Novotel Bogor is an easy weekend getaway with kids. It’s relatively close (1h without traffic) but still feels like a green holiday from busy Jakarta.
Staying at Novotel Bogor
We’ve stayed at the Novotel a few times where the rooms are simple but comfortable. The real highlights of this place are the beautiful grounds and the kid-friendly facilities: nice indoor playroom and outdoor playground, shallow pool for children, free pony rides on weekends (Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings), kid entertainment by the breakfast area…
There are two restaurants in the hotel: Indonesian and Italian, providing enough variety for a weekend stay.
We usually book our stay through the hotel’s website, where we find better discounts than on regular booking websites (they usually have a family package that offers a 50% discount on a second room).
If you go to Bogor, make some time to visiting the Botanical Garden as well as Kuntum Farmfield.
Some friends have also recommended spending the night at The Melchior Hotel, which is located inside the Botanical Gardens.
Some tips
- Bogor is slightly cooler and rainier than Jakarta, so it’s best to pack a light sweater and perhaps some books and toys to keep the kids busy.
- Light sleepers should request a room as far away as possible from the main restaurants (live band playing on Saturdays from 7 to 10pm).
- Expect anywhere between 1h15min to 3 hour by car from Central Jakarta to Bogor during the weekend.
Are you looking to get away from Jakarta for the weekend? Here are a few ideas:
Next on my bucket list: SukaSantai, Schitzo Hill and Tana Kita