| Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran |
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The
Four Seasons Bali
The
island of Bali holds a magic that captivates like no other. Known as the “Island
of the Gods”, Bali has maintained its rich tradition of spirituality and
culture despite the booming tourism trade. Its dramatic architecture, lush green
rice paddies, fresh ocean breezes, cool mountain mists and brightly colored
daily offerings impart a deep sense of exotic splendor. It is this natural and
cultural heritage that has made Bali a popular destination.
With a multitude of top-notch spas sprouting across the entire island offering a sanctuary for tired souls, Bali is highly sought after as a venue to rejuvenate and re-energize. This is the birthplace of Asia’s best tropical spas and there is no more decadent place to indulge in the Balinese art of pampering than in the opulence and allure of the Four Seasons. With a string of accolades to its name, the Four Seasons Resorts and Spas in Sayan and Jimbaran impress the senses and enlighten the soul. The serene ambience, dramatic settings, heaven-sent rituals and refined art of pampering empowered by gifts of nature from the sea and the earth have combined to create a compelling spa experience.
My visit to the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran follows.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran
Located
on the southern tip of Bali, a ten-minute drive from Kuta Beach and the
international airport is the Four Seasons Bali Resort at Jimbaran. After a
one-hour journey from Sayan,
we were greeted by the warm breezes and spectacular views of the Jimbaran Bay.
The 35-acre resort sits on a steep slope rising 147 feet (45 meters) above the
water, beautifully landscaped with lush tropical gardens by the renowned Made
Widjaya. 147 spacious and luxurious villas, clustered around seven village
squares, are built into the gently terraced hillside named Bukit Permai
(“beautiful hill”), each surrounded by shrubs and lush greens that rustic
Balinese gardens are known for.
We
checked in and a buggy took us to Villa 259. This one-bedroom villa has a lovely
landscaped garden with pebble-strewn path and moss-covered Indonesian artifacts.
Outside is a spacious courtyard covered by a thatched roof for outdoor
dining and relaxation. The plunge pool blends into the garden and offers an
unrestricted view across the Jimbaran Bay and the sacred Mount Agung, the
physical and spiritual center of Bali. The interior is elegant with a sleeping
pavilion, adjoining dressing area and bathing pavilion with free-standing
oversized bathtub strewn with frangipani flowers. Natural daylight illuminates
the dressing and bathing areas through wooden-framed windows dressed by rustic
blinds that reveal an outdoor bamboo shower in a secluded Balinese garden - a
perfect setting for indulgence of the body, mind and spirit.
Jimbaran Spa
The
Jimbaran Spa is perched on a terrace surrounded by towering tropical greenery.
The 10,000+ square-foot spa accommodates 9 treatment rooms including 3 large
couples' spa suites with indoor and outdoor facilities (including a Swiss shower
in the Royal Spa Suite). The facility also houses male and female locker rooms,
2 relaxation lounges, nail and hair salons, aerobics studio, gym and a quiet
room for meditation. A Mediterranean counter serves light spa cuisine and local
elixirs. An extensive retail area features exotic essential oils and body spa
products joins the reception area in receiving guests. The Jimbaran spa menu
draws its inspiration from local healing elements and the ocean, featuring
traditional and exotic rituals that celebrate the restorative heritage of
Indonesia.
To
aid my appreciation of Jimbaran Spa’s heritage, it was recommended that I try
an “Ocean Ritual” treatment. My therapist, Aryani, guided me into a rustic
spa suite in soft Mediterranean hues with a double massage bed and private Swiss
shower. A glass sliding door opens into a private garden with outdoor rinse
shower shielded by a gigantic leafy plant and an enormous bathtub. The treatment
commenced with a 50-minute traditional Balinese massage using Bali Santi Oil
(coconut base oil infused with citrus, nutmeg, vetiver and patchouli essential
oils). Under Aryanti’s skillful hands, I could feel all tension released with
the soothing touch. A Blue Sea Salt was then scrubbed onto my entire body to
exfoliate the skin in preparation for the seaweed body wrap. A paste made of
seaweed powder and water was generously applied on my skin using effleurage
movements, ending with an aroma mist spray to keep the body moist. I was then
wrapped in layers of foil and blanket to facilitate the seaweed’s task of
detoxification and water retention removal. I enjoyed a therapeutic scalp and
face massage while under “wrap” in the nice and warm cocoon and almost
drifted into nirvana. Aryanti gently nudged me when it was time to remove the
seaweed gel. I was guided to shower at the private garden courtyard, amongst the
lush greens where water cascaded from an Indonesian clay vase. After the shower,
I immersed myself in a warm bath with bath salt and ocean oil (coconut base with
citrus and vanilla essential oils), sipping cold “coconilla” (a specially
formulated spa drink infusion of coconut milk, young coconut juice, vanilla
stick and a dash of sugar). Before I got dressed, Aryani smoothed a blend of
aloe vera lotion with ocean oil onto my skin. The result was aromatic and silky
soft skin all round. The “Ocean Ritual” did wonders to my dull and lifeless
skin!
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