Review: An afternoon of recharging and relaxing at the St. Regis Spa in Jakarta

What does a day at the St. Regis Spa in Jakarta look like? Beauty Editor Red takes you through her dreamy spa getaway ahead…

I recently took a trip to Jakarta that was jam-packed with what I can only describe as pure hedonism. The trip came complete with a luxurious hotel stay, meals in excess and plenty of after-dark activities to boot. In short, I had a fabulous time in the city (one you can read all about in this nifty travel guide). Honestly, though, one might argue that I had a little too much fun.

After one too many late nights and a no-rest, back-to-back itinerary, I found myself exhausted. So, I cleared a free day in my schedule to focus on recuperating and recharging—and what better way to do just that than by checking myself in for a full body reset at the St. Regis Spa?

The tranquil spa is the ideal escape from the chaotic hustle and bustle of Jakarta, nestled within the luxurious surroundings of the St. Regis property. Drawing inspiration from the original Iridium Room at the St. Regis New York—a favourite among the Big Apple’s aristocrats and iconoclasts—its interiors feature washed stone, warm woods and myriad textures that come together to create a quiet, sensorial escape. 

It’s not just a pretty facade, either—the spa is equipped with facilities to accommodate its extensive menu, including multi-functional treatment rooms, baths, top-of-the-line facial treatment devices, and a fully operational salon room. All in all, it’s a destination designed for decadence. Without further ado, here’s how I’d recommend you spend a day at the St. Regis Spa:

Step 1: Settle in with a cup of tea

My spa day began with a welcoming cup of tea, a plate of (healthy) biscuits, and a consultation so my therapist could tailor my session accurately to my needs. Then, I stepped into the luxurious treatment room and got changed for the first treatment of the day: A foot bath. After a quick wash, scrub and rub, I was all prepped and ready for my massage.

Step 2: The Performance Massage (90 minutes)

A spa day wouldn’t be a spa day without a full-body massage. The Performance Massage is a St. Regis signature, designed to relieve tension in the body through strong, precise strokes. Having been on my feet so much in the days leading up to my spa day, I’d been experiencing a bit of soreness in my lower back and feet. Fortunately, all my ailments were taken care of during this massage. In two words? So… good…

My therapist was extremely skilled, applying just the right amount of pressure to work the knots out of my muscles without leaving me writhing in pain. It was honestly such a wonderful experience, made even better by the fact that she kept up the pressure consistently throughout the 90-minute treatment. I also liked that she was checking in with me every so often to make sure I was comfortable, promptly addressing any concerns I had. Unfortunately for her, I did end up falling asleep somewhere towards the end, so she was likely talking to the air by that point. 

Another highlight of the treatment was the ambience of the spa. The linens on the massage bed were delightfully plush, the room was set at just the right temperature, and the aroma of the massage oil that I had picked out at the spa’s Scent Bar before my treatment was the cherry on top of an indulgent experience. That, and the massage oil left my skin so thoroughly nourished post-massage. Honestly, if it were up to me, I could have had 80,000 performance massages in a row and it still would not have been enough!

Step 3: The Boost and Brighten Facial (60 minutes)

At the time of my spa visit, my dry, textured, and congested skin was in great need of an overhaul. You see, Jakarta is beautiful but it’s also very polluted, and so my skin suffered as a result. Fortunately, my therapist saw my concerns and promptly recommended the St. Regis Spa’s Boost and Brighten facial. 

The facial prescribed to me had been designed to tackle the effects of environmental stress, restoring the skin’s youthfulness and vitality using Sothys products. Unfortunately, I may never know what the start of this facial felt like as I had only woken up about halfway through the treatment. My apologies again to my new facial therapist—on account of my being passed out towards the end of my massage, I was unable to greet her properly upon her entry into the treatment room.

That said, I can speak for the rest of the facial—an experience that was meticulous yet gentle, leaving my skin looking more radiant overall. Not only was my overall complexion brighter and smoother, but the dark spots that I had been struggling with for months had been lightened significantly. As is expected for any exfoliating facial treatment (especially one that involved two rounds of exfoliation as this one did), my skin was a little red afterwards. However, the sensitivity soon subsided, leaving me with the most incredible glow.

Step 4: The Opulent Manicure (90 minutes)

To end my experience, I opted to have a manicure. My nails are, in a word, crusty—so, a shaping, buffing, and round of colour was much needed. The experience began with a quick soak and scrub to clean my skin and soften it for the treatment. I particularly loved the hand massage—there’s nothing more luxurious than being able to sit back, relax, and get pampered.

Then, it was time to choose the colour. I opted for a sheer orange glitter polish as I’ve been looking to recreate the jelly nail trend. Unfortunately, it was completely the wrong choice for my skin tone—my bad in the end, considering that my manicurist had warned me against picking the colour multiple times. Alas, I too stubborn to heed her advice, but at least I know now that orange simply isn’t for me. 

Personally, I found that this was the best way to end my spa day. Not only did it give me some time to faff with my phone, but it was a good way to wake me up in time for dinner. Plus, no matter what colour polish you choose, there’s nothing that makes a girl feel prettier than a fresh shellac manicure.

I reckon that a hair treatment, body treatment and a bath will be on my to-do list the next time I visit the Jakarta. But, until then, I’ll have to stay content with my fabulous day out at the St. Regis Spa.

To book the St. Regis Spa Jakarta, click here. For more beauty reads, click here.

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