The Locale
When the Sydney bustle becomes too much and the kidults at home seem to have forgotten the art of using a dishwasher, The Husband and I make our escape. Our go-to? The Oberoi Beach Resort Bali. It’s the kind of place where wellbeing isn’t just a buzzword on a spa menu, but a way of life that seeps into your bones faster than you can say “another green juice, please.”
Read on to get the lowdown on The Oberoi Beach Resort Bali’s wellbeing offerings…which, by the way, tick all my boxes.
The Vibe
Nestled on the best stretch of Seminyak Beach, this is where traditional Balinese charm meets sophisticated wellness. It’s the kind of place where I can lose myself, only to find a better, more relaxed version by the end of my stay.
Food
Not considering myself a difficult creature (although The Husband may beg to differ), I am particular when it comes to dining. The Oberoi doesn’t just serve up sustenance; exceptional attention to quality and variety is an art form that would make even the most jaded food critic weep with joy. Each return visit (and there have been many) I gleefully note their unwavering commitment to ‘great nutrition’. I practically begged Chef Enrico for some of his secret juice blends:
- Green and Clean: A concoction of celery, cucumber, spinach, ginger, apple, and lemon. It’s like drinking a farmers’ market, only tastier.
- Orange Blossom: Carrot, ginger, pineapple, and orange. A sunset glow in a glass.
Spa Sanctuary
Forget your run-of-the-mill spa treatments. At The Oberoi, everything is prepared minutes before your appointment, using herbs and plants from their organic garden. It’s farm-to-face at its finest. I indulged in the Sunburn Soother Wrap, a 60-minute treatment using fresh aloe vera and cucumber straight from the garden – perfect for when I’ve forgotten that Bali’s sun is not to be trifled with. For those seeking exfoliation, the Lime and Pink Ginger Scrub leaves you feeling zingy and zesty, ready to take on another day of hardcore relaxation. The Hair Spa, using fresh aloe vera and polyscias scutellaria from the herb garden, is like a smoothie for your hair, leaving it glossier than a magazine cover, even in the humidity.
Mindfulness and Balance
Here, mindfulness isn’t about sitting cross-legged chanting “Om” (unless that’s your thing). It’s woven into every experience, from sipping a Golden Sun by the pool to attempting to master traditional crafts without stabbing myself with a bamboo stick. The complimentary weekly yoga class and well-appointed gym mean I always leave with more vitality than a holiday by the pool usually delivers.
Oh and my favourite, the turtle sanctuary – releasing the babies back into their natural environment is the BEST part of the holiday.
The Locale
Seminyak buzzes just beyond The Oberoi’s walls, a tempting mix of boutiques, beach clubs, and restaurants. But the beauty of The Oberoi is that I can dip in and out of the action as I please. One minute I’m zen-ing out in the spa, the next I’m choosing a kaftan in a nearby market. It’s the best of both worlds.
Pros
- Wellbeing without the boot camp feel
- Exceptional, nutritious cuisine
- Spa treatments that leave you glowing
- Perfect balance of tranquillity and access to Seminyak’s buzz
Cons
- The risk of becoming so relaxed I miss my flight home (not that I’d mind)
The Verdict
Don’t blame me when you find yourself plotting a return before leaving. The Oberoi Beach Resort Bali isn’t just a holiday destination; it’s a sanctuary for the soul (and sanity) that beckons you back time and again. What’s refreshing is the essence of The Oberoi remains unchanged – each visit feels like a comforting homecoming. The Husband agrees, and for a man who typically shuns repeat destinations, that’s high praise indeed.
