This ultra-luxe retreat opened its doors just the other week within a building once occupied by an old favorite.

After two decades of welcoming guests to the Kuningan area of Jakarta’s CBD, the Four Seasons moved to a newly built all-suite hotel in 2016. Since then, the original premises has undergone a years-long revamp to become the St. Regis brand’s second Indonesian outpost after its beachside resort in Bali.

As at the newer Four Seasons, Rajawali Property Group (which owns both properties) enlisted Lisbon-born, New York–based Alexandra Champalimaud to create the interiors of the St. Regis Jakarta. The acclaimed designer has taken a different approach from the old-world classicism employed at the Four Seasons, opting for bold elements nodding to Indonesia’s musical traditions. Guests arriving in the lobby will find a kinetic Lasvit chandelier named “Sound of Light,” synchronized to music by local composer Andi Rianto. The hotel’s outdoor spaces, including the entrance and swimming pool, are decorated with artworks by Bill Bensley, who also contributed his whimsical touch at the Four Seasons.

Upstairs, all 282 guest rooms feature a private balcony and come with 24-hour butler service; the 28 suites range from 75 to 187 square meters in size. These accommodations were the work of G.A. Design; local touches are evident in details like custom-made cushions accented with batik motifs by high-profile Indonesian designer Iwan Tirta.

Guests not wishing to step out for a meal have five drinking and dining venues to choose from. Open from morning to night, The Drawing Room serves as the setting for signature experiences such as the St. Regis afternoon tea and Champagne sabrage. All-day restaurant Bel Étage dishes up a range of Indonesian classics (some based on the chef’s personal recipes) alongside Western and Pan-Asian favorites. Casual deli Rosé offers artisanal coffees, teas, pastries, and cold cuts, while The Pool Bar is a quiet place to sip on cocktails after a refreshing dip.

A striking mural by Indonesian painter Eddy Susanto ⁠— who sought to express the rhythm, energy, spirit, and historical development of Indonesian jazz in his artwork ⁠— acts as the visual focus of the hotel’s St. Regis Bar. Each St. Regis presents a unique spin on the Bloody Mary, and the Jakarta property is no different: inspired by the bold flavors of Indonesian cuisine, the Batavia Mary features local rice wine spiced with chili and vinegar.

At The St. Regis Spa, guests can be pampered with cutting-edge OxyGeneo facials and treatments that use ingredients sourced from Java’s volcanoes. There’s also a fitness center stocked with the latest Technogym equipment. For weddings, conferences, and other special occasions, the hotel offers more than 2,500 square meters of event space including The Astor Ballroom, which has a capacity of over 1,000 people.

stregisjakarta.com; doubles from US$268