As above, so below; as within, so without. Drawing on the dance between the visible and energetic worlds, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan ushers in a new era of wellbeing with its revitalised Sacred River Spa.
The mindfully redesigned 4,970 square metre (53,496 square foot) enclave is the creation of a trio of visionary teams: award-winning Australian architects The Fulcrum Agency, Japanese interior designers Design Studio SPIN, and Indonesian landscape consultants Bukit Kembar Permai.
Stunning artwork from Indonesian artists and ceramic masters vies with natural materials and a calming colour palette. And every wall, terrace, entrance, and planted area has been conceived to augment the light, sounds, foliage and energies of the river valley surrounds.
In this pure, sacred space – bordered by Bali’s longest, widest and most revered river – the energy of pulsing rivers waters and Ayung valley foliage flows into soulful healing rituals; each designed to unite body and mind with the rhythms of nature and help restore primal balance.
The Sacred River Spa takes its inspiration from the ancient Balinese philosophy of Niskala (unseen energy). Central to its revised menu are transformative water-centric treatments that harness the power of the energetic flow from the intangible realm to the physical realm.
Six signature Balinese Healing Rituals showcase traditional wisdom, including Restu Bumi – a spiritual cleansing featuring local instruments, herbs and a warm gemstone massage – and the purifying Tirta Ening, which channels the healing power of Bali’s revered water element.
Treatments are enhanced by a new collaboration with Synthesis Organics: a holistic plant-powered, energy-imbued line of skincare and aromatherapy products from Australia. Highlights include revised Chakra Ceremonies that maximise the free flow of energy in a meaningful quest for spiritual, physical, mental and emotional balance. There is also a wide range of massages, facials and TDA face and body therapies.
All treatments begin and end with quartz crystal singing bowls tuned to nature’s intonation, 432 Hz, to harness the powerful effect of sound on multidimensional wellbeing. In addition to a dedicated Sound Healing Room, bespoke playlists by Sayan Music add a further layer of healing vibration through positivity-inducing Solfeggio frequencies and Ayung valley sounds.
Completing the sensorial experience, the spa’s new Biogeometric circles logo has been assessed for the universal centring energy quality it emits; a transcendental symbol, it connects to other global sacred power spots and amplifies life force energy when gazed upon.
The new spa houses seven private Spa Villas named after sacred Balinese Elements – including Sejuk (Water), Gending (Sound) and Teja (Fire) – that promote holistic well-being healing and detoxification. Cocooned beneath the jungle canopy, the villas are a harmonious balance of natural and modern; each has a bathtub hand-chiselled from Indonesian stone plus state-of-the-art Lemi Portofino electric massage beds.
A peaceful new Yoga Pavilion – named Dharma Satya after the Sanskrit for “truth” – sits adjacent to the river. There is also a hybrid infrared and Swedish Sauna Treatment Villa, as well as a nail studio, retail space, a Relaxation Pavilion and Dharma Shanti Bale.
“There are few places in Bali where the ‘unseen’ energies are as powerful as here in the Ayung River basin,” comments Luisa Anderson, Regional Director of Spa, Four Seasons Asia Pacific. “It has been such a privilege to connect to these energies during this relaunch, not only through the ritualistic elements of many of the treatments but through the sensitivities of the architecture, intent and spiritual practices. By integrating such ancient wisdom with cutting-edge wellbeing practices, The Sacred River Spa truly flows into a new era of holistic care.”
Helping to weave traditional knowledge into the contemporary, luxury experience is resident Wellness Mentor Ibu Fera. A former Buddhist nun who studied the Dharma in monasteries across Asia, Fera leads complimentary meditation classes twice daily and hosts a series of Life Talks at the Spa each week. She also hosts the daily Sacred Nap, inviting guests to awaken the greater peace inherent within us all.
“We are delighted to present the new-look Sacred River Spa,” says Randy Shimabuku, General Manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali. “This tranquil retreat embodies our commitment to exceptional, personalised experiences that are deeply rooted in timeless Balinese traditions and culture. We are proud to aid guests in the discovery of their unique path to serenity and renewal in the heart of the Sayan valley.”
