Spa Hati

One of my favourite spas in Bali, Spa Hati in the ricefields outside Ubud, offers an experience of light and space, excellent massage in theraputically beneign surroundings. The sounds of running water create instant feelings of calm and the white buildings and water gardens all exist in harmony. And the mildly Japanese flavour only make it more appealing. Apart from massage the spa offers mandi lulur, as well as manicure and pedicure in a purpose built pavilion. There is also a Jacuzzi, herbal sauna and clean white swimming pool overlooking the rice fields with distant views to Mt Batur.

The massage offered is a mix of Balinese and western and also Eselen Massage and is as soothing as it is healing. It is good to make a day of it - relax by the pool or order lunch in from a nearby restaurant ( Bali Buddha delivers) and enjoy an excellent treatment either singly or together with a friend. (JG)

Spa Hati, Jl Raya Andong Ubud, No 14 T: 977 578

Thalasso at the Grand Mirage

At Thalasso Bali the interiors of the treatment rooms are themed to suit individual treatments. The design concept comes from architect Sieg Wong. The mind is literally lifted by the individual interiors that accompany each style of treatment. While the interiors support the treatments it is the treatments themselves that are the main focus of a visit to Thalasso Spa. Thalasso has created a wide ranging menu, using filtered seawater in all eleven treatments. Dr De La Bonnardiere developed these treatments in the mid 19th century. Thalasso treatments provide supportive therapy according to need. Should you arrive stressed, a treatment is chosen to nurture your recovery. In its’ approach to wellbeing, Thalasso Spa provides an holistic center for the mind, body and soul. The response to treatment is immediate, your skin glows, you feel peaceful and your mind is clear and the only thing you can think about is how soon you can return to immerse yourself in the combination of ancient wisdom, space age technology, heavenly environments, nurture and the sacred healing sea… (SP)

Thalasso Bali Grand Mirage Hotel
JL Pratima 24 Tanjung Benoa T: 771 881

The Bali Botanica Day Spa

The Bali Botanica Day Spa is renowned for its welcome. Guests from Asia and beyond repeatedly return to this charming hidden location in the delightful environment of Sanggingan just outside Ubud. With neighbors like Mozaic, Uma and Museum Neka, it is easy to find, though discreetly out of sight. The favorite treatment is the Ayurvedic Chakra Dhara massage, a two and a half hour experience of harmonious balancing. It is also available as a full day program which includes facials and hair treatments in the salon area. Bali Botanica is known for good value and the joy with which guests are treated and of course the stunning location above the river. Offered continually through the year is a five-night, six day, yoga retreat that embraces the same elements of balance and joy as the Spa. Founders Claude Magloire and Iyan Yaspriyana, of PT Zen Jiwa Raga are one of Bali’s most respected Spa and resort consulting teams. (SP)

Bali Botannica Day Spa, Sangiggan Ubud
T: 976 739 www.balibotanica.com

Shiatsu at Griya Bugar

Any thoughts of a ‘nicely nicely’ approach to my Shiatsu therapy is out the window in a half-second, no nice bowls of flower petals or Cappuccino body scrubs here. Thrust onto the treatment table I find myself in the throes of a Vulcan death grip as the wind is knocked straight out of me, the masseuse laughs and points out this is only medium strength. I’m choking back the tears.

By the time the proper Shiatsu foot technique begins I’m almost bordering on a state of severe shock, “would you like some water?” she inquires, “hang the water”, I croak in despair, “get me some morphine for God’s sake!”
Half an hour later and I’ve lost all feeling below my waist.

Two hours and a dusk surf session I feel magic. I now even have the ability to turn my head a full 180 degrees, Exorcist style. I guess there’s some meaning to the old ‘go hard or go home’ saying after all. Mark me down as the next detainee masochist in line for a good working over by the Griya Bugar ladies… (JC)

Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai Tuban T: 767 448

Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua

The gorgeous Laguna Spa is a place you never want to leave. Met with gentle courtesy and a glass of fresh jamu, you enter a world of total indulgence. The elegant hallway leads into comfortable Batavia styled treatment rooms that hold every high-tech spa device. Chromatherapy illuminates the rooms in changeable colours to suit treatments that range from ancient Balinese techniques to Vichy Showers. The Laguna Spa Villas provide a serene retreat from the world.

Massages and facials with respected Thalgo products from France, and Indonesian aromatherapy oils are included in the relaxation, longevity and body shaping techniques. Outside in the private courtyard, jet stream waterfalls, plunge pools, a sauna and a “Kneipp” walk-through aqua therapy course are available for a fun experience to be followed by a huge splash in the high jet, warm water Jacuzzi. During my treatment at the Laguna Spa time melted into another dimension, relaxation engulfed me in such an aura of wellbeing that I felt a childlike delight in the splashing of the waters and the acceptance of the total attention given to me by the wonderful spa therapists. Laguna Spa is a place to cast away to, a haven of extreme luxuriousness in Nusa Dua. (SP)

Laguna Resort and Spa Nusa Dua T: 771 327
www.luxurycollection.com/bali

Maya Resort and Spa

Nestled in a gorgeous location in Pejeng just outside Ubud, the Maya Resort is a chic retreat. The spa is even better, enjoying one of the most gorgeous locations in Bali.

Following the Petanu River, the new spa villas enjoy an intimate location by the small and gurgling river. Surrounded by verdant greenery, and bird calls it is almost a perfect spa location where abundant nature adds an extra dimension to any treatment.

I enjoyed a relaxing aromatherapy massage as the river rushed by – heaven. Later for those with time, relaxing for a while by the small but perfect pool overlooking the river is close to heaven. The nearby Spa Café offers spa treat so it is easy to spend many a comfortable hour right there. (JG) T: 977 888

The Bali Hyatt, Sanur

The essence of Bali permeates from the moment you enter The Spa at The Bali Hyatt. An holistic approach is used in the treatment of mind, body and spirit, combined with a spa philosophy to create an experience that combines nature with professionally trained therapists to rejuvenate and instill the guest with a total sensation of wellbeing. Ala carte choices include hydrotherapy baths, body wraps, scrubs and masks. Guests can create daylong programs to suit their mood, or alternatively, spa packages are available in the Spa Villas. A romantic bale combines nature with comfort and the four double Spa Villas provide the ultimate in exclusion and privacy. The Bali Hyatt promises a pathway to Nirvana, in their exclusive garden spa under the expansive Sanur sky, it’s easy to fall under the spell of the mystical Balinese world of traditional therapies that intuitively seek out tensions and bring exquisite release of stresses and strains. The Bali Hyatt Spa is a brilliant flower in this beautiful garden paradise. (SP)

The Bali Hyatt Sanur T: 281 234
www.bali.spa.resort.hyatt.com

Conrad Jiwa Spa

From the moment you walk into Conrad’s Jiwa Spa it is professionalism all the way. Your appointment is taken care of and everything is in order. The small shop sells myriad varieties of packaged incense and some Buddha heads. I was down for the signature Ocean Flow massage treatment – a mix of “languid rhythmical strokes and firm acupressure, akin to the movements of the ocean waves”. Well it was not so much ocean waves although perhaps if the imagination was strong enough - or as strong as the copywriters! Anyway, the massage was soothing and the “earthy” aromatherapy oil they used was enough to conjure up images all of its own. The massage lasted almost 90 minutes and if I had not been so late it would have been followed by a flower bath. Instead I contended myself with some minutes in the excellent sauna and a quick wallow in the Jacuzzi – all very relaxing. Interestingly, this spa seems to be the only one that features a zen type sand arrangement rather than the usual, but sometimes lovely flower bowls to gaze at while being treated – nice. (JG)

Hotel Conrad, Tanjung Benoa T: 778 788