The Dutch moved their regional trading base here in 1618, called the town Batavia and turned it into the administrative and military hub of a powerful empire. The initial years of independence after World War II produced economic decay and political turbulence. Then several decades of rapid economic growth under the military rule of President Suharto turned Jakarta into a giant magnet for construction, investment and millions of job seekers. The turbo-charged growth era ended with the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and the ouster of Suharto a year later amid protests and riots that severely damaged some formerly bustling parts of the city. THE BUZZ Jakarta is struggling to recover in a new and uncertain climate of democracy that shades into lawlessness.
Street protests are common and can turn violent.
But visitors who take sensible precautions will find that Jakarta is a vibrant place and its people generally friendly and polite. It offers impeccable service, including a 24-hour, fully equipped business center and club for breakfast and drinks at any time, on the 17th floor. The Grand Hyatt, overlooking the central square of the city's main avenue, is rated one of the top business hotels in Asia. It has an excellent gym, rooftop tennis courts, swimming pool and jogging track. The Dharmawangsa, in the leafy suburb of Kebayoran, is a boutique hotel that combines fine service with elegant interiors, offers one of the best spas in Jakarta and has a complimentary limousine service to and from town.