The nerve! Even at Buy-1-Get-1, the JW Marriott Jakarta buffet is a rip-off.
qponx
2026-01-24
Tempted by the JW Marriott Jakarta's buy-one-get-one buffet deal? You might want to read this first. This review details a surprisingly disappointing experience, calling it a "rip-off" despite the promotion. From overly salty steak and bland desserts to a noisy atmosphere and poor service, the buffet falls far short of five-star expectations. Discover why the only saving graces were the made-to-order Aglio Olio pasta and gelato, and decide if the deal is truly worth it.
Drawn by the prestigious name of JW Marriott Jakarta and their"buy one get one free" deal, I was thinking I could finally eat to my heart's content and Nongkrong for a bit. The result... Anjay, how should I put it? I feel like my intelligence was dragged through the mud. 🤦♀️
A Buffet Experience Full of"Surprises"
First, let's talk about the food. It was basically like a giant blind box opening, the kind where you lose more than you win[1]. I walked over to the carving station full of anticipation, only to find the steak on my plate was so salty it was bitter, and the turkey was as dry as chewing on firewood[2]. I turned to find something else, but several popular food stations were already empty. When I asked, the answer was just"habis" (gone). Bro, I only just sat down half an hour ago?![3]
The dessert section was an even bigger disaster zone that truly shocked me. There was a bunch of fancy-looking little cakes, but 90% of them were just cloyingly sweet cream when you ate them. The texture and taste were all pretty much the same, with zero creativity. It felt like such a waste of calories[4].
The atmosphere also left a lot to be desired. It's supposed to be a five-star hotel, but the facilities looked a bit dated. During peak hours, it was packed and as noisy as a wet market. The band was so loud that you basically had to shout to talk to the person at the next table[5]. The service was also hit-or-miss. Some staff members had a sour face the whole time, would pretend not to see you even if you waved for ages, and would just straight up forget your order[6].
Of course, just so you don't think I'm only here to complain, there were some highlights. The best thing of the day was surprisingly the made-to-order Aglio Olio Pasta from a corner station[7]. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the garlic flavor was rich, and it tasted truly Mantap! The other safe bets were the salad bar and the Gelato[8], which you can't really go wrong with. They had a decent selection of flavors, so those were the safe choices.
My Wallet is Bleeding, and I'm So"Thankful"
Honestly, this brunch promotion came out to about 359k IDR per person. Even with the buy-one-get-one-free deal, the quality and experience made me feel like it was a huge rip-off[9]. For a place with the reputation of a five-star hotel to serve up this level of food and service, all I can say is, a good brand name shouldn't be squandered like this.
**Real Talk for My Girls (A Guide to Avoid This Trap)**
- 1. Run! Don't go! If you want to experience a buffet that's truly worthy of a five-star hotel, just cross this one off your list immediately. There are so many better options in Jakarta.
- 2. If you absolutely have to go (like if your boss is treating and you can't say no):
- Please lower your expectations to zero. Just treat it like a regular mall buffet.
- Head straight for the Aglio Olio Pasta station as soon as you walk in, then fill up on salad and Gelato. As for the other dishes... just be zen about it; if it's edible, it's fine.
- I strongly suggest calling beforehand to ask what's actually on the menu for the day, so you don't end up"gambling" on the spot like I did[10].
- Definitely avoid going during peak times on weekends or holidays, or the queuing alone will make you question your life choices.
- JW Marriott Jakarta's five-star buffet was a "blind box" disaster! Bitter-salty steak, turkey like wood. Total rip-off. [1][2]
- 359k IDR for buy one get one free? Popular stalls empty in 30 mins, desserts cloyingly sweet and bland. Total waste. [3][4][5]
- The *only* good thing? The made-to-order garlic olive oil pasta in the corner! Al dente noodles, rich garlic. The sole "surprise" in this "shocking" meal. [6]
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