Bali has more than enough pristine beaches and meandering rice fields treks to ease any lucky visitor into vacation mode for weeks on end. In fact, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available when it comes to all things luxury, culture, and relaxation offered throughout the island. So, for those that are looking to escape their packed calendars and enjoy a carefully cultivated environment with activities like spa days, meditation classes, and local healing rituals, a retreat is just the way to go.
This island offers a range of these special packages, from silent meditation retreats to health and wellness-focused getaways. Whatever you choose, it will have a special Balinese twist, incorporating centuries-old traditions and practices that will help you feel more in touch not only with your own mind and body but the spirit of the island as well. It’s a lovely way to avoid just another carbon copy hotel stay and incorporate both comfort and culture in one.
Here are some of the best retreats in Bali (in alphabetical order).
Bali Silent Retreat
At the crossroads of all of the island’s most stunning nature–rice terraces, natural hot springs, and a sacred volcano–Bali Silent Retreat awaits. This spot is home to a unique experience that allows guests to embark on a journey of self-exploration with only one rule, to embrace “the art of doing nothing.” It doesn’t have all the frills of a five-star resort, but the wooden bungalows are breezy during the day and super cosy at night, with open-air bathrooms, mountain views, and of course a no Internet and no TV policy that makes relaxation a priority.
Except for in a few designated spaces, talking is discouraged throughout Bali Silent Retreat. But there are plenty of other ways to occupy your time. Check the calendar in advance to see daily schedules for yoga and meditation classes, hot springs visits, and healing ceremonies, or just spend time strolling through the property’s library, labyrinth, or jungle path. The organic, vegetarian buffet is open three times a day for all the plant-based goodness you can eat.
Fivelements Retreat
Only a 20-minute drive from the centre of Ubud, Fivelements Retreat is an eco-friendly, nature-centric sanctuary designed to help guests disconnect from digital distractions and get in touch with local culture and landscapes. The resort is tucked away above the soothing waters of the Ayung River and surrounded by lush jungle on all sides.
Guests can choose between several focuses for their retreat. Their Signature Culinary Retreat offers a glimpse into the wonderful world of plant-based cuisine under the instruction of award-winning chefs. As for their Holistic Detox Retreat, Tri Kaya Parisudha is a signature-cleansing programme inspired by the ancient Balinese philosophy that promotes living with purity of thought, speech, and action. It encourages us to align our heartfelt goodwill and thinking with consistent speech and action. The retreat includes traditional Balinese healing therapies aimed to detoxify and purify the physical body, sekala, and the non-physical mind and soul, niskala, unifying body and mind towards a natural harmonious state of being and allowing an organic healing process to unfold. Please bear in mind that this programme includes healing massages, village walks, and even a fire blessing ritual. Each has a choice for 7, 10, or 14-day stays, which include the room, meals, and activities in the price. This programme is available for either individuals, couples or small groups.
Jimbaran Puri, a Belmond Hotel
This property has unveiled a new wellness offer designed to help guests reinvigorate their mind, body and soul. Inspired by Bali’s beauty and verdant landscape, the Beach Spa at Belmond Jimbaran Puri echoes the island’s tranquil ambience. Whether you’re looking for Alfresco relaxation at the pop-up spa on the beach or a moment of calm in the treatment rooms, guests can indulge in the power of healing with a 60-minute massage of their choice. After the treatment, you can enjoy a specially concocted drink – ‘Astungkara’. Aptly translated to good luck, prosperity and happiness, this herbal drink offers blessings for a blissful year. As the sun sets on Jimbaran Bay, their in-house wellness expert shares her secret to good living and demonstrates the traditional art of Jammu making with special top-tips on how to recreate this time-honoured herbal remedy at home.
Raffles Bali
Raffles Bali is an intimate oasis of emotional well-being. Located in beautiful Jimbaran Bay within the Jimbaran Hijau development area, the resort is perched on a hill offering unparalleled views of the ocean and its own secluded beach. Raffles Wellbeing Programme is dedicated to enriching your time with an insider’s perspective on local customs. They can arrange unique cultural experiences, from temple dance ceremonies to traditional cooking classes. Any wish is only a request away. Relaxation comes easily at Raffles Bali, where the sound of tropical birds calling through the flora and the scent of the sea soothes the soul. Unwind beneath the hands of an expert therapist at Raffles Spa. There are two treatment suites, with their own soaking tub and sliding doors that lead to a hill-view terrace or experience our remote hillside treatment suite, The Sanctuary, hidden in nature.
REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort Nusa Dua
Revivo focuses on nourishing the body through well-being and balance. Old Balinese healing traditions, aroma, hydro and chromotherapy are used for this. The holistic spa, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, remains true to the age-old tradition and uses natural elements from the environment to provide treatments. The spa has its own hydro-jet Vichy showers, hot and cold plunge pools, a jacuzzi, infrared saunas, steam baths, an aromatic garden and a floating salt-water swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. Revivo is a special experience.
Sanctoo Suites & Villas
Set amidst the serene setting of Singapadu Village in the south of Ubud, Sanctoo Suites & Villas is all about adventure, wildlife, cultural enrichment and highly intuitive as well as personalized service. It is a haven of peace and serenity for lovers, couples, honeymooners and families looking to immerse themselves in Ubud’s rich and natural surroundings while being just a car ride away from all of the hottest cultural attractions, sight-seeing and shopping before returning to a tranquil retreat in high-end style and comfort.
Sanctoo Suites & Villas compromises 26 comfortably appointed and tastefully furnished Suites and 12 luxury villas which are designed to create a true sense of peace and intimacy. It serves high-quality facilities in each room and villas that feature individually controlled air-conditioning, balcony/terrace, modern bathrooms, coffee and tea facilities, mini bar, in- room-screen TV and complimentary WiFi covering all hotel areas. Meanwhile, all twelve villas feature spacious indoor and outdoor living areas that exemplify the best in contemporary interior design, built for comfort and perfectly suited for couples, independent travellers and families.
In addition to your remarkable retreat, the Sanctoo Suites & Villas also provides some extraordinary activities that can be enjoyed during your Bali holiday. Name it: Elephant Mud Fun, Picnic with Pony, Breakfast with Orangutans, Spa with Natural Waterfall View, and much more; which each is designed to excite the euphoria of a memorable Bali vacation.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Combining indigenous spa treatment, yoga, chakra meditation and mindfulness programme, Apurva Spa is inspired by the traditions of ancient Indonesia, embodying the holistic healing philosophy that began more than 2,000 years ago and combining time-honoured rituals and modern techniques. The complete wellness experience at Apurva Spa is based on the ancient proverb ‘rupasampat wahyabiantara’: true beauty is achieved when outer beauty is in harmony with inner beauty. Traditional ointments such as lulur, a herb and spice body scrub, will help achieve outer beauty, while activities such as sunrise yoga and chakra meditation will pave the way to inner harmony and balance. Treatments are tailor-made for each guest based on the four stages of life – teenage, adult, married and post-adult, with different varieties of oil, lulur,- and Jamu selected depending on specific individual needs.
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua
Reiki is a type of energy healing that involves the ritualised practice of laying hands. This technique is expected to create deep relaxation, help speed healing, reduce pain and decrease other symptoms. The Westin Resort Nusa Dua invites you to experience the process of Balinese Reiki Healing with their Balinese Yoga Instructor, Dayu Citra. This programme is available daily from 8AM to 6PM for a maximum of 2 persons in each session.
All that’s left to do is turn off your phone and get in touch with yourself and your new island home.
