Your stay — Red Star Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Jakarta.
The Property — Red Star Hotel
Red Star Hotel in Central Jakarta is a straightforward, no-frills 3-star aimed at budget-minded travellers and transit passengers. The lobby feels like a tidy, functional waiting room: check-in desks, a seating area with vinyl sofas, and a small cafe serving Indonesian coffee and pastries. Rooms are clean but basic, with air-conditioning, a TV and a small desk. It suits someone who wants a safe, cheap bed near the city centre and doesn't plan to spend much time in the room.
Chronicles of Jakarta
Jakarta has been a trading port since the 5th century, but its modern form began in 1619 when the Dutch East India Company built Batavia on the ruins of the sultanate of Jayakarta. The city grew outward from the old town (Kota Tua), with Dutch canals and warehouses, then a colonial administrative core around Merdeka Square. After independence in 1945, Jakarta expanded rapidly into a sprawling, car-dependent metropolis of skyscrapers and shopping centres. Today it's a chaotic, energetic mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Dutch heritage, with Betawi culture surviving in the kampongs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Jakarta guide →Best months
June to August: Jakarta is in its dry season with less rain and humidity, and the city is quieter for business travel. May is also good, with long daylight hours and reliable weather.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist month thanks to school holidays and the Jakarta Great Sale (Jakreatif); hotels raise rates 20–30%. The Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran (June–July) also draws crowds. Expect full occupancy and heavy traffic.
Budget shoulder season
September and October: still dry but hotel rates drop after the July peak. Fewer families, more comfortable for sightseeing. April is also a good shoulder month if you avoid Easter week.
Weather & packing
Jakarta's wet season (November–March) has sudden torrential downpours that cause street flooding, while the dry season (April–October) still has daily humidity above 70%. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket every day, and carry a small umbrella from April to October too.
Live City Briefing — Jakarta
- The Jakarta MRT and TransJakarta bus system have revised routes since March 2025; check the TransJakarta app for real-time bus arrivals, especially for the Corridor 1 route passing near the hotel.
- A new direct bus route from Soekarno-Hatta airport to Gambir station (Damri) started in May 2025, cutting taxi costs to Central Jakarta by about 40%.
- July is smog season: air quality is often 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' (AQI 100–150). Visitors with respiratory issues should bring N95 masks and avoid outdoor exercise in the afternoon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Red Star Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4-6, facing the interior courtyard if available. These upper mid-floors avoid street noise and lift traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 (directly above reception/lobby, can hear check-in bustle) and any room facing the front street at Jalan Gajah Mada—Jakarta traffic is relentless.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms offer a view over neighbouring low-rise buildings and a slice of the Jakarta skyline—less polluted than the main road view.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-6 are the quietest, away from both ground-level noise and lift mechanics at the top.
🔊 Noise notes
Front-facing rooms catch traffic from Jalan Gajah Mada, a major thoroughfare with constant motorbikes and honking. The lift shaft buzzes on floor 7.
Insider tips
1) Check in after 2pm to avoid queue congestion in the small lobby. 2) If you drive, the hotel's parking is limited—ask for a voucher at check-in for the public lot 50m east, it's cheaper than the hotel's rate.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Red Star Hotel
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed 10 Mbps down/3 Mbps up; no login – connects instantly
One lift serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections
Two complimentary printed newspapers (Kompas, The Jakarta Post) in lobby on weekdays; no digital newsstand; building is a 1990s low-rise with no notable heritage
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 (free, no guaranteed room). Late check-out fee IDR 100,000 per hour until 18:00, after that charged half-night rate
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures at front desk; overnight storage not offered
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor; lift is wheelchair usable but narrow; no tactile guidance
On-site unsecured parking for 20 cars – free for guests but first-come, first-serve. Nearest 24h public car park: Parkir Gajah Mada, 200 m east, IDR 5,000 per hour / IDR 40,000 overnight. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Jakarta does not levy a specific city tax; a 10% service charge and 11% government tax are included in the room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; IDR 200,000 incidental hold on credit/debit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Vihara Tharpaling (143 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Jami Nujumul Hidayah (250 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjid Baitut Taqwa (398 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Gereja Kristus Rahmani Indonesia Jemaat II (401 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lokasari Square — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
budi rahayu — 333 m · ~4 min walk
Art1 Museum of Art — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Aula Simfonia Jakarta — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 647 m · ~8 min walk
Apotek K-24 — 977 m · ~12 min walk
Indomaret — 604 m · ~8 min walk
Mangga Besar — 775 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel money-changers who give poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in malls and hotels; street vendors and small warungs are cash-only.
Not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% at nice restaurants is appreciated; small change for hotel staff is fine; taxis often just round up.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of local kopi tubruk at a warung kopi: around IDR 5,000-10,000.
Nasi padang or nasi campur from a local warung: about IDR 20,000-30,000.
Mie goreng or nasi goreng at a simple food stall: roughly IDR 15,000-25,000 per main.
Jakarta's street-food scene is best around Jalan Sabang, Kota Tua, and night markets (pasar malam) in residential areas.
Budget supermarkets include Alfamart, Indomaret, and Hero Supermarket.
Affordable market shopping at Tanah Abang market or Pasar Baru for basics and fabric.
TransJakarta bus rapid transit (Rp 3,500 a ride) is the cheapest; from the airport take Damri bus (Rp 50,000) or KRL Commuterline train (Rp 70,000).
Eat at local warungs and street stalls rather than malls; use TransJakarta and KRL instead of taxis; buy water in bulk at minimarkets.
Good to know — Jakarta
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 17968.1 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
JakartaFor tourists in Jakarta, call the Tourist Police (Polda Metro Jaya) at +62-21-2385-2570 or visit their office at Jl. Merdeka Barat No. 8-10, Central Jakarta. English-speaking operators available.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Jakarta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Red Star Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 647 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Apotek K-24 — 977 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) → Jakarta Kota Station (near Kota district)
💡 Fastest airport transfer; climate-controlled; then take taxi/Grab 5km to hotel; reliable and modern
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) → Grand Hyatt Jakarta
💡 Use Grab app for transparent pricing and avoid negotiation; Blue Bird is the safest metered option at airport
Grand Hyatt Jakarta area (Bundaran HI Station) → Throughout Central/South Jakarta
💡 Best for local daily transit; covers major districts; use Beep card for convenience; avoid rush hours (07:00-09:00, 17:00-19:00)
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) → Grand Hyatt Jakarta (Kota/Central Jakarta)
💡 Most economical option; connect to TransJakarta BRT corridors for local transit; best for budget travelers
About Jakarta
Wikipedia ↗
Jakarta, officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, with administrative status equivalent to a province. It lies on the northwestern coast of Java, borders the provinces of West Java and Banten, and faces the Java Sea to the north. Jakarta itself ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Red Star Hotel?
Request a room on floors 4-6, facing the interior courtyard if available. These upper mid-floors avoid street noise and lift traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Red Star Hotel?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 (directly above reception/lobby, can hear check-in bustle) and any room facing the front street at Jalan Gajah Mada—Jakarta traffic is relentless.
Is Red Star Hotel noisy?
Front-facing rooms catch traffic from Jalan Gajah Mada, a major thoroughfare with constant motorbikes and honking. The lift shaft buzzes on floor 7.
Which rooms have the best views at Red Star Hotel?
Rear-facing rooms offer a view over neighbouring low-rise buildings and a slice of the Jakarta skyline—less polluted than the main road view.
What are insider tips for staying at Red Star Hotel?
1) Check in after 2pm to avoid queue congestion in the small lobby. 2) If you drive, the hotel's parking is limited—ask for a voucher at check-in for the public lot 50m east, it's cheaper than the hotel's rate.
What time is check-in at Red Star Hotel?
Check-in at Red Star Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Red Star Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed 10 Mbps down/3 Mbps up; no login – connects instantly
Is there a city or tourist tax at Red Star Hotel?
None (Jakarta does not levy a specific city tax; a 10% service charge and 11% government tax are included in the room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Red Star Hotel?
Nasi padang or nasi campur from a local warung: about IDR 20,000-30,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Red Star Hotel?
TransJakarta bus rapid transit (Rp 3,500 a ride) is the cheapest; from the airport take Damri bus (Rp 50,000) or KRL Commuterline train (Rp 70,000).
When is the best time to visit Jakarta?
June to August: Jakarta is in its dry season with less rain and humidity, and the city is quieter for business travel. May is also good, with long daylight hours and reliable weather.
Top Attractions in Jakarta
💡 Women must cover arms and head; wear a long skirt or trousers. A sarong and hijab are available at the entrance. Best to go between prayer times to avoid disruption.
💡 Rent a bicycle for 20,000 IDR per hour to explore the side streets. Avoid the overpriced food stalls near the square; walk two blocks for cheaper local eats.
💡 Check their website for free entry days, often on public holidays. The courtyard café sells decent snacks at local prices.
💡 Go early on a weekday to avoid queues, and bring your own water. The lift to the top costs about 20,000 IDR.
💡 Take the cable car (extra fee) for a good overview. Visit early, it gets hot and crowded by midday. Avoid weekends if you dislike big family crowds.