Day Spas

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Louche or luxe?

A favorite pastime of many Indonesians, and one that a lot of non-Indonesian residents adopt too, is visiting a spa. While there are many seedy ones that might be popular for certain men, there are many more (especially in the star-rated hotels in Jakarta and Bali) that cater to women and families. The ones for men may be quite busy on weekends and in the evening and can be very relaxing and often quite an experience. The more respectable ones that cater to wealthy housewives, do a thriving trade on weekdays.

A spa typically offers a choice of ‘packages.' You can choose to have a massage and use the facilities available or perhaps have your massage in a deluxe/private room, while the less tactilely inclined can forego the massage altogether. The facilities generally consist of a cold and hot water pool, sauna, steam-room, relaxation/TV area and showers. If all the relaxation gives you an appetite, you can order snacks, meals and drinks. Some spas have small gyms for those who want to feel like they've actually done something. Massages include traditional ones and the back-breaking shiatsu. Each usually lasts an hour and a half. Depending on the type of establishment, a massage may include some "extra-curricular" activities with the masseuse. While this is a widespread practice in Indonesia (despite some cockeyed government efforts to stop it), don't be too put off; there are also plenty of perfectly wholesome family spas around, most of which are top-notch, international standard.

Spas are dotted around all the major cities, so it shouldn't be a problem finding one. In Jakarta, many of those with the "extras" are concentrated in the Kota and Blok M areas, while in Bali they are inescapable. Ubud in Bali, especially, is a spa-lover's paradise. Prices range from Rp 70,000 (USD 8) to Rp 140,000 (USD 16) plus massage at the low end; and from Rp 120,000 (USD 13) to Rp 300,000 (USD 33) for something a bit more luxurious. Most spas employ attractive ladies, but there are some spas which provide masseurs. A tip for the masseur/masseuse is discretionary and, if you want, you can while away the whole day inside. They're cheaper than a hotel, after all.

Proper spas at the five-star hotels and resorts across the archipelago can be utterly decadent also, but in a more elegant way, but expect to pay a very pretty penny for these. You get what you pay for (some can be over USD 1,000 per treatment). At these chic upscale retreats, expect pampering of mind, body and soul courtesy of all manner of facials, massages, mud baths, essential oil therapy, Ayurveda, lomi lomi treatments, etc.

Awanti Spa
Address: Jl. Barito II, 35, South Jakarta 12130.
Phone: (021) 723 7879

Bersih, Berseri, Cantik
Address: Jl. Barito II No. 7, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 7279 3846

Bimasena Spa
Address: Jl. Brawijaya Raya no.26, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12160.
Phone: (021) 7258181

Bliss Spa
Address: Komplex Daan Mogot Baru, Block 1A/12-A, West Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 545 7891

Blush - Traditional Thai Therapy
Address: Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 43, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 724-3624

Bale Bale Traditional
Address: Dharmawangsa 10 Street 44A, Pulo Village, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12160.
Phone: (021) 7244207

Daoen Spa
Address: Jl. Maria Walanda Maramis (Plaza III), Blok E No. 6, Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 7590 0231. Facility: Shiatsu, a children's spa

Delta Spa
Address: Jl Gn Sahari Raya 2 Ruko Marinatama Bl F/21-23, Jakarta 14420.
Phone: (021) 640 4255.

Eastern Garden
Address: Graha Rekso, Mezzanine floor, Jl.Boulevard Artha Gading Kav. A1.
Address: Artha Gading, North Jakarta, 14240
Phone: (021) 45856299, Fax: (021)45856339
Treatment: massage, facial, body. One of the best spa in Jakarta.

Fortune Spa
Address: Jl KH Mas Mansyur 13, Jakarta 10220.
Phone: (021) 572 2151

Gaya Spa
Address: Jl Wolter Mongonsidi 25, Jakarta 12180.
Phone: (021) 726 7648
Treatment: aromatherapy, herbal blend, foot spa, hand, foot massage, scrubs, wraps. Facility: family size whirlpool, with private single rooms.

Griya Sehat
Address: Jl. Bandengan Utara Selatan 82 CT, North Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 661 0910

Gursnaidi
Address: Jl. Fatmawati Ray a No. 39 Duta Mas Fatmawati Blok A No. 29. Phone: (021) 720 1453
Treatment: lulur body scrub, herbal tea bath, steam bath, massage.

Kimochi Spa
Address: Kompl Sentra Pangeran Jayakarta Bl D/36-37, Jakarta 11180
Phone: (021) 624 0389

Herb Aroma & Spa
Address: Jl Jend Sudirman Kav 1 Wisma 46 Kota BNI 2nd fl., Jakarta 10220
Phone: (021) 570 1906

Puri Santi - Garden of Relaxation
Address: Jl. Bunga Mawar 19 (off Jl. Pangeran Antasari), Cipete, Jakarta Selatan 12410
Phone: (021) 766 2423

Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa
Address: Graha Irama Building, Mezzanine Fl. Jl. Rasuna Said.
Phone: (021) 526 1121, 24, 25
Address: Jl. Prapanca Raya Blok P III No 3, South Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 739 3519, 7279-6433
Address: Jl. Gedung Hijau Raya no.26, Pondok Indah.
Phone: (021) 7591 4216, 769-5859
Address: Jl. Cikini Raya No 83. Central Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 319 37616
Address: Jl. Wahid Hasyim No 19-21. Central Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 3192 5921

My Place Spa
Address: Jl Bukit Gading Raya Kompl Gading Bukit Indah Bl-M/26-29, Jakarta 14240.
Phone: (021) 453 3199

Puri Handayani Spa
Address: Jl. P. Jayakarta 45-49, Kompleks Kota Indah, Bl. C-19/21, West Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 628 5964

Puri Spa
Address: Rukan Puri Niaga, II Block M-8/5-C, West Jakarta.
Phone: (62)(21) 5835 3754

Royal Heritage Spa BINTARO
Address: Jl. Wahid Hasyim Blok FG 12 No.33.
Address: Sektor 7 Bintaro Jaya. Tangerang 15224 - Indonesia
Phone: (021) 745 9986 / 745 3696.
Fax: (021) 7486 1669

Tradi Spa
Address: Jl Radar Auri 100, East Jakarta.
Phone: (021) 8775 3161

Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa
Address: Jl.KH. Wahid Hasyim No.133, Jakarta Pusat
Phone: (021) 3143585, 3801433 Fax (021) 31930100

http://www.spa-jakarta.com/ also has lots of spa listings.

Contributor: Nick Aarons

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