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Have you been to the Ambassadors?

Are you underwhelmed by the suffocating intrusiveness of Mangga Dua? Have you strolled Blok M without finding what you’re looking for? If so, consider paying a visit to the Ambassador Mall and Ambassador ITC (International Trade Centre).

Tucked handily into the district of Kuningan, I have recently discovered the Ambassadors and I am finding it both a friendly and rewarding shopping experience. We all know our strengths and weaknesses and I must confess that shopping is one of mine!

I’ve been shopping all over the world and have done some serious damage! However, I have struggled with the “mall experience” here in Jakarta. Anyone can get lucky in Senayan but the range of international branded stores can cause a rather dull shopping experience. At the more local malls, for example Fatmawati ITC, CITOS and Pejaten Village (which looks like it should be fun but just isn’t) you will never see me leave with the prerequisite handful of shopping bags signifying a truly exhilarating shopping experience. A really good shop should provoke a moment of anxiety as one tries to smuggle the bags into the car or house and out of sight of one’s husband or the staff!

On my first visit to the Ambassadors, I explored the Mall’s 3-5 factory outlets stores (Premiere is situated both in the basement and on the 2nd floor, H&M spans the ground and first floor) and whilst they deserve a decent rummage, I admit to suffering from premature evacuation! I did not give them the time or attention they deserved.

It was the ITC which I really enjoyed. Slightly swankier than your average ITC, the Ambassador ITC includes a number of little boutiques, at least one factory outlet store, many shoe stalls (most of which stock a size 40 for the larger hoofed like myself) and yes you’ve got it - a pretty good range of branded handbag options (I think you know what I mean!). Whilst the Guess brand is a little over-represented, there is as good a range as I’ve seen anywhere. The shopping experience here is a pleasant one. Bargaining is certainly more prevalent and flexible than Mangga Dua and you are not followed continuously with the “bule bule" business that can be tiresome. Indeed, I found the people working there to be very helpful and each time I have left, I seem to have ordered a side of shoes with that!

On a practical note, I ordered some very reasonably priced upholstery fabric for my son’s room from a kindly Indian gentleman who has a shop on the 2nd floor (towards the back). There are ample money changers particularly on the 1st floor also at the back. Carrefour is in the basement of the ITC and it has a good range of groceries and household items. There is also an abundance of well-stocked DVD stalls, all good copies so far.

For the little people in your life, there are plenty of clothes stores. In fact, the factory outlet stores include quite a bit of children’s stock. A shop at the back of the first floor of the ITC had a great variety of children’s clothes. Kid’s shoes can be bought and I have picked up a couple of pairs of Geox, which may just possibly be ridgy didge, from a shop on the ground floor of the Mall. Shoe sizes can be hit or miss but there are lots of little shoe shops scattered throughout, so it is worth persevering. There are plenty of baby stores in the ITC which stock everything from strollers to toys. I found a shop selling remote control planes on the top floor! Give yourself ample time for exploring the shops here, particularly the ones in the ITC.

I would eat before going shopping, but if you happen suffer from some mid shop munchies then there is a Food Hall on the top floor of the Mall which includes a KFC. There is also an interesting albeit smoky little café in the basement of the Mall which might also warrant a look and a Pizza Hut on the lower level of the ITC. There are a range of ATMs in the ITC basement and HSBC has one on the ground floor of the Mall.

So all up not a bad retail experience. Go forth and enjoy the local experience of the Ambassador Mall & ITC!

Happy shopping ladies!

Mall & ITC Ambassador, Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, Kuningan, Jakarta 12940 (see map here)

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