom! (Still no steamroom!)
- Swimming pool: Hooray for a Swimming pool!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yeah, there's a Swimming pool [outdoor]. And it's… pretty good. Not Olympic-sized, but perfect for a refreshing dip after battling the Jakarta heat.
- Pool with view: Not a pool with a view.
- Massage: The Massage was alright, nothing to write home about…
- Body scrub, Body wrap: I didn't try these, but they're advertised.
- Foot bath: A foot bath!
- Gym/fitness: A Gym/fitness center?! (I completely missed the gym.)
The Food Scene: Dining, Drinking, & Snacking (Fueling the Adventure)
Jakarta's food scene is insane. But how does Amethyst fare?
- Restaurants: Restaurants are on-site!
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: The descriptions get muddy here.
- Asian breakfast, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Western breakfast: I went for the Breakfast [buffet], and it was… fine. Standard hotel fare. Not amazing, not terrible.
- Room service [24-hour]: Room service [24-hour], which is a lifesaver when you’re jetlagged and starving.
- Poolside bar: Poolside bar – yes. Drinks are available.
- Bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Snack bar: There is food.
- Bottle of water: You can always grab a Bottle of water.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Possible.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or Don't)
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Some great mentions, some not available.
- Cash withdrawal? Yes. Concierge? Yes. Daily housekeeping? ABSOLUTELY THANK YOU. Elevator? Praise be! Laundry service? A lifesaver on a long trip. The Smoking area is outside, a must for nonsmokers like me.
For the Kids: Babysitting & Family Fun (Or Not?)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Not too much information.
The Quirks, the Flaws, and the Unvarnished Truth
Look, Amethyst isn’t perfect. The signage could be better. The gym may be a myth. AND I couldn't see any Pets allowed.
But… it does have charm. That 'cozy escape' feeling, that's actually pretty accurate. It's comfortable, clean, and offers a decent base of operations for exploring Jakarta.
My Honest Recommendation:
Book this if: You want a clean, comfortable, and relatively affordable place to stay in Jakarta, you appreciate a bit of peace compared to the chaos outside and are looking for
Uncover the Hidden Gem: Domaine du Grenier Langueux, France!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your pristine, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is MY Jakarta adventure, and it's going to be gloriously messy. I’m staying at that Cozy Studio at Amethyst Apartment by Travelio. Let’s see if this whole “cozy” thing holds up… (Fingers crossed for no cockroaches – Jakarta, I’m looking at you!).
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Quest for Authentic Nasi Goreng (Fatigue Level: Extreme)
- Time: 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). Okay, the immigration line was a nightmare. I swear, I aged 10 years just standing there. The humidity hit me like a brick wall. Did I seriously just fly across the world for this? (Answer: yes, yes I did). Finally, I was out! Grabbing a Grab was a gamble (traffic, remember?). But surprisingly, it was smooth sailing…for the first five minutes.
- Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Check-in at the "Cozy Studio." "Cozy" is a generous term. Small? Yes. Clean? Mostly. Smells faintly of…something I can't quite place. Let's call it "Jakarta air." The air con! I’m cranking it up to arctic. The tiny balcony overlooks… a building. Still, it’s mine for the next few days, right?
- Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Bed. Just…bed. Jet lag kicked in like a rogue ninja. I was out cold. Woke up with a crick in my neck and the distinct feeling that I'd slept through a whole pandemic.
- Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Nasi Goreng Hunt. Okay, mission: locate the REAL DEAL. Not some tourist trap, Instagram-worthy garbage. Walked…and walked…and walked. Google Maps said "2 minutes." Lies. All lies. Ended up sweating buckets, dodging motorbikes, and almost being flattened by a rogue bicycle. Finally found a Warung tucked away down a side street.
- The Nasi Goreng Revelation: This, THIS, was what I was after! Smoky, spicy, perfectly charred rice, with a fried egg on top and a handful of crackers. It was heavenly (even with the questionable hygiene of the tiny tabletop). The cook hardly understood a word of English, but he smiled, and that was enough. Worth every single sweaty step. Absolute bliss.
- Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: A desperate quest for coffee. Found a Starbucks. Sue me. Needed caffeine, stat. Watched the world go by – a blur of beeps, honks, and the general organized chaos that is Jakarta.
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Collapsed at the apartment. Exhausted. Wondering if I can survive on Nasi Goreng and instant coffee for the next week. Probably.
Day 2: Culture Shock (and the Search for Good Indonesian Coffee) (Emotion Level: Confused but Hopeful)
- Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Woke up slightly less zombie-like. Decided to be a tourist. Attempted to get out of the apartment and got immediately lost. Seriously. There are no clear street signs! Everything looks the same! Found myself wandering in some weird alleys where a guy was staring at my every move.
- Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Attempted to visit Kota Tua (the Old Town). Traffic. The. Traffic. The worst is the traffic. Decided to take the train. Didn't understand anything. Everyone was staring. Felt like a clumsy alien. Finally arrived. Kota Tua was…interesting. The Dutch colonial architecture was nice, but the crowds were insane. It was a sea of selfie sticks, and I swear I saw a guy wearing a full Darth Vader costume.
- Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in Kota Tua. Found a place serving Gado-Gado - a salad with peanut sauce. Got incredibly messy, and a small toddler was starring at me while I was eating. I guess I was the tourist attraction for today.
- Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Coffee and Culture (Attempted). I NEEDED COFFEE. Googled "best coffee in Jakarta." Went to a place called "Kopi Anjis." The place looks pretty hipster. Okay, the coffee made me understand the hype. It was rich, bold, and had a slight, almost fruity taste. Finally some peace.
- Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Tried to find the National Museum of Indonesia. Took a wrong turn. Again. Ended up in a completely different part of town. Gave up and took the bus.
- Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner with the locals. Found a street-side warung. Sat there, eating some kind of spicy noodles. The food was good! The people watching was even better. Realized these people had lived here all their lives.
- Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Apartment bound. Still trying to figure out how to use the washing machine. Found more ants. Decided to just embrace the chaos.
Day 3: The Beauty of Batik and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Solo Travel (Mood: Reflective, Then Hangry)
- Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Batik Shopping Extravaganza! Decided to brave the malls. OMG. The air conditioning was a lifesaver! Wandered through endless aisles of colorful fabrics. Found a beautiful, hand-painted batik scarf. Pricey, but SO worth it. Felt a real connection to the art. (My bank account… not so much).
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch break. Found a food hall. Saw a place selling "Bakso." It’s like a meatball soup. Ate the Bakso. Was amazing. Ate way too much. Felt incredibly full.
- Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Solo Travel Blues. Sitting in the mall, realized I hadn't spoken English with anyone. Felt a pang of loneliness. This whole solo travel thing… it's…harder than it looks. I miss my dog. And decent pizza.
- Rambling Thoughts: Is this beautiful? Yes. Is it overwhelming? Also yes. Am I enjoying myself? Sometimes. Would I do it again? Ask me tomorrow.
- Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The Hangry Hour. The loneliness turned into hunger. Got cranky. Needed SNACKS. Ended up buying an entire bag of Indonesian cookies. Ate them all. Regret immediately set in.
- Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: The Sunset Quest. Found a rooftop bar mentioned on Google Maps. The view was amazing! The sunset was spectacular! The beer was cold! The world felt…slightly less chaotic. Did it!
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner. Found a restaurant with live music. The music was loud. The food was…okay. Pretended to enjoy myself. Felt a little like a lone wolf, howling at the moon. Still, I’m doing this thing.
Day 4: Beyond the Tourist Trail and the Search for Inner Peace (or at least a decent massage) (Level: Optimistic, but wary)
- Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Local market. Decided to see where the locals went. OMG! The smells! The noise! The sheer energy! The vendors were friendly, even though I had no idea what anything was. Bought some weird looking fruit. Ate it. It was…interesting.
- Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Massages. Needed a massage. Found a place. The massage was amazing. Decided to extend the massage. Decided to extend my trip.
- Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch. Went back to local market. Made an effort today when I order the food. It was well received.
- Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Park visit.
- Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Reflecting.
- Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Farewell dinner.
Day 5: Departure (and the lingering smell of Jakarta air) (Emotion: bittersweet, slightly caffeinated)
- Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Final Nasi Goreng. Had to. Just had to.
Okay, spill the tea: What *actually* makes Amethyst Apartment Studio a "hidden gem?" Because, let's be real, everyone says that.
Alright, alright, I get it. "Hidden gem" is practically the travel equivalent of "vintage chic," right? But hear me out. First REAL reason: the location. It's tucked away, like *really* tucked away, in one of those little side streets in South Jakarta. My first time finding it? A complete comedy of errors. Google Maps took me down a dead end. I swear, I almost gave up. Then, BAM! It's this little oasis of calm surrounded by the Jakarta chaos. The *real* gem of it all? The peace and quiet. This city is insane, and it's a godsend when you can finally relax.
Is the studio… you know... *actually* cozy? Or is "cozy" just code for "tiny and filled with questionable air freshener?"
Oh, honey, I hear you. I'm a sucker for a good air freshener, but I'm also a sucker for actual COMFORT. And YES, the Amethyst Studio is genuinely cozy. It’s the kind of cozy that wraps you in a warm hug – except instead of a hug, it’s soft blankets, and twinkling fairy lights. You know, the kind that makes you wanna curl up on the sofa and do absolutely nothing. I wouldn't say they're perfect, though because they seem to have the same obsession with tiny little things like the toilet paper rolls, seriously where did all the toilet paper go?. Also the window isn't exactly soundproof when it comes to the mosque's call to prayer at 5 AM every morning. It’s a small price to pay for the peace I eventually found.
What’s the vibe? Is it a minimalist concrete jungle or something with actual, you know, *personality*?
Okay, so *personality*. Thank goodness it isn’t a cold, soulless box. It’s definitely got some flair! Think quirky, curated. There were these little handmade decorations everywhere, from a bamboo wall to little art pieces on the walls. It felt… homey. Not like a hotel room, you know? More like a cool friend's apartment that you wished you lived in. And the best part? No pressure to be Instagram-ready 24/7. It was just… chill. Even the furniture seemed to say, "Relax, darling, you've earned it." I remember the first time I walked in, immediately, my stress levels dropped like, a lot.
How’s the Wi-Fi? Because, let’s be honest, that's a deal-breaker for Gen Z.
The Wi-Fi… Ah, the eternal struggle. It was pretty decent! Which is a HUGE win in Jakarta. I mean, I managed to stream Netflix, Facetime my mom, and, oh yeah, actually work. There was the one time it sputtered a little during a really important video call, and I nearly lost it. But overall? Reliable enough to save you from a digital meltdown. Just don't expect lightning-fast speed for downloading… like… a whole season.
Is there a kitchen? Can I actually cook something, or am I stuck with instant noodles and existential dread?
YES! There is a kitchen! Which, for me, is a HUGE selling point. Listen, I'm a simple person. Give me a fridge to store my leftovers, a stove to fry up some eggs, and a decent cup of coffee, and I'm happy. The kitchen isn’t huge, but it's got the basics. I made a decent breakfast on the first day! I cooked a disastrous dinner on the second day, I swear the fire alarm thought it was Armageddon. But hey, at least I tried! The fridge was a total lifesaver, honestly. Especially when you're trying to survive the heat and have plenty of cold drinks!
Okay, let's talk location. Stuff to do? Food? Or am I going to starve/be bored to death?
Okay, so the location is *amazing* in terms of being off the main roads (bliss!) but a slight bummer when you wanna shop or eat, which is always for me. But seriously, there are *SO* many street food spots close by. The variety! Ahhhh, the food! And this one little *warung* (local food stall) down the street that served the BEST nasi goreng. I swear, I went there every single day. You're also not too far from some of the bigger malls if you need some retail therapy. Just factor in Jakarta traffic, because it's legendary. It took me an hour to go around the block once, I swear. Plan in advance, take a Grab, and all will be well.
What's the biggest downside? Be honest. No sugarcoating.
Okay, here’s the deal: the biggest downside is the *actual* location. It's a hidden gem, remember? That means it's not right on a main road, which is great for peace, terrible for taxi access. You'll likely need to use Grab or Gojek, and sometimes they might get lost (like the first time they come, and they'll call you a million times). Also, if you're a light sleeper, the religious call to prayer can wake you up. Seriously, they're loud. But honestly, for me, the pros far outweighed the cons. I'd go back in a heartbeat. (Just... maybe pack earplugs).
Okay, I'm sold! How do I book this magical place?
You've finally seen the light. Okay, so go to your favorite booking website (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.) and type in "Amethyst Apartment Studio, Jakarta." Check the reviews, but I bet you'll see what I mean. Happy travels, you lucky duck! Hope you have as good of an experience as I did, which makes this place... absolutely perfect.
