Here at Hip & Healthy, there’s nothing we love more than a really great treatment at a beautiful spa. Having experienced my fair share of luxury spas throughout my travels, I waltzed into Spa Alila with high expectations. Needless to say, my expectations were quickly surpassed. A spa experience that fuses holistic wellbeing with traditional techniques and ancient healing modalities, no trip to Alila would be complete without a visit to their world renowned Spa. Located on-premises at each one of their locations, Spa Alila’s aim is to holistically assist its guests in achieving that sought-after state of balance so easily lost in the fast paced hustle and bustle of modern life.

The Treatments

Luxurious and decadent, Spa Alila’s exclusive menu of treatments offers something for everyone. All of the local in-house therapists have been trained in anatomical physiology, massage and meditation as well as the latest in organic nutrition and health, so you can rest assured your time at Spa Alila will be spent in the best of hands. Showcasing the incredible range of the hotels own natural, handmade skincare products (more on that below), as a guest, you have the option of selecting from the extensive list of treatments and packages or creating your own personalised to your needs, requirements and desires.

The Skincare

As a lover of green beauty in all its guises, I was beyond excited when I found out that all products used in Spa Alila are formulated with ingredients of natural and mostly local origin. Using age-old beauty recipes, the entire Alila Living skincare range features the most luxurious aromatic blends of fresh and natural ingredients that are uplifting and soothing to body, mind and spirit. Used within all treatments, each private villa additionally boasts a generous array of ‘his’ and ‘her’ Alila Living products, so you can easily maintain that ‘just pampered’ feel throughout your stay. From nourishing massage oils to invigorating body and facial scrubs; all of the range is free from parabens, sodium laurel sulphate, petrochemicals, synthetic substances, artificial colour and fragrance – nasties we tend to avoid when it comes to our skincare rituals. If you love natural skincare and want to bring a touch of the tropics into your life sans the 16 hour flight, due to popular demand, Alila’s Living Skincare is now available to purchase online for you to recreate a Spa Alila experience from home.

My Experience

Easily the best spa experience I’ve ever encountered, during my three day stay at Alila Villas Soori, I was treated to the dreamiest set of four signature treatments available as part of the Relaxology treatment package (five and seven day Relaxology treatment packages are also available).

Upon each of my arrivals at Spa Alila, I was greeted by a refreshing and medicinal lemongrass and honey infused mocktail to enjoy at my leisure, whilst soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of the Spas lounge. Located in a secluded sanctuary below the reflective pond in the open-air reception, an ‘aqua-roof’ lends to the unique ambience; a soothing spectrum of watery light that encapsulates the interior.

The first of the bunch, the ‘Soakology Treatment’, I received fresh off of my flight from London. A signature foot massage using sea salts, herbal oils, ginger lotions and Alila Detoxifying Bath Salts, this grounding treatment was just the quick fix I needed after my long-haul flight.

On my second day of pampering, I woke up eager and excited to experience my first full-body treatment. Having heard of the healing and medicinal benefits of volcanic sand, I was curious to experience its positive effects first hand during my Volcanic and Rice Bran Lulur treatment. Combining the sands with rice milk to form a paste, my entire body was gently scrubbed and exfoliated. A process that purified my body and skin, transporting me into a relaxed state of calm, clearing my mind and inducing a deep state of inner peace. When I awoke from my hour of utter bliss, I felt deeply rested and my skin had truly never felt as silky smooth, reinvigorated and revitalised.

The last day of my treatments consisted of an Awakening Facial Massage and the Soori Signature Massage, both of which can be tailored to your personal wellness needs. I loved having the option to choose which oil the massage therapist used during my signature massage, based on scent as well as desired outcome; detoxification was my oil of choice. Completely holistic in nature, these two treatments take all details into account, drawing on the healing and preventative effects of the pure plant oils, creams, cleansers and essences used. Providing 80 minutes of pure delight, these two treatments left me tension-free and in a state of relaxation that lingered on for the remainder of my trip.

Relaxology spa package at Alila Villas Soori costs from USD 567 (+21% tax and service charge) per villa per night (minimum stay 3 nights) 

We flew to Bali on Cathay Pacific.

Cathay Pacific flies daily between London and Bali and four times weekly between Manchester and Bali.  To book flights visit cathaypacific.co.uk

Prices start from:

London – Bali economy = from £819

London – Bali Business = from £3,619

Manchester – Bali Economy = from £789

Manchester – Bali Business = from £3,589

*All flights are correct at time of publication

Words by Zsa Zsa Vella

More On Bali: H&H Guide To Bali | The Overview: Alila Hotels & Resorts