A roundup of treatments in Bali.
Wellness and balance have long been integral to Balinese culture. For a spa experience with plenty of local flair, pamper yourself with these treatments the next time you visit.
SEMINYAK SOOTHER Don’t miss an opportunity to try the signature massage at Alila Seminyak, a 90-minute infusion of deep-tissue muscle movement, acupressure, and lomi-lomi techniques that feels more therapeutic than your typical head to toe number. Be warned, the treatment is so relaxing it might even put you to sleep. All practitioners are trained by a native therapist from Seminyak who practiced his craft on this very spot for more than 12 years, long before the conception of the resort ( 62-361/302-1888; alilahotels.com).
GOING DEEP Bali is the ideal destination for an outdoor spa experience, which is why the Royal Kirana Spa is a must-visit for a session of Balinese deep tissue therapy, held in a private herbal steam room overlooking virgin jungle. It’s an apt location for some gentle kneading, acupressure, and yoga stretches. All are delivered with local organic coconut oils infused with fresh lemongrass, sandalwood, and hibiscus. Afterwards, relax in rock pools and soak up the surrounding views ( 62361/976-333; royalkirana.com).
NO STONE UNTURNED Those in need of stress relief will find solace in the Balinese massage with hot stones at the Bulgari, delivered by ESPA-trained practitioners. It begins with body exfoliation and a facial cleanse, before warm aromatherapy oils of sandalwood and frankincense are massaged into the skin with long, sweeping movements. Hot stones release deep-seated tension where needed, and the entire sequence ends with a relaxing scalp massage. Suspended on a limestone cliff, some of the sea-view spa pavilions come with a private plunge pool and steam rooms ( 62361/847-1000; bulgarihotels.com).
BLIND AMBITION You need to book well in advance to secure a blind reflexology session at Ubud’s Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. These are conducted daily by intuitive Balinese healer Ketut Mursi, who has an extraordinary ability to diagnose one’s health through the feet. Not your typical foot massage, she presses, shakes, and even listens to your body before releasing its unwanted energy. It’s a profound and deeply personal experience, with no two treatments being the same ( 62-361/479-2777; mandapareserve.com).
RIVERSIDE RECHARGE With movements designed to counter the body caving inwards, the eponymous massage at the COMO Shambhala Estate corrects bad posture from our high-tech sedentary lifestyles. Practitioners return to your back, neck, and shoulder area several times during the sequence to ensure you depart knot-free. The treatment also uses COMO’s signature blended massage oil to calm the mind and rejuvenate the body. For an even more memorable experience, book a session in one of their riverside open-air spa huts at The Source ( 62-361/978-888; comohotels.com).