Review – We Check in to Fivelements Retreat Bali, Indonesia

Fivelements is a beautiful sanctuary of wellbeing, around 20 minutes from Ubud in the centre of Bali. Set in lush jungle and landscaped gardens, the 20 riverfront and private pool suites create a haven of privacy and tranquillity. Wellbeing is at the heart of the offering, and it is infused into every element of the stay. The concept is inspired by the Balinese and Vedic concept of “Panca Mahabhuta” in which creation manifests through the harmony and connection of earth, water, fire, air, and ether.

The suites are designed in a Balinese style so expect heavy use of bamboo, dark wooden floors, high ceilings and huge comfy beds. Neutral tones for the walls and furniture set the scene for a nature inspired stay. Bathrooms are modern with outdoor showers and for the larger riverside suites you have full outdoor bathroom. Well-appointed and air cooled, you will also benefit for an infinity edge plunge pool.

Given the design of the property, you often wonder where all of the other guests are. But will see them at daily morning yoga sessions, in the stunning Mandala Agung, a yoga sala but on a vast scale hosting up to 60 for yoga or 300 for other events including visual arts, dance, music or writing.

The Sakti food concept is all plant based. The head chef, Dii takes guests on a culinary plant-based journey using hyper local ingredients (many grown in the property’s own vegetable garden). The attention to detail on the dining menu is impressive. The variety, flavours and textures nod towards Indonesian and Balinese classics such as Nasi Goreng but you will also find modern international cuisine, always placing plants front and centre. Coffee is grown on the island and the fruit and vegetable juices are locally sourced. Satiating and wholesome, it’s modern holistic dining at its very best.

The Healing and Wellness Sanctuary

The centre and beating heart of the property is the Wellness Center, featuring a large open fronted reception area. The warm, friendly staff welcome you to the space where you will complete your consultation. Expect a relaxed, down to earth approach. All products used in the treatments are made in a little lab behind reception. You can go and look and its fascinating to see, with products using locally sourced herbs and ingredients that all pack a punch in the treatment rooms.

The treatment suites feature high ceilings and open out onto the forest, offering river views. Receiving the hot river stone massage with only the sound of the birds and the river below as a soundtrack was absolute bliss. Each has its own seating area, chairs for foot soak welcome rituals and an outdoor shower. The bamboo structures immediately evoke a sense of place in nature surrounded by lush greenery.

The treatment menu in the Healing and Wellness Sanctuary is vast, in fact at times a little overwhelming, but many people visiting here come on specific retreats or programmes with the therapy choices pre-determined according to what you want to achieve. The team of practitioners include two priests, an array of healers and therapists with the most expert hands.

Following Balinese principle of Sekala-Niskala – which means that we all live equally in two worlds. The conscious and unseen or psychic world. They deliver a range of therapies that transport and transform. Deeply rooted in the island’s ancient traditions nurturing harmony between spirit human and nature, expect to find treatments and retreats that offer healing rituals for purification, balancing and regeneration. There are also sacred arts practices for inner strength, alignment and dedication. You will also find chakra balancing, reflexology and Watsu to mindfulness, breathwork, Qigong, Aikido and ancient Balinese healing practices led by local priests.

Highly recommend is the Balinese Boreh which is a two-hour ritual with foot soak and scrub on the deck, 50 mins massage, 30 mins body scrub (you choose from handmade coffee and cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander or turmeric and clove scrubs) then its time for a relaxing soak in the bath overlooking the river enjoying ginger tea. It doesn’t get much better than this.

The stand-alone gym has floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the lush tropical gardens. If you want to step it up to another level the team have personal trainers on hand and can also tailor recovery programmes if needed.

Creating a project with heart and authenticity is no easy task. Many companies proclaim they offer wellness, but very few deliver on their promises. Fivelements stands head and shoulders above the rest in this regard.

Fivelements Retreat Bali, Mambal, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia