Visitors in Bali often flock to spas for the ultimate relaxing experience. Many spas in Bali offer a wide array of services for customers looking to take a break from exploring the island’s attractions. Whether it’s a tension-busting massage or an indulgent body scrub, Bali’s spas are known to provide the best treatments for every need.
While manicures, facials, and baths in flower-sprinkled bathtubs are always available in Bali, some treatments are so unique to the island that they’ve become part of the culture. These popular treatments, beloved by locals and tourists alike, engage all the senses with the scent of locally-sourced plants and other natural ingredients to relieve stress from the body. They’re perfect for enjoying downtime after exploring Bali’s own natural and man-made wonders, or simply recovering from a long flight.
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Balinese Massage

A good Balinese massage with a trusted practitioner is a full-body experience that combines wellness traditions from both East and West to ease deep-tissue tension within the body. All that’s required is to lie face-down on the massage table and let the therapist do the work with their hands.
Balinese massages incorporate various combinations of kneading, rolling, stretching, and acupressure to relieve stress from the muscles and stimulate blood flow. No part of the body, from scalp to foot, is left untouched, and the massage experience is further enhanced by the fragrance of oils made from local flowers and herbs for added aromatherapy.
Lulur

This body treatment from the neighboring island of Java was traditionally reserved for royal brides preparing for their wedding night. Now, even non-brides can indulge in this luxurious experience. Lulur involves alternating sessions of scrubbing, rinsing, and masking to reveal smooth, touchable skin.
The treatment starts with a scrub made from ground rice, turmeric, ginger, pandan, and other ingredients. The scrub is massaged all over the body, then rinsed off. After rinsing, a yogurt-based body mask is applied to clean, bare skin. Some spas will repeat the procedure with more scrubs, rinses, massages, and masks, but it always ends with a shower or a soak in a flower bathtub.
Boreh

While not as well-known as lulur, boreh follows a similar procedure. Historically used by Balinese rice farmers to unwind after a long day, boreh has become a popular treatment for visitors and locals who could use a break from full-body stress.
The treatment involves rubbing the whole body with a paste made from Balinese spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. The spices used in boreh are known to warm the body, stimulate blood circulation, and ease pain in the joints, which makes it a great treatment for those who suffer from arthritis and back aches.
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Some Tips To Consider

No trip to Bali should be complete without a relaxing spa treatment, and these popular local favorites are a great way of experiencing island hospitality while being treated like royalty. Even so, there are a few cultural and hygiene considerations to take into mind before indulging in a Balinese spa treatment.
Every treatment starts with a foot bath to cleanse the feet and warm the body. The foot bath is not only a relaxing treatment in itself, but this cleansing ritual is also part of proper Balinese etiquette, as feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body in the local culture. Since some massages and treatments also require therapists to touch the feet, this small but important cleansing ritual is a must.
These treatments are highly recommended for visitors who can handle the strong aromas and warming sensations of the spices and oils used during treatment. The treatments can also take up to an hour or more to complete, which makes them perfect for those who enjoy lying down and staying still for long stretches of time.
Balinese spa treatments also involve a lot of touching and handling, especially when laying hands on bare skin. This should be taken into consideration when the treatment requires nudity. Proper etiquette and respect for culture must be observed when interacting with local massage therapists and other practitioners. It also helps to speak the local language when communicating before, during, and after treatment.
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Final Thoughts
The best part about vacationing in Bali is that you can enjoy these local spa treatments any time you want, whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or unwinding from a stressful day. There’s no need to go to an expensive spa to get the treatment you need, either. When you stay at any of our private luxury villas in Bali, you can arrange with our concierge services to have the spa treatments of your choice delivered directly to you.
Sit back, relax, and let our knowledgeable team take care of booking your in-villa spa treatment with ease. Experience Bali’s favorite spa treatments and let yourself be refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the challenges of the days ahead.
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