SARAH WOODS DOES THE ROUNDS OF THE BEST SPAS IN THE INDONESIAN CAPITAL OF JAKARTA
Unlike Hollywood’s fad-oriented spa scene, the industry in Indonesia cares little for the boot-camp ethos of health by deprivation. Instead, it adheres to the ancient philosophy of balancing mind, body and soul so as to achieve well-being. This value is integral to Indonesia’s way of life. Here, the people are tactile by nature — massage is practised from childhood and touch therapy comes as naturally to people as breathing, regardless of social class. The local flowers like jasmine, gardenia, magnolia, rose and ylang-ylang are world renowned for their aesthetic and healing properties.
In the bustling capital, a spa’s locale is chosen with care to ensure that weary folks enjoy the powers of age-old healing rituals in a calming environment. Here, spas vary from city-slicker massage suites to curbside foot-rub corners to ultra-swish pampering resorts offering the height of decadence. Some faithfully administer treatments passed on from their elders while others liberally fuse ancient therapies with cutting edge technology. Here are the city’s best spas, according to special categories.
1 BEST OVERALL SPA EXPERIENCE
Jakarta InterContinental Mid Plaza’s Wellness Center and Sp
Jakarta InterContinental Mid Plaza’s Wellness Center and Spa Indonesian health rituals strongly believe in the mind-body connection for promoting bodily wellbeing. The Mid Plaza’s Wellness Center and Spa gives you options to de-stress even before your rubdown. Enjoy a meditative swim in the elegant over-sized swimming pool. Sweat out those toxins at the hot tub or steam bath. And then book a massage at one of the spa’s eight luxurious private spa suites.
Jalan Jend Sudirman Kav 10-11; tel: +62
(21) 251 0888, www.intercontinental.com
BEST SIGNATURE THERAPIES
The Spa @ the Four Seasons Hotel
Just as Michelin-star restaurants offer signature culinary creations, this luxurious spa offers the capital’s most sumptuous signature packages. Choose from tempting half-day treats to lavish full-day therapies.
The Spa @ the Four Seasons Hotel wins our vote for unhurried touch therapy that employs kneading massage of firm pressure applied to specific muscle groups. We highly recommend the Ultimate Recovery, an intense massage that – combined with warming oils – sets nerve endings a-tingle, un-knots all those gnarled muscles, boosts flagging energy levels and helps eliminate toxin build-up. The end result: a healthy glow and a renewed lightness of being.
Jalan H. R. Rasuna Said; tel: +62 (21) 252 3456, fax: +62 (21) 252 4480; www.fourseasons.com
BEST TRADITIONAL SPA RITUALS
Bimasena Spa at the Dharmawangsa
If you’re not in the market for Swedish massages or other European therapies, this is the place for you. The Bimasena Spa offers traditional Indonesian aromatherapy using lavender, geranium, silver, eucalyptus, rosemary, marjoram, camomile, ginger, orange, lemon, lime and tea-tree infused oils. Therapists employ ancient massage techniques and traditional spa blends to deliver a truly exotic, therapeutic experience.
Jalan Brawijaya Raya 26, Kebayoran Baru; tel: +62 (21) 725 8181, fax: +61 (21) 725 8383; www.the-dharmawangsa.com
4 BEST SPA FOR WOMEN
The Spa at Hotel Mulia Senayan
In the heart of central Jakarta, the fifth-storey spa of the Hotel Mulia Senayan provides an oasis of calm plus stunning views. The well-heeled female clientele come for its women-only beautifying and pampering rituals that include Javanese body treatments, reflexology, shiatsu massage, as well as manicures and pedicures. The blissful whirlpool tub is just as much a social gathering point as it is a rejuvenating bath ritual. Regulars swear by the Stone Aromatic Massage. Take your pick: you can get the TLC inside one of the private massage suites, in a hydrotherapy capsule, or right inside your own hotel room.
Jalan Asia Afrika Senayan; tel: +62 (21) 574 7777 / Fax: +62 (21) 574-7888, info@ hotelmulia.com, www.hotelmulia.com
5 BEST SPA AMBIENCE
The Spa @ the Shangri-La Jakarta
Flickering tea lights, burnished statues, scattered petals and soft music await you at this resort-inspired spa oasis smack in the middle of Jakarta. Don’t leave without sampling The Spa’s holistic treatments inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies. For more active types, practise your backhand at any of the three floodlit tennis courts, tee off at the 9-hole USGA standard course, or slip into your bathing costume and dip into the lagoon swimming pool. We guarantee you’ll want to stay all day.
JL. Jend. Sudirman Kav.1; tel: +62 (21) 570 7440, fax: +62 (21) 570 3530, www.shangri-la.com
6 BEST SPA FOR MEN
The Spa Bandara
The Sheraton Jakarta Bandara, which is just three kilometers from SoekarnoHatta International Airport, has a spa that is perfect for the harried business executive either leaving Jakarta or who has just touched down. The spa menu offers both traditional and modern therapies, including ultra-firm sports massages available on a 24-hour basis – especially appealing for red-eye arrivals and those fresh off the 18-hole Cengkareng Golf Club course. Their unique Ala Carte Medical Spa Experience provides services like manicures, pedicures, body massage, reflexology, facials, and a hair spa which both men and women will appreciate.
Bandara Soekarno-hatta; tel: +62 (21) 559 7777, fax: +62 (21) 559 7700, www.starwoodhotels.com
SPA-MPER YOURSELF AT HOME
Whip up these Indonesian spa recipes
Honey, lemon & lime facial
Softens and lifts the skin
✿ 4 tbsps organic honey
✿ 2 tsps fresh lime juice
✿ 2 tsps fresh lemon juice
Do it yourself Mix the honey, lemon and lime together in a bowl. Gently apply the mixture onto your skin using small, circular movements until the whole face is covered. Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water
Candlenut & lemongrass foot scrub
A hydrating foot scrub to soften dry, scaly feet
✿ lemon grass
✿ 1 cup of warm water
✿ 10 candlenuts
Do it yourself Infuse the lemongrass in the warm water. Crush the candlenuts in a bowl to form a paste. Slowly combine the infusion with the paste to create a coarse lotion. Using deep, circular movements, massage this into the feet, and then rinse off with cold water
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