It was a Sunday morning on Sudirman, and instead of the usual haze of city traffic, the entrance of Le Méridien Jakarta shimmered with colour, rhythm, and unmistakable summer flair. On 20 July, the hotel embraced Jakarta’s beloved Car Free Day with a sun-drenched pop-up that captured the spirit of the season “Au Soleil,” a global concept from Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts that encourages guests to chase endless summers wherever they are in the world.
In Jakarta, the celebration translated into a joyous outdoor affair where joggers, early risers, families, and hotel guests converged on the hotel’s vibrant Marche space. Conveniently situated on the Jalan Sudirman side of the premises, Marche is Le Méridien’s signature Sunday set up, an open-air stretch of curated bites and breezy vibes. Last Sunday, it was elevated into a scene of curated chaos filled with aerobic stretches, DIY crafts, dancing, and plenty of sunshine.
By 8am, the crowd had already grown to nearly 200, with an eclectic mix of locals, running clubs, and international guests drawn in by the music and morning energy. They were treated to a line-up that ticked all the right boxes for a summer-in-the-city experience, which included a live DJ spinning upbeat tunes, a tie-dye tote bag workshop, and an impromptu dance floor sparked by nothing more than a well-timed beat drop and an encouraging nod from a stranger.
“The aim,” said Refly Saputro, Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Jakarta, “was to bring a global idea into a local context, by blending creativity, culture, and community in a way that felt natural to Jakarta. And of course, to remind everyone that a bit of joy and sunshine goes a long way.”
There was a certain spontaneity in the air, the kind you don’t often associate with branded events. Perhaps it was the absence of cars, or the early morning camaraderie that Car Free Day always seems to invite. Or maybe it was simply the careful curation where nothing was forced, everything flowed on its own. From lemony drinks clutched in hand to the soft shuffle of trainers on pavement-turned-dancefloor, it all felt… effortless.
In that way, the activation was a fitting embodiment of Le Méridien’s brand DNA, it was cosmopolitan yet grounded, chic without pretence, and forever in pursuit of the little joys that make travel (and life) worth remembering.
Marche at Le Méridien Jakarta opens every month during Car Free Days.
Le Meridien Jakarta
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 18-20, Jakarta 10220
IG: @lemeridienjkt
lemeridienjakarta.com
