Of all the spas in Bali there’s very few that manage to combine rebalancing, revitalizing treatments and the soft surrounds of lush jungle nature as well as the Maya Resort and Spa (Jl Gunung Sari, T: 0361 977 888). Set beside a gurgling river in the rustic Petanu gorge the five double and three single treatment villas are a voyage into harmonious wellbeing far detached from the modern world. What makes the spa at the Maya so special isn’t as much the surrounds as the dedication of the spa staff, in particular a Balinese masseuse from Ubud named Rai, who I rather suspect may have the gift of healing hands.

My second treatment here in two months was the result of several days of non-stop surfing and working so I was in need of physical and mental rebalancing. Steered towards the Riverside Special package with signature Maya massage, body scrub, flower bath and finished with a facial treatment it was time to close the doors to reality, lie back and let Rai work her therapy magic as the Petanu waterfalls and singing birds lulled me into a dreamy nether world of tranquility.

I chose the Jasmine oil for its soothing and cooling properties on the mind, a great natural antidote to the stresses of modern working life, before chancing it on the turmeric Javanese Lulur scrub to soften the skin – perfect after the sun and surf beating my body had taken over the last couple of weeks. Next came the jasmine milk bath in a private tub filled with frangipani petals, a wellbeing snack and nothing to do but soak up the gorge views and slip into further lethargy as the rain beat down on the jungle canopy, the birds silenced and the intensity of the river increased; I instantly regretted coming here alone…

The final part of the Riverside Special is the facial treatment; being a recent convert to facial therapy I am fast approaching early stages of addiction for how great their immediate effects are. Leaving the spa thirty minutes later my mind was clear of deadlines, skin softer than it had been in nearly thirty years and one extremely healthy countenance with which to return to the outside world.

The three hour Riverside Special Package is priced at USD145, advance reservations required and for good reason, this is an excellent spa. (JC)