On December 3-4, 2022, I had the pleasure of staying at the All Season Hotel Jakarta Thamrin, which is conveniently located near major public transportation and surrounded by a bustling atmosphere, convenient stores, and restaurants. The hotel may not be luxurious, but its strategic location is a major plus.
For example, just a short walk to the left of the hotel lobby, you will find several entrances to the underground Jakarta MRT Dukuh Atas Station. Head to the front of the hotel, and you will find the entrance to the BNI City Station, where you can catch the Airport Rail Link service. If you walk under the bridge just a bit, you will come across the Sudirman Station, where you can catch a train on the KRL commuter rail system for Greater Jakarta. Plus, just around 5 minutes away by foot, you will find the Tosari bus station. With so many transportation options nearby, you can easily explore the city and all it has to offer.
Moreover, the All Season Hotel is also situated next to Jalan Thamrin (Thamrin Road), one of the main streets of Jakarta and a business hub. Every Sunday morning, the road is closed to traffic from 6:00 to 11:00 as part of the Jakarta Car Free Days campaign. This event is a great opportunity to take a leisurely stroll around the city and experience the unique atmosphere of Jakarta.
During my stay at the All Season Hotel Thamrin, I was excited to take part in Jakarta’s Car Free Day. Unfortunately, I overslept and woke up at 7:30, but I quickly got ready and looked out of my window. To my surprise, the roads were already buzzing with people walking, running, or even cycling! I noticed a lively event happening close to the hotel – it was a Rowing Festival in the Ciliwung River.
My friend and I decided to visit this spot because we were curious to see it. We were thrilled to see so many people gathered there, cheering on the participants and taking part in the lucky draw prizes.
After the Rowing Festival event ended, my friend and I continued walking towards the Bundaran HI (Hotel Indonesia roundabout). As we walked, we took in the sights and sounds of the lively city. The streets were full of people enjoying the Car Free Day, and the atmosphere was electric.
Not far from the All Season Hotel Thamrin, I saw a company’s marketing team offering free tastings of their new bottled drink. Besides them, there were many street food sellers, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. I decided to try the new drink and was pleasantly surprised by its refreshing flavor.
But this wasn’t my only street food option, because, along the Jakarta Car Free Day area, there were many street food sellers who only trade on Sundays. There were also several Sundays street markets, which added an element of exploration to the day. It was great to see so many unique and tasty options available during the event.
The route I took for Jakarta Car Free Day was similar to the photo below:
I started by departing from the All Season Hotel and heading towards the HI Roundabout.
From there, I continued past the Kempinski Hotel and Grand Hyatt Hotel and then continued straight to the Four Points Hotel.
At that point, I began to consider turning back, as I usually continue on to the National Monument (Monas). Because I had started the Car Free Day a bit late and it was already 9 AM, my friend and I decided to just go until the Sarinah area and then turn back. Despite the change in plans, it was still a fun and enjoyable day.
As I was thinking about turning back, my stomach started to feel hungry because we hadn’t had breakfast yet. Suddenly, I saw a crowd of people eating in front of the Four Points Hotel Jakarta. Because they were wearing the same tracksuit, at first I thought, “Oh, maybe there’s an event at that hotel.” But when I got closer, it turned out that the Four Points Hotel Jakarta had opened a noodle station selling chicken noodles in front of the hotel.
The price was IDR 25,000, including a free sweet iced tea.
In my opinion, the price was very reasonable for hotel food standards. If you dine at the hotel restaurant, you might not get such a good deal. I was pleasantly surprised to find delicious and affordable food during my day at the Jakarta Car Free Day.
The atmosphere in the dining area is just like this photo. At the time, I was so absorbed at the moment that I forgot to take a picture of the cozy and inviting space, so I took a screenshot from the Instagram Story of the Four Points Hotel Jakarta.
There are plenty of tables and chairs, all of which are soft and comfortable. While we waited for our food to arrive, we sipped on the free iced tea that the hotel had kindly provided. It was a great way to pass the time and quench our thirst before the main event.
The photo to the left showed the complimentary sweet iced tea that came with the chicken noodles. The total price for the meal was IDR 25,000.
The iced tea was absolutely delicious – sweet and perfectly chilled with plenty of ice cubes. On the table next to it, the glasses were arranged neatly, just as you would expect at a hotel breakfast.
It may have seemed like a small detail, but it added to the overall experience and made you feel like you were being taken care of.
Finally, my order was coming. It didn’t take long for my order of chicken noodles to arrive at the table. The aroma was absolutely tantalizing, and I couldn’t wait to take my first bite. The presentation was beautiful, with the noodles arranged neatly on the bowl and topped with vegetables and tender, flavorful chicken.
Even though the chicken noodles look dry in the photo, underneath the noodles is a rich and flavorful broth that is just the right consistency. When you stir it, the gravy is just right, just enough to make all the spices meld together and create a bold, thick flavor that lingers on your tongue. The taste is satisfying, with just the right amount of spice. The chili sauce that the hotel provides is also of good quality, adding a nice kick to the dish that makes it even more enjoyable.
Overall, I was very impressed with the chicken noodles and the sweet iced tea. It was a delicious and satisfying meal. The price of IDR 25,000 for the meal and the drink was very reasonable, and the quality of the food was excellent. The dining area was clean and inviting, with comfortable tables and chairs. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and I have already planned to come back and eat here again next week (haha).
It’s worth noting that there are many hotels along the Car Free Day streets that set up food stations in front of their hotels. For example, the photo below shows the Pullman Hotel Food Station.
It’s a fun and convenient way to try a variety of dishes and snacks while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the Car Free Day event. Maybe next time I should try other menus from other hotel food stations 🤭
Bonus, here are some photos from the food event in front of Sarinah Mall and Sundays street market near Grand Indonesia mall during Car Free Day Jakarta:
You might be surprised to learn that Car Free Day isn’t just about exercise here in Jakarta. In fact, it’s become a bit of a foodie event! People will be out walking, running, and cycling, but they’ll also be carrying bags filled with tasty treats they bought from street sellers or Sundays Street markets along the way. So if you’re in the area, be sure to join in on the fun and grab a bite to eat while you’re at it!