Why I Chose Anara Jakarta Airport Hotel for My Transit Stay

Affordable and Convenient Jakarta Airport Hotel

The first destination of my trip was Gili Trawangan , with a transit in Jakarta before heading to Lombok. Since I needed a Jakarta airport hotel for my overnight stay, I chose the Anara Airport Hotel, located closest to the airport. My evening flight landed in Jakarta, but the next available flight to Lombok was early the next morning. This meant I had no choice but to stay overnight in Jakarta.

After a 7-hour flight from Incheon, I arrived in Jakarta in the evening. The weather was humid but not too hot, and immigration went quickly due to the late hour. By the time I got out, it was already 9 PM. I had read that finding Anara Airport Hotel could be tricky, so I researched the directions in advance. Despite this, I still ended up wandering for a while before finally locating the hotel.

The hotel was quiet at night, and I checked in around 9:30 PM. The room was simple but clean and equipped with everything I needed for a comfortable stay. Since I only needed a place to sleep before heading back to the airport in the morning, the location was perfect. At a rate of approximately USD 58 (KRW 78,000) per night for two people, including breakfast, the hotel was excellent value for money.

How to Find Anara Airport Hotel

Finding Anara Airport Hotel can be confusing, so it’s best to prepare ahead. There are two main routes:

1. Through the connecting walkway on the 2nd floor of the airport.
2. Via the parking lot building on the 3rd floor, accessed from outside the airport.

The first route is far more convenient. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll see a currency exchange booth directly ahead. Walk straight past it until you reach the exit (you’ll see a large plaza with the parking lot behind it). Instead of exiting, make a U-turn and re-enter the airport. Inside, you’ll find an elevator next to the baggage scanner. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor, where you’ll find a slightly inclined connecting walkway. Cross this walkway to the adjacent building, which is the parking lot building. The hotel is located on the 3rd floor of this building (2nd floor from the airport perspective).

While the location can be tricky at first, once you figure it out, the hotel is very accessible and conveniently located. I initially got lost and ended up going outside to the parking lot, which was crowded and chaotic. The humidity didn’t help either, so I highly recommend using the 2nd-floor walkway instead.

Snacks and Beer from Airport Store at Night

After checking in, it was already past 9:30 PM. I wasn’t particularly hungry, having eaten during the flight, but I still wanted to grab some snacks and beer to mark the start of my trip. Since the hotel is connected to the airport, the closest option for food and drinks was back at the airport. The 2nd floor is home to various restaurants, convenience stores, and shops.

I initially wanted to try Indonesian satay, but most restaurants had already closed by 10 PM. The only 24-hour option was A&W, but burgers and fried chicken didn’t appeal to me. Instead, I visited a FamilyMart for snacks and WHSmith for beer, as FamilyMart doesn’t sell alcohol.

At WHSmith, I picked up beer, chips, instant noodles, and water. When the cashier told me the total was “425,” I mistakenly thought it was in thousands of rupiah (IDR 10,000 = approximately USD 0.64). It turned out to be 425,000 IDR (~USD 32), much more expensive than I anticipated. Alcohol, especially beer, tends to be pricey in Indonesia due to religious factors.

Back at the hotel, I enjoyed my snacks while watching YouTube. I tried bakso-flavored instant noodles (a light, comforting meatball soup flavor) and found them delicious. My husband had curry-flavored noodles, which had a strong spice aroma that may not suit everyone. Personally, I preferred the bakso flavor.

Buffet Breakfast for Two Included in the Stay

With my flight to Lombok departing at 11:20 AM, I had plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast. I expected the dining area to be crowded, but it was surprisingly empty, possibly due to the early hour or the fact that it was Ramadan.

The breakfast buffet offered a variety of options, but many dishes were unfamiliar to me. I started with a traditional Indonesian salad, which surprised me with its strong herbal and tangy flavors—completely different from what I expected. After that, I played it safe with more familiar items and enjoyed a satisfying meal. The highlight was the freshly made noodle soup, which had a comforting, homey flavor reminiscent of Vietnamese pho.

Final Thoughts

Staying at Anara Airport Hotel was a practical choice dictated by my flight schedule. For USD 58 per night, including breakfast for two, it offered excellent value for money. If you’re transiting through Jakarta and need an overnight stay, I highly recommend Anara Airport Hotel for its convenience and comfort. Just be sure to plan your route to the hotel in advance!