Cover Jumeirah Bali is located on a picturesque cliff in Uluwatu, Bali
Jumeirah Bali is located on a picturesque cliff in Uluwatu, Bali
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As a wellness retreat newbie, Jumeirah Bali offered me the perfect mix of holistic activities and opportunities to simply relax
It is just past 11am and after gingerly testing the temperature of the water with our toes, we slowly wade into the idyllic pool of the Jumeirah Bali, a luxurious property located in one of my favourite parts of the island, Uluwatu. The water feels just right—not too cold, thanks to the late morning sun that’s starting to peek out from behind the clouds and move closer up above us. We get to the edge of the pool overlooking the horizon, and we take it all in.
We must have been floating in silence for at least five minutes before I finally turn to my best friend beside me. Shifting my sunglasses down slightly to look her in the eyes, I say, “My brain is literally empty right now. I have no thoughts.”
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Above Main pool at Jumeirah Bali
Main pool at Jumeirah Bali
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We erupt in laughter at this realisation—that we were both so immersed in the calm and beauty of our morning dip we didn’t even speak to each other (for us that’s saying a lot)—but then, as our thoughts start to catch up with us, we begin to get a bit emotional. These quiet moments of simply doing nothing, thinking about nothing, are so rare that as much as we are enjoying the moment, it also feels wistful.
It sounds a little dramatic but as twenty-somethings eking out a career for ourselves in Singapore, there is so much tension, stress and anxiety that goes unnoticed or unaddressed, subconsciously building up as we go about our daily grind. This luxury of being able to clear our heads and sit in silence is, for us, the release we didn’t know we needed.
When I was planning this trip, I knew I wanted it to be centred on wellness. My mental, physical and spiritual wellness were in need of some attention and I thought Bali was the perfect place to take care of that. However, this proved to be a bit of a challenge as there seems to generally be two types of Bali experiences, which are on the extreme ends of the spectrum.
Above Jumeirah Bali
Jumeirah Bali
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There is the one I’m more familiar with, the fun side of Bali—beach clubs, parties, trendy cafes, buzzy restaurants and bars—and then there’s the wholesome, hippie side comprising yoga, meditation and health cleanses. The thought of the latter brought about lots of FOMO, for all I’d have to forgo if I chose to embark on a serious wellness retreat.
Also, as you might have guessed, for me the best part of Bali, and any island destination is lazing on the beach or by the pool and that was a non-negotiable. After all, if I am travelling to paradise I want to experience it. My wellness trip needed the best of both worlds; less of a retreat and more of an escape, with enough freedom to actually relax and not just scurry from one scheduled “relaxing” activity to another.
With a clear idea of what I wanted, it was easy to settle on Jumeirah Bali. Opened in 2019 just before the Covid-19 pandemic, the all-villa luxury resort is one of the newest of its kind in Uluwatu, and still relatively under the radar.
A long driveway leads into the property, building up to a grand sense of arrival at the open-air reception, which immediately makes me feel like I’m in an episode of White Lotus. The palatial spaces and architecture of Jumeirah Bali are inspired by Hindu-Javanese culture and is a tribute to the golden era of the Majapahit Empire, a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that reached its apogee in the mid-14th century. The reception area also looks out to the ocean, and is flanked by vast ponds filled with colourful carp.
This airy, indoor-outdoor concept is present throughout Jumeirah Bali—from the 123 spacious villas to the all-day dining restaurant—and creates a seamless flow between the well-appointed interiors and the landscape. This is what true luxury feels like; picturesque paradise is felt all around in this authentic Balinese haven of understated elegance.
Jumeirah Bali comprises 123 villas in one- and two-bedroom configurations, as well as a four-bedroom Royal Water Palace
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Jumeirah Bali offers a holistic wellness programme with a wealth of activities but there is no pressure to fill your days with them. In 2022, the resort welcomed Australian wellness therapist Paula Choi as its in-house wellness consultant. With an approach that aims to encourage harmony within the mind-body complex, Choi, who is also a certified acupuncturist, curated a comprehensive programme comprising private and group yoga, tai chi, aquatic and acupuncture sessions, complimentary wellness talks, and private wellness consultations. Depending on how much or little you want to do, every experience can be tailored accordingly.
With the help of Choi, a day at Jumeirah Bali for a wellness escape newbie looks something like this: We begin the morning with an energising private 8am session of Balinese Tai Chi, also known as bayu suci, led by Choi. The martial art centres on awakening the body and bonding with the natural world through dynamic poses, moving meditation and breathing exercises. The session felt of a similar nature and level of effort to a beginner yoga class; it was easy enough for first-timers and seems suitable for all ages. It was a great way to get the blood pumping for the day, find some inner balance and be at one with nature.
We then took an easy stroll to breakfast at Sekaran Dining Terrace, the resort’s all-day dining eatery with oceanfront views. While buggies are available to take guests around the sprawling 1.18 million square foot property, we often preferred to explore the scenic grounds by foot. Food options are aplenty at the resort, from healthy and wholesome to the pure indulgent.
Whether or not you’re at Jumeirah Bali for a wellness stay, a visit to its award-winning Talise Spa is a must. It offers a wide range of treatments conducted in five private treatment rooms, as well as the only traditional Turkish hammam on the island. I opted for the 90-minute Royal Dwara experience, which comprises a relaxing cleansing ritual in the hammam. More than just a cleanse for the body, the traditional ritual is believed to also cleanse the mind and soul. As I lie on the heated marble slab, a therapist pours cups of warm water over me, which in a strangely soothing way, makes me feel like a baby. Perhaps it is for this reason that the bath feels extremely therapeutic; there is a calming tenderness and sense of nostalgia.
Above Hammam room
Above A sound healing meditation session
Hammam room
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Light stretching warms the muscles and softens the skin in preparation for an exfoliating scrub and massage, which helps to rejuvenate the body, eliminate toxins and stimulate circulation. My therapist tells me some people fall asleep during this ritual, and even though I didn’t, I leave the hamman feeling incredibly relaxed and refreshed.
With that, I’m ready for a couple of hours by the gorgeous Jumeirah Bali pool. During golden hour, we take the private direct entrance from the pool to the beach for a change of scenery. It’s only a minute before we’ve got the sand between our toes and we’re watching the waves crash in.
Akasa Restaurant and Bar
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For the perfect end to the day, we enjoy the sunset over cocktails and dinner at the resort’s signature cliffside restaurant, Akasa Restaurant and Bar. This stunning venue attracts diners from all over the island who come here to enjoy the unbeatable views and fantastic flame-grilled food.
Every single part of my stay at Jumeirah Bali was just what the doctor ordered, making for my ideal first wellness getaway. It was a perfect balance of mindfully engaging in holistic wellness activities as well as simply soaking in the resort’s spectacular natural surroundings—providing the best of both Balis.
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
