More people soaking in the tub as bathing habits change

More people soaking in the tub as bathing habits change

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The growing trend toward spas and pampering oneself among
well-to-do Indonesians has had a positive impact on sale of
bathroom fixtures, such as bathtubs, home spa sets and showers in
the country.

For most affluent Indonesians, the bathroom is no longer just
a place to take a quick shower, but more of a personal retreat.

"More well-to-do Indonesians now prefer soaking in a bathtub
or taking a shower to having a traditional 'mandi' because in
this way, they can have a hydro-massage to relax their tired
muscles," said Serlie Tjandra, General Manager of PT Gracius Adi
Cipta, one of the producers of bathroom fixtures in the country.

Overseas brands of sophisticated bathtubs or shower fixtures
are popular among discerning Indonesians because the items offer
relaxing and therapeutic features.

A bathtub with a whirlpool, for instance, has circulation jets
at various points in the tub, providing a hydro-massage for the
bather. "After soaking in the whirlpool tub, the bather will feel
refreshed because the hydro-massage can help stabilize blood
circulation," she said.

"Hydro-therapy offered by sophisticated bathtubs or showers
attract most of the buyers even though there are also those
purchasing the items for reasons of prestige or social status,
said Andry Mulyono, a spokesman for Galleria showroom at the
Jakarta Design Center (JDC).

The Galleria showroom is owned by PT Panca Wisesa, one of the
distributors of bathroom fixtures from overseas. Buyers of the
premium fixtures are not only confined to star-rated hotels,
opulent apartments, but also include many individuals.

Equipping a bathroom with imported fixtures, such as bathtubs,
whirlpool tubs, showers and home spa sets has become a trend, in
parallel with the growing modern lifestyle that emphasizes,
efficiency, effectiveness, comfort and healthy living.

Premium bathroom fixtures from top overseas brands are now
available here. Each brand has its own specialization. For
instance, Grohe from Germany specializes in showers and faucets,
Kohler from the United States in sanitary wares, Jacob Delafon
from France in sanitary wares and Teuco from Italy in hydro-
shower and hydro-steam, Blu Bleu, also from Italy, in bathtubs
and showers, and Caroma from Australia in sanitary items.

Commonly, the stores that sell the items provide after-sales
services, such as installation and repairs. The stores have
technicians to install your fixtures properly.

"We send a team of technicians to the homeowner to see the
bathroom before installing the bathtub to make sure that the
fixture is installed properly," said Andry of the Galleria
showroom.

PT Panca Wisesa with showroom Galleria, PT Gracius Adi Cipta
with showroom Hal Mar Sanitary, PT Dimas Austrindo with showroom
Puri Dimas -- to name just a few -- are among the companies that
sell upmarket bathroom fixtures. The companies have seen a slight
increase in demand for the items over the last two years.

In addition to bathtubs, showers and home spa sets, most of
the companies also provide a wide range of bathroom accessories,
including basins, toilet suites, bidet, faucets, towel rings,
towel rails, soap dishes, mirrors, toilet paper holders and robe
hooks.

Most of the showrooms display items with a modern or
'minimalist' look as well as classical models, enabling the buyer
to select the style that matches the interior of his or her
bathroom.

Prices of premium bathroom fixtures, especially those
incorporating bathing and massages vary, depending on the items,
material, size, model, brand and features.

Prices for overseas brands of standard bathtubs range from Rp
3.5 million (about US$400) to Rp 18 million. But if you want a
bathtub just for soaking in, you can get a locally-made one at
only around Rp 1 million.

Tubs with whirlpools and steam box give people more massage
options for their health care and skin care needs. The price
range of sophisticated bathtubs is between Rp 50 million and Rp
275,000 million.

At Puri Dimas showroom, you can find a wide collection of
bathroom fixtures with overseas brands, such as Caroma for
sanitary wares and accessories, Stylus for bathtubs and spas,
Moen for faucets and accessories and Savil for faucets.

The items are directly imported from Australia, the United
States and Italy to ensure the quality of the products, according
to Puri Dimas' assistant marketing manager Edward Lukito.

At the showroom, you also have more options on spa sets. The
spa set with a shower system is among the showroom's popular
items. Many have purchased it because it provides hydro-massage
for the bather through the shower which caters to the bather's
needs, whether the head, back or chest, Edward of Puri Dimas
said.

Puri Dimas showroom is located at Jl. Panglima Polim in South
Jakarta.

Even though PT Gracius Adi Cipta's main line of business is
producing and selling locally-made products, the company also
sells imported items to take advantage of the growing demand for
sophisticated bathtubs and showers.

Hal Mar Sanitary's showrooms can be found in Jl. Mangga Dua
Raya, Central Jakarta, Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta and Mall
Taman Anggrek, West Jakarta.

If money is not an issue for you, you have more choices.

At Galleria showroom, for instance, you can find a collection
of highly sophisticated bathtubs and showers from overseas
brands. They include Teuco shower glass boxes equipped with
digitally operated whirlpool, shower and steam system.

Other hydro-shower boxes are also complete with a choice of
lighting to suit his or her mood while bathing.