One of the best things about Bali is the range of options to choose from when you’re in need of a little tender loving pampering. Preserving beauty is definitely big business in Indonesia. Where else in the world do women consider their weekly cream bath trip to the nearest hair salon one of life’s greatest necessities? And where else in the world can you get a treatment called “Pussy Akupressure” for the va-jay-jay?
While there is no shortage of spas and massages in Bali, we’ve got you covered for the weird, the wacky and the out-of-the-ordinary. So if mandi lulur sounds way too mainstream for your liking, you might want to give some of these treatments a try:
1. The Social Spa Experience at Spring
DJ station and spa don’t usually appear in the same sentence. But Spring Spa makes it so. Based on the concept of a “social spa”, this sleek, loft-like aesthetic enclave in Petitenget aims to insert a social fun environment (taking away awkward spa formalities) in your pampering experience, while still keeping the vibe quite zen. The DJ station is located on top of this two-story spa (which also features a blow-out wave station), so you can rock-out to some sweet tunes while you’re being massaged and exfoliated. FYI: the oxygen facial seems to be the favorite judging by reviews on TripAdvisor .
Where: Spring Spa Bali – Jalan Petitenget 100x, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, +62 361 8499636, bali@springspa.com.
2. Chocolate Dream Massage at Spa Bali
So it turns out that chocolate can be good for your skin. Apparently cocoa contains anti-oxidants that can slow-down the aging process. Also, it’s a mood-booster, and being happy always helps in making us feel and look good.
At Spa Bali, chocoholics can indulge in all of chocolate’s goodness, literally all over your body. You will get a massage with natural cocoa cream, then scrubbed all over with chocolate/cinnamon before bathing in chocolate for two and a half hours. Definitely sounds like a dream massage to us – the challenge will be resisting the temptation to lick it all.
Where: Spa Bali has four branches in Bali, located in Ubud, Kuta, Drupadi, and Seminyak.
Spa Bali Ubud – Jalan Raya Pengosekan, +62 361 970897
Spa Bali Kuta – Jalan Legian, +62 851 0056 7111
Spa Bali Drupadi – Jalan Drupadi, +62 361 737694
Spa Bali Seminyak – Jalan Caplak Tanduk, +62 361 737932, +62 361737933
3. GOLDUST Beauty Lounge
Some Indonesian ladies, in their never-ending quest for getting fairer skin, have been known to adopt ancient beauty rituals in their regime, Cleopatra’s milk-bathing habit being one of them.
GOLDUST Beauty Lounge brings the luxury in ancient beauty rituals up a notch by offering gold-themed beauty treatments (supposedly gold minerals have powerful beauty and healing properties, and because of that rumour has it that Cleopatra also used to give herself gold face masks and sleep in it every night).
Using high quality 24-carat gold, you can get all sorts of gold-treatments ranging from facials to eye masks to nail art. One of the most popular treatments, the 24K Gold Facial, starts with giving the face a deep cleanse before applying thin sheets of gold leaf. You are then given a head and foot massage while the gold supposedly works miracles to your skin.
You’d think that using gold treatment would cost you an arm and a leg – but the 24K Gold Facial will set you back around Rp 1,450,000 (just under $110). Not too bad for some 24-carat luxury…
Where: GOLDUST Beauty Lounge – 66 Jalan Batu Bolong, Canggu, +62 811 383 721
4. Underwater Massage at Ayana Resort and Spa
Getting an underwater massage at Ayana Resort and Spa is another way to experience an ancient beauty healing ritual dating back 5,000 years, known as Talassotherapy.
Tala what? The origin of the ritual comes from the Greek word for sea, “thalassa” and healing “therapeia”. The spa boasts a pretty flash-looking seawater pool, which is supposed to help blood circulation and restore vital minerals as a result of stress, pollution and poor lifestyle. The underwater massage involves you floating on the seawater, supported by some sort of floatation device, while an attentive therapist restores some stretching, goodness, and relaxation.
The spa also has a killer view – looking out over actual seawater aka the indian ocean.
Where: Ayana Resort & Spa, Jalan Mas Kerang Sejahtera, Jimbaran, +62 361 702222, info@ayanaresort.com.
5. Bloody Mary or Luxury Champagne Treatment, St Regis Bali
If you want your treatment to give you a little jolt of refreshment, the St. Regis “Signature Bloody Mary” inspired ritual might just be what you’re looking for.
According to St. Regis Bali, this treatment apparently pays homage to a timeless tradition. Your entire body is first cleansed with a tomato, pineapple and wasabi concoction before wrapped in a vodka tomato clay mask. After that, you will receive a tomato and parsley-infused oil massage before re-invigorating yourself with a tomato vermouth and mineral salt bath.
FYI: If tomatoes aren’t your thing, there’s also a “luxury champagne treatment” which involves being poured drops of cold champagne, followed by a massage using grapeseed scrub and oil before finishing with a champagne body mask made out of white clay and, you guessed it, champagne.
Hangover cure anyone?
Where: Remède Spa at the St Regis Bali Resort, wasan Pariwisata, Nusa Dua, Lot S6, +62 361 8478111, remedespa.bali@stregis.com
6. Ice Treatment in Alila Manggis
This is another treatment that incorporates ancient healing practices – using ice to ward off ailments as well as restore some zen-ness in your life.
The setting for this spa is drop-dead gorgeous (between mountains and ocean…not much more need to be said), so you can distract yourself with the view if the feeling of ice all over your back gets a bit weird for you to handle.
The ice treatment works similarly to acupuncture, but instead of having needles you have ice blocks. A lot of athletes take ice baths post workout to increase blood circulation and in turn helps their muscles recover. It is also supposed to detoxify and help you lower your cholesterol level. Let’s face it – if there is any place where having ice all over your back could be soothing and relaxing, it’s in the warm, humid, tropical climate of Bali.
Where: Alila Manggis Spa, Jalan Raya Buitan, Manggis, Karangasem, +62 363 41011
7. Caviar Facial at Prana Spa Bali
Another one for those who like to likes to feel luxury on their skin.
The Pevonia Escutox and Caviar Luxe Facial has been called “the natural alternative to botox” – diminishing wrinkles and improving elasticity from skin. The facial uses Russian caviar extract (rather opulent) which apparently gives the skin that oh-so-youthful glow and escutox from the okra flower, which is supposed to be hydrating.
Aladdin enthusiasts might be interested in giving this place a visit. The theme is very much over the top Arabian Nights (one of the rituals is even called the “Princess Jasmine Bath”.
Where: Prana Spa Bali, Jalan Kunti, Seminyak, +62 (361) 730 840, spares@pranaspabali.com
Photo at the top: GOLDUST Beauty Lounge Facebook Page
