Sacred Island Sanctuary

From ancient fire rituals to plant-based healing, Bali’s luxury retreats blend spirituality, sustainability, and wellness, redefining holistic travel.

Bali has long been revered as a sanctuary for the soul, blending natural beauty with deep-rooted spiritual traditions. The island’s reflective temples, healing rituals, and connection to nature created fertile ground for a new kind of travel for those seeking holistic wellness. Pioneers like Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay and the InterContinental Bali Resort Jimbaran were among some of the first to introduce immersive wellness experiences back in 1993, integrating mindfulness, spa therapies, yoga, and cultural connection in luxury stays. Since then, additional world-class retreats have followed, cementing Bali’s reputation as a holistic island paradise for wellness, culture, and luxury. From energy cleansings to fire ceremonies, the island offers transformative experiences that nurture body, mind, and spirit in a serene natural setting.

On her recent journey to Bali, our CEO and Founder Bev Maloney-Fischback immersed herself in the island’s most celebrated holistic offerings, from luxury resorts to hidden boutique sanctuaries rooted in tradition. Experiencing everything from wellness rituals and plant-based cuisine to restorative spa therapies and mindful movement, she witnessed firsthand why Bali has become the world’s leading holistic destination.

In this article, we break down her discoveries, highlighting resorts and rituals, revealing how the island’s blend of spirituality, sustainability, and hospitality continues to draw seekers of balance and renewal, and why Bali remains at the heart of the global wellness movement.

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort 

Anantara Ubud Bali, recently opened in 2024, is a sanctuary of serenity set in the hillside village of Banjar Puhu, Payangan, about 40 minutes north of central Ubud. Surrounded by lush rainforest, cascading rice terraces, and misty mountains, the resort offers guests a tranquil escape into Bali’s spiritual heartland. Guests can enjoy guided walks through nearby villages and rice paddies or take advantage of the daily shuttle to explore Ubud’s cultural treasures, returning each evening to the peace of this hillside retreat.

The acclaimed Anantara Spa unfolds as its own sanctuary, housed in a dedicated building designed to be a destination in itself—a haven of pure restoration. Here, guests are invited to immerse in indigenous rituals and holistic therapies. Each treatment room blends into the natural world outside, where expansive bay windows frame the forest. Among Anantara Ubud’s most unique offerings are its spiritual and wellness rituals. The Agni Yajna Fire Ceremony, also known as Agnihotra, is an ancient Vedic practice led by Idha Guru. Centered around offerings to a consecrated fire, this ritual honors Agni, the fire deity and divine messenger. Guests are joined by a personal guide and translator as they escort them to the village and into the home of Idha Guru (village priest) for an intimate shared experience. The guests are led in ceremony with his family in attendance, to release negativity, purify their surroundings, and welcome divine blessings into their lives.

For couples, the Balinese Ceremony is a sacred and intimate experience, rooted in Balinese tradition. This ritual symbolizes spiritual cleansing and the renewal of bonds, allowing partners to deepen their connection in a way that transcends the physical, drawing upon the island’s profound spiritual heritage. Equally transformative is the Vajra Githa Healing with Bapak Made Warnata. This ancient energy therapy combines the sacred vibrations of the Vajra—an instrument used by Balinese priests in temple ceremonies—with meridian acupressure to soothe the nervous system, ease discomfort, and restore balance. The ritual also includes an aura cleansing with fresh coconut water and Canang Sari offerings, as well as the placement of crystals on key chakras. The ceremony concludes with drinking the mantra-blessed coconut water, re-energizing both body and spirit.

Anantara Ubud weaves together place, ritual, and healing— offering a journey into the island’s most sacred traditions. Visit anantara.com.

“The Vajra Githa Healing treatment was highly intentional and deeply transformative. I left feeling otherwordly.”

—Beverly Maloney-Fischback, CEO & Founder

Fivelements Retreat 

Since welcoming its first guests in 2010, Fivelements Retreat Bali has earned international recognition as a sanctuary for healing and holistic living. Set along the sacred Ayung River, the award-winning retreat draws on more than a decade of expertise in integrative wellness, offering an environment where ancient traditions and modern practices meet to guide guests on deeply personal journeys of renewal.

The philosophy of Fivelements is rooted in Sekala Niskala, the Balinese understanding of life’s dual dimensions—what is seen and unseen. This principle shapes every aspect of the retreat, creating space for connection between spirit and nature. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in breathwork practices and time-honored therapies designed to restore harmony across the physical and spiritual realms. At Fivelements, it’s not just about having a spa treatment, but instead, it offers a holistic path of inner discovery. Take, for instance, the Fire Blessing Ritual. Inspired by one of Bali’s five sacred elements, the ritual honors fire as a force of transformation. Guests are guided through meditation and sacred chanting before offering symbolic intentions into the flames. This powerful ceremony creates space to release burdens, invite renewal, and embrace clarity. Concluding in shared silence, the ritual becomes a journey of letting go, awakening inner strength, and welcoming new pathways with reverence and presence.

Equally central to the Fivelements experience is its celebrated plant-based cuisine. The Garden of Peace on the property embodies harmony and sustainability, guided by the Balinese Tri Hita Karana principle uniting humanity, nature, and spirit. Established in 2022 with permaculture and Subak irrigation, it thrives as both an ecosystem and sanctuary. Seasonal harvests enrich the retreat’s plant-based cuisine while the garden itself invites reflection, learning, and a deeper connection to regenerative living.

Their award-winning cuisine is rooted in the healing philosophy of Living Foods, offering a nourishing balance of raw vegan creations and thoughtfully prepared plant-based dishes. Each meal is designed to delight the palate and encourage detoxification, cellular regeneration, and long-term vitality. This culinary approach forms a seamless part of the holistic wellness philosophy, where food is viewed as both medicine and a pathway to sustainable wellbeing.

Beyond daily dining, the on-site kitchen serves as a dynamic hub for wellness education and community. Guests can participate in health coaching sessions, hands-on culinary training, or immersive workshops designed to inspire healthier lifestyles. The kitchen also plays a central role in creating meaningful experiences for special occasions and the cuisine celebrates the power of plants to heal, energize, and transform both body and spirit. Visit fivelementsbali.com.

Stone House Bali

Among Ubud’s ever-growing collection of new resorts, Stone House stands apart as a one-of-a-kind boutique sanctuary, lovingly run by a single owner. Here, authenticity and intimacy define the experience, beginning with a warm welcome from Lulu, the resident dog, who embodies the property’s charm and sense of home. This unique property is tucked into the cultural heartland of Ubud, located a mile from the bustle of downtown. Stone House is the realization of a dream that was decades in the making. It was born from the vision of Walker Zabriskie, a lifelong traveler and design aficionado, and his partner, Wendy Kassel, who has called Asia home for more than 20 years. Their shared passion for discovery and authenticity culminated in a retreat that feels both deeply Balinese and strikingly original.

Drawing on Zabriskie’s lifelong immersion in architecture, interior design, and furniture making, Stone House embodies an escape where nature, craft, and comfort intersect. The property’s distinctive structures include an 8-yard bamboo treehouse, a Javanese farmhouse set beside the organic farm, and guest suites that integrate centuries-old elements such as 19th-century palace panels that evoke regal elegance. Constructed without cranes, using methods reminiscent of centuries past, Stone House is a testament to craftsmanship: hand-hewn timber, grass-woven thatch, and massive stone columns raised with nothing but teamwork, banana leaves, and mud. Every detail, from carved wood to bespoke furniture and lighting, was designed by Zabriskie to reflect originality and authenticity. Sustainability shapes every detail. Glass water bottles replace plastic, eco-friendly totes, and refillable sports bottles encourage mindful travel, and even glass straws are thoughtfully provided. Its small organic farm further supports this ethos, supplying fresh fruit and vegetables that enrich the dining experience with true farm-to-table flavor.

The staff, regarded as family, bring warmth and the Balinese gift for ceremony to every guest experience. Activities range from cooking classes to rice paddy walks, temple tours, and canyon rafting. For those seeking balance, the retreat offers yoga, wellness journeys, and traditional purification rituals.

In Bali, the body is revered as a sacred temple where a massage is considered both art and ritual. At Stone House, this tradition is honored through in-room treatments designed to restore balance and elevate the spirit. Its signature Balinese massage blends house-infused oils, gentle stretches, and acupressure to release tension and revive energy, while the Taksu massage, meaning “spirit,” offers a deeply invigorating experience that enhances circulation and eases muscle tightness, leaving guests relaxed and nourished long after the treatment ends. Stone House even nurtures community impact, supporting Rambut untuk Harapan (Hair for Hope), Indonesia’s first charity producing wigs for cancer patients, founded by the couple’s daughter at age 13.

More than a hotel, Stone House is an intimate, soulful expression of Bali itself, perfectly summed up by Zabriskie who states, “At Stone House, we try to live simple and tread lightly because no one does wellness or sustainability better than Mother Earth.” Visit stonehousebali.com.

“There is an immediate rush of comfort and love when you walk through the front doors of Stone House. It is the epitome of luxury hospitality in its simplest form.”

—Beverly Maloney-Fischback

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

For more than two decades, the Four Seasons has stood as one of Bali’s most revered five-star villa retreats, bringing with it the distinction of being among the first international luxury brands to arrive on the island. Many staff members have been here since the beginning, ensuring service that feels personal and heartfelt. Designed to resemble a traditional Balinese village, the resort’s 147 villas provide indulgent privacy, complete with expansive bathrooms featuring both indoor and outdoor showers.

The Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay blends ancient wisdom with modern practice, offering treatments that connect body and spirit. Guided by skilled healers, rituals draw on Balinese tradition while embracing contemporary approaches to wellness and spiritual growth. One of the standout treatments is their Baru Detox experience. It’s a symphony of water, sound, minerals, and massage woven into one powerful ritual of renewal. It begins with a citrus-spiced oil and clay wrap infused with 15 natural powders to stimulate circulation and encourage detoxification. Chromotherapy, hydrotherapy, and sound therapy cascade through an eco-Vichy shower, while a deep tissue massage and mini facial complete the sense of surrender and serenity. This treatment is elevated by ISUN, a product line whose nature-inspired ethos mirrors the spa’s philosophy of harmony. ISUN’s formulations are sustainably harvested, supporting biodiversity. The Detox Trim and Tone Wrap combines rhassoul clay, ginger, kelp, and dandelion, while the Energize Herbal Body Oil, enriched with grapeseed, hazelnut, ginger, and cardamom seed, delivers a warming thermogenic effect to help reduce cellulite and break down subcutaneous fat. Together, this sensory immersion balances body and spirit while honoring the earth.

The Celestial Light Ritual blends crystal, sound, and color therapies within the Illume Room, Bali’s first Surround Sound Spa Suite. Using ISUN Gemstone Oils aligned with the chakras, the treatment integrates quartz-sand therapy, crystal bowls, and light frequencies to balance energy, stimulate healing, and restore harmony—earning the 2024 SpaChina Award for Most Creative Treatment. Looking for something a bit more “uplifting?” Be sure to check out the resort’s AntiGravity Yoga class which invites you to take flight with suspended hammocks that support every body and ability. This dynamic practice enhances alignment, eases stress, and elevates mood by boosting endorphins.

The resort’s Executive Chef, Liam Nealon, brings a fresh, ingredient-driven philosophy to the table. Passionate about authenticity, he reimagines the flavors of Bali’s beloved warungs (small, local eateries serving authentic food) with a refined, contemporary touch, always beginning with the island’s finest local produce. “I start with the freshest ingredients and let them speak for themselves,” he explains. Artificial flavorings have no place here—every plate is a celebration of purity, balance, and the collaborative artistry of his culinary team. Visit fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay.

“The sheer scale of wellness offerings, from ancient holistic rituals to more modern modalities, is outstanding.”

—Beverly Maloney-Fischback

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Arriving at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, is an immersive experience in itself. Guests cross a dramatic suspension bridge high above the Ayung River Valley, a scene likened more to a James Bond film than a hotel check-in. The journey culminates inside architect John Heah’s visionary “Rice Bowl,” a circular structure that embraces the contours of the valley below. Heah described the bridge as a spoon gently placing guests into nature’s embrace. Here, the treetop views, dramatic skies, and unseen energy—what locals call niskala—create an instant sense of awe and connection.

The resort has cultivated more than just a reputation for design and serenity—it has nurtured a living connection to Bali’s agrarian roots. Within the resort’s grounds, and at the heartbeat of the property, are rice fields, a rare sight in a region increasingly given over to development.

What sets these rice paddies apart is not simply their beauty but the philosophy behind them. Managed through a collaboration between the resort’s gardening team and local villagers, the fields are tended with generations of knowledge and an unshakable bond to the land. The harvest itself is gifted back to the very villagers who care for it. This act of reciprocity is more than symbolic. It is the resort’s way of ensuring that the rice fields remain not just a picturesque backdrop for guests but a vital, breathing part of the Sayan landscape. By preserving the Subak irrigation system—recognized by UNESCO as a cultural treasure—Four Seasons at Sayan honors the Balinese principle of Tri Hita Karana, harmony between people, nature, and spirit.

Wellness offerings draw deeply from this same philosophy. The Restu Bumi ritual begins with the resonant call of the gong, guiding guests into stillness, and concludes with the holy bell’s grounding chime. Natural moss agate stones and moringa oil infuse authenticity and healing power. Resident healer Djik Dewa, who also serves as a priest at his family shrine, leads chakra-balancing sessions rooted in Kundalini energy, while wellness mentor Heny Ferawati reimagines comfort with her Sacred Nap—a silk-hammock meditation accompanied by lullabies and blessing chants. For deeper restoration, the Pulih Batin program blends breathwork, ice baths, and infrared therapy to harmonize body and mind. Visit fourseasons.com/sayan.

“There are really only three words for this place— absolutely next level.”

—Beverly Maloney-Fischback

Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape

Hidden deep in the Balinese jungle, where foliage parts to reveal shimmering rice fields, Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, redefines seclusion. Buahan is a new brand extension of Banyan Group that symbolizes the brand’s vision of creating immersive experiences that blend nature and sustainable design.

This adults-only retreat invites travelers into an eco-barefoot philosophy rooted in personal discovery, culture, and wellbeing. Its pioneering “no walls, no doors” design dissolves boundaries between villa and wilderness, with just 16 expansive retreats offering 180-degree views of nature. Each villa features a private pool, gazebo, and open-air deck—an invitation to live in rhythm with the land. Living within open walls immerses guests in nature’s rhythm—nighttime serenades of frogs and cicadas—an experience both intimate and unforgettable.

Culinary journeys here are equally transformative, celebrating ancient recipes and forgotten flavors with farm-to-table offerings. Rooted in sustainability and tradition, the resort’s farm cultivates both heritage plants and rare Balinese crops, creating a true “zero-mile” dining experience. Executive Chef Sheandy Satria states, “Our culinary philosophy is rooted in intention, seasonality, and connection. We use over 80% locally sourced ingredients, with a focus on zero-waste practices and conscious dining that honors the land and our surrounding community.”

At The Botanist Bar, freshly picked herbs and botanicals inspire inventive cocktails, mocktails, and house-made kombuchas. Local ciders, beers, and handcrafted sodas complete this garden-to-glass celebration of flavor and culture.

The resort’s Toja Spa, named after the Indonesian word for “water,” is an open-air concept spa immersing guests in nature. Comprised of just a few villas, every detail of this spa is as unique as its spa menu. All treatments here draw on Bali’s healing traditions, created in collaboration with local healers and experts. Harnessing the island’s natural riches and ancestral wisdom, the spa offers a pure interpretation of wellness, forming the essence of its signature, restorative experiences. One of its unique rituals is the Soul Freedom Journey. A spiritual purification ritual at a secluded waterfall. Beginning with a traditional Balinese offering, guests don ceremonial attire and hike through a serene valley to Tjampuhan waterfall, where meditation, chanting, and a flower release ritual foster renewal, gratitude, and deep connection to nature.

A signature ritual of Toja Spa, the Buahan Bliss, draws on the island’s natural abundance and ancestral knowledge to deliver a deeply restorative wellness experience. The journey begins with a grounding dry-brush exfoliation, followed by a flowing massage inspired by sacred rivers to stimulate circulation. A detoxifying wrap of native herbs and spices completes the treatment, enveloping the body in the island’s healing essence. Key ingredients used are Kecombrang, with its uplifting scent and anti-inflammatory benefits, and Akalang chili, known for stimulating circulation and detoxifying the skin. The Buahan Bliss Treatment was born from the land itself, rich with native plants, ancestral wisdom, and healing energy. The spa wanted to create a journey that not only restores the body but also reconnects guests to Buahan’s soul. Every ingredient is thoughtfully selected from the surrounding forest and gardens including torch ginger leaves and flowers, making this treatment a celebration of nature’s power to energize, balance, and renew.

Adventurers will find adrenaline in jungle treks and village explorations, while seekers of stillness can flow beneath the moon with yoga or rise into aerial silk practice. Buahan is not simply a place to stay—it is a place to unearth, renew, and reconnect with the wild. Visit escape.banyantree.com.