Jakarta's BEST 2BR Green Pramuka City Gem: Spacious & Stylish!
Jakarta's BEST 2BR Green Pramuka City Gem: Spacious & Stylish! - A Messy, Human Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe some coffee - more on that messy business later) on Jakarta's "BEST 2BR Green Pramuka City Gem." Let's be real: finding a decent apartment in Jakarta can feel like wading through a swamp of questionable listings. But this one? Well, it intrigued me. Spacious and Stylish, they say. Let's see if the reality lived up to the hype (and the marketing fluff).
First Impressions (and a Glitch): Accessibility, Arrival, and That Awkward Elevator Dance
Right, accessibility. Important for a review, right? I had to get a friend to drive me and my luggage. Finding the entrance was surprisingly straightforward, which is a win in chaotic Jakarta. The complex itself is vast, which is both a positive and a… well, a thing. Navigating the maze of towers and hallways can feel like a quest in itself.
- Wheelchair Accessible: I have no specific experience with this, but the lobby and public areas look accessible. Elevators are a must in these high-rise complexes, thank goodness. I mean, imagine trying to lug groceries (and let's face it, a mountain of snacks) up 20 flights! That's a special kind of hell.
- Elevator: Ah, the elevator. Let's just say on my first trip down… it STOPPED. In between floors. I thought it was maybe time for a panic attack, but then it started again. That little glitch definitely put an added layer of anxiety.
Internet, Glorious Internet (and the LAN Party Dream)
Listen, in the modern world (and especially in a city as constantly connected as Jakarta), internet is king. I needed it. Desperately.
- Internet Access: Okay, the good news first: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Score! Seriously, that’s the backbone of any modern stay.
- Internet [LAN]: Okay, the slightly less exciting news: They mention LAN. Which, honestly, it kind of feels like a relic from the 90s at this point. Who even uses LAN cables anymore? I brought my own, just in case I suddenly felt the urge to relive my teenage days with a dedicated connection. Didn't happen, because, Wi-Fi.
- Internet Services: The Wi-Fi, thankfully, was reliable enough to stream a questionable amount of Netflix. No major complaints.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yeah, Wi-Fi worked in the lobby and by the pool. Nothing extraordinary, but it was there.
Things To Do, Ways to Relax (and the Quest for Zen – or at least a decent swim)
This place claims to have it all. Let's unpack that, shall we?
- Fitness center: It’s there. I peeked in, and it looked… well-equipped. The kind of gym where people probably take their fitness aspirations very seriously. Or just take selfies.
- Swimming pool: Outdoor. And… Instagrammable. Or so it seemed, from the throngs of people taking photos. The view wasn't bad, but it felt more like a social gathering than a tranquil escape. Still, hey, a pool is a pool.
- Pool with view: Mentioned previously. It's worth it for the view.
- Sauna, Spa: I didn't delve into the sauna or spa offerings. I'm more of a "curl up with a good book" kind of spa-goer.
- Massage
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Foot bath
Okay, I Have to Mention This. THE COFFEE SHOP – A MICROCOSM OF INDONESIAN LIFE
I'm skipping some. I just want to tell you about the coffee shop downstairs. This is where things got interesting. This place, the "Cafe-something-something" wasn't just about coffee, it was an entire social ecosystem.
- Coffee shop: Yep. It's there.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yep. Again.
- Desserts in restaurant: Some.
- Snack bar: Yes again.
- Asian breakfast:
- International cuisine in restaurant:
The coffee was okay. Nothing to write home about, but drinkable. But the people-watching! Oh, the people-watching! It was a non-stop parade of families, office workers, students, and folks just generally living. Arguments, laughter, deals being struck, tears being quietly wiped away. It was brilliant! It was loud. It was chaotic! It was wonderfully, gloriously Jakarta. And the bar? Well that’s a different story.
Cleanliness and Safety (because, you know, reality)
- Security [24-hour]: Check. You feel like you're in a fortress, which is oddly comforting.
- Fire extinguisher: Yes.
- Smoke alarms: And more.
- CCTV in common areas: Check. Privacy? What privacy?
- CCTV outside property: Yep.
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Hygiene certification
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Jakarta Adventure)
- Restaurants: A few. Mostly generic options.
- Room service [24-hour]: Essential! Especially when you're too exhausted to venture out.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yeah, the usual suspects. Western ish breakfast. I went for the plain toast and coffee.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Available.
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian cuisine in restaurant:
- Bar
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
The food isn't the main event, it's the access the main event.
Services and Conveniences (aka, the Little Things That Matter)
- Daily housekeeping: Nice.
- Elevator: Essential, absolutely.
- Laundry service: A lifesaver.
- Luggage storage: Helpful.
- Concierge: Always!
- Convenience store: Handy for late-night snack attacks (trust me).
- Cash withdrawal: Okay, this is convenient.
- Air conditioning in public area: Always there.
For the Kids (Because Jakarta is Absolutely Family-Friendly)
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities:
- Babysitting service:
- Kids meal:
Getting Around (Navigating the Beast That is Jakarta Traffic)
- Car park [free of charge]: A massive plus.
- Car park [on-site]: Yep.
- Taxi service: Yup. Always available.
- Airport transfer: They can arrange it.
- Bicycle parking
- Car power charging station:
Available in All Rooms (The Nitty-Gritty)
This is the part where it REALLY matters.
- Air conditioning: Essential, Jakarta. Without it, you will melt.
- Alarm clock: Useful. Unless you're me, who uses their phone for 100% of their alarm needs.
- Bathrobes: Nice touch.
- Bathroom phone: Really? Really? Not sure when I'd call from the shower.
- Bathtub: Present.
- Blackout curtains: Glorious.
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker: Needed. Desperately.
- Complimentary tea: YES.
- Daily housekeeping:
- Desk
- Extra long bed:
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer
- High floor:
- In-room safe box
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Internet access
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- **Satellite/cable channels
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-planned-to-the-minute itinerary. This is my Jakarta, the one I’m gonna experience from this…this…Green Pramuka City by Travelio thing, in a roomy 2BR, hoping the AC actually WORKS. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival & Jakarta Jitters (Plus a Near-Disaster Involving Noodles)
Morning (8:00 AM): Landed in Jakarta feeling like a lukewarm noodle. The airport’s… well, let's just say it's an experience. Crowded, chaotic, and smelling faintly of durian (which, by the way, is a crime against humanity in fruit form). Found my Transportation which is Grab car, thankfully. My driver, bless his soul, spoke about 7 words of English (total, not per sentence), but navigated the traffic like a freaking wizard. Seriously, the traffic here… it’s a sentient beast.
Late Morning (10:00 AM): Finally, FINALLY, made it to Green Pramuka City. Okay, the building is… big. REALLY big. Finding the right tower and the right unit number felt like an Indiana Jones adventure, minus the cool hat and the whip (and the actual adventure – it was mostly just frustration). Eventually got the key, and… YES! The AC works! (So far). The apartment is spacious, clean-ish, and has the kind of minimalist decor that screams "IKEA." It’ll do. I’m starving.
Afternoon (12:00 PM): Attempted to venture out in search of food. Armed with Google Translate and a healthy dose of optimism. My first culinary mission: find some legit Indonesian food. Found a warung (small, local eatery) a few blocks away. BIG MISTAKE. Ordered noodles. Big plate, many chilies. Tasted divine, but…OH, THE AFTERMATH! My mouth was on fire, my eyes were watering, and I think I saw the color purple. Nearly choked, nearly cried, nearly lost my breakfast. Lesson learned: ask about “level of spice.” And maybe carry a fire extinguisher in my backpack. Still, those noodles! The flavor! I'll be back, but armed with a bucket of water and a prayer.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (5:00 PM): Recovering. Spent the late afternoon/early evening collapsing on the bed, slightly traumatized by the noodle experience. I watched some TV (mostly Indonesian soap operas with incredibly overdramatic acting), and generally just tried to acclimatize to the tropical humidity. It got dark, fast.
Evening (7:00 PM): Ordered delivery from a place that promised "safe" food. Hoping for the best. Also, researching where the nearest convenience store is, in case I need emergency supplies of ice cream.
Day 2: History, Humidity, and a Hair-Raising Taxi Ride
Morning (9:00 AM): Okay, feeling slightly more human today. The apartment’s starting to feel like home (kinda). Decided to be a tourist. First stop: Old Batavia (Kota Tua Jakarta). Grabbed a Grab car, and… this is where things get interesting…
Morning/Early Afternoon (10:00 AM): Kota Tua. Colonial Jakarta. The buildings are beautiful (in a crumbling, slightly-haunted way). Explored the Fatahillah Museum… I think? I mostly remember feeling overwhelmed by the crowds, the heat, and the sheer number of things to look at. The architecture is genuinely impressive, but after a couple of hours, the heat was getting to me. I felt like I was slowly melting, and my enthusiasm was also slowly dissolving. The main thing I remember is the feeling of being hot. Very Very hot.
Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch. Found a place selling nasi goreng (fried rice). Delicious. But the heat… Still. The rice kept me going.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Decided to flag down a taxi. BIG MISTAKE NUMBER TWO. The driver was a maniac. A complete and utter lunatic. We weaved through traffic like a caffeinated hummingbird. Red lights? Optional. Lane markings? Merely a suggestion. I was gripping the seat so hard my knuckles were white. At one point, I considered getting out and walking, even though the scorching sun was melting my brain. Survived. Barely.
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back at the apartment. Needed a shower, a nap, and a stiff drink (well, maybe not the last one). The adrenaline from the taxi ride is still coursing through my veins.
Evening (7:00 PM): Ordering delivery again. Maybe just… chicken. No spices. At all. Exhausted. Feeling the city, in all its messy, glorious, chaotic glory.
Day 3: Markets, Monkeys, and Missed Opportunities (With Ice Cream!)
Morning (9:00 AM): Today, I’m attempting a more relaxed approach. First thing in the morning, I went to a local market (Pasar). This was the best part of the trip so far. Wandering through the stalls with fish, fruits, spices, and other amazing fresh things. I felt like I was in a movie. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, it lifted my spirits.
Morning/Early Afternoon (11:00 AM): Decided to visit Ragunan Zoo. A short ride, and an interesting experience. The zoo is HUGE. I walked for what felt like miles. The animals were… well, they were there. I felt a bit sad about the cramped conditions. There were also, a LOT of monkeys roaming freely. Didn’t get mugged, surprisingly.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): The zoo made me hungry. I wanted a treat. I found an ice cream vendor. (Thank GOD for ice cream.) The ice cream was so good. I may or may not have eaten two cones. Don't judge me.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (5:00 PM): Went back to the apartment. I should really have been trying out a cooking class. A cooking class would have been very useful for learning to use some of these ingredients.
Evening (7:00 PM): Attempted to cook myself a simple meal using local ingredients but I will need more than a trip to the markets to learn how to cook them. Delivery again. Fine.
Day 4: Departure…and a Promise to Return (and Pack More Antacid)
Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up. Packing is the worst part of traveling. Especially when you have to sort things through that you didn't use, and realize you bought way too many things. The room isn't quite as "spacious" anymore.
Morning (9:30 AM): Checkout. Goodbye, Green Pramuka City. It was… an experience. The AC kept working, mostly. The noodles nearly killed me. The traffic gave me gray hairs. But I survived. And I loved it.
Late Morning (10:00 AM): Airport bound. Found a reliable driver this time. No more hair-raising taxi rides! Thank goodness.
Afternoon (1:00 PM): Flight. Goodbye Indonesia. I’m leaving with a full heart, a slightly singed tongue, and a newfound appreciation for the simple things in life (like air conditioning and antacids). I will be back. I already can't wait. Jakarta, you crazy, beautiful mess. You are unforgettable. Bring on the next adventure!
Jakarta's BEST 2BR Green Pramuka City Gem: FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You Have Questions!)
Okay, so... is "Green Pramuka City" actually *green*? Like, are there actual trees? Because Jakarta...
Ugh, let's be blunt. Jakarta isn't exactly renowned for its lush greenery. And listen, I went in expecting a jungle city. More like a jungle... adjacent city. There are some trees. They try! Palm trees mostly, which aren't exactly the towering oaks of my dreams. But the complex itself *does* have some landscaped areas, and honestly, after living in a place where even a cracked pavement felt like the peak of nature, I wasn’t expecting much! It's far from a jungle, but it's a damn sight better than concrete and exhaust fumes right on your doorstep. Bonus: I saw a lizard once. Proud moment.
What's the deal with the "Spacious & Stylish" bit? Is that just marketing fluff? Because I've been burned before...
Okay, okay, I get it. "Spacious" and "Stylish" are words every real estate agent throws around like confetti. But in this case... well, it's *relatively* true. Compared to some of the shoebox apartments I've seen in this city, the 2BR is a freaking palace. You can actually walk around without bumping into the furniture! And "stylish"? Yeah, it’s modern and clean. Definitely not winning any design awards, mind you. Think IKEA-esque functionality, but with less assembly stress. Though the first time I saw the "stylish" kitchen, I tripped over the (perfectly placed, mind you!) electric outlet and almost ended up in the sink. So. There's that. But yeah, spacious and, well, adequately styled. Don't expect a walk-in closet the size of a small country.
Is it noisy? Because, you know... Jakarta. And I need my beauty sleep.
Noise. Ah, the soundtrack to my existence in Jakarta. Look, it's a city. It's noisy. But Green Pramuka City *tries*. The windows are mostly (and I repeat MOSTLY) soundproof. You'll still hear the occasional motorcycle revving its engine like a banshee, the persistent calls to prayer (which, admittedly, are kind of beautiful after a while), and the ever-present construction work. Construction is practically a Jakarta hobby. But overall it's manageable. I swear I once slept through a genuine, full-blown, *earthquake* (minor, thankfully). So... take that as you will. Bring earplugs. Always bring earplugs.
What are the amenities like? Pool? Gym? Because I need to flex... or at least pretend to flex.
Amenities! Okay, let's get this straight. There's a pool. It’s... fine. Often packed. You'll be swimming in your own personal pool of sweat (and maybe a bit of chlorine). Gym? Yep. It's small, but functional. Filled with people who clearly know more about exercising than I do. Mostly, the equipment works. Sometimes, a machine will suddenly decide it's not in the mood. And the weights are sometimes mysteriously mismatched. One time I lifted a barbell that said "10kg" but felt like it was carrying the weight of my existential despair. But hey, it's there! And surprisingly, the air conditioning usually works. There are also some shops and convenience stores downstairs, which is a Godsend when you need your instant noodles fix at 2 AM.
What are the downsides? Be honest, or I'll personally come over and nag you.
Alright, alright, you asked for it. Here’s the ugly truth: * **Traffic:** Getting to Green Pramuka City can be a nightmare. Seriously, factor in an extra hour (or two...) on a bad day. I’ve considered moving in with my Grab driver at least twice. * **Power Outages:** They happen. Not *frequently*, thankfully, but enough to be annoying. My phone battery (and general sanity levels) have suffered. * **Maintenance:** Stuff breaks. Sometimes it takes a while to get fixed. That leaky faucet? Yeah, it might take a week. Learn to love the sound of dripping. * **The elevators:** Sometimes they're out of service. Sometimes they're slow. Sometimes they're just plain... weird. I've had more elevator-related existential crises than I care to admit. * **The smell:** Okay, sometimes the drains smell *questionable*. Nothing you can't solve with a ton of air freshener (and a hefty dose of denial).
Is it safe? I'm a nervous wreck.
Safety. Hmm. Well, there's security. They check your ID. The building itself seems secure (at least, I haven't been robbed yet!). The surrounding area... eh, it's Jakarta. Keep your wits about you, don't walk around flashing your expensive watch at 3 AM, and you'll be alright. I've personally found the local security guards quite lovely. They greet you with a smile, and I've even seen them chase away a stray cat from my door! It's not utopia, but it's pretty good for Jakarta. Just learn your way around the dark alleys...
What do you actually *like* about it? Because I'm sensing some negativity here...
Okay, okay! I *do* like it. I swear! I like the convenience of having shops nearby, the relatively decent internet (most of the time), and the fact that it's a place to call my own. After a long day, walking into my, well I guess, *slightly* cramped apartment, and sinking into my sofa, it feels like a haven from the chaos outside. The space, even if it's not a mansion, is enough. It’s a place to decompress, to complain about the traffic, to eat instant noodles, to watch bad TV, and to generally survive Jakarta. And sometimes, that's enough. It's not perfect. It’s far from perfect. But, in this crazy city.. It is as about as good as it gets. Also, did I mention the view? Sometimes, just sometimes, it's pretty amazing. Even with the palm trees... and the construction, and the questionable smells.
Would you recommend it? Really?
Honestly? Yeah. If you're looking for a relatively affordable, relatively safe, and relatively convenient place to live in Jakarta, and you're not expecting perfection, then yeah. Do it.Stay Mapped
