If you want to de-stress on vacation, try a spa hotel or resort in Indonesia. If you enjoy beautiful beaches or a lush and volcanic landscape, far away from the crowds, Indonesia offers remote bliss in bucketloads. The best hotels include Alila Ubud, Amandari, Amanjiwo, Bali, Capella Ubud, COMO Shambhala Estate, Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan, Mandapa, Mesastila Resort & Spa, Tanah Gajah, The Purist Villas & Spa.
1. MesaStila Resort & Spa
Our favourite hotel in Java in Indonesia is MesaStila (pictured above). The location of this hotel is truly unique. Surrounded by volcanoes (eight in total), the setting is utterly remote and truly breathtaking.
The hotel is located on a working coffee plantation, about two hours’ drive from Yogyakarta Airport. A stay here will immerse you in the stunning mountain scenery pictured above. Rooms look out on the 22 hectares of lush, tropical gardens and are cooled in highland air.
Buildings are historic and date back to the Dutch colonial age. Each of the twenty-three villas is unique in décor, and each is lovingly furnished in a way that celebrates local style while providing every luxurious touch a discerning guest could wish for.
An impressive collection of antiques goes a long way toward creating the very special character of this resort, and each villa has been built to resemble a traditional Javanese antique Limasan, Joglo, or Kudus wooden house.
With the perfect balance of ancient and contemporary healing traditions, MesaStila’s award-winning spa brings you the finest therapies from Asia and the Near East. The Indonesian Archipelago has a long history of contact between Chinese and Arab traders, who introduced plants, herbs, and spices, bringing insights from Indian Ayurvedic, Chinese and Greek medicine, and Arab healing practices. The traditional Indonesian Jamu vendors result from these enormous influences, and today these people can be best described as walking-talking pharmacies.
Cultural traditions were adopted as the traders traversed the region and one such ritual is the Hammam Turkish Bath. With its origins in Turkey, MesaStila is proud to house South East Asia’s only authentic Hammam, where steam bathing combines functionality with decadent cleansing rituals. Treatments include massages, reflexology, body scrubs, and wraps – some of which harness the powerful anti-oxidant properties of the locally grown coffee bean.
Another highlight is the infinity pool which makes you feel like you are swimming through the treetops.
2. The Purist Villas & Spa
The Purist Villas & Spa is a stunning spa resort full of relaxation near Ubud, Bali’s spiritual and artistic heart. This boutique resort comprises of 18 uniquely styled and tastefully appointed Bali luxury villas surrounded by a contemporary atmosphere and a deep sense of tranquility.
Nestled into the natural Balinese surroundings, the resort can be reached with a four-minute drive from Ubud, passing stunning rice fields and glimpsing traditional rituals and cultural activities of the local Balinese people. The resort boasts English-speaking staff, excellent service, and a very warm Balinese welcome.
The Purist Villas & Spa features a beautiful pool surrounded by sun loungers and beds, while Purist Spa can be found on an elevated floor, just a few steps above the emerald swimming pool. The spa offers a selection of signature massages featuring South East Asia’s most trusted techniques, provided by highly trained professionals. The Purist Villas yoga sessions are available in all disciplines and designed to release anxiety and calm the mind with happiness, peace, and tranquility.
The Purist Villas & Spa aims to connect its guests with Bali’s many spiritual and artistic traditions, which can be seen in the way they have furnished the Purist Villas with only the most beautiful and authentic artifacts that have been slowly accumulated from travels throughout the Indonesian islands.
3. Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan
This is the second Four Seasons hotel on the island of Bali and has a much more spiritual and spa-appropriate vibe than the beach fronted Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay. Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan, hidden in the mists of the jungle, is the perfect place to relax in the spa and to explore your inner zen.
Voted #1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2018, Four Seasons Resort Sayan encapsulates Bali at its philosophical and soulful best. The hotel is only a ten-minute drive from the stylish boutiques, artist ateliers, and atmospheric eateries of boho-chic Ubud, which makes Four Seasons Sayan an inspiring base which to explore Bali’s cultural heart or to retreat into nature’s meditative embrace.
The Four Seasons Sayan is a tranquil retreat tucked away amongst the lush jungle greenery on the banks of the Ayung River that flows through a river valley in the heart of Ubud. Guests arrive via a dramatic bridge at tree-level, beneath which the Ayung River valley spreads its tropical arms.
From the gravity-defying rooftop lotus pond that seems to float, suspended above the canopy, the hotel cascades down the hill to the two-tiered swimming pool and through an enchanting forest that cocoons just 60 suites and villas with stunning rice paddy and jungle views.
Gravitate inwards at The Sacred River Spa with Chakra Ceremonies and river stone massages. Reconnect to your life force with dynamic yoga classes and seek the wisdom of Ibu Fera, resident wellness mentor and former Buddhist nun, with meditation, Life Talks, and Sacred Nap. Savor the simplicity of rice planting with local farmers and get off the beaten track.
Wherever you are in the world, Four Seasons hotels are consistently one of the best hotels or resorts in the area. They don’t have a Four Seasons loyalty program, so you will never be able to book a free stay by racking up and redeeming points or by collecting points on your credit card and spending them at a Four Seasons hotel. It can’t be done. But you can get discounts at Four Seasons hotels and benefit from special rewards at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
4. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Fronting the Ayung River near the Ubud jungle, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali, features 35 suites and 25 private pool villas, which replicate a traditional Balinese village complete with working rice paddies.
For thousands of years, the mandapas, Sanskrit for temples, of Ubud have offered a sacred space for devotees to rest their mind, body, and soul. Visitors today will find a similar escape at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a secluded paradise where lush, rolling hills, the Ayung River, and verdant rice paddies create a unique sense of place.
A traditional Balinese gong marks your arrival at this five-star hotel, followed by a refreshing local drink full of goodness and infused with indigenous herbs. Your personal butler, who will remain at your service throughout your stay, will escort you to your villa or suite, one of only 60 available at this intimate property.
Luxury accommodations feature a private outdoor space with views of the river or surrounding scenery, including the lime green rice paddies surrounding Mandapa. Four restaurants serve health-conscious cuisine sourced from the organic garden; arrange a romantic dinner overlooking the river or rice terrace.
A destination for wellness and spirituality, Bali carries a long tradition of healing and inner reflection. The resort’s Mandapa Spa draws on these practices to offer a modern, luxury retreat amid the lush rainforest of Ubud. Balinese-inspired treatments feature Subtle Energies and locally sourced products, and unique opportunities include a session with a local Balinese healer. The riverfront spa is a complete wellness destination; in addition to its eight treatment rooms, it features a yoga pavilion, meditation temple, vitality pool, 24-hour fitness center, saunas, and relaxation areas.
5. Amandari
Amandari (which means “peaceful spirits”) is located five minutes from the art community of Ubud, in Central Bali. Balinese-style stone gateways front Amandari’s 30 walled, thatched-roof suites, each with a private garden courtyard and some with private pools. Wireless broadband connections are now available in all resort accommodations and public areas.
Designed as a Balinese village, Amandari has river-stone walkways and high paras-stone walls. The open-air lobby was designed after a village meeting place. The pathway that runs through Amandari and down the valley to the river below is part of Bali’s sacred land. For hundreds of years, Balinese have taken the path down to a pool of holy water every six months. Just above this spring-fed pool sit three modest shrines and an ancient tiger carved into the rock.
Facilities include restaurants, the Library, with a broad selection of books, newspapers, CDs, and games, a fitness center fitted with a fully equipped cardiovascular gym, a signature 32m green-tiled swimming pool lying close to the lip of the gorge.
The Spa rests in tranquil dappled light. Taking a holistic approach to wellness, therapies incorporate healing local ingredients to harmonize body and mind. Signifying new beginnings, the Balinese Melukat purification ceremony is the finishing touch of Amandari’s revitalizing signature spa journey, including a full-body exfoliation using black rice and cinnamon, a body wrap of mineral-rich volcanic clay, and a therapeutic head massage.
All spa treatments incorporate Aman’s all-natural skincare range, grouped into three unique formulations – Grounding, Purifying, and Nourishing. Products include body balms, anti-aging serums, body oils, dew mists, and more and can be purchased for use at home.
With its unique spiritual energy, Amandari is also the ideal setting in which to experience the benefits of yoga and meditation. Our well-respected Balinese teachers come from villages around Ubud and offer both Hatha and Ashtanga yoga styles for all levels of ability.
The peaceful Amandari resort caters to all activity levels and is a serene home base to return to; each of the 30 freestanding suites is a charming oasis of handwoven batiks, sliding-glass doors opening on three sides, and an outdoor, sunken marble bathtub. The duplex rooms boast romantic four-poster beds. From here, take in the resplendent, far-reaching views of the rice terraces and lush countryside.
6. Capella Ubud
Nestled in the heart of lush green forests, Capella Ubud tented camp sits in harmony with the surrounding nature. Inspired by the early European settlers from the 1800s, architect Bill Bensley designed Capella Ubud, Bali, as a tribute to their spirit of adventure.
Capella Ubud, Bali, is set within a dramatic terraced landscape, with prominent rice paddies surrounding the entrance, leading through a densely forested valley all the way down to the sacred Wos River. This refined camp is more than a hotel. Constructed within the trees and hidden from afar, it captures the imagination of those who seek a unique experience at the heart of Bali’s untouched natural surroundings. Within the camp are twenty-two one-bedroom tents as well as one two-bedroom lodge, all with private saltwater pools.
Cocooned in the rainforest at the heart of the camp, Auriga is an oasis for guests to indulge in bespoke treatments and rejuvenate among nature. Spa experiences are drawn from Bali’s rich wellness tradition, with treatments using signature techniques and organic products exclusively blended for Capella Ubud, Bali. Adventure wellness, pampering spa treatments designed around the moon phases, spiritual and sound healing, as well as in-retreat rituals are on offer at Auriga Wellness.
7. COMO Shambhala Estate
COMO Shambhala Estate is a true ‘Retreat for Change’ with resident experts including a yoga teacher, a Pilates teacher, an Ayurveda consultant, and Oriental medicine expert.
Picture serenity, and you’ll likely imagine COMO Shambhala Estate. Set deep within the lush Balinese forest overlooking the Ayung River, this “retreat for change” offers a life perspective as tranquil as the waters below.
Five multi-suite residences are themed after nature’s elements, with various private villas for a sense of oneness with the pristine setting. Each features butler service and an infinity swimming pool. Enjoy healthful and energizing COMO Shambhala cuisine and the aid of professional nutritionists; de-stress in the springs and the holistic spa; and renew with renowned healers, yoga masters, and life coaches.
While the focus here is on wellness rather than a “spa,” the spa facilities throughout the resort are tremendous. Few places offer such an extensive and immersive wellness experience, combining healthy, energy-giving food for every meal with a dynamic itinerary of activities and treatments created according to your needs.
Whether you’re looking for a yoga retreat in Bali or a total wellness overhaul, COMO Shambhala Estate offers a nurturing environment to progress. Every detail is taken care of by your personal assistant, ensuring a completely hassle-free, restorative trip. The idea is to help guests make informed life changes beyond the spa, which will last well beyond their stay.
8. Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud is a tranquil and secluded hillside retreat that sits high up on the edge of the rich green Ayung River valley in Bali’s central foothills, 15 minutes from Ubud, the island’s cultural heart.
The hotel has been laid out as a Balinese hillside village complete with its own community center and pedestrian lanes. The resort’s rooms and villas stand above a ravine on stilts like treehouses and are set into the banks of the river valley.
Here, smooth plaster walls and concrete meet thatched roofs; terrazzo tiles meet gravel or crushed rock; wood meets glass, making for one of the most uniquely designed boutique hotels Ubud has seen.
The resort features a holistic and intuitive spa facility that enables you to immerse in an invigorating journey of holistic well-being at this serene Ubud spa hotel. Choose your indulgence from all-natural Spa Alila treatments and beauty rituals that blend ancient Asian healing techniques with age-old beauty recipes, including locally inspired treatments such as the traditional Balinese lulur body scrub.
9. Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana which was formerly The Chedi Club Ubud, Bali, is hidden among the lush undulating hills of Bali’s culture-rich highlands. Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, sits among thriving rice fields as far as the eye can see.
Just outside the artists’ village of Ubud, the former estate of Hendra Hadiprana, one of Indonesia’s most respected art collectors, has been transformed into an intimate retreat with twenty individual villas, set amongst more than 12 acres of emerald green rice paddies.
An arrangement of flower-adorned Ganesha sculptures lends a spiritual ambiance at the entrance, while the property itself features serene lotus ponds, reflecting pools, and private villas.
The interiors blend harmoniously into the landscapes, and each villa has its own butler to help with everything from unpacking to poolside pampering. Those seeking serenity and rejuvenation will find both in abundance at The Spa, nestled at one edge of the seemingly endless paddy fields.
The Spa at Tanah Gajah, Ubud, provides an elegant blend of effortless calm and modern facilities. Inside their two paddy-facing Spa Suites, you can view Ubud’s iconic rice paddies, which calm the mind as talented therapists stroke stress away from the body.
Signature treatments include Tanah Gajah Jade Massage and classic Indonesian cream bath, which deep conditions hair while experienced hands knead your scalp, shoulders, arms, and hands. Views onto those same fertile fields inspire and distract from The Health Club within the yoga studio. You can even dive into their 25-meter swimming pool, with views of sacred Mount Agung in the distance providing the perfect backdrop.
10. Amanjiwo
Also found in magical Java, Amanjiwo, an elegant and palatial resort featuring dramatic limestone pillars and domes, set amidst the jungle. While the spa here isn’t huge, the treatments are very good. The resort’s center is a soaring, bell-shaped rotunda, welcoming guests to its Dining Room and Terrace, lively bar, and Romanesque swimming pool.
After settling into your suite, with its volcanic ash–tinted roof, hand-carved furniture, and exotic Javanese fabrics, take time to explore the myriad cultural and archaeological opportunities that abound in this region. The resort can arrange excursions by car, open-air jeep, bicycle, or horseback. Later, enjoy a sundowner high in the Menoreh Hills.
A 40m infinity swimming pool, lined with green tiles and overlooked by banyan trees, is set into the rice paddies below the resort. Other facilities include a large library with a selection of books, CDs, and games, an Art Gallery and Studio, two tennis courts, and a boutique with a wide variety of Javanese clothing and textiles.
A range of Javanese and traditional beauty treatments are available at Amanjiwo, some of which incorporate the ancient holistic jamu method of healing. These can be enjoyed in the privacy of guest suites or in the specially-designed spa suite, which has twin massage tables and an outdoor kubuk for relaxing afterward with spicy ginger tea.
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