JAKARTA - The success of Taman Ria Ancol (now: Taman Impian Jaya Ancol) as an entertainment center in northern Jakarta is second to none. The flashy characters are behind it. From President Soekarno to Governor Ali Sadikin. The Ancol project was initiated to quench the recreational 'thirst' of Jakarta residents.
All kinds of facilities are presented. What's more, luxury accommodation. Mermaid Cottage, her name. The luxury cottage is often the number one choice for vacation. It's often full. Therefore, Putri Duyung Cottage has become an icon of Ancol.
In the past, the Ancol area was never considered important in Jakarta's business map. Ancol is often seen as a wilderness area, if not a monkey nest. Many are not yet interested in doing business in Ancol.
Bung Karno also tried to break it down. He wanted to start a dream garden in Ancol. The goal is clear. So that the Ancol area becomes productive. Among other things, productive as a tourist and business area. Not just any dream garden of course. Bung Karno wanted Ancol to be transformed into the Disneyland of Indonesia.
The political turmoil prevented Bung Karno's idea from being realized. The idea was only seriously worked on when Ali Sadikin became the number one person in Jakarta. The Governor of DKI Jakarta 1966-1977 tried to work hard to realize Bung Karno's dream.
Bung Besar wanted to build a place that would become a happy 'medicine' for Jakarta residents. Ancol's first project, the Bina Ria Recreation Park, is also summarized. Ali Sadikin is not alone. Ciputra (later: becoming an Indonesian conglomerate) was sent by Ali Sadikin to make the next Ancol project a success. Incidentally, Ciputra at that time became a high-ranking officer of PT. Jaya Development.
“After I got treatment from America in 1970, I ordered Ciputra from PT. Pembangunan Jaya to go to California, take a close look at the recreational areas there, see Disneyland and the clever sea fish, dolphins, the Sabu and others. And it turns out that Ciputra, who was agile and insightful at the time, was really agile and also moved some of the atmosphere in California so that people who enter the Ancol area can now breathe a relaxed air."
“I should remind you that the Ancol project was Bung Karno's idea. it was he who first presented the picture, so that the swamp was woven into a place to relax, have fun. Yes, Bung Karno's idea, just like the By Pass highway! Oh, if there was no By Pass highway, what would the traffic in Jakarta be like? That's an idea that I really appreciate,” recalled Ali Sadikin as written by Ramadhan KH in the book Bang Ali: Demi Jakarta 1966-1977 (1992).
Mermaid CottageThe Ancol area has become a complete entertainment center for Jakarta residents. In fact, for everyone. A full range of facilities are in it. Playgrounds, drive-in cinemas, places to eat, lodging (hotels, motels, and cottages), and so on.
Ali Sadikin's goal was to initiate Ancol with complete facilities so that travelers no longer need to go out to other places. Just in Ancol, everything is available. After that, Ancol became a famous hangout place in Jakarta. From Jakarta residents need entertainment to those who are in love.
Ancol was even more complete when Ali Sadikin initiated the construction of a luxury inn. Mermaid Cottage, her name. The purpose is clear. The luxurious cottage was built to support Ancol as a family vacation spot.
The idea is right. Putri Duyung Cottage was also present in 1975. There were about 122 luxury cottages presented. Everything so that the Mermaid can be transformed into a favorite family vacation destination. The names of the rooms are adjusted to the names of sea animals. Therefore, Mermaid was able to become an icon of Ancol. even to this day.
“There are cottages that are quite large, but there are also smaller ones, of course with different rental prices. Generally multi-storey, consisting of two or three bedrooms, living room with TV, kitchen, and maid's room. Each cottage is named after marine animals such as dolphins, shrimp, squid, shellfish, and others. the cost of staying overnight for one cottage is quite expensive, but the tenants are quite a lot. It's full almost every day, especially on the weekends."
“At the Ancol Cottage inn, there is also a restaurant where you can eat and be delivered to the cottage. Anyway, a place to stay that is luxurious and quite romantic. In addition to families, also booked by a group of people for a meeting or celebrating something. Of course, this includes backstreet meeting places or hidden dates. As a result, several criminal acts have occurred, such as murder because of the romance scandal at Ancol Cottage, which involved officials or artists," said Firman Lubis in the book Jakarta 1950-1970 (2018).
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