experience especially given the beautiful natural environment in which it is performed. Other treats include the shirolepa which is a soothing herbal head and scalp treatment with a back massage, and some Balinese-inspired bathing rituals where guests bathe in ingredients like mineral clays, local herbs, spices and mountain wild flowers.
Healing bath treatments with local spices and clays can be taken in the privacy of one's own suite or villa or in one of the large soaking tubs in the spa area.
More recent rituals include Sole to Sole—a five-hour health course that incorporates a steam shower, hot stone therapy, exfoliation, hot oil body wrap, massage and soak, finishing with an elixir tonic. If this were not enough, there is the Red Ginger Body Polish using organic red rice and ginger root to stimulate circulation, and the spicy, exotic Basil and Rosemary Mud Wrap.
Herbal oil continually dripping on all four key energy points along the central nervous system comprises the signature Chakra Dhara ayurvedic treatment. Taken in one of the three spa villas, exquisitely designed with natural materials including hand-blown glass, Sulawesi silk and smooth terrazzo massage tables, it is truly relaxing.
The hotel's rooms are accessed by open walk-ways and running water is an ever-present feature. Daily treks, cycling, a fitness center and yoga and meditation classes feature strongly on the menu here.
Asia's largest aquatonic seawater therapy pool with temperate water drawn from the Indian Ocean is the place to immerse oneself for complete rejuvenation.
THE RITZ-CARLTON BALI
THALASSO & SPA
JIMBARAN, BALI
Inspired by traditional thalassotherapy spas in France, the thalasso and spa at the Ritz-Carlton Bali is Asia's largest and most rejuvenating seawater spa. Founded on the premise that seawater heals, it hosts one of the world's largest aqua-tonic pools. The sea is full of negative ions, now known to keep our atmosphere clean and help clear out pollutants, toxins and viruses. These same ions, when applied to the body, enhance our mental and physical wellbeing. This spa merges the many curative benefits of seawater, seaweed and sea-based minerals with holistic treatments designed to create a rejuvenating spa experience.
The 7,000-square-foot (650-square-meter) aquatonic pool contains filtered and heated Indian Ocean seawater. Its blend of cleansing minerals possesses natural antibacterial properties, while a temperature set at 31-34 degrees Celsius promotes relaxation and rebalances the body's mineral deficiencies. A dip in the pool is similar to an underwater circuit gym. Jet massages boost circulation, strengthen muscles, improve the respiratory system and increase red blood cell count, while the rich waters invigorate and detox. Surrounding the pool are six thalassotherapy rooms featuring hydrotherapy facilities, jet baths and circulatory showers where seawater and seaweed combo treatments are offered. There are underwater massages, seaweed body wraps and dynamic affusions, to name a few.
The spa treatment rooms are contained within their own separate complex that features a lovely private courtyard garden.
The warmed seawater pools form the heart of the spa here.
In addition, there are 20 violet-themed treatment rooms with subtle Balinese accents and the newer Spa on the Rocks where two luxurious villas perch on natural rocks stretching out to the Indian Ocean. Ingeniously created so as to give the illusion of being suspended above the ocean, they are as unique for their lavish treatments as for their exclusive use of the fabulous Creme de la Mer products.
As is expected, the menu reflects a sensual summer affair, with names like Aromatic Petal Massage or the energizing Kubu Beach Full Body Treatment. The latter is named after the Ritz-Carlton's own secluded private beach enclave, and appropriately uses sand, lime, mint, sea salt, sea kelp, sea mud, shells and minerals. Particularly noteworthy is the two-and-a-half hour Cinta Abadi (Eternal Love) treatment. Perfect for lovers, it begins with a flower petal foot wash and hot towel wrap, followed by an aromatic petal massage, a choice of body scrub, body mask or mineral scrub, and an intimate outdoor flower bath. Alternatively, the couple's massage in the Taman Asoka Suite, followed by a bath in a traditional coconut wood bathtub, is a lovely experience. Be it a three-hour walk-in treatment or a seven-day package, The Ritz-Carlton offers a caring environment in which your love may deepen and grow.
The unisex Jacuzzi is a large freshwater pool set in a Balinese cavern. Nearby are the sauna and steam rooms that together form a striking hot and cold water therapies area.
Elaborately landscaped terraces step down from the reception area of the resort to the edge of the Indian Ocean.
A bowl of tropical frangipani petals—a vital element in any Balinese spa experience.
The Marine Wave Deluxe treatment is a sensual sea-inspired treatment for detoxification and rejuvenation. This package is a combination of seaweed wrap, circulatory shower, herb balm massage and a 10-minute dynamic affusion where warm seawater is gently drizzled over your skin to ease you into a welcome state of total bliss.
The Marine Wave Deluxe (pictured above) is another innovative creation that draws on the benefits of sea mud to nourish the body. This sensual, sea-inspired wrap-style treatment works to deeply cleanse and detoxify the body. The session starts with a 20-minute seaweed wrap, during which the therapist also administers a herbal balm facial. Afterwards, a shower spills warmed seawater over the guest for 15 minutes to stimulate circulation. Therapists then administer a Hawaiian lomi lomi massage while pouring warm seawater over the body to moisturize and induce relaxation. The finale is a 10-minute dynamic affusion—a warm seawater spray over the entire body that both relaxes and tones the muscles.
The highlight of the treatment is a herbal balm massage using a blend of detoxifying blue kaolin clay, kelp (seaweed) powder, nourishing apricot kernel oil, pure beeswax, rosemary, geranium and grapefruit essential oil, and vitamin E oil. Kelp powder is renowned for its mineralizing and detoxifying properties; kaolin tightens and purifies; vitamin E oil is an antioxidant that nourishes and repairs the skin. The essential oils also perform several distinctive functions: geranium invigorates, heals and calms, grapefruit is considered a diuretic that stimulates the lymphatic system and rosemary is great for toning and stimulating blood circulation. Overall, it is a wonderfully invigorating experience.
PRANA SPA
AT THE VILLAS
SEMINYAK, BALI
Some of the newer boutique spas in Asia offer authentic treatments flavored with the unusual and unexpected. Situated in The Villas, a group of 50 luxurious Bali-style villas in trendy Seminyak, is the Prana Spa and the clean, smooth massage venue called Chill. The former, with a cloistered retreat ambience, is designed along the lines of a 16th-century Indian palace, while the latter