The renovation of the grand hotel Gran Meliá Jakarta operated under Sol Meliá, an established Spanish hotel and resort chain of over 50 years, will bring it up to current world-class standards in hospitality. The objective was to transform the traditional luxury hotel to an urban sanctuary and resort in heart of the Indonesian capital’s exclusive diplomatic and business district.
A tall atrium space in the lobby facilitates an indoor garden concept around which rooms, restaurants and lounges are organised in an atmosphere of tranquilly. Layered on this urban resort concept are elements of Indonesian arts and craft, and of indigenous architecture, such as Indonesian screens, pavilions and found objects that form the design language.
There are four key dining establishments in the hotel, all of which respond to the proclivity of Indonesians to dine and make merry in large groups, as well as to socialise and interact. Each restaurant promotes family and group festivities through spacious layouts, numerous large tables and private and semi-private dining rooms. Greater interactivity between chef and dining guests is built into the business model and restaurant design to contribute to the festivity and engagement. To illustrate, chefs in the Italian street-side trattoria are part of the floor to assist with taking orders and cultivating relationships, particularly with long-time patrons who form the cream of a large loyal following. The Japanese izakaya (a bar that also serves substantial food items to accompany the drinks)-based restaurant is designed around an open-kitchen concept whereby chefs are always positioned at the front of the restaurant and customer-facing. The all-day-dining restaurant recreates a vibrant Indonesian marketplace of local and international cuisines to please palates of all types, showcasing and celebrating the freshness of produce and emphasizing interactivity with the show kitchen.
Whilst achieving the above shared goals, separately, each restaurant offers something unique to the diverse range of dining experiences in a stylistic and sensory way.
The Japanese restaurant is atmospherically casual and rustic, yet at the same time exudes chic sophistication. The design and material elements resulting from a harmonisation of recycled artifacts and the Japanese origami tradition are its defining characteristics. The Chinese fine dining restaurant, a popular venue for wedding celebrations, is crafted out of a series of elegantly furnished rooms with views into a beautiful garden.
The trattoria , with its colours, flavours and textures of the Mediterranean, in contrast, offers celebrations of the culinary experience in a casual, fun atmosphere, either in the cosy indoors or in an al fresco garden.
