Recently I was visiting a spa in Seminyak; that also has a branch in Ubud and I was asked why I hadn’t included Ubud in my spa stories. Feeling a bit guilty, I confessed to being a resident of Seminyak and seldom going to Ubud unless I’m playing tour guide for friends or have business. But I promised to make amends and write a feature on the best spas in Ubud. I’m familiar with some of the spas there but asked my friend to find out where the local ex-pats go to be pampered or healed. Most locals tend to go to the low to mid-range spas on a regular basis but when family and friends visit the high end ones are a choice for special occasions. Here are some of the best of Ubud.
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is always a pleasure to visit, with its magnificent view of the Petanu River and fields. This is a great spa to impress your visiting friends or family. It’s a little trek to the bottom of the hill or if you get tired; the aid of an elevator is available. The River Café next to the spa offers delicious healthy cuisine for before or after a treatment. Their latest speciality is the hot stone cuisine, with a sizzling hot stone brought to your table with the food cooking on it. All of the luxurious treatment rooms and villas overlook the swirling waters of the river; which is music enough to soothe you during your treatment. The spa offers massages, body scrubs & wraps, facials using Pevonia botanical products and herbal baths; all administered by expertly trained staff. After a soothing Maya massage and a body scrub I felt completely relaxed with silky soft skin. Following my wonderful treatment; I got my exercise by climbing the numerous steps back to the reception, where a plate of fresh fruit and ginger tea awaited me. The spa is offering 20% discount this month to Bali residents and KITAS holders. Reservations: 361- 977 888
When you have sore muscles or muscular pain, Ubud Bodyworks Centre is the place to go. This isn’t a place for pampering, but healing. Ketut Arsana, who was already a well known healer, established Bodyworks in 1987 at his home on Jalan Hanoman. He personally trained all of his staff to give deep tissue therapy massage and Balinese relaxation massage. Arsana’s treatments include: therapeutic massage, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, energy balancing, cupping, chakra healing and Baliusada medicine. He says that most people’s problems stem from their emotions, manifesting in pain in the body. I endured a rather intense treatment due to the many energy blocks in my body, but I felt much looser and better afterwards. In fact, I’ve been feeling pretty good since I saw him. The principal of “no pain, no gain” applies here, but the results are worth it! Reservations: 361- 975 720
After I checked in at the modern reception area at Taksu Spa & Restaurant, featuring raw food; I was guided outside to the long stairway to the spa realm. I had to stop after a few steps and gasp, “WOW” as I gazed on the breathtaking jungle ravine below with a small river flowing through it. This is the most dramatic view I’ve ever seen at a spa! It’s hard to believe this is in the heart of Ubud, sandwiched between Jalan Hanoman and Monkey Forest Road. All of the treatment rooms are sprinkled on the hillsides, overlooking the river below. The rooms such as reflexology are open to view the scenery, while more discreet treatments are conducted in an enclosed room with a veranda overlooking the river. To compliment the landscape; the rooms themselves are nicely fashioned, using natural stone. The very best trainers were brought in to train the therapists in holistic treatments. I thoroughly enjoyed the Esalen long stroke massage, which includes some wonderful stretches to the legs and arms, expertly performed by Nyoman, the head therapist. Taksu often has early morning specials on spa treatments and a “design or your own breakfast”, plus yoga classes. What more can you ask for in the heart of Ubud? Reservations: 361-971-490
Bali Botanica Day Spa; located on Jalan Sangigan, near Mozaic Restaurant, overlooks a bird filled jungle, rice fields and a flowing creek. It’s very popular with local residents and tourists. The spa features several pampering treatments to delight you; such as: massage, natural product facials, manicure & pedicure and a hair stylist for hair treatments. The treatment rooms are spacious and nicely decorated overlooking the tropical forest. One of the speciality treatments is the Ayurvedic Chakra Dhara massage, which is both spiritual and relaxing; warm oil is poured over the chakra points to balance the energy flow and purify the body, mind and spirit. After this nurturing massage; Shirodhara was performed by pouring warm oil over my third eye. For the finale, I was seated with my feet in a warm flower bath as the therapist massaged my back and neck. Meanwhile; my friend enjoyed the famous “mandi” treatment, consisting of a 75 minute expertly performed massage, and then followed by a lulur body scrub. Her closing moments were spent soaking in a flower bath. Complimentary transportation in Ubud area. Reservations: 976 739
For a special occasion, a visit to The Four Seasons Sayan is always a delight. Here, you can expect the very highest quality service and treatments. It was a difficult choice with so many delectable treatments to choose from; but I chose the classic Lulur Sayan because it is the most popular Indonesian treatment that most visitors want to try while in Bali; and my friend, chose the Hot River Stone massage. After stashing our clothes and belongings in a locker and donning a batik bathrobe and slippers, we enjoyed the Jacuzzi and steam-room; and then we were whisked off to our spa villa in a comfortable buggy. The spa villa was nestled amidst water ponds filled with large colourful fish. The luxurious interior contained everything needed for our treatments, including a steam-shower and a tropical garden shower. After our welcoming foot baths; our therapists skilfully delivered the treatments, assuring our satisfaction. My friend raved about how good her hot and cold stone massage was; making me a bit jealous, but I promised myself to return at a later date and try it out. This is one spa that is sure to please everyone. Reservations: 361- 977 577
When the coffers are a little low, but you still want a good spa treatment, Beji Ayu Health and Beauty Center is a good place to go. It’s located just off Monkey Forest near the football field, overlooking a river. The owner, Pak Made was a seasoned therapist from the Four Seasons, who decided to open his own spa. The premises are clean and comfortable and the staff is very well trained. This spa offers a few very good Ayurvedic treatments, with their most popular treatment the Lalata Dhara. It consists of pouring warm oil over the third eye; and then a warm herbal oil massage follows with rhythmic light strokes towards the lymphatic drainage areas for detoxification. This massage balances and restores vital energy and relaxes the nervous system. They also offer other wonderful massages: such as Balinese, Aromatherapy, Swedish and hot stones. They also have facials, hand and foot treatments and hair treatments. They have complimentary transportation service in the Ubud area. The price is right and the service is good! Reservations: 361-970 796
Spa Hati is actually a non-profit organization, located on Andong Street, Peliatan. It opened in February 1997 with the intention of promoting education and welfare to the people of Bali. It currently supports Taman Hati Kindergarten & Elementary School and the Bali Resource Center. Not only can you get great spa treatments: such as massage, scrubs, facials, manicure & pedicure, including the use of the steam-room, Jacuzzi and swimming pool; but you support the school as well. All of the pleasant treatment rooms are serenely decorated. In an enclosed bale in the garden; I experienced the Blissful Journey, which is a long stroke Balinese massage. I was quite impressed, and that’s saying something! The therapist was very talented. Recently some wonderful changes have been made to Spa Hati. Now a clinic for Ayurveda and natural therapies is open and an organic, vegetarian & raw food café now offers tantalizing dishes to enjoy by their oxygenated swimming pool, which looks out onto a tranquil rice field. Reservations: 361-977 578
I realized what is different about the spas in Ubud is that the spectacular tropical scenery surrounding many of the spas is lusher; with rivers, jungles and rice fields to capture my attention. I need to mention also, that the spas had a more relaxed atmosphere, with life moving at a slower pace and appreciating it. I’m now inspired to spend more time in the fabulous spas of Ubud and you should too!
