The global wellness movement is booming more than ever—a projected $1,5 trillion industry this year, to be exact. Some of the oldest rituals—like plunging in ice baths to sweating in a sauna—have become the latest obsessions in spa and massage centres. While hotels and resorts are ramping up their experiential offerings, from “quietcations” in remote nature treats, to analog detox programmes designed to unplug from digital habits.
In Jakarta, this wellness boom is taking shape in a growing number of fluid, one-stop destinations that combine convenience with personalised care. Some look back and weave together traditional healing wisdom with modern approaches, while others tap into the social side of self-care through communal experiences.
“I think our generation is more anxious than ever,” reflects Stephanie Tjiu, co-founder of Anda Wellness, which started as a massage home service in 2020 before expanding into Anda Reserva—billed as Indonesia’s first-ever social wellness club. “In recent years, people have started advocating for their own health; they research what works for their body, they go deeper into medical journals of different cultures. This shift in awareness is shaping the way people approach well-being, and we want to create a space where people can explore and build their habits to achieve that.”
The five-storey Anda Reserva in Senopati aims to translate that into various experiences. The lobby area welcomes guests with a wellness bar, serving dishes and smoothies infused with sea moss gel, lion mane extract and other superfoods. Upstairs, the space transforms into a sanctuary of reflexology and massage cocoons, complete with a Pilates and yoga studio. Meanwhile, the basement houses Anda Reserva’s signature contrast bath therapy—a cycle of hot and cold immersion therapy, a wellness practice gaining buzz for its circulatory and detoxifying benefits.
“I think our generation is more anxious than ever,” reflects Stephanie Tjiu, co-founder of Anda Wellness
With a focus on traditional Indonesian massage, Anda also incorporates kerokan into its add-on massage services, where this folk healing practice—in which a coin is rubbed along the skin to relieve tension and improve circulation—is already a beloved remedy familiar to many Indonesians. “Everybody has their own definition of wellness,” said Stephanie. “For us, it’s about being intentional with every element in Anda, from our wellness bar—where everything is made with whole foods, no emulsifiers or fillers—to our custom-designed massage beds, which feature armholes for those who need access to their phones during a session.”
Anda’s selection of oil treatments, which is a blend of sunflower oil and three other essential oils, are also carefully selected and sourced. The same level of care extends to their infrared sauna, chosen from a supplier that provides a detailed radiation report. “We’re very careful about this because we don’t want people to go in thinking that you’re getting healthier, but you’re actually exposing yourself to harmful elements. In that sense, I think we have a moral push to live up to our name.”
A short drive away from Anda to the Selong area, another new space lodges itself in the quieter area of the neighbourhood: Kawa Wellness. Founded by friends Ellis Junglie and Wu Yi Jun, self-care and massage enthusiasts have been flocking to the space, charmed by its evidently serene and well-designed ambience, and thoughtful treatments.
Passing through the space, you encounter the calming visual sensory of high ceilings with arched niches tinted in soft shades of cream and terracotta. Japanese influences of wooden accents and serene ‘zen’ corners harmonise with the gentle melody of running water—together, they compose an ambience one would expect out of a modern wellness haven. But Kawa takes it a step further. Here, relaxation is elevated with an onsen tea bath, a powder room stocked with Loewe and Prada beauty amenities, and a tea room, where guests are treated to a post-treatment indulgence of warm tea, a refreshing soba, and a comforting bowl of red bean porridge.
“I love tea, I love making it. That’s why tea plays such a big role in Kawa’s experiences,” said Yi Jun, who hails from Shanghai. It’s notably present in their signature onsen bath, where guests soak in the infused water of green or jasmine tea after their massage. “Tea has long been a natural antioxidant, so it’s as simple as, instead of just drinking it, why not apply it on our body as well?”
Inspired by her visits to spa institutions in Japan and Shanghai, Yi Jun also incorporated cypress wood—a traditional Japanese carving stick known for its ability to contour the body, enhance circulation, and support lymphatic drainage—into Kawa’s massage practices. Heated jade stones and herbal pouches, another traditional healing technique in Chinese and Ayurvedic therapies, enhance Kawa’s hair and scalp treatments.
“I love tea, I love making it. That’s why tea plays such a big role in Kawa’s experiences,” said Wu Yi Jun, co-founder of Kawa Wellness.
But despite Kawa’s seamless alignment with modern wellness experience, Ellis emphasised that they weren’t chasing a particular market trend. “For us, this has always been a passion beyond business. We have the same idea of wellness and self-care, which is as simple as treating ourselves to nice things. Kawa is a reflection of what we look for when we go to a spa—so all the treatment and services here are customised to us first.”
To their surprise, a lot of couples and tourists come to Kawa—a sign that Kawa may have tapped into an overlooked niche in Jakarta’s wellness scene. “For a while, most options for wellness have either been reflexology centres or five-star hotel spas,” noted Ellis. “We want to fill this gap in the market by offering luxury treatments at the right price. I think our customers recognised the value in that.”
This boom isn’t just shaping boutique wellness experiences—it’s redefining hospitality as well. Earlier this year, the renowned Aman Resorts rolled out a series of wellness programmes across its iconic resorts worldwide. Among the latest additions is Longevity Powered by Nature, a newly launched retreat at Amangiri in the Utah desert, developed in collaboration with Buddhist monk Geshe Yog Dong.
More than ever, wellness and spa experiences are a deciding factor for guests choosing where to stay—if not the reason they travel. This resonates with Chuan Spa, an award-winning prosperity spa and wellness brand of Langham Hospitality Group. “Wellness is a transformative aspect of travel that influences booking decisions,” said Putu Seni, Director of Spa at Chuan Spa, The Langham, Jakarta. “Especially at Chuan Spa, we embrace wellness as a pillar of hospitality, and we want to provide a distinctive offering that resonates with modern guests.”
At Chuan Spa, the experience begins at its signature moon gate—a hallmark of all Chuan Spa locations across Langham properties worldwide—ushering guests into a sanctuary of muted greys with embracing views of SCBD’s bustle. But the core of Chuan Spa lies in its deep connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offering treatments that centre on acupressure and meridian points.
Guests are introduced to their internal elements through the philosophy of Wu Xing—the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—with each believed to correspond to seasons, foods, colours, and key organs in the body. Before a session, guests complete a brief questionnaire to determine their dominant element, which then shapes their treatment and the selection of personalised oils curated by the resident TCM doctor. For first-timers, it could be a novel and fascinating way to become acquainted and connect with one’s body’s natural rhythm.
“Wellness is a transformative aspect of travel that influences booking decisions,” said Putu Seni, Director of Spa at Chuan Spa, The Langham, Jakarta.
According to Helena Queen, the Assistant Spa Manager at Chuan Spa, over 50 per cent who revisit Chuan Spa are non-hotel residents, a telling of the spa’s appeal and consistent quality. “We truly look at the details. For example, before a session, guests start with a breathing ritual, where they focus on a specific organ that needs attention—this sets the intention for the treatment. And after the session ends, we will do an ear auricular magnet therapy, a method rooted in meridian point stimulation to enhance sleep and detoxify,” explained Helena. “Guests keep coming back because they can connect with these practices.”
Indonesians have long embraced the art of healing, from traditional massage to folk remedies—it’s a culture of its own. But the city’s evolving wellness landscape is adapting to a more informed and diverse audience, introducing new experiences that aren’t necessarily oriented around luxury and exclusivity. Instead, it reflects a growing awareness of personal well-being. As the scene expands, wellness offerings are becoming more accessible, with each new space bringing its own approach, techniques, and even community.
“More and more people are feeling the benefits of switching to a healthier lifestyle, so I think there’s a combination between collective trend and a real movement that you want to be a part of,” observed Stephanie on the overall wellness momentum.
“Wellness is a lifestyle you would want to commit to—but also maybe not; that’s why people can come here, try and explore themselves. At the end of the day, we have a higher purpose to help people. You want to heal yourself, find a community, then you help heal others.”
