Party Higher at OnFive Jakarta
Published 01 February 2009
VE HANDOJO attends another social ritual in the latest holy ground of Jakarta and Grand Hyatt. ONFIVE gives Jakarta’s party scene a face lift.
As one of the capital’s most aggressive social climbers, I select party invitations by these following considerations: the names involved, the venue, then last and least important, the program. A fashion show in a sports bar? Double “No!” SBY’s book launch in the so-called “most luxurious bookstore in town”? I have a reputation to keep.
The only reason why I attended a baby shower of a very distant, born-again cousin was the venue. At first I thought it was just another joint in Grand Hyatt Jakarta. Then I noticed “Onfive” was the name of the venue. Dresscode: elegant black. (Yeah, my cousin’s name is Rosemary.)
“It was actually a mock-up of the apartment I’m buying, at Keraton Residence,” she told me. A baby shower in a show unit? That must be something.
Onfive is located at Level Five (well, d’oooh?!) of Grand Hyatt Jakarta. Via the jogging track, Balinese garden, and dipping pond, I ushered myself onto a wooden deck garnished with comfortable couches. The view of the hotel swimming pool and garden, backed by the city’s evening skyline was a visual treat.
Professional waiters and waitresses passed out red, white, and rosé wine, and canapés. A buffet was served in the garden where kids were running around, screaming demonically. Escaping them, I entered the indoor area. The living room is white-washed – a carte blanche for any kind of function, party, event, or whatsoever fun and/or sin.
Attached to the living room is the swanky master bedroom that looks too much like a honeymoon suite with an inviting bathtub. In another wing is the guest room with the same level of luxury. Another door out the back leads to the function area.
Over 150 invitations were distributed to celebrate Rosemary’s baby. Being typical Jakartans, most of the guests carry not only a “plus one”, but “two”, or even “three”. They can’t go anywhere without the babysitters, really. The venue was extended to the Lagoon Bar and Seafood Terrace to accommodate these extras.
“Tailor-made” is the keyword of Onfive. You want to do a fashion show here? You got it. A multi-billion dollar business presentation (that includes the use of two bedrooms)? The wall-mounted plasma screen and high-end sound system will serve you right. Five-star cult gathering? Privacy can be set to the max.
While there was praying and chanting over Rosemary’s baby inside the 450m2 indoor space, I opted to kick back and enjoy the evening breeze by the deck. The place looked perfect from every angle, and for any kind of purpose. Should I celebrate my next birthday here? That’s if I could invite a minimum 100 Facebook friends, and pay around Rp 850,000++ to feed each one of them. Most importantly, that’s if I was Hugh Hefner who could make good use of those two delicious bedrooms later on.
ONFIVE
Grand Hyatt Jakarta, 5th Floor.
Jalan MH Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Central Jakarta 10350
Tel: (+62) 21-315-0335
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