Bali is the land of SPAS, and with so many SPAS I often wonder how they all keep going – some look so quiet from the outside, & yet, when one starts chatting to the manager, they tell you they have been operating for years, so, they must be doing something right.
If you take the ByPass, Sanur, you will note how many large SPAS are located along this stretch, sometimes with a tour bus parked outside, on investigation, many large SPAS keep running due to their marketing efforts, in particular, the many Asian visitors who all seem to adore massage & Spa treatments.
So, here I was recently checking out a rather cute white Joglo set a little back off the road (between MacDonalds & the Pertamina gas station) as had heard it was a new café & yes, this is correct, La Tartine & then found to my amazement, a grand SPA set further back & then, what did I discover but an amazing collection of individual Joglos, obviously the start of a boutique ‘hotel’ empire!
Goodness me, what one discovers on the ByPass, it’s all about, getting out of your car & taking a look! Well now, let me tell you a little about this fascinating destination……
Firstly, the entire property is about 60are, huge! & there’s a back gate, which takes you via a short cut, over to the beach.
La Tartine, steps right out of one of those sweet villages in rural France. Painted out in white, lace curtains, patterned tiled floor, a mix match of wooden furniture, cakes set upon a table, old posters hang along with the new & within the actual café, stands a magnificent Joglo, painted white, complete with hanging chandelair, a mix of French colonial with a tad of Baroque!
All tres cosy, chic & French! So delighted to find such a place with oomph! And looking at the menu, loads of French style goodies to eat, what about trying the famous eggs en cocotte! I think this café perfect, for a break in your shopping jaunt, otherwise, a delicious coffee aveq a slice of spiced cake, to keep you in that shopping whirl!At this stage, La Tartine is open from 9am to 6pm & closed on Sunday.
Next, walking further back, via a large carpark, enter a large building, it’s the SPA. A bevy of lovely girls, headed up by Yanti, bring fresh cool towels & red rice tea, & with this, take a look at the menu of treatments - from 60 minutes, to wait for it, 5 hours?!!
You can have it all – from a simple relaxation treatment, the traditional, a Shiatsu, Four Hands, Ayurvedic, Herbal & a Warm Stone massage.
The Luxury Dream Package of course is the ultimate consisting of - massage, scrubs, flower bath, facial, manicure & pedicure, a cream bath for head and then a delicious lunch after the treatment!
There’s Reflexology, Neck & Shoulders, Hair & Facials along with Waxing. What more could one want?!
All products are quality, organic & 100% Indonesian made, and an important note, is that the Puri Esthetic Spa will take no more that 4 to 6 persons in a group at one time (there are no big buses here! ) meaning, it’s a quality SPA and not over crowded & running with visitors! Oh yes, almost forgot, a complimentary pick-up & drop- back service for those within the Sanur area.
And then, there are the Joglos! One may dare to say that this property ‘has a touch of the unique Desa Seni property, found over in Canggu) All individual buildings, complete with authentic interiors are painted in their original colors – there are a couple of large two bedroom Joglos with pool, and ten, one bedroom Joglos. I hear that the prices per night are most reasonable & Joglo’s offer an excellent idea for visitors who wish to stay & experience more rustic & traditional surroundings. At this stage, there are only some Joglos complete & available for lease. However, there is a ‘soft opening’ scheduled for mid July with the official opening of the entire property, September 1.
At this point, I have to comment on the beautiful gardensthroughout the property, it’s a pleasure to wander at will, most relaxing, & a great tonic.
A little walk away, is a planned Bikram Yoga space (which is the universal ‘hot’ yoga, a session runs for 90 minutes in a 42C temp, covering the entire 26 positions) Kever McGuiness , originally from Hawaii, will run the yoga classes & with Kever’s good looks, am sure the ladies of Sanur will be attending classes regularly! Bikram Yoga Space opens September 1.
I bet you are thinking, who could be behind this vast & lovely property? Well, let me tell you, it’s Liliek Herawaty, the eldest daughter of the Mama & Leon family, who is also the Director of the Keraton Jimbaran Resort & Spa. A very clever business women at the helm and a chic lady too!
Puri Esthetic Spa & Boutique: Jl By Pass, Ngurah Rai, No 209, Sanur. T: 286 542 E: esthetic@dps.centrin.net.id, www.puriesthetic.com
