A tastefully decorated, well run hotel with fantastic service and one of the best gyms and spa I've ever seen in a hotel. Having stayed at far too many disappointing, supposedly top tier hotels it's very refreshing to find one that actually deserves the tag. I would have no hesitation recommending this, whether travelling on business or holiday.

First impressions:
Stayed at the Four Seasons Jakarta for a one-night business trip. Nice leafy residential location not far from city centre. Building facade is grey and liveless, ok if the minimalist look is your kind of thing. The multi-level lobby is large and well-lit with lots of post-modern art but has a very gloomy feel to it. Check-in was seamless and I was led to my room by the front office agent, given dining recommendations along the way, and shown the key features of my room. Guest floors are very bright thanks to long rows of full-length windows. Bags arrived almost immediately. I settled in, but was disturbed by a phone call from the front office agent. He forgot to capture my credit card number and I had to read it to him over the phone.

Room:
Very large and spacious. Quiet, thanks to the long entryway which can be shut out with a separate door, and enclosed balconies looking out to greenery. Furnishings are not particularly attractive. Standard-issue wrought iron and rattan furniture. Ample storage and wardrobe space. Spacious well lit work desk. Large bathroom (dark tiles) with separate shower and secluded WC. Large fluffy towels. Good selection of self-service beverage supplies. Drawbacks: Features you'd expect of a Four Seasons are absent, such as DVD/CD player, L'Occitane toiletries, coffee press. Some items still bear the old Regent branding.

Dining:
I ate mostly at the cafe. Food is affordable but quality is not particularly outstanding. The breakfast buffet was ok -- nothing to shout about. I always gauge the quality of a breakfast by the orange juice, and the one served here is definitely not top class.

Service:
Very good and personable. The concierge was efficient with my flight change request and even did phone seat check-on on my behalf. The business centre is very well equipped and the staff start to remember you preferences very quickly. I'm always offered a complimentary bottle of water and addressed by name. I'm also always shown to my preferred computer workstation. Room service was quick and well presented. Staff take pride in their work and it shows across many levels.

Verdict: Nice experience and good service. But don't expect the same Four Seasons standard especially if you have stayed at FS in Bangkok, Singapore or Shanghai.

The Four Seasons Jakarta (formerly The Regent) has had some difficulties over the years but is now one of the premier hotels in Jakarta.

The hotel has an unusual design and the exterior walls are finished with a grey marble which appears dull in the Jakarta haze. However, the interior design is definitely successful. Spaces are airy and feel grand. At the same time the building design makes full use of the land area available to create many nooks and craneys that help hide the Jakarta traffic and give the guests many nice recreation areas.

The rooms are large and feature enclosed balconies. This arrangement seems to help create particularly quiet rooms. Bathrooms are large and splendid.

Rooms include a comfortable working desk with access to broadband internet.

Hotel facilities are good, a new spa has just opened to go along with the pool, tennis courts and gym. Given Kuningan is a busy location privacy is also good. Clever landscaping and the hotel design work well together.

There is also a good range of restaurants and the breakfast buffet is particularly good. This is often included in the room price.

Staff are very obliging and well trained. Nothing ever seems to be too much trouble.

The hotel is well located in the CBD and is ideal for business travellers but it is such a nice place to stay any traveller would enjoy this hotel.