House of Tugu Jakarta: Jakarta Old Town Heritage Hotel

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House of Tugu Jakarta: 15 Years in the Making, Rooted in 19th-Century Heritage

By PORTALTO Editor

28 August 2025

In Jakarta’s storied Old Town (Kota Tua), history doesn’t just linger in the cobblestones — it lives, breathes, and welcomes you inside. After 15 years of meticulous curation, the House of Tugu Jakarta opens its doors as both a luxury hotel and a living museum, where every suite, corridor, and dining table whispers stories that trace back to the 19th century.

A Legacy Restored

The vision of the Tugu Group has always been about preservation — not just of antiques, but of the forgotten narratives of Batavia. Founded by collector and cultural custodian Anhar Setjadibrata, Tugu Hotels emerged from decades of safeguarding Indonesian artifacts once discarded as old-fashioned. Here in Jakarta, those objects find their voice.

Every corridor echoes with tales of traders, aristocrats, and communities who shaped the city. Intricate Peranakan details, ancestral portraits, porcelain, and batik reveal a cosmopolitan Batavia — Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences woven into a shared identity. At its heart, The Peranakan Museum of Jakarta turns history into encounter, inviting guests to not just look, but to feel the past.

“This project has been many fulfilling, colorful, and unforgettable years in the making, driven by our dedication to revealing the hidden charms of Jakarta’s Old Town. Though it is a journey that will never truly end due to the countless stories left to uncover, the real adventure begins once we open our doors. We can’t wait to share this experience with the world.” - Lucienne Anhar, Managing Director of Tugu Hotels.

Unwind, Surrounded by Legacy

With 25 uniquely designed suites, no two stays are alike. Some draw from the lives of historic figures, others from the Peranakan aesthetic, adorned with rare antiques collected over generations. Rich woods, intricate textiles, and curated heirlooms create an atmosphere where rest feels like cultural immersion.

Amidst the bustle of Jakarta, the hotel becomes a haven — 289 rooms and suites in total, offering a European interpretation of luxury softened by warm Indonesian touches. Here, hospitality is more than service; it’s storytelling in the form of space.

The Peranakan Museum of Jakarta

At the heart of the property lies the Peranakan Museum of Jakarta, a cultural centerpiece that elevates House of Tugu beyond hospitality. The museum houses an extraordinary collection of art, antiques, and historical artifacts — from fine porcelain and opulent furniture to traditional batik and ancestral portraits. Together, these treasures tell the story of Batavia as a cultural crossroad, where Eastern traditions blended with the unique rhythms of colonial Jakarta.

It is here that guests encounter history most vividly, not as static displays, but as living narratives woven into their stay.

Dining With Stories

At House of Tugu, meals are not just served — they are staged, each dish layered with history.

Jajaghu Restaurant blends Asian and Western flavors, surrounded by rare artifacts, including statues of King Kertanegara and relics tracing back to Majapahit.
Babah Koffie by Kawisari is a colonial-style café where coffee beans from Tugu’s own East Java plantation bring heritage into every cup.
Here, the Bihun Kerapu Koh Ashiung stands out: tender grouper in an aromatic curry broth, paired with silky rice vermicelli noodles. The balance of richness and subtle spice makes it a dish that lingers in memory long after the last bite.
De Tiger Poolside Lounge offers fine whiskeys, craft cocktails, and modern Asian plates against the atmospheric backdrop of Old Town Jakarta.

Every venue extends the same promise: to taste is also to remember.

A Journey Beyond the Hotel

The House of Tugu Jakarta was never meant to be confined to four walls. Guests are invited to explore curated tours and experiences, from guided walks through Old Town landmarks to culinary adventures that retrace Batavia’s layered food history. Each itinerary feels personal, revealing the city through the lens of heritage.

Wellness Rooted in Tradition

Even wellness carries a cultural soul. At Kamar Solek, the hotel’s spa, treatments are inspired by traditional Indonesian beauty rituals. Between Russian banya sessions, ice baths, jacuzzis, and hand-crafted therapies, every detail is designed to restore balance. It’s tranquility built on timeless wisdom, offering a pause amid the city’s relentless rhythm.

A Living Legacy

The House of Tugu Jakarta is a vessel of memory, a stage for heritage, and an ode to the resilience of culture. To stay here is to journey through centuries of Batavia’s past — woven into its museum, its suites, and its dining tables — while experiencing Jakarta’s evolving story in the present day.

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House of Tugu, Old Town Jakarta

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