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The Ultimate Spa Experience in Bali: Acqua Perla Spa

July 24, 2014 by Jean Holy Smithereens 9 Comments

I’m still heady from an entire afternoon spent  at Double Six Seminyak‘s Acqua Perla Spa.

Acqua Perla Spa in Double Six Seminyak
Acqua Perla Spa in Double Six Seminyak

Bali is a place not short in spa and massage services. Almost every hotel and resort has their own spa. Just walking along the beach, you will be approached by ladies offering services of massage, manicure, pedicure, and the like.

In short, Bali is spa-haven. This is my first time to Bali and my first Bali spa experience, and I can already tell you I’ve just experienced the most unusual spa treatment Ive ever had.

Reception Area. Acqua Perla Spa Double Six Seminyak
Reception Area. Acqua Perla Spa Double Six Seminyak
Oil and Scrub preferences. Acqua Perla Spa
Oil and Scrub preferences. Acqua Perla Spa

After the preliminary consultation of a therapist asking about my preference (and health background), I was also presented with a vial of oil samples along with small containers of the types of scrub they use. I chose my combination preference and off I went to my first treatment.

HYDROTRAIL SPA TREATMENT

Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak
Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak

My first treatment was called the “Hydrotrail Spa Treatment” , and it is so rightly named.  It’s composed mainly of water treatments, and it IS a trail. It’s not easy to describe but I’ll try my best.

First, I changed into the spa’s silver and blue swimwear. With the assistance of a therapist (vocal assistance, as she cannot go in with you), you go on this dark trail alone. 30 minutes long and composed of 5 “clusters” or steps, it’s similar to going to a dark fun house.

Hydrotrail Therapy- the first cluster
Hydrotrail Therapy- the first cluster

This is the first cluster. You sit in the throne, and strong jets of water will massage your lower back/thighs and legs. Once the light in the water turns red (where it is a nice shade of blue above), you promptly move to the next cluster.

It’s like being in a dark underground tunnel (your feet will be submerged in warm water the whole time), and when I entered the next chamber/cluster, I saw a big glass bowl filled with large ice cubes. “Now please rub your body with ice “, the therapist called out to me from the entrance.

I would normally shudder at the thought, but I promptly obeyed. And I’m glad I did! It relieved the spots where the water jets strongly massaged me (hips and legs) and the contrast of hot and cold felt strangely comforting.

2nd stage, I moved on to the “Waterfall”, where I stood while a really, really strong massive waterfall fell and massaged my shoulders and upper back. And it was at this stage that I was relieved that the therapist couldn’t really come in this chamber with me because when the first strong blast of water hit me in the shoulders, it promptly un-did my swimwear as well. The strength of Iguazu falls, this one!

3rd stage, I progressed to a narrow alley in what I would describe as a wall of water jets. You walk back and forth between 2 walls with several water jets blasting from each side.

The 4th stage was what was called the “Rainforest” where you walk along a grassy patch and a nice warm mist of water falls down on you.

The 5th stage is Hammam, (my favourite among all the stages!) The hammam room is like a sauna (but not as hot). And as I lay face down on a waterproof bed, I was scrubbed from shoulder to toes by the therapist, and then rinsed.

Just as I thought this was the last stage, the therapist led me to a small room where I saw a wooden bucket hanging on the ceiling. There was a rope dangling from the bucket, ready to be pulled. The bucket had a clear label: “Cold Water”.

“Please stand underneath the bucket and pull the handle”, my therapist instructed.

And this is where I chickened out. I needed warm water to rinse. Thankfully, next to the bucket was a shower that had warm water. (For me and others who probably couldn’t brave the cold!)

The treatment left me invigorated and ready for the next treatment

Traditional Balinese Massage

Massage and treatment room at the Acqua Perla Spa, Double Six Seminyak
Massage and treatment room at the Acqua Perla Spa, Double Six Seminyak

The massage rooms had very fluid designs, keeping to the theme of Acqua Perla. Traditional Balinese Massage techniques include skin rolling and flicking, firm and gentle stroking, percussion and application of essential oils. It was a very relaxing 1 hour treatment accompanied by soothing traditional Balinese music.

LAVENDER FACIAL

After the Balinese massage, my therapist said goodbye and explained that a facialist will take her place. She instructed me to wait and relax in the massage table, which I did without any effort!

The facialist soon arrived and explained that the Lavender Facial is a targeted one specifically for my skin type (combination).

Their facial products are all from Elemis.

It involved a lot of mask application on the T-Zone (with a heavenly scalp massage while the mask did its magic!).  After the facial (1 hr 15 minutes), my face looked radiant, glowing, and most of all my T-Zone looked much clearer – without any extraction or exfoliation at all.

HAIR SPA

Hair Spa area of Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak
Hair Spa area of Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak

With my face glowing and feeling like a baby’s bottom, I was led to the Hair Spa area. This area is specifically for all hair treatments. The hair spa I received was specifically for dry hair (my split ends just won’t split with me!)

The entire treatment is done on the shampoo chairs, but they are not your regular neck-breaking shampoo chair.

They were so comfortable that you don’t feel like your head is in a basin at all. They also have a built in massage feature which was kept on throughout the treatment.

Hair Spa treatment, Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak
Hair Spa treatment, Acqua Perla Spa at Double Six Seminyak

The treatment involved pouring of alkaline water on the hair (to balance the Ph levels), a scalp massage, and the application of a thick mask which was later locked in by wrapping hot towels around the hair. After rinsing, my hair was naturally blow dried and felt really calmed down and smooth.

—

Bali is a place to relax and indulge, and I suggest that when you are in Bali try to spend an entire afternoon to treat yourself.

I occasionally indulge in 1-hour massages in Sydney but anything beyond an hour in Sydney is exorbitant in price, not to mention that I most probably do not have the spare time when I’m home.

So when you are vacationing and you have some free time I suggest you devote a day or an afternoon of just purely pampering yourself.

—

Do you love indulging in Spa treatments? What are your favourite ones?

 

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Filed Under: Asia, Indonesia, Luxury Travel

About Jean Holy Smithereens

Jean is a lover of luxury travel and adventure, always looking for that "Holy Smithereens"-inducing moment on her travels. Follow the blog and other social media pages of Holy Smithereens to get the ultimate travel ideas for the luxurious adventurer!

Comments

  1. Tony Louis says

    July 26, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Hi Jean

    That sounds like heaven. When I visit Bali this is a must do, especially for Laura. Thanks for sharing your experiences, you got pure class xxx

    Reply
  2. DJ Yabis | Dream Euro Trip says

    July 26, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    That looks like heaven. Yes I do but it’s so expensive here in Europe and every time I get a massage Im always disappointed. Can’t wait to do this again when im in asia.

    Reply
  3. Anna Johnston says

    July 30, 2014 at 10:36 am

    What an AMAZING experience. Soooo jelly!
    Do I love indulging in Spa treatments, yup… yup I do! I went cruising a couple of years back, bought me an all access pass to the spa, every other day I was primped and pampered, the thermal pool was amazing, the minerals in the water made my skin feel like a new born baby. #best

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      August 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      an all access to the spa!! i think that’s a most marvelous idea 🙂 I have not been to a cruise before, but I have a feeling I will be indulging in that all access spa 🙂 I can only imagine how refreshed you stepped off the ship!

      Reply
  4. Lynda says

    July 31, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Looks incredible, that hydrotrail therapy chair looks so inviting. I just indulged a little at the Marriott Spa in Aruba over the weekend and the full body massage was incredible. An hour just wasn’t enough!

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      August 1, 2014 at 2:27 pm

      You are always in the most exciting places! An hour is definitely not enough. To me, it’s more like a teaser 🙂

      Reply
  5. Becky Padmore says

    August 4, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Wow what a place! I have to admit I haven’t been to a spa quite as gorgeous as that before!

    Reply
    • Jean Holy Smithereens says

      August 7, 2014 at 2:40 pm

      Hi Becky me neither, it was really the most unique spa treatment I’ve had 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kris says

    April 30, 2015 at 11:04 am

    Hi that sounds fantastic. I’m looking for a spa day with my daughter. If possible could you advise approx how much and how long you were at the spa for. Thanks kris

    Reply

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