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Often referred to as the White House of Indonesia, Merdeka Palace holds the distinct honour of being the official home of the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Constructed as far back as 1863, the neo-classical structure situated directly opposite the National Monument and Merdeka Square is a palace in every sense of the word as the venue served as the residence of the Dutch East Indies Company's Governor-General in colonial times. Officially dubbed Merdeka Palace in 1949 when the country gained independence, the locale's name denoted the new found liberty of the once colonized nation as the term "Merdeka" translates to "freedom" in the native language. The palace forms the epicentre of the Presidential Palace compound which includes neighbouring structures such as the Negara Palace, Secretariat Negara, Wisma Negara and the Bina Graha Building. Open to the public as of May, 2008 the venue offers free admission to visitors between 9am and 4pm on weekends with engaging tours that delve into the beauty and history of the iconic state residence. Hosting many a state occasion Merdeka Palace serves as the venue of choice for the country's annual Independence Day celebrations, honouring foreign dignitaries as well as receptions for ambassadors and other high profile guests in addition to hosting state banquets. The ceremonial commencement of the national as well as international congress and national conferences are also conducted here. Divided into many wings the most breathtaking corners of the palace include its Banquet Room, Regalia Room, Residential Chamber, Living Room, First Chamber and Reception Hall. Visitors can also explore Ruang Kredensial or the Credential Room as well as the former study of past president Sukarno named the Jepara Room. The furniture and wooden fixtures of this chamber is especially ornate and impressive as the items originate from a hamlet in the heart of Java which specializes in crafts. The Raden Saleh Room is equally mesmerizing as five paintings by master artist Raden Saleh Syarief Boestaman are found on its walls. Art enthusiasts will also relish the two pieces by Basuki Abdullah in the Reception Hall dubbed Pergiwa Pergiwati and Jaka Tarub. A picturesque fountain and a 17m flagpole are a found in the palace lawn where Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony takes place each year. Travellers in search of an elegant Jakarta hotel will find no finer alternative to Alila Jakarta. Providing guests with the best in contemporary amenities this well situated rest is one hotel Jakarta counts among its finest accommodation providers. Google+
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