Le Méridien Jakarta

Le Méridien Jakarta is a five-star hotel in the heart of a bustling city, offering the perfect choice for business and leisure travellers alike. Whether you have meetings in the nearby central business district or wish to explore one of the vibrant shopping malls in the neighbourhood, this luxury hotel is ideally located. Or, for those who prefer to stay exactly where they are, the refreshing pool, sports facilities, and a selection of international dining options make Le Méridien Jakarta an excellent option. The Executive Suite was spacious at 75 square metres, complete with a lounge, guest bathroom, and kitchenette, providing a very comfortable staycation indeed. This room type also allowed access to the Le Rendezvous Club Lounge, with evening cocktails and various snacks throughout the day. The open-plan lounge was a perfect place to relax with a drink and snack of choice. It felt welcoming and stood out from many other lounges we’ve experienced. Being on the ground floor meant that an outside poolside terrace was included, which we enjoyed each evening.

The Vegan Food

Daily breakfast was served at the all-day dining restaurant, La Brasserie. Masala dosa, idli sambar, oatmeal with maple syrup, and mie goreng with plant-based meat were all available and could be easily veganised. The dosa was excellent, accompanied by a trio of delicious chutneys, although the masala potato filling had been prepared with butter ghee, which we were unable to eat. While this was disappointing, it was reassuring that the team knew the exact ingredients in each dish. After a quick chat with the helpful Chef Kiki, we were able to enjoy a selection of delicious plant-based options. These included a bowl of bubur sayur, a local favourite rice porridge with various toppings, Indian favourites with poori, and a flavour-packed stir-fried tofu dish. We certainly didn’t go hungry as vegan guests at Le Méridien Jakarta!

Our plant-based feast at Al Nafoura was exceptional. We started with the cold mezza tasting platter, featuring hummus, moutabel, tabbouleh, stuffed vine leaves, baba ghanoush, and fattoush salad. Everything was 100% vegan and required no modifications – and it was all 100% delicious. Served with specially prepared flatbread (as the standard breads were not vegan), our lunch got off to an excellent start. Next, we shared perfectly cooked falafels and a dish called Makluba, meaning ‘upside down’ in Arabic. Both were fully plant-based, with the only adjustment being a swap of the yoghurt sauce for a tangy tahini and lemon alternative. The fragrant rice, cooked with cinnamon and seven-spice, was layered with charred eggplant slices, caramelised shallots, pine nuts, cashews, and fresh herbs before being flipped onto the plate. These dishes were bursting with flavour and texture. Our lunch at Al Nafoura came close to perfect – we’d love to return.

Indian food lovers (ourselves included) will be delighted by Handi, where flavours from across the Indian subcontinent are presented with style and flair. A dedicated plant-based section of the menu makes for a relaxed culinary experience. Poppadoms were roasted tableside and served with a selection of salads, chutneys, and pickles. A creative amuse-bouche of crispy, masala-spiced idli quarters dressed in sweet tamarind sauce was inspired and oh-so-tasty. This was followed by a thali of flavourful curries, dahls, and vegetables served with fragrant basmati rice. This was Indian cuisine of the highest order, served with a friendly smile by the excellent team at Handi.

Whether staying at Le Méridien Jakarta or nearby, don’t miss La Brasserie’s ‘Green Rebel Beef Rendang’. Rendang is an Indonesian staple, so finding a vegan version is essential for a complete culinary experience. Thanks to an innovative partnership with Green Rebel Foods, this locally produced meat alternative is available at Le Méridien. Served with stir-fried cassava leaves, rice, chilli sambal, and rempeyek crackers (crispy rice flour crackers topped with peanuts and seasoned with lime leaf), this was a must-try traditional dish. There was also a spaghetti with meatballs dish available as part of the Green Rebel collaboration, which was good – but it was the vegan rendang that truly stole the show.

The Vegan Essentials

In addition to the inviting pool, there was a 24-hour gym – although we had every intention of visiting, we were too busy eating and exploring Jakarta to find the time. The Unlock Art initiative (available at all Le Méridien hotels) provided complimentary access to a local museum or gallery. We chose Museum MACAN (Modern & Contemporary Art in Nusantara) and thoroughly enjoyed our cultural afternoon. A pillow menu in the room meant we could request a feather-free option – always memory foam when available, which it was. In line with Marriott brand standards, water was provided in glass bottles and the main bathroom amenities were in refillable dispensers. Hopefully, Marriott will soon ensure all bathroom items, including toothbrushes and razors, are planet-friendly too.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

Le Méridien Jakarta boasts a prime location, just a short walk from the newly opened MRT station – a convenient option during our stay, allowing us to avoid the city’s notorious traffic. The staff were kind, courteous, and happy to adapt existing dishes for vegan guests. We love the hotel’s collaboration with Green Rebel, bringing locally made vegan meat alternatives to their menus – a partnership we hope continues to flourish.

We were guests of Le Meridien Jakarta but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.

Le Meridien Jakarta
18 – 20 Karet Tengsin
Kota Jakarta Pusat
Jakarta 10220

Telephone: +62 21 2513131
Email: jktmd.reservation@lemeridien.com
Cost From: £95 / $120 (April 2025)