Darnold9999
Contributor
You want to walk around and see stuff…man…Jakarta and walking doesn't really happen. I know that sounds silly, but when you get here you here you will understand why. There is tons of walking around Plaza Indonesia circle, which would be idea, but that entails Five Star hotels and $200+ per night. There is plenty around there to keep you busy from super expensive shopping to great restaurants and when you walk a bit away, there is real Jakarta.
Or you could stay a little farther north near the Monas Monuument, Kota Tua (Old town Jakarta), museums, Cafe Batavia are all pretty walkable if you stay in the Gajah Mada area. You could try the Fave Hotel Gajah Mada at the low end, or middle range All Season Gajah Mada, or my #1 recommendation Mercure Jakarta Sabang. The Mercure should be under $100.
Spent a day walking around old town last year - absolutely fascinating - lots of temples, carved ornate gates, old buildings and the like. Had a local guide who worked for the organization doing the old town restoration so got access to things that tourists would not normally see but even without those things it was worth doing. Not sure where you would get a map that would guide you perhaps someone here would know. Cafe Batavia is a good start. Found the local people extremely helpful. Traffic was worse than you could possibly imagine. Avoid travelling at rush hour - you can be stuck in for hours.