One of the many ways to while away a few hours in blissful Bali is to visit a day spa. There are myriad to choose from, no matter where on the island you find yourself. I have put together my shortlist of personal favourites in Sanur, with a brief description of why I added each to my bliss list.
Peni Weni, Jln Sudamala
You'll find
Peni Weni in Jalan Sudamala, at the south end of Sanur. This locally owned salon is quite traditional in its decor and many of the treatments offered here. The main salon area is open and there is usually a quiet buzz of conversation, in a variety of languages, between staff and clients enjoying mani-pedis.
Peni Weni Salon
The traditional-style cream bath is my ultimate pleasure treatment here. After a half-hour head massage, with a thick conditioning lotion, your hair is wrapped in a warm towel to help the conditioner do magic things to your hair. While this magic happens your arms, hands, neck and shoulders will be massaged. Your hair will be washed and blow-dried before you float out of the salon in a dreamy state. This heavenly treatment takes around one hour and costs just Rp150,000 ($15Aus).
Cream bath bliss at Peni Weni
Massages rooms are away from the main salon and completely enclosed, making them both private and quiet. A traditional Balinese massage is Rp95,000 ($9.50Aus) for one hour. For just Rp140,000 you can stay on for a further 30 minutes of pampering.
Peni Weni massage room
The treatment menu at Peni Weni includes other styles of massage, including Deep Tissue, Shiatsu and Aromatherapy. Foot reflexology, body scrubs and waxing are also available.
Everything is excellent at Peni Weni but my most favourite is the traditional cream bath.
Leha-Leha Spa is right next door
Exactly next door is
Leha-Leha Spa. Owner Ida Bagus Made Manuaba (Gusde) has global experience in massage techniques and ensures each of his staff are trained to his exacting standards.
Like its neighbour, Leha-Leha Spa follows a traditional Indonesian theme. Flowers, incense and soft music create an ambience, both welcoming and relaxing, as clients prepare for their chosen treatment.
Leha-leha specialises in packages and I recently indulged in a three hour massage-body scrub-facial combination that left me in a bubble of euphoria for the rest of the day. My package cost around Rp500,000 and was worth every single rupiah.
Traditional ambience at Leha-leha
Uptown, on Sanur's main road, is
Koa Boutique Spa, a sophisticated venue with an onsite boutique.
Koa Spa, Jln Danau Tamblingan
As well as Koa brand, locally made, all natural oils and body products, the boutique stocks bespoke, european designed clothing, unique homewares, accessories and handmade jewellery.
Koa boutique
A one hour massage at Koa will cost around Rp150,000-Rp180,000, depending on the massage style. I have enjoyed a very good massage here although the salon has cubicles rather than enclosed rooms and there were distractions, during my treatment, as clients came in and out of the area.
My favourite Koa treatment is the very professional pedicure which incorporates a foot scrub and leg massage for Rp220,000.
Koa salon
As far as location goes,
The Nest wins hands-down as the best. Perched on the edge of beautiful Sanur Beach this spa ensures an exquisite experience even before you enter the salon.
The Nest
My pick of treatments here is
Happy Feet, which costs Rp375,000 and lasts 70 minutes. Your feet will be exfoliated, and massaged, treated with a cooling mint foot mask, moisturised then finished with an expert polish application.
Mani pedi
Finally, you'll be served a refreshing lemon-lime sorbet as you enjoy your final glimpses of the sublime view.
Bliss with a view
The Nest is a very professional and very popular Spa. Everything is fantastic but I'd have to recommend treatments, such as manicures and pedicures, that allow you to enjoy the view. It adds a whole extra dimension to a spa treatment with no extra cost.
