For a brief moment in 2017, Tentrem Yogyakarta found itself in the spotlight when former U.S. President Barack Obama stayed there during a personal visit to his once-home country. The hotel quickly drew wider attention, its reputation becoming a point of curiosity.
Still, there’s a sense that Tentrem doesn’t lean on the spectacle of recognition to define itself. As a relatively young hotel unburdened by the weight of history, it has instead carved its identity through the quiet wisdom and revered traditions of Javanese culture—starting with its very name, which embodies peace and serenity in Javanese philosophy.
Last year, Tentrem opened its first Greater Jakarta branch in Alam Sutera. Rising 17 storeys with 200 rooms, the same cultural grounding finds a place amidst the restless energy of the capital. Guests to Tentrem Jakarta will find this essence of tradition palpable, even as the renowned Indonesian architecture studio, Hadiprana Design, balances it with contemporary lines and modern sensibility.
Door frames, panels, and ceilings feature intricate Indonesian batik motifs, such as banji—a West Javanese pattern derived from Chinese and Indian influences—interwoven with finely carved Jepara woodwork. In the pre-function ballroom area, two striking walls present artist Jemana Murti’s 3D interpretation of the Kalpataru tree, a mythical emblem from Hindu and Buddhist lore that also appears in the ancient reliefs of Prambanan and Borobudur temples.
Even in the subtler details, design studio NUSAE drew on the Javanese principle of unggah-ungguh—the etiquette of respectful speech and conduct—to shape the hotel’s signage and wayfinding, turning courtesy itself into a design language of hospitality.
The sense of ease, coupled with thoughtful nods to heritage, shapes Tentrem into an ideal stay for both business travellers and staycationers. The spacious, sparingly decorated rooms allow for the uncluttering of the mind—a welcome bonus for those travelling with family or seeking stillness away from the city’s pace.
Yet even while Tentrem offers a haven of calm, it doesn’t encourage its guests to simply retreat indoors. With wellness as a central focus, the hotel offers plenty of ways to stay active while relaxing both body and mind.
Those physically inclined will find refuge at the Gaharu Lifestyle on the fifth floor. Here, the fitness centre plays host to yoga and group fitness classes, as well as a 24-hour access gym. For guests preferring a slower pace, the adjoining Gaharu Wellness invites relaxation through its spa and reflexology services.
Regardless of one’s chosen pace, it’s easy to agree that food remains the hotel’s common ground. Spend the day lingering at the lounge with tall glasses of fresh juice or warming jamu before heading to dinner. Tentrem boasts several restaurants within its grounds—Canella, Populico, Kayu Manis, and Lin—each catering to a different mood and moment. Those visiting from abroad will find delight in Kayu Manis’ refined take on traditional Indonesian fare. One highlight, the Salmon Masak Asam Betawi, presents salmon in a tangy broth of tamarind and torch ginger, balancing the richness of the fish with the sour brightness of Betawi cuisine—nostalgic yet contemporary.
At its heart, Tentrem is a sanctuary built on balance—between tradition and modernity, stillness and motion, refinement and warmth. It doesn’t ask guests to slow down so much as to tune in. Tentrem Alam Sutera feels like a measured pause within the sprawl of Greater Jakarta simply by making room for peace to happen.
