A fairytale setting, ancient Balinese healing and unseen energy from the sacred Ayung River. Here’s what you can expect at the luxury spa from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.
Here in Bali, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to treating our bods to a bit of bliss. We have budget spas, luxury health retreats, modern wellness centres and age-old beauty rituals – heck, we even have spas that promote late-night cocktails. But in the heart of Ubud, there’s one spa in particular that’s in a class all of its own – one that’s so flawless in its delivery, so thoughtful in its offerings and so picture-perfect, it honestly felt like a real-life spa fairytale. We’re talking about the Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons at Sayan, which recently, was mindfully redesigned.
You might already know that Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan was once crowned the #1 Resort in the World by Travel + Leisure. And we’ve often talked about its spectacular dining destinations (like the award-winning Ayung Terrace and the Mediterranean-inspired Riverside restaurant). But that’s not what makes this Ubud sanctuary so special. Not exclusively, anyway.
The Sacred River Spa is a spa par excellence that breaks the mould of your typical Bali bliss-sesh. Sitting on the sacred banks of the Ayung River, the treatments here go beyond material pampering. Its soulful therapies transcend the physical and maintain a deep, inner focus on the flow of energy from the intangible realm to the physical realm. Each ritual draws on the soulful and healing energy of the sacred Ayung River, providing the kind of inner glow that no single beauty treatment could ever offer.
This inner focus is actually inspired by the ancient Balinese philosophy of Niskala, AKA unseen energy. By channelling the energy of the pulsing river and lush valley foliage from all around, the spa menu delivers transformative, water-centric treatments and soulful healing rituals. Think vibrational sound healing, spiritual cleansing, balancing Chakra ceremonies, and even plant-powered, energy-imbued skincare and aromatherapy.
All of this divine healing takes place in a serene and nurturing environment, nestled among rice terraces and herb gardens. And in keeping with the philosophy of Niskala, all of the walls, terraces, entrances and planted areas within the spacious spa pavilions have been carefully conceived to augment the light, sounds, foliage and energies of the natural surrounds. It is here, ensconced in nature, where the magic unfolds…
The magical Balinese healing rituals
To truly heal and nurture, Sacred River Spa has curated six Balinese healing rituals that showcase traditional wisdom. There’s the Restu Bumi ritual, which involves spiritual cleansing using local instruments, herbs and a warm gemstone massage. Or the purifying Tirta Ening, which channels the healing power of Bali’s revered water element.
There’s also a collection of chakra ceremonies that target each chakra individually, maximising the flow of energy for spiritual, physical, mental and emotional balance. We tried the Muladhara treatment, which targets the ‘grounding’ root chakra. It involves a cleansing Balinese “kemenyan” smoke ceremony, before a deep and slow – almost-hypnotic – full body massage. It was, without doubt, the best spa treatment we’ve ever tried.
Whichever treatment you choose, every ritual begins and ends with soothing quartz crystal singing bowls that have been tuned to 432hz to align with Mother Earth’s own heartbeat, encouraging vibrational flow and harnessing the powerful effect of sound on multidimensional wellbeing. You’ll also be lulled into submission by bespoke playlists by Sayan Music, with positivity-inducing Solfeggio frequencies and Ayung valley sounds.
The fairytale setting
Sacred River Spa now houses seven private Spa Villas, each named after sacred Balinese elements, including Sejuk (water), Gending (sound) and Teja (fire). Cocooned beneath the jungle canopy, the villas are designed to promote holistic wellbeing, healing and detoxification, with a harmonious blend of natural and modern elements. We love the hand-chiselled bathtubs made from Indonesian stone, and the state-of-the-art Lemi Portofino electric massage beds.
You’ll also find a peaceful new Yoga Pavilion (named Dharma Satya after the Sanskrit for “truth”), which sits adjacent to the river, and an infrared and Swedish Sauna Treatment Villa. Whichever pavilion you’re treated to, the setting is majestic, serene and idyllic. Looking out to the spa gardens, you’ll spot frogs hopping across the lilypads, majestic monitor lizards reclining on the sun-drenched verge, and the sounds of the jungle chirping and cooing in perfect harmony. It’s a real-life fairytale.
The experts & their wellness programs
Beyond the butterflies, the energy and the fairytale setting, there are the Sacred River Spa experts and mentors. We’re talking world-class wellness specialists, international practitioners, and even a former Buddhist nun who’ll guide you through the best nap of your life (more on that next…). The Balinese healers and wellness practitioners here are all part of the spa’s “Masters in Residence”, ranging from energy healing and spiritual therapists, to holistic massages and restorative body work.
In fact, the team of experts here have brought with them a repertoire of firsts for the island, including Bali’s first and only certified AntiGravity® Yoga sessions, Bali’s first Full Moon Yoga experience under the stars, as well as innovative classes from monthly visiting masters, teaching Laughter Yoga, ancient Kundalini, Yin, and Restorative Hot Stone Yoga.
These wellness programs take place at the resort’s Dharma Shanti Bale – a 100% bamboo structure nestled in a quiet corner of lush forest at the bottom of the Sayan Valley, with views over rice fields to the Ayung River. In Sanskrit, the structure’s name means ‘path to peace’, and that’s exactly what we found when we experienced the best nap of our lives with Resident Wellness Mentor, Ibu Fera.
A former Buddhist nun, Ibu Fera’s Sacred Nap program takes you back to your innocence and purity as a newborn. You’re suspended from the bamboo ceiling in a 100% pure silk hammock, with the soft sounds of nature all around. The sleep-inducing melody of Ibu Fera reciting the life story of Buddha helps you slowly drift off into a light and ethereal slumber. It was the perfect end to a fairytale spa experience, and it’s forever redefined our definition of holistic wellness.
Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Jl Raya Sayan, Sayan, Ubud, p. +62 361 977577. Open daily 9am – 10pm.
