Nadine Dilong Every interaction we had felt genuine and special.
Late last year, SPA+CLINIC had the incredible opportunity to visit ‘the island of the gods’ to experience the unique spa culture, so we could bring back insider details of what we truly believe may be some of the best spa locations in the world. This week, Editor Nadine Dilong shares her experience staying at Nusa Dua’s REVĪVŌ Wellness Retreat:
Nowadays, stress is often dubbed the ‘health epidemic of the 21st century’. It makes us sick, anxious, and ultimately, unhappy. For those finding the stresses of daily life a little overwhelming, or for those who just want to feel better, health and wellness retreats are a great solution, removing oneself from their current situation and bringing new focus to relaxation, exercise, a healthy diet, and metal health; all with the help of professionals that will guide guests through it. This can be tough, so it helps if the retreat is not only visually stunning, but also offers you luxurious accommodation and 5-star service from its staff. Such is the case with REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort in Bali’s Nusa Dua.
I experienced a superb two-day retreat at REVĪVŌ, which made a lasting impression on me, from the moment I was picked up at the airport to the very last friendly smile at checkout. REVĪVŌ literally means ‘I’ll live again’, and the retreat’s name reflects the result it wants to help you achieve: a better, healthier life. The resort “aims to soother the spirit, rejuvenate the body and enrich the mind through a complete mind journey comprised of diverse relaxation activities – yoga, Pilates, energy arts and meditation, superlative SPA, holistic medicinal treatments and a personalised food diet based on each customer’s nutritional needs,” reads the brochure, and it’s exactly what I experienced.
A bottle of water, healthy seed crackers and turmeric cookies were waiting for me in my driver’s car when I was picked up from Denpasar airport, plus, a cold, lightly fragranced towel to seemingly wash away all my sorrows (and sweat from the humid and hot weather).
After checking in to my beautiful suite, including one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, a rain shower, private garden, and a fresh fruit platter, I enjoyed the first healthy meal tailored to my health goals and preferences: A bowl of alkaline broth, followed by grilled chicken salad, and a delicious and refreshing desert in the form of homemade mango sorbet – all prepared fresh and with local ingredients.
The active part of my programme consisted of a one-hour class of Aquafit Yoga (yoga on a floating mat in the resort’s pool – highly challenging!), a fat-burning, high intensity boxing class, a pranayama class where I was taught different breathing techniques to relax the body and mind, and a Vinyasa yoga class. In between classes I was served delicious healthy meals and also had access to all the facilities, which include a 25m lap pool, sauna and steam room, cold and hot plunge pool, gym, and yoga barns.
But what makes REVĪVŌ’s wellness programmes especially effective and authentic, is the personal consultation with a doctor that every participant gets. This isn’t a fluffy TED talk about eating healthier and moving more, but an in-depth conversation and analysis of my health and lifestyle habits, and what exactly I need to do to feel better and lead a healthier life. Besides the encouraging and informative words from the doctor, I also receive a book that includes notes about my wellness programme, what I want to achieve, and how I can make it happen.
Mindfulness plays an important role at REVĪVŌ, and it’s the little things that make the biggest difference, such as the ‘Mindfulness Practice Before Bed’, which consists of a small card that is placed on guests’ bed every afternoon, ready to be read right before going to sleep. Every card has a different theme and assignment, my favourite being one about ‘self-reliance’. “Be informed, make your own decisions, and know where you are going,” it says, explaining in easy, straight-forward terms what needs to be done in order to take control. I found it surprisingly calming and reassuring to read right before going to sleep.
Of course, my programme also includes a spa treatment. The peacefulness of the secluded property is especially palpable in the spa area, where several treatment rooms, including an outdoor Vichy shower, frame a pool and relaxation area. My massage begins with a lime and salt foot scrub in a bowl of water and flowers. My therapist lets me choose between three different, gorgeous blends of oil and starts the massage with the sound of Tibetan singing bowls. The massage is firm and includes a lot of pushing and stretching, and my body feels absolutely amazing after 60 minutes. Seemingly floating, I am guided to the post-treatment outdoor relaxation area where I am offered tea and the most flavoursome honey I have ever tasted.
REVĪVŌ also takes pride in being 100% plastic free and contributing to local development. It feels like every staff I talk to genuinely loves working there and enjoys what they’re doing. This adds a great sense of happiness and warmth to the place, which is something that is very hard to come by these days. The combination of exercise, mindfulness, healthy food, and spa treatment is a magic concoction that results in one thing: wellbeing. I can only imagine how amazing one must feel after completing one of the longer REVĪVŌ programmes. Even after just 2 days there, I feel much better than when I first arrived, and I’m already longing to go back.
