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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Guest Comments - The Maritim Guest House / Bed & Breakfast in Jakarta - more than a bed en breakfast

Back in 2013, I stayed at Maritim for nearly a month while conducting research in Jakarta. I loved the place -- Don and Ita made me feel at home in Jakarta (which is no small feat), and the cooking was stellar. Therefore, I was excited to return again in July 2017 and to bring my husband. Maritim certainly did not disappoint on this second visit. Great food and even better company! Don and Ita were kind enough to wait up for us after a very late arrival at the Jakarta airport and were great hosts for our three days in the city. We only wish we had more time to spend at Maritim!

Amazing stay + amazing hosts
I can’t tell you how much I loved staying at the Maritim Guest House. I even installed the Tripadvisor App just to write this review. When you go to Jakarta, I highly recommend you to stay here. It’s a small guesthouse with only 9 rooms where you get impeccable service. The rooms are large, very clean, mosquito free and with an AC and a fan. The internet connection is great. The hosts Don & Ita are so warm and friendly. And the kitchen staff is amazing. When we had to leave early to catch the train to Yogya they woke up at 5 am to bake us pancakes with homemade jelly to eat in the train. They even added a little care package with bottles of waters and healthy snacks. It was no surprise that on before our flight back to the Netherlands we booked another 3 nights here.
It really is a quiet oasis with a large garden. You can really unwind from the crowded and hectic Jakarta.


"Whilst on the train...."
We are writing you whilst on the train from Bandung to Yogjakarta. Both trips including the one form Jakarta to Bandung are wonderful. The executive class is great and the views of the landscapes extraordinary beautiful. I never thought that Java is so beautiful. The travel "cuts" through pristine rural areas from rice paddies to mountainous/volcanic areas. Too much to see....and experience. The main problem is that there is an end to it. We would also like to thank you so much for your hospitality, nice discussions and good advice which made our stay unforgettable. We wish you well and who knows we may see each other sooner than you might think. You are most welcome if you are visiting the fairest Cape of all.....



An Oasis in Jakarta!
I must say when we arrived in Jakarta one night just over a week ago, I did wonder if I had made a mistake in the booking, as the taxi took us from the neon-lit skyscrapers of the city to narrower and more dimly lit streets, to an alley! But this big gate slid open to reveal this lovely oasis in the city! Don and Ita were at the door to meet us, which set the tone for our whole stay! They could not have done enough for us as Ita the next day insisted on driving us to the Indemart for our train tickets to Yogyakarta to ensure a seat, and Don took us to Hero's the local supermarket to change our money.
We enjoyed our many chats with them, the delicious meals, and would reccommend this to anyone wanting a home away from home in Jakarta!

Terima Kasih! 
How do I begin to say "terima kasih" for everything you've done to make our stay in Jakarta such a wonderful experience. You really welcomed us as family instead of just guests at your guest house. We will remember you and our stay in Indonesia with fond memories. Thank you again! 

Janine and Maddy

“A Wonderful Peaceful Place to stay*”
we arrived past midnight after very2 long flight they were waiting for us, also Ita helps us "unload our luggages!! THANK YOU SO MUCH ITA!! The food especially breakfast was delicious,awesome services from kindly staff, the room was very clean,well maintained garden and i loved "papaya tree in the side yard,(I took a picture now as my cover pictr on my FB). weeks before arrival Don gave me guidance which taxi should we take, the cost and direction to taxi driver (both in English and Indonesia),THANK YOU DON*, Ita always there for us, spent time to talk, listen n gave us advices and makes us felt @home, We thank you so much to MGH staff( Ratna, oh sorry i cant remember all the names)for all your services, kindness and caring, hope to see you all soon, vivi n ludi

“Thank you Ita"
We arrived in this guest house at night after a long flight,they were waiting for us and as soon as we had dropped the bags they brought us a hot tea for a good sleep. the staff of the guesthouse is really kind, Ita is always there for good advices to visit Jakarta and we really felt at home.

The cook is great and makes indonesian dishes, we tasted every bit of what they brought us, it was just excellent! thank you for everything and hope to see you soon, Greta and Filippo (italy)


I spent a week at the Maritim Guest House last January when I first moved to Jakarta. The food (especially the home made bread and pasteries) was wonderful and the room was lovely. Apart from that, Ita took wonderful care of me, even giving me and another guest a tour around town one Sunday. If I didn't live here, it would be my regular base in Jakarta.

To the Martim Guesthouse we arrived from the airport by taxi. The journey took about 1, 5 hours due to traffic jams. Return the way to the airport on Sunday was faster, just one hour. Before arrival the owner gave me the necessary guidance and told us how much can cost a taxi journey from the
airport. Maritim Guesthouse is beautifully place, where you feel like at home. Great place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in a quiet area, well-maintained green garden. Extremely nice owners, very helpful, and to the great Indonesian food prepared on site. Upon arrival we get dinner, beautifully presented Indonesian dishes, one of the best we eate on Java. Outside table with chairs where we spend nice evening.
  • “A Pleasant Surprise”
We only stayed one night, and so we thought we would be snubbed because we would not be giving Maritim Guest House too much business. But we were wrong. Soulfulness and mindfulness are hallmarks of owners Don and Ita Smith no matter who you are -- from the very helpful email instructing us to take the Bluebird taxi from the airport (to protect us from getting ripped off) to the hot tea and raisin cookies and the barefoot Don serving these himself upon our very early 3am arrival. Food was wonderful, all homemade recipes, my serving was practically good for two; the location at Cilandak very convenient as it is in South Jakarta, Indonesia's most modern face, and we were lucky to see and experience it vis-a-vis the culture and tradition that we got loads of in Bali on the second leg of our trip. Being very social, Don and Ita recommended restos and resorts for our Bali trip, and they all checked out wonderfully. We will definitely see them again soon (Inshallah) and ask all my Jakarta-bound friends to do the same!
Room Tip: Any room is good.
Gooey Brownies - a guest favorite 
“Best Choice”

We stayed for a week to be near family. It is possible to get anywhere in Jakarta from this location but being in a large city certain times of the day are busier than others. Ita is very knowledgable about how and when to travel. Staying here was so good from many aspects for us(especially the lovely meals). Every guest will benefit from the local knowledge and kindnesses from the hosts Ita, Don and their competent staff. Maritim was full the whole time we were there so don't leave booking too late as you will miss out on a very special place.


“Excellent Service and Good Location plus Affordable”
I stayed here for about 2 weeks in June/July this year and had a great time. Room was spacious, everything worked and meals were excellent. Service was good. Don and Ita were excellent hosts and I had a memorable stay.


Excellent Quality / Price - Warm and Personal Environment
Hello From Angola. I stayed at this Guest house twice during my backpacking trip to Indonésia. After arriving from more two days of flight connections I arrived at 4.00 AM and had a homemade apple pie and tea waiting for me. First night I sleapt so well that instead of waking up at 8, I overslept until 1.00pm. The guest house is very personal, clean and the home made breakfast and dinner are perfect. Everything is very professional mixed with friendly and personal service. Ita was incredible taking care of me, helping me organizing my remain trip. I highly recommend this guest house.
“A Haven in Crazy Jakarta”

Don and Ita are great hosts. They clearly love engaging with their guests and are very kind people. They have a comfortable home and a talented cook who can whip up delicious cakes, breads and some local dishes. Unfortunately, being in Jakarta, there is no public transport close by and the traffic is appalling which makes getting around to see the real Jakarta a particular challenge. I understand that they can arrange a driver if one's budget allows. During my stay, the driver was already booked but Ita was kind enough to take me around shopping centres one day.
Veggie Tofu Soup

“Very Comfortable and Great Service”
Had a great stay at Maritim guest house. Ita and the staff looked after me very well and made me feel very much at home. Location was very convenient for me which was a bonus! Breakfast was also a highlight! Great value for money and no hesitation in recommending it as somewhere to stay to get away from the big hotels.
“Best Hotel Ever”

The hotel is located in nice and quit street of Jakarta (yes, it's possible). The service is excellent just like the food (everything is homemade, healthy and fresh). Ita made us feel very special and her staf cooked us delicious breakfasts and diners! We would love to come back once to his very special place. If you visit Jakarta this is the place to stay!



I stayed at MGH for about a month this summer and absolutely enjoyed my time at there. The guesthouse is perfect: small (and therefore personal), very clean, has AC and good wifi, and the two meals a day are both delicious and very convenient as I never had to think about where to eat breakfast or dinner. In addition to my very comfortable room, MGH also has a large common space used for meals, a front porch, and a large garden where I often took a book to read.

The location is also very convenient. I had research-related work in South Jakarta and had to go into Jakarta Pusat (Central Jakarta) several times as well -- although Jakarta traffic can definitely be a headache, the MGH is convenient to the toll road and several other major roads in the city.

It was a pleasure to stay for so long at the MGH. Don and Ita were attentive and incredibly friendly owners. I will definitely be staying at Maritim the next time I am in Jakarta.

“Excellent Quality and Price”

Hello from Montpellier - France
From all point of view, we agree with the other guests!  We have been treated like friends!  It's a big pleasure and a blessing for us during our stay in Maritim Guest House. It's a pity that we didn't meet Don (he was in Malaysia for his business) but fortunately this was more than compensated by the presence of his lovely wife Ita.  So , we highly recommended this guest house. You will not be disappointed. We will be back again and we hope that we will also meet Don. Perhaps with all our big family from France. So maybe: A très bientôt!!!!!!!


"Oasis in Jakarta"

Highly recommended!!

My daughter and I felt like we were right at home during our short time in Jakarta thanks to the Maritim Guesthouse and the outstanding owners: Don and Ita. They both went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and we had many interesting and fun conversations with them.

We got in on Friday night from Bangkok, and were surprised to learn the money exchange wouldn't 't cash our American Express travelers cheques. We had enough Thai baht to convert to get us to the hotel but that was it. Ita went online to find a bank open on Saturday and then drove us to there herself! In the end, we were unsuccessful with the cheques but Don was able to make an exception, and charged my debit card to give us some cash. Thank you guys again so much!

Don includes all the airport departure tips you'll need in his emails including taxi tips. The location of the guesthouse is close to shopping malls and sights. Our room was big and comfortable.

Two homemade, delicious meals are included with the very reasonable nightly rate. Everything is made from scratch by Ita and Ratna and includes favorites like: fish curry, grilled chicken, apple cake, and brownies. Very enjoyable!

Thanks again for all your help and hospitality!

Sincerely, Janine and Maddie

“Highly Recommended!”
The much talked-about attention and care given to guests starts upon making a reservation. I received an e-mail with instructions on how to get to the guest house from the airport, with taxi driver instructions in Indonesian and a detailed breakdown of the estimated fare. My companions and I arrived at 1am but were still personally welcomed by Ita, who showed us our room and gave us a plate of muffins as a welcome snack.

The room is not as sleek and flashy as a typical hotel room (it looks more like a cozy house bedroom -- not necessarily a bad thing), but the facilities and amenities are complete and adequate. Most importantly, the bed was soft and comfy. The property is quiet and secure and near enough to several places of interest in the city. There is a central area for meals and lounging and a large garden where they grow their own ingredients. The food was good. Meals are served a la carte but can be too much for those with small appetites.

The best thing about the Maritim Guest House is how the staff treats the guests. You won't receive the level of attention in other hotels at the same price point or even higher. Meals were served course by course, at the time you wish to eat. Ita took the time to talk to us several times during our stay. She recommended places to visit, answered our navigation queries, toured us around the property, and even drove us to the Bandung shuttle station for the next leg our holiday.

She also gave us a note for taxi drivers with directions written in Indonesian, something that I found to be more valuable than money itself sometimes as not all drivers can easily navigate Jakarta and have adequate English communication skills. We had a six-hour "city layover" before our onward flight from Jakarta upon returning from Bandung and she graciously let us leave our bags in the lobby while my companions did some last-minute shopping and I dozed off on the couch.

Overall a great value -- two meals a day, cozy accommodation, good location, excellent attention and service. My companions and I actually want to visit Jakarta again just to stay at the Maritim Guest House!

“Serenity in Jakarta”
This place is run extremely well by genuinely nice and caring professionals. The staff are friendly and helpful, the rooms have everything you need. Since they include breakfast and dinner, I got to try several meals from their fantastic cook. They offer a personal touch along with all the amenities and assistance you might need. Anyone planning to stay in the South of Jakarta should take a close look at Maritim Guest House, it is wonderful and a super value.

“Look no further..!!”
Wow!

If your looking for possibly the best food in town (breakfast and dinner included each day), the best staff (friendly, reliable and helpful), a good bed and bathroom, within a clean and safe environment then look no further..!!

To get to one of the best shopping centres in Indonesia (Pondok Indah Mall) cost me under $2 in a taxi.. what more could you ask for...!!

Just returned from staying at Maritim guest house for around 2 months...

After now will not pay to stay anywhere else in Jakarta!!
I now include the managers Don and Ita as part of my extended family... Love them both and hope to see them soon... :)

“Lovely, Welcoming Guesthouse”

My wife and I arrived at the Maritim guesthouse, felling a bit worse for wear after having both suffered tummy upsets whilst in Cianjur. Although we arrived early at 8am, we were warmly welcomed by Ita and shown to a lovely bedroom where we could relax and rest. She made us a pot of tea and brought it to us with some hot, freshly baked muffins. Our room was large with a very comfortable bed, and had a great bathroom. We stayed 3 nights at the guest house and each night we had a fantastic Indonesian meal, the spiciness of which was adjusted to our taste. Breakfasts were also delicious, with a choice of cereals, eggs, pancakes, freshly baked bread and muffins. In fact, the food in the guest house was some of the best we had during our six months travels in SE Asia. Near the guest house, there is some great shopping at Pondok Indoh Mall and it also easy to get to the Kota area in North Jakarta, on the Busway service from Block M, which is just a short taxi ride away from the guest house. We left the Maritim after 3 nights feeling totally refreshed and revitalised. As other reviewers have said, this really is "a little gem" in Jakarta. Ita, Ratna and the rest of the staff made us feel so welcome and we really didn't want to leave. Don, who I had corresponded with quite a bit by email before our arrival, was away whilst we were there. Hopefully, when we return to the Maritim, we will be able to meet him as well.
If you would like to book with us, you are most welcome, please go to: www.maritimgh.com  

Thank you!

2 comments:

Julia from New Zealand said...

It was a very enjoyable stay in the Maritim. I can recommend this guesthouse, very clean, comfortable and modern, and the food really special. Best home-baked muffins and bagels I've ever had in a hotel or guesthouse, and choice of American or Indonesian home cooking. We had breakfast and lunch or dinner and the meals were beautifully presented, everything fresh and home-made. This friendly guesthouse was quite a find in crowded Jakarta, and we were really well looked after, thanks Don and Ita

Lindsay Cannon said...

Wow, thanks for sharing this post to us... I can really feel the peaceful presence of the place... a modern yet cozy home for a tired traveler! :)