Balinese spa and traditional massage

The spa in Bali is part of the island's culture rather than a hotel extra. A session combines rest, wellbeing and renewed energy, in treatment rooms open to a garden or a valley, with the sound of water and the scent of frangipani.

Balinese massage uses gentle stretches and pressure points with aromatic oils, drawing on Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian traditions. One of the best-known treatments is boreh, a warm paste of turmeric, rice, kencur and cloves that rice farmers spread on their skin after a day in the fields, to ease tired muscles and warm the body.

The lulur ritual

From Java comes lulur, a scrub of rice powder, turmeric and jasmine that brides at the royal courts received before their weddings from the 17th century, for soft, clear skin. It usually ends with a warm flower bath.

We book the spa at your resort or at one of Ubud's best-known spas, and request female therapists for women and male therapists for men as you prefer, with a private suite for couples. The treatment can also take place in your villa, entirely private.