Hotel: Fairmont Jakarta

Status: Platinum

VIP Treatment: My second Stay here and because I learned some new things about Fairmont I thought I would add a new comment here rather than just add a postscript to my previous Stay comment. Last time I paid the full rate but this time I used the APAC 40% discount plus 2,000 points to make my nightly rate lower. This time I did not receive the email for paid e-Standby offers. I could guess that this was because I was paying a low rate and I confirmed this at check in. My initial email enquiries to Reservations did not answer this question. I also asked about their Welcome Email which had not arrived 24 hours prior to my Stay but then arrived immediately and is very useful. I also emailed the Gold Lounge Manager to let her know that I would not be seeing them this time due to not receiving an e-Standby offer, and she replied almost immediately offering me the paid upgrade at the same USD 50 rate as last time. I accepted.

I realize this is not strictly Platinum treatment but I was very appreciative, and in my mind at least maybe Platinum Status (and returning guest status) played a role here. Also . . . I was very surprised and appreciative to have been upgraded from their discounted Standard Room to a one bedroom Suite on a Gold Floor connected by staircase to the Gold Lounge one floor above. The same Le Labo toiletries were provided. These were new to me last time but having used them I now realize that they are extremely high quality as far as I can judge.

I received the usual Welcome Drink voucher and used it in the same Sappori Deli but was served by a different person and this time was given very different information. On my previous Stay I was led to believe that the options during the day here were quite limited (the two bars open from 5 pm). But this time I was informed that any non-alcoholic drink on the menu was available as well as beer and wine.

I was very happy with the Welcome Amenity waiting in the Suite. Photo below.

The Gold Lounge two hour Afternoon Tea was again excellent and was better than Cocktails in some other hotels. I also had a much better impression of the Cocktails this time although I think they were much the same as last time. They have a buffet and an a la carte menu (photo below). I was only there for a short time from the opening of Cocktails at 6 pm but I was again struck how quiet the Lounge was whenever I was there.

There is also a special one hour Le Club Cocktails for all members regardless of status in another outlet everyday but I did not attend. I believe that the GM and maybe other staff mingle there. I forgot to ask what they serve.

Reaction: My reaction is that I was treated extremely well, especially given that I paid a low nightly rate (low for this hotel, not actually low). The Suite was wonderful. I realize that I paid for Gold Lounge/Floor access but still believe that I received very fine treatment. if anyone is planning a Stay at this hotel, and you wish to utilize the Gold Lounge etc, then I would recommend that you try to make direct contact with the Gold Lounge Manager who is head and shoulders the most efficient, knowledgeable and proactive person I met in the hotel. A really wonderful Manager. There is also a Loyalty Manager but she was away for both my Stays.