A time to unwind at Tanjung Lesung's spa

JAKARTA (JP): Feeling harried after a hectic working period is common for people living in a metropolis like Jakarta. So people, particularly professionals and business community, must always be fit and energetic to be able to concentrate on their business.

On the other hand, some people want to maintain their beauty, as appearances are vital for their self-confidence. They may want to have some special time to nurture themselves for this purpose.

What these two groups of people do to fulfill their expectations is to visit spas, which are now a combination of relaxation and beauty centers with healing treatments.

There are many spas in Indonesia, especially in big cities and tourist areas. One of the most well-prepared spas is the newly established Martha Tilaar Spa in Tanjung Lesung, Banten. It is one option for those who want to have body or facial treatments or who just want to relax peaceful surrounds.

The Martha Tilaar Spa had its soft opening on Dec. 10 and is scheduled to be officially opened in early January.

The spa, owned by one of the country's prominent beautician, Martha Tilaar, is located within the Tanjung Lesung Resort, a new tourist estate situated on Java's western tip.

New resort

The resort is being developed by the Banten West Java Tourism Development Corporation, which holds a concession to develop a 1,500-hectare plot at Tanjung Lesung as a new tourist destination. It invites major international travel and hospitality industries to jointly develop the ambitious project. Tanjung Lesung is designated as an integrated tourist resort comprising hotels, residential area, marina, golf courses and various other amenities.

Tanjung Lesung claims it has the right location for tourists in Banten. Banten itself is an area with a wide range of tourist attractions, as well as being a popular site for factories and industries. The area is easily accessible by the Jakarta-Merak toll road, which includes the toll road linking Jakarta and Tangerang, the Ciujung toll road and the Serang toll road.

Martha said that she decided to operate the new spa at Tanjung Lesung because she very much liked the area.

"It has a very good location. The beach is so clean and clear. The whole area itself is also calm. Such a situation is very supporting for a spa," she said.

She said that the new spa offered a wide range of services, including aromatherapy and breathing exercise.

"We use our own products," she said.

She said that people could enjoy relaxing, healing and beautifying themselves at the spa.

Rest and relax

Relaxation at spas situated far from frantic big cities is believed to provide a different impact compared to those located in city centers. Recreation and relaxation is part of leisure. Some people believe they can have this anywhere since the setting helps them get rid of daily worries and ease the mind from stress. But most people think that taking the chance at spas located outside big cities will provide a better impact, as there is a different surrounding and even climate.

"We are collaborating with the hotels to attract visitors," Martha said when asked about potential customers.

Both tourists and executives are the major target market, she said.

An international hotel management company, Accor Asia-Pacific, is now running the four-star Tanjung Lesung Resort Hotel in this emerging tourist resort area. The hotel is always fully booked at weekends.

Banten is also known for various archeological remains from the Hindu and Islamic periods. These remains show how important the area was in the past. Banten, some 85 kilometers west of Jakarta, is predicted to be a thriving tourism region like Bali, the country's major tourist destination.

About a three-hour drive from Jakarta, Banten currently offers a wide range of attractive destinations, such as the national park areas of Ujung Kulon and Krakatau. Ujung Kulon has been a protected area since its designation as a national park during the Dutch rule in Java. Here, native flora and fauna, including the Javan rhinoceros, can be observed in virgin rain forest.

The Krakatau volcano is a spectacular outlook. The breathtaking marvel of Anak Rakata island, the "offspring" of Krakatau, is an active young volcano and clearly visible.

The Baduy community in Banten is another appeal. The Baduy are an utterly unique, indigenous and private community. The Banten area is also known for debus (traditional dance) by religious ascetics known as nayaga, men who can control their fear and pain. (icn)