At Bali’s wellness retreats, healing comes in many forms

When it comes to luxury hotel trends, one that shows no signs of slowing is wellness – specifically the rise of wellness retreats. And while such retreats in the past would conjure up images of zombie-like guests wandering around the property in a perpetual state of hanger (translation: hunger and anger), wellness today has thankfully taken on a whole new meaning.

Fuelled by the popularity of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love, Bali's wellness retreat scene is one the world's most developed thanks to the abundance of sun, sea, sand, surf and a healthy dose of spirituality. On the Island of the Gods, wellness no longer equates to detox and deprivation – instead, the focus is on nourishment, self-care, love and connection.

This new holistic definition of wellness often involves a combination of movement, diet, mindfulness and other lifestyle changes that guests can take home with them, instead of a simple spa-cation that focuses on short-term pampering and relaxation. From Bali's original wellness retreats to the newest ones on the block, here’s where to start your own healing journey:

COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE

Location: Ubud, Bali

One of Bali’s first and original wellness retreats, Como Shambhala Estate opened in 1998 in the heart of Ubud right next to the rushing rapids of the Ayung river – replete with its own sacred spring known as The Source. Today, it is still consistently ranked as one of the top wellness retreats in Bali, and its mere mention still elicits gasps of envy across the board.

Whether or not you undergo a traditional Balinese water blessing to cleanse your mind, body and spirit, it's impossible not to feel healed simply by being in the serene, lush and green jungle setting, where your wellness journey is supported by healthy food offerings at Glow (or slightly less healthy but highly comforting Indonesian dishes at Kudus House, a 150-year-old former Javanese residence overlooking the river valley).When you aren't relaxing in your private villa, playing in the natural waterfalls or relaxing by the natural rock pools down by the river, other “active” pursuits at Como Shambhala Estate include yoga, pilates and meditation, along with heavenly massages, Ayurvedic treatments, hydrotherapy and mindful walks around the sprawling 9.3-hectare jungle estate.

FIVELEMENTS

Location: Ubud, Bali

With a focus on Balinese healing, ancient traditions and the Sacred Arts, Fivelements is another long-established wellness retreat that opened in late 2010 and offers a paradisiacal jungle setting along the Ayung river to relax, nourish and connect with yourself.

Retreats at this eco-conscious, community-driven wellness resort take on a holistic and integrative approach that includes delicious plant-based cuisine, daily yoga classes in one of Bali’s most stunning shalas, riverside massage treatments and various healing sessions such as fire and water blessing rituals to purify your mind, body and soul.

Fivelements’ accommodations take the form of one- or two-bedroom villas that face the Ayung river or hillside – many with private plunge pools, day beds and Balinese gardens to while the days away. Unique experiences in your healing journey include guided visits to a sacred cave in Nusa Penida with a high priest, elaborate floral baths to engage all five senses and soak away your worries, plus guided water healing sessions (also known as Watsu) that’ll make you feel as though you've returned to the womb. 

REVIVO WELLNESS RESORT

Location: Nusa Dua, Bali

A relative newcomer to the scene, Revivo Wellness Resort opened pre-pandemic but only started welcoming guests back fully in April 2022. Located in Nusa Dua on the former grounds of Amanusa – the private villa of Aman founder, Adrian Zecha – the beautifully landscaped resort is designed with sprawling Balinese-style thatched-roof villas clustered around semi-private pools, swaying walls of white bougainvillea flowers, colourful frangipani trees and reflective lily ponds.

Signature treatments at Revivo include stress reduction, detox and weight loss, emotional balance, longevity and sleep enhancements – all of which start at a minimum of three nights and include daily REMISSIO spa treatments, MOVEO exercise classes, healthy NUTRIO meals and nighttime rituals. Guests opting for just the room and board option can enjoy the spa and activities a la carte, and indulge in the food offerings at NUTRIO (a well-rounded menu featuring meat, fish and vegetables that incorporates local Balinese flavours).

Facilities-wise, Revivo has a fully kitted-out gym with its own pilates studio, hot and cold plunge pools, plus infrared sauna and steam room – not to mention, a new vitality centre that offers IV drips and other longevity treatments.

GDAS BALI

Location: Ubud, Bali

Founded by Russell Simmons, hip hop mogul and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings – not to be confused with the afro-donning and spandex-wearing Richard Simmons – Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort is yet another new wellness resort located in Bali’s spiritual centre of Ubud. Here, healing takes on a glamorous vibe with the resort centred around a giant jacuzzi right next to the main pool, which is flanked by a row of cabanas draped in flowy, white fabric (very MTV) as Alicia Keys and Warren G play in the background.

Glass-walled Grand Deluxe suites open directly towards lush and green rice paddies as far as the eye can see, while indoors, the black stone bathtub, green marble bathroom, giant tufted ottoman and chandelier bring the hip-hop flavour. Speaking of food, everything on the menu at Gdas is plant-based, highlights of which include the Tofu Benny, Jackfruit Rendang and a range of colourful smoothie bowls.

Still in its soft opening phase, the resort is currently working on its in-house spa and fitness centre with plans to add vitality treatments such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, and IV drips to the mix. Once completed, Gdas will have another (larger) pool with a DJ booth and a second restaurant that will serve a wider menu of vegan and possibly meat options.

THE ASA MAIA

Location: Uluwatu, Bali

At The Asa Maia, which translates to "hope beyond illusion" from Sanskrit, wellness takes the form of nourishing pescetarian cuisine, contrast therapy between hot and cold plunge pools, an infrared sauna, saltwater pool, firepit and 24-hour gym to sweat all those toxins out.

Inspired by its founder Martha Booke's own wellness journey, the intimate boutique resort located in Uluwatu aims to help guests forge new mind-body connections with just 10 luxuriously appointed gladaks (traditional Indonesian teak wood houses), transported with love from East Java and reassembled onsite. Each features Belgian blue stone bathroom counters and bathtubs uniquely placed in the bedroom, plus mosaic tiles and vintage-esque furnishings that evoke a rustic feel.

Do as much or as little wellness as you want here – daily yoga and movement classes are offered at the lofty second-floor yoga and meditation shala, while the lobby library is stocked with self-development and books about Bali to feed your mind. And if all else fails, find healing with Bani, the in-house cat who’ll calm your nerves with her rhythmic and meditative purrs.

ESCAPE HAVEN

Location: Canggu, Bali

Tucked away in a Canggu alley surrounded by surfers, influencers and digital nomads, Escape Haven is an all-women’s luxury wellness retreat founded by New Zealand entrepreneur Janine Cottle. Here, healing comes in the form of self-care, community and sisterhood – not to mention unlimited spa treatments, nourishing meals, smoothies and coconuts plus daily yoga, pilates, surfing, wellness talks, cooking classes and excursions to Bali’s bucket list destinations depending on your package.

A place for women to reconnect with themselves and each other (without the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life), Escape Haven feels like a real-life Barbie world with a dreamy, ultra-feminine setting and two swimming pools – one of which is a saltwater lagoon with built-in fire pit – plus 17 gorgeously appointed suites decked out in frangipani flowers, white-washed wood carvings and plenty of seashell and feather accessories.