Tempat Senang[1] Batam is like no other spa resort. Nestled in a quiet pocket of Batam, Indonesia[2], it is just a hop, skip and a ferry ride[3] away from the heart of bustling Singapore[4]. In under an hour you can leave your busy life behind and arrive in what seems like a far-away haven of tranquillity. It is the perfect destination to grab your girlfriends and getaway to relax and rejuvenate.

Tempat Senang offers full spa facilities[5] and so much more. While guests can plan a day visit for spa treatments only, the magic of the resort itself is well worth an overnight stay… or two. The charm of the rooms, surrounds, delectable menu and warm staff create a tranquil and nurturing tapestry. I don’t know anyone that would not enjoy being immersed in all that Tempat Senang has to offer.

The resort is eight years young and has evolved from a humble bed n breakfast to Batam’s leading spa resort. Owner Jasmine Borschberg seeded the idea of this niche spa resort and has taken great care in rolling out her vision. Brother-in-law Charlie de Boursac joined the business two years ago and manages marketing and development. You are likely to see Charlie’s friendly face about during your visit – the place would not be the same without him. Be sure to say hello! Jasmine has a creative vision and a flair for bringing this vision to life. This is evident in the stunning details found in each themed room and the intricate details of furnishings that have been curated from across the globe.

The rooms at Tempat Senang Batam

Tempat Senang consists of 14 themed rooms. Each one is unique, stunning and has a ‘wow moment’. Guests can choose from themed rooms like ‘The Treehouse’[6], which is literally a room built around a beautiful tree, boasting a swinging bed and pool views or the ‘Bottle Cottage’[7], featuring partial glass bottles incorporated into the building, creating a stained-glass window effect. This room also has an incredible two-person jacuzzi in the oversize bathroom. If you are lucky enough to stay in the ‘Bottle Cottage’ make sure to enjoy a bath with a glass of wine and some home-made raw ginger chocolate the hotel provides, pretty heavenly!

Other rooms are themed based on a country and each incorporates gorgeous, ornate, hand-picked items including great wood-carved beds, canopies, artwork, statues and lighting. There’s something for everyone, from old-world charm to more modern spaces. For a girls’ spa weekend you cannot go past the pyjama-party ready ‘Abu Dhabi Harem suite’ [8] that features Arabic-style day beds for up to 5 and a balcony with the most breath-taking view over the trees, nearby golf course and horizon. The ‘Madura Suite’[9] is on the same level. So, if you have more than 5 people or want a little more space, you can book the two together and the whole floor is yours! We tested the ‘Madura Suite’ and enjoyed its intricate detailing and sense of grandeur from another time. The bed and the door are both carved from wood that you can stare at for hours.

Tempat Senang is constantly growing and evolving. The grounds are expanded by gaining adjoining property titles and rolling out new guest rooms, spa facilities and relaxation areas. Added up, the small areas create one beautiful maze to explore and enjoy. The resort boasts two pools (one saltwater and one lightly chlorinated), a balcony-top restaurant, welcoming reception lounge, resort shop selling everything from sarongs to the in-house skincare range, heat compresses and chocolate! The grounds are abundant in trees, plants, flowers, ornate archways, statues and fish swimming around in small ponds. Exploring the grounds is a beautiful and simple act that brings a sense of whimsy and wonder. Taking time to sit by the pool, swimming and enjoying a house-made cocktail (or mocktail) is at once both luxurious and beautifully simple. We loved their ‘Coconut martini’.

Dining at Tempat Senang Batam

The restaurant offers Indonesian, Thai and western options[10] and caters for those wanting to indulge or eat clean. It is open from 8am to 7:30pm daily. Breakfast is included in your overnight stay. The staff will ask you the night before what you would like for breakfast and have it ready for you shortly after you awake in the morning. We enjoyed some delicious Indonesian congi and were impressed with our personal pot of coffee (no small feat!). Guests will often eat lunch before or after a half day/3 hour treatment set. If eating before treatment you are encouraged to eat light. Their salad selection is very popular and we also enjoyed their prawn rice paper rolls and fresh juices.

We were particularly taken with their ‘Un-beat-able’ juice containing apple, carrot, beetroot and ginger. We sipped on a few of these by the pool! If you are staying in for dinner the staff again ask for your preference in the mid afternoon and have it ready at your requested time. Some guest favourites are the ‘Beer Can Chicken for 2’, ‘Nasi Campur Platter’ comprised of various Indonesian treats and their ‘Shish Kebabs’ that are served hanging vertically on skewers. Whatever your preference, you will be spoilt for choice here. The restaurant serves a selection of wine but also welcomes you to bring your own bottle to enjoy. There is a $10 corkage charge incurred so bring your favorite wine or bubbly and enjoy back at the harem suite!

The spa at Tempat Senang Batam

The main attraction of Tempat Senang is the spa[11]. It is a world-class operation providing treatments that meet and exceed standards that have been set by Tempat Senang themselves. They are constantly training their growing spa team to deliver a range of treatments using house-made spa products and first class facial equipment. Guests can opt for a half day (three hour) or full day (six hour) spa experience. On arrival, you are invited to pick your treatment options and enjoy some time in the restaurant, the grounds or your room. As your start time approaches, a friendly spa team member will come and find you, wherever you are, as if by magic. Guests are encouraged to don Indonesian spa robes and relax around the resort, which feels luxurious and sets the tone for your experience perfectly. The spa offering[12] comprises of massages, scrubs and wraps, ear-candling, facials, reflexology, pedicures, hair & scalp treatment, hot herbal compress and milk baths.

You can choose treatments to suit your needs, skin and hair type. The spa team are adept at helping you select the best style of treatments and products that will provide the ultimate experience.  We opted for two half day treatments each afternoon from 1-4pm. We particularly recommend the Lomi lomi massage, the Facial and the Herbal compress. Reflexology, pedicures and hair & scalp treatments take place outside, in shade by a spa pool that is used for atmosphere only. It is a true delight to sit by the rippling water and receive your massage. We saw more than one or two guests drift off into a blissful sleep. Both our three hours sessions were thoroughly enjoyable and we floated away from each session unwound and ready to relax by the pool or have a spot of shut-eye in our beautiful room before dinner.

All products used are created by Tempat Senang in their own on site lab. Founder Jasmine was not satisfied with the spa products available on the market, so she decided to make her own. She has been refining and expanding the range with a team of on-site specialists for the past 4-5 years. Guests can try some of the product range provided to test and enjoy in their rooms. If there is something you like, you can buy it at the resort shop. All products contain natural ingredients to boost skin, hair and nails. There is also a Tempat Senang mosquito repellent which is available for guests to use throughout their stay. Be sure to have a spray – we weren’t bitten once.

Packages at Tempat Senang Batam

For a girl’s spa weekend from Singapore, Tempat Senang has a few one, two and three night packages that include equal amounts of half day spa treatments. The larger the group, the lower the individual rate. But if you feel like pampering alone, there are also individual rooms just for one person.

If you pay cash you receive a 10.000 IDR discount and avoid the 2.9% transaction fee. Be sure to pass by an ATM before you catch the ferry over.

Things to do in and around Tempat Senang Batam

Tempat Senang promotes self-care and relaxation so it is perfect to spend some time with close friends or loved ones chatting, laughing, sharing time together and being spoiled. If you are a bit more active and looking to do new things, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied beyond the spa including golfing (one of Batam’s courses is right next door[13]), shopping in Nagoya[14], watersports in the nearby beaches or even a tour of the six bridges[15].

For that much awaited pyjama party night, get DIY sheet masks from the store and download some movies from the resort’s library and stay in with the girls.

You can plan your time at Tempat Senang however you like and that fits your group the most. The staff are more than happy to accommodate you. If it’s a special occasion you can even arrange the ‘Celebration package’. For an additional SG$80 your suite will be decorated and a sparkling bottle of wine and home-made cake with message will be waiting for you.

Tempat Senang is the ideal destination to relax, unwind, be pampered and enjoy some quiet. If you are looking for a girl’s getaway where you will all emerge rejuvenated and revived, this is the place to go. With this luxury destination so close to Singapore, it’s a tempting treat just across the water!

Here are some more quick and easy Malaysian island getaways[16] just a ferry ride away from Singapore!