Magical Touch of Jari Jari Spa

The entrance of Jari Jari Spa

Most people find it convenient to book a spa treatment at the hotel where they are staying during their holiday, choose among the available offerings, and sometimes just slide into slippers and a robe a few minutes before their appointment. But what if you are residing in Kota Kinabalu and looking for spa treatments outside of a hotel? Well, it would not be difficult for you to find stand-alone spas in Kota Kinabalu as they are like mushrooms –more and more spas are opening here and you can find them scattered across the city.

I have discovered dozens of stand-alone spas but I picked the one that is well-known as one of the favourite neighbourhood spots among the locals as well as expatriates – the Jari Jari Spa. The name itself, Jari Jari, literally means fingers and what an ideal name for a sanctuary where you will be revitalized for total body and mind relaxation.

The reception

The spa is strategically located in Plaza Tanjung Aru which is 10 minutes away from the airport and city centre which is convenient for guests to make a sojourn for some pampering treatments. This tranquil, serene retreat opened its doors on 18 March 2005 and founded by Jennifer Lee, a local lass from Keningau, and Jeanette Tambakau, who is orginally from Ipoh but has considered herself as a Sabahan (being married to her husband who comes from Keningau). The spa features six private suites, which two of them are designed for couples. I was impressed with the awards won by this little yet oustanding spa. In December 2006, Jari Jari Spa’s signature treatment, Dusun Lotud Inan Body Therapy, won “The Best Traditional Treatment” during the Malaysia Spa and Wellness Awards. The following year, Jari jari Spa was named top five for the Award of Excellence in the category Day Spa during The Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Malaysia 2007 / 2008. Jari Jari Spa is the only spa in Sabah to promote the little-known treatment of the Dusun, one of the ethnic races in the state.

Awards won by Jari Jari Spa

With so many good things that I hear about this spa, I decided to visit and find out more on what makes Jari Jari Spa well-liked among spa connoisseurs. Entering the spa is like going into the antediluvian age where a massive stone slab more than 50 million years old serves as a symbol of power and prestige by the local ethnic groups local. The sound of tricking water, soft music in the background, smells of local flowers and spices really gave me indisputable inner peace and tranquility.

I was greeted with unusually warm hospitality when I arrived. I asked Jennifer what her secret was and she replied by saying “I take great pride in my team, and we all work well together, because we want to be the best spa not only in Sabah but also in Malaysia.” She also said that being officially affiliated with the Swedish College of Travel and Tourism has contributed to the high standards set by Jari Jari Spa. Jennifer also just recently been appointed to become a representative in Sabah for The Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) which is an organization that promotes professionalism as well as setting the highest standards for the spa industry in Malaysia. This recognition has led Jari jari Spa to become the first spa in Sabah accepted as a member of the premier organization. According to Jennifer, 70% of her customers are expatriates or tourists and only 30% are locals which indicate that the wide range of treatments are widely indulged by a good mixture of community.

Jeanette Tambakau and Jennifer Lee

Unlike most of the spas in town, Jari Jari Spa is the one and only spa in Sabah that preserving the heritage of the Dusun community. Even all of the treatments use local ingredients such as cinnamon (kayu manis), cocoa (buah koko), Tenom coffee (kopi Tenom), fragrant screw pine (daun pandan), lemon grass (serai) and turmeric (kunyit). Well, back in the old days the locals were not exposed to any of the imported and expensive massage oils that are commonly used in spa outlets nowadays. So they make use of whatever they can find in the jungle or their own backyards. I find this very innovative as you don’t really need complicated ingredients to complement a spa treatment.

Local ingredients

Other best-selling treatments at Jari Jari Spa are the Mountain Massage and Palad (The Palm Massage). The Mountain Massage uses firm thumb and palm pressure in a massage that helps relieve tension and tiredness, while calming and relaxing the body and mind. This massage helps reduce stress, soothes sore muscles and improving blood circulation - recommended for jungle trekkers and mountain climbers.

The Palad massage uses the palm to apply pressure that flows rhythmically to stimulate blood circulation and relieve tiredness and stress. Selected Jari Jari blended massage oils such as Relax, Energize, Passion and Spice, are used to address specific needs.

I would say Jari Jari Spa offers wide range of spa treatments not only for individuals, couples and even children – suitable for the whole family. What a great way for to strengthen family bond while being pampered and taken away on a fulfilling journey. Special packages are also available for girlfriends’ getaways and bridal showers. Expatriates living in Sabah can apply for tempting and worth-the-money memberships at Jari Jari Spa.

Since I am just starting to become a spa connoisseur after a spa treatment that I had at a spa outlet not long time ago, I was curious on how to choose which spa treatment that suits or benefit individual spa-goer. Jennifer explained that the the younger women are better off with a soft to hard massage as they can endure the pain compared to the older women. Older women should always go for soft massage because their skins can be very sensitive and bound to get bruised so easily.

With all the information on Jari Jari Spa and based on Jennifer’s recommendation, I was keen to embark on a blissful journey with the signature Dusun Lotud Inan. Jennifer said that this treatment was passed down from generation to generation among the Lotud Dusuns community during the rice-growing seasons. The women spent the whole day of back-breaking paddy-planting works in the paddy field so at the end of the day, this massage helped to ease the aches and pains. In modern days, this massage is also recommended for those who want to relieve tension and tiredness cased by the bad posture associated with working on computers for long hours. I definitely belong in that category!

Foot therapy room

Before the treatment, I was served a glass of soothing ginger tea or layo tea, believed to relax and cool down the body before I had to fill up a set of questionnaires which basically meant to find out more on any of my medical history, stress level, allergies and all sorts of health conditions which help the therapist to determine what techniques to incorporate in the massage. Then my therapist, Ziera, escorted me to the foot therapy room and have me seated on a countoured wooden chair to enjoy the warm Dusunic Floral Foot Soak in a rustic wooden foot tub lined with soothes pebbles. After the floral foot soak, Ziera scrubbed my feet using Tenom coffee which helps to remove dead skins. Right after the coffee scrub was washed off, Ziera dried my feet and legs before she applied the cocoa cream. I was awed on how the coffee and cocoa had really soften my feet and legs after that.

Dusunic Floral Foot Bath

Next, Ziera led me to the treatment room where I was greeted by the refreshing and mixed aroma of lemon grass, fragrant screw pine, turmeric and cinnamon. She slipped out of the room while I get change into a sarong which was readily placed inside the room. When she returned to the room, I have made myself comfortable on the massage bed. Lying face-down on the massage bed, I can still smell the aroma lingered in the air.

Treatment room

Ziera then applied some massage oil and used thumbs pressure to the various points of my body especially on the neck, shoulder and back. For a young woman, Ziera's touch was strong and deft and she located areas of stress that need unknotting without me having to guide her to them. It was a wonderful feeling to be in the good hands of someone who gave a fabulous massage, checking with me a couple of times to make sure the pressure was just right: It always was.

One hour 45 minutes flew by and I was awakened by a soft pat on my shoulder. I felt my whole body was as light as the feathers when I got up which was a positive response – the strained muscles have been shifted into place and out of tension. I sat down on the massage bed while sipping a warm and revitalizing layo tea and a glass of warm water. This ritual is believed to nourish the body after losing body fluids or sweats during the treatment. I would definitely recommend this treatment to anyone especially those who have had a long and hectic day at work.

I reluctanty had to return to the real world but I would never forget the magical touch that embraced me throughout a blissful journey far beyond speech – none other than Jari Jari Spa! I would definitely make a comeback one day.

Fact File:Jari Jari Spa
Plaza Tanjung Aru,
2nd Floor, Block B,
Lot 2.1,Jalan Mat Salleh,
Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia.
Tel: (60 88) 272 606
Fax: (60 88) 272 604
Website: www.jarijari.com.my