Kayu Manis

In the hills of Ubud, the romantic Kayumanis Villas is one of four Kayumanis villa complexes in Bali – each one beautiful and just the sort of place that you would want for a weekend hideaway. Private sanctuaries of luxury. The Spas may be small but treatments are fine and they have the most comfortable massage beds on the island. Kayumanis has their own range of luxury toiletries which they use exclusively in their own spas. (JG)

Kayumanis, Sayan Ubud T: 972 777

Tugu–Waroeng Djamu Spa

A Spa treatment at Tugu's Waroeng Jamu is an unforgettable experience. Tugu likes to incorporate the magic and mysticism of Java and Bali and spiritual elements into the treatments helping to create a relaxing atmosphere. They also work with aromatherapy and evocative scents – all designed to create feelings of wellbeing. Five "spa sanctuaries" are located around the hotel – each dramatically different. Walking into the Kamar Mantra, I was met by deep red Chinese lanterns, ancient stone statuary, Vishnu and an intruiging scent which enthralled the senses. Wow! I chose the interesting sounding mantra massage. Any treatment with hot oil does the trick for me and after twenty minutes I had lost all sense of time and space, drifting in and out of consciousness as soothed my body with emollient and fragrant warm oils. As she chanted mantras over various points of the body, I felt curious sensations of peace and calm. The darkened room and timber interior added to the sense of deep relaxation. Simply divine! (JG)

Tugu Resort, Canggu T: 731 701

Ritz Carlton

Aah the Ritz Carlton. Aah the sublime Thalasso water pools. Rushing jets of warm saline water pummel the body, starting from the legs and as you walk through the progressive pools, jets work further and further up the body until you are completely blissed out, toxins cleared, fat demolished! It feels so good, leaving you refreshed and relaxed.
A whole extensive menu of treatments is also available – if you can tear yourself away from the therapy pools which my colleague did (see below). Oh and the toiletries are fabulous. …..

Having been forcefully prised from the jet bubbles of the Aquatonic pools by the spa attendants I made my way off for a signature Kubu Beach Treatment, named after the private beach area fronting The Ritz-Carlton.
A private therapy room and veranda overlooking the tops of the palms playing host to an invigorating and refreshing combination of foot washing with Kubu Beach sand – Fresh Mint and Lime, an exfoliating sea salt Body Scrub attention, a very decadent flower petal bath and traditional deep tissue Balinese massage topped off by a Green Sea Mud Body Masque.
Two hours later I'm back in the real world feeling about ten years younger and several layers of dead skin lighter although another couple of hours (read days) in the spa pool would have topped things off to perfection…(JG & JC)

The Ritz-Carlton Jimbaran T: 702 222

Four Seasons Spa Sayan, Ubud

After weeks of magazine madness and corporate craziness, it felt like time to decompress and regain a balance that sometimes, can become lost. An authentic Ayurvedic treatment at Four Season's well regarded Spa seemed to be the ideal answer. The dara suci massage complete with essential oils stopped my over active brain in in its tracks and within five minutes my desire, or even ability to think had left me. I settled back on the massage table and succumbed eagerly to the ministrations of the excellent therapist. Suci Dhara "Suci” in Bahasa Indonesia translates as awakening and balancing of the body, heart and soul. The treatment starts with a soothing scalp massage that improves circulation as it relaxes muscle and nerve fibres providing almost instant bliss. I requested the massage next, before rather than after the shiro dara. This most well known of the ayurvedic treatmants consists of warm herbal oil dripped rhythmically onto the forehead in the vicinity of the third eye. It is deeply relaxating providing bodily harmony and mental relaxation and is highly recommended as a cure for an overactive mind and general stress clarity. It was followed by a warm herbal oil body massage to aid detoxification, and nourish the nervous system. One finishes with a steam bath and a herbal dosha tea. Restorative, warming and balancing care for total wellbeing and calm. (JG)

The Four Seasons Spa Sayan T: 977 577

The Bale

I've been waiting patiently since the start of this year's (subdued) wet season for a healthy dose of Bali flu and was duly rewarded with a nasty bout of the dreaded bug over the weekend. An assortment of jellybean coloured pills from the friendly doc's surgery down the street had the usual effect, bugger all - so I took matters into my own hands and trooped off for a spot of crystal healing and an uber healthy dinner down at The Bale's Spa and Bliss Restaurant.

The idea behind the Crystal Healing methodology is three fold. The sixty-minute treatment utilizes three different types of crystal found in the U.S, the green serves to balance and calm, the red crystal deals with your circulatory system whilst the black revives your energy and spirit.
A nice touch to the spa treatments available at The Bale is the inclusion of Bliss Restaurant serving a menu to compliment the therapies on offer.
Did it usher away a dose of the flu? Almost, but it was way more effective than a bag of prescription pills.

The Bale Spa and Bliss Restaurant are open 9am to 9pm daily. The Crystal Healing treatment is Rp.650,000++. Two-hour treatments include two courses from the Bliss menu. (JC)

The Bale, Nusa Dua T: 775 111

Prana Spa at the Villas

The Indian fortress castle in the midst of Seminyak continues to be one of Bali's best. Like some kind of Maharajahs fantasy, it could be really tacky but it is beautifully done and really could be in a royal hideaway somewhere in Rajahsthan. A huge menu of exotic treatments needs plenty of time for perusal. So many choices. It is like having dinner at a really great restaurant where all your favourites are offered. For me the choice was made - hot and cold stones treatment. The theory is the hot stones create warmth and encourage circulation, followed by the shock of cold marble which is believed to help to increase the effect. Personally I will just take the hot stones thank you – the feelings of being massaged with lots of oil and smooth, smooth, river stones was really special. The spa has rooms and rooms, darkened little havens for Shiatsu, double rooms, wrap rooms and places for reflexology and manicures. It is all there in great abundance. (JG)

Prana Spa at the Villas JL Kunti No 118x T: 730 840

Bvlgari

Standing in glorious isolation, on the headlands of the extreme reaches of Bali's Bukit, the glorious Bvlgari Spa offers a transcendental experience of luxury and indulgence. Using luxury Espa products for treatments ranging from theraputic massage to immune boosters to anti-ageing, spa users can enjoy a real retreat. Guests pass through the entrance reception – a Javanese joglo - to enter a rather more medieval setting of grey stone and clear pools overlooking the sea, always the sea. But the best, really the best, are the treatment rooms which face directly out to the Indian Ocean. In fact, little memory remains of my treatment although I am sure it was fabulous. What is indelibly burned into my brain cells is that wide angle vista of the deep blue indigo Indian Ocean. Oh not to mention their gorgeous Bvlgari toiletries…(JG)

Bvlgari, Uluwatu T: 847 1000