A gentle, cool breeze sweeps over your face, a pleasant contrast to the heat of the sun. The crowing of a cockerel can be heard from a distance, while the croak of a tokay gecko punctures the surroundings from time to time.
Fine, black volcanic sand awaits as you gaze at the crystal-clear waters of the sea. Welcome to paradise at the Spa Village Resort in Bali.
Situated at the northernmost tip of the island, Spa Village Resort is a three-hour drive away from the Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in this pristine tourist destination in Indonesia.
On the way, make a pit stop in Ubud to check out the pulse of the island, or opt for the scenic Kintamani mountain pass where you can sip on freshly brewed local coffee while taking in the majesty of Mount Batur and the neighbouring lake.
It’s all too easy to miss the narrow entrance to the Spa Village Resort, where the path – flanked by carefully manicured bamboo on either side – is wide enough to let just one vehicle through.
Pulling up to the lobby, you are whisked to the nearest chair and given a revitalising welcome drink and foot bath. Hands knead the journey’s stress away from your neck and shoulders before you are led to your room while wearing locally woven sandals.
You are here to make peace with yourself and detach from the world, which is why it is no surprise that there aren’t any clocks around the resort or in your room – unless you happen to stay in one of the two available villas, each of which comes with its own private cabana and plunge pool.
All rooms are equipped with a bathtub and a shower, an essential-oil burner, a fridge, two yukatas (those Japanese summer kimonos), and standard tea- and coffee-making facilities. If you are feeling romantic, ask the reception to set up a flower bath in the evenings to go along with the turndown service.
Each guest has a recommended itinerary to choose from to recuperate and rejuvenate. Different daily activities are available each morning, from canang (a daily Balinese offering to the deities) to jamu (a traditional herbal medicinal drink) making.
There are two yoga sessions per day – in the morning and evening – to balance your innermost being.
Those who are more adventurous can book a sunrise or sunset cruise, and if the gods are smiling upon you, you just might be able to catch a glimpse of dolphins playfully jumping out of the water as your jukong (a traditional fishing boat) tries to catch up with the pod.
There are also organised hikes to Mount Batur if you wish to explore nearby natural wonders.
Alternatively, have a taste of Bali through an exclusive cooking class with the spa’s executive chef, and feel your stress dissipate as you indulge in the 50-minute spa treatment that differs daily, offering the likes of Balinese and Malay massages, facials, and hair treatments.
As Spa Village Resort is a full room-and-board establishment, you do not have to worry about going hungry. The portions are enough for the average adult, and you can order seconds if you want.
Each meal features Balinese coffee and tea, and locally sourced fresh produce that is organically grown when available, in addition to freshly caught fish.
You can also imbibe handcrafted cocktails with a palm-based tuak base infused with honey, lime and other mixers, or settle for a fine bottle of wine.
The pure waters of the Bali sea are an invitation for you to bring your snorkelling kit and sunblock, as it is all too easy to lose track of time as you marvel at shoals of ikan bilis and sergeant majors scavenging for food amidst the volcanic rocks.
If you tire of the sea, you can always retreat to the infinity pool that offers a commanding view of the horizon, surrounded by coconut trees that dance to the wind.
While there is a gym right below the restaurant that offers very basic equipment, it is highly recommended you spend your time outdoors.
Rainfall is rare at this resort, so basking under the sun with a good book or simply doing nothing makes perfect sense. A very small library is located within the gym should you wish to be intellectually stimulated.
So, just what else is there to do after a hearty dinner? Being remotely located has its advantages, as there is minimal light pollution here. Gaze upwards into the night sky and you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view.
It’s peaceful, too – you will not hear noisy jet skis or the roar of motorboats breaking the silence. Romantics can settle for a blissful stargazing session while floating on an inflatable mattress in the pool.
If your smartphone has an astrophotography mode, you would do well to take full advantage of it. Otherwise, bring a proper camera with a suitable lens and shoot away.
The resort staff are always on standby with a warm smile, ever ready to help in any way, and your heart will yearn to return to this little slice of paradise almost as soon as you leave.
This independent review is not sponsored by Spa Village Resort.
Learn more about Spa Village Resort by clicking here.
Spa Village Resort
Jalan Singaraja-Amlapura,
100 Desa Tembok, Tejakula Buleleng,
Bali, Indonesia
Edwin Kee dreamt of being a pro-gamer only to have circumstances mould him into a programmer in a past life. He has since moved on to write about consumer electronics and other topics. Check out his blog at manatau.com.