Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
NEAR UBUD, Bali
Tropical sanctuary with striking architecture for wellbeing, culture and foodie feasts
Set in Bali’s central highlands in the lush Ayung River valley near Ubud, Four Seasons Bali at Sayan is a wondrous, stylish space to retreat with friends and family and enjoy with graceful suites and villas ensconced within 18 acres of verdant forest complete with rice paddies. Enjoy peace and solitude, indulgent spa treatments, sumptuous feasts and memorable culture.
our Reviewer Teresa Levonian Cole says:
‘In an orange, open-top vintage VW, I explored a local village, unknown to tourists, was blessed by a priest in a water temple, and was privileged to visit the family home of a blacksmith, where the intricacies of temple and residential feng shui were explained to me’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘High above the treetops and only accessible by a 55-metre footbridge, the 852 sq m infinity-edged rooftop lotus pond is the jewel of this retreat. A visit to High Priestess Ida Resi is cathartic and potentially life changing. Be sure to take an afternoon ‘air nap’ in a silk hammock, suspended from the Dharma Shanti Bale ceiling’
Experiences
Come for a range of wellbeing programmes available all year for overall wellbeing, to boost energy and digestion, for self-awareness, or for wellbeing as a couple. Have a private retreat tailored to the needs of you, your family and/or friends. Or simply stay and dip in and out of a menu of massages, body scrubs and wraps, chakra ceremonies and beauty treatments.
Visiting practitioners include some of the world’s most sought-after teachers and facilitators. Among them are bodyworkers, energy healers and fitness trainers. Ibu Fera, the resident wellness mentor and a former Buddhist nun, offers meditation and life talks. Or try some Balinese dance classes.
The yoga schedule includes hatha, yin, easy and power yoga, as well as restorative hot stone yoga, which uses heated pebbles from the Ayung River. Antigravity yoga with hammocks increases flexibility. There’s also full moon yoga, chakra yoga and laughter yoga.
Start your day with the organised village walk, which takes you through the picturesque landscape of the Ayung River valley and back through the village streets of Sayan or join local guides on a dawn trek to the peak of 1,717-metre Mount Batur (an hour’s drive from the retreat).
Visit the pure emerald-green rice fields, go rafting through majestic gorges, see temples and historical sites, including Gunung Raung – an active volcano, or learn carving and Indonesian Batik from locals. There’s a daily shuttle to and from Ubud – a 15-minute ride away.
Spaces
Strikingly futuristic, this hideaway, created by architect John Heah, is steeped in symbolism. The three levels of the main building evoke the Trinity that is central to Balinese religion – the Gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, the three levels of heaven, earth and the underworld and the three parts of the body, head, thorax and abdomen.
Made from sustainable bamboo, the Dharma Shanti Yoga Bale was inspired by the elegant curves of lotus petals. It’s equipped with hammocks so you can practise inverted postures, hang upside down, boost circulation and have fun. As well as anti-gravity yoga, meditation and talks are held here.
Immersed in lush jungle greenery, the Sacred River Spa is a curved building, which houses the 24-hour fitness centre, and sauna, steam and jacuzzi.
Longer treatments take place in the four thatched riverside villas. Riverside pools and whirlpool plunge pools are dotted around.
The 60 suites and villas include family suites, with separate sleeping and living areas, as well as villas with private pools and spacious balconies or terraces. All have king or queen-sized beds. Expect a mix of contemporary and Balinese décor, including rich teak furnishings and bold hand-loomed fabrics.
Sustenance
The retreat has menus for omnivores, vegans and vegetarians. There’s an Indonesian Sattvic soul food menu and gluten-free options at all restaurants. Breakfast is served semi-buffet style at Ayung Terrace.
A gastronomic highlight is the seven-course Chef’s table at Sokasi, where traditional Balinese feasts are cooked in a fire pit, and prepared before you. A favourite is bebek betutu: a duck slow-cooked underground for 12 hours in banana and palm leaves.
Other restaurant options include Riverside, which serves grilled favourites; Sokasi Farmer’s Brunch which serves farm-to-table produce, and Ayung Terrace which offers Indonesian meals with a treetop view. Light snacks and afternoon tea can be found at Jati Bar.
At a private picnic by the Ayung River, the chef will cook your favourite Balinese lunch over a traditional coconut husk barbecue. Expect grilled calamari and satays, salad made with the freshest herbs and vegetables, rice grilled inside banana leaves and a refreshing iced dessert.
The megibung dinner is inspired by an ancient ritual dating back to 1692 when the King of Karangasem implemented communal dining. For a sense of togetherness and community, you can sit under the stars at a riverside location with live cooking by chefs at an open kitchen.
NEAR UBUD, BALI
Four Seasons
Four Seasons offers elegant, stylish and sumptuous retreats in dreamy settings in the Maldives and at Jimbaran Bay and Sayan in Bali, where world class therapists, practitioners and staff deliver wellbeing programmes with sensitivity and soul. With top-notch facilities and a strong eco conscience, all set deep in nature, they’re the perfect place for deep rest and a recharge.