The Legacy of Batavia
Located in the prime area of Jakarta, Hotel Des Indes Menteng is inspired by Batavia’s rich history and a mix of contemporary hospitality and cultural experience.
Becoming the legacy of Batavia, our hotel conveys the city’s heritage throughout the antique building & its facade, the calm ambiance in our room interiors, and the relaxing scent in every corner of our hotel.
Surrounded by beautiful parks, museums, art galleries, embassies, bars, restaurants, and many more, Hotel Des Indes will be a perfect place to stay after your long day and to feel the serenity in the midst of city hustle.
The Historic Legacy of Hotel Des Indes
The original Hotel Des Indes was once among the oldest and most prestigious hotels in Asia. Located in Batavia, Dutch East Indies — now Jakarta, Indonesia — it welcomed countless notable guests between 1829 and 1971.
Its story began in 1829, when Antoine Surleon Chaulan purchased a property that had previously housed an all-girls school. He transformed it into a hotel and named it after his birthplace in France: Hotel de Provence.
In 1845, Etienne Chaulan acquired Hotel de Provence from his brother Antoine at an auction for 25,000 Dutch guilders. Under his ownership, the hotel became known for many firsts — including introducing Batavia to a variety of European-style ice creams.
The First Hotel to Serve Ice Cubes & Cold Drinks in Indonesia
In the tropical heat of Indonesia, a cold drink can refresh both body and mind. But few may know where the country’s first ice cubes were served.
In 1846, an American ship brought the very first shipment of ice to Indonesia — a curious luxury that caused quite a stir among Batavia’s residents. At the time, chilled drinks and ice cubes were reserved for the upper class, particularly in the Batavia area. On Christmas Eve that same year, the original Hotel Des Indes became the first hotel in the country to serve its guests ice cubes and cold drinks.
In 1851, the hotel was purchased by Cornelis Denninghoff, who renamed it Hotel Rotterdam. Despite its prime location next to the elite Harmony Society and the French tailor shop Oger Frères, the hotel’s prestige soon faded. A year later, it was acquired by Swiss staff member François Auguste Émile Wijss.
By 1856, encouraged by his friend and frequent guest — the renowned writer Eduard Douwes Dekker — Wijss gave the property a new identity, renaming it Hotel Des Indes. Today, we carry that legacy into our present-day hotel, and into Harmonie Lounge & Bar — its name inspired by “Harmonie,” the esteemed social gathering place of the time.
Proclamation of Indonesia’s Independence
In the final days leading up to Indonesia’s Independence, the city of Batavia was charged with anticipation — and the original Hotel Des Indes, located on Gajah Mada Street, briefly became part of that historic moment. Many members of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) were staying at the hotel, making it a natural choice for drafting the Proclamation text.
However, the Japanese military government’s strict 10 PM curfew meant the meeting could not take place at the hotel. As a result, the drafting of the Proclamation was moved to the residence of Admiral Tadashi Maeda on Meiji Dori Street, now known as Imam Bonjol Street, Jakarta.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
While the original Hotel Des Indes is now part of history, its name and spirit remain deeply woven into Jakarta’s story. Today, Hotel Des Indes Menteng, Marclan Collection carries this legacy forward — reimagining the gracious hospitality, timeless charm, and cultural significance that made its namesake an icon of its era.