It’s poised to be all of the above — and one hospitality group has gotten the memo before anyone else.
Nusantara, a newly created city in the middle of lush forest in Indonesia’s swath of Borneo island, aka Kalimantan, was conceived to serve a very functional purpose: to take over as the country’s new capital city.
The way things are going, it looks destined to become an inevitable wellness destination as well.
That’s because the grand plan for this future capital — currently a two-hour flight from Jakarta — has sustainability top of mind, and the construction of the accompanying infrastructure further confirms this ambitious direction.
The sidewalks are wider in Nusantara, the skies are brighter, and the air is breezier (at least in the mornings and evenings).
Besides the mountains, there are majestic government buildings serving as backdrop, and the palette is green — whether it’s the oxidized copper sculptures of Indonesia’s first President and Vice President at Taman Kusuma Bangsa park; the similarly tinted Garuda wing facade on top of the eponymously named presidential palace; or the grass fields that surround the roads and the buildings.
The mini city is extremely pedestrian- and bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes, footpaths and trails that loop around all the major sights.
Add to that the fact that the city is still being built as we speak — and we’ve got a destination where all you can do is enjoy the surrounding nature and the exclusive selection of attractions that are around.
Staying in Nusantara: Swissôtel Edition
And what’s around? For one, the aptly aligned Swissôtel Nusantara, which hosted THE LOOP HK on this press trip.
Built in a mere nine months, just in time to host Indonesia’s top brass at the country’s Independence Day celebration last year, Swissôtel Nusantara is the first and (so far) the only five-star hotel in the region.
The hotel group, with the concept of Vitality as its central motto, is well placed to be an accommodation provider in a city where health and wellness are built into the blueprint.
Among the vitality-aligned facilities at the Swissôtel Nusantara are an outdoor infinity pool facing the open skies; a comprehensive indoor gym; and a serenely designed Purovel Spa center that provides soothing treatments for those looking to recover after an intense workout, or who are just looking to unwind. For more adventurous souls, free bikes are available on the premises for hotel guests.
Besides the requisite hardware, the hotel lives up to its tagline by also hosting a weekly running club for anyone wanting to go the extra mile (literally). Bonus: the running route takes you across the major landmarks and buildings of Nusantara, making it an informal tour of the city.
And then there are the hotel rooms themselves, with their glorious views of the city and generously sized bathtubs designed for long and relaxing soaks.
Finally, the food at NUSA Restaurant is another highlight. Featuring all-day dining and specialties from around the world, including Indonesian classics and grilled poolside barbecues, there’s no shortage of options at this versatile F&B venue.
A Quiet Weekend from Jakarta
The current everything’s-still-being-built state of Nusantara means it might not be ready to hold itself up as a standalone travel destination just yet.
However, it’s worth a visit just to witness how a city can be built from the ground up — and with futuristic, eco-friendly and healthful vibes to boot.
Nusantara makes for a fun and restorative weekend trip from Jakarta, Indonesia’s current capital. The night-and-day contrast between bustling Jakarta and tranquil Nusantara is an experiment in extremes.
How to Get Here
Before the Nusantara airport is completed in the near future, the easiest way to get here would be to catch a flight from Jakarta to neighboring city Balikpapan in East Kalimantan.
Then, it’s a two-hour car ride from Balikpapan to Nusantara proper (Swissôtel Nusantara offers this service to its guests) — there’s a toll road being built that should shorten this land journey by 2026.
From Jakarta to Nusantara
If you’re going to follow the Nusantara itinerary suggested here, you might as well make it a similarly wellness-infused stay the entire way — starting from Jakarta.
Conveniently, Swissôtel has two vitality-minded properties in the city that THE LOOP HK was also able to experience.
In a quieter part of town:
Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue
For city-living-convenience-cum-chill-beachside-vibes, Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue definitely fits the bill.
Located in the newishly developed residential area, PIK (Pantai Indah Kapuk) in north Jakarta, the hotel not only boasts beautiful rooms and suites, but also one of the city’s most popular restaurants: The Chinese National — which we’ve been told is a destination of its own for locals and tourists alike.
Parts of PIK itself, located right by the sea, feels like a smaller-scale, urbanized version of Bali. There are the beach clubs, night clubs and harborside restaurants that stretch endlessly along the waters of the Java Sea.
As for the hotel, the chill factor extends to Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue’s amenities and facilities, which include a verdantly landscaped outdoor pool and accompanying Purovel Spa.
The rooms and suites on offer play on the vitality ethos. From circular jacuzzi-like tubs in the hotel room bathrooms; to free running shoes, workout clothes and even city bikes available on loan, there is no excuse to not take full advantage of the wellness options readily offered here.
In the City:
Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan
For a family-friendly and heart-of-the-city option, Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan offers sizeable serviced apartments — complete with fully equipped kitchens and laundry appliances.
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Embers, is all about sizzlingly hot foods charred and grilled to perfection in the evenings, with diverse and creative drinks by beverage outfit Behind Bars served alongside.
To top it off, there’s an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym and yoga studio for the all-inclusive wellness component. You might be staying in a vibrant city center — but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your oms and your calm in.
This article was based on a press trip arranged by Swissôtel group.