Indonesia’s Lost Hotels: Hotel Indonesia

Almost all Indonesians know Hotel Indonesia; a hotel whose name is borrowed from the most famous roundabout in Indonesia. Hotel Indonesia was built in conjunction with the Welcome Monument (HI Roundabout) and both were completed at about the same time in August 1962. Hotel Indonesia was inaugurated by the President of Indonesia at the time, Bung Karno. Both structures were built in order to welcome the 1962 Asian Games held in Jakarta. Jembatan Semanggi, Senayan Sports Arena complex and Gelora Bung Karno (with initial capacity of 100.000 spectators after completion), and the widening of Jalan MH. Thamrin are another projects which were built in the framework of the 1962 Asian Games.

Bung Karno appointed Danish-descent American architect, Abel Sorensen, to design the hotel that promote modern minimalist design. The hotel consists of two main wings, namely Ramayana wing (15 floors) and Ganesha wing (8th floor). Each wing was positioned in different direction with the aim of providing a four-way view of the city. Some other rooms and function facilities were also named after Indonesians cultural products such as Bali Room, Reog Room, and Madura Room.

Hotel Indonesia is filled with a variety of Indonesian artworks ranging from paintings, masks, traditional musical instruments, and various statues from across the archipelago. One of the most well-known artworks in Hotel Indonesia is the relief of Gadis-Gadis Bhineka Tunggal Ika carved by Soerono (see below photo) and a painting by Lee Man Fong. The interior and furniture…