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eastofeden
It’s not easy being overshadowed by Bali, Lombok’s
impossibly glamorous neighbour, 32km across the
Lombok Straits in the Indonesian archipelago. While
Bali has long been known as an award-winning spa
destination on the global stage, Lombok’s spa scene is
still in its infancy and is relatively unknown.The existing
international-standard, ‘reliable’ spas are practically
all affiliated with upscale resorts and hotels. Day spas,
as yet, don’t really exist, and humble, local salons are
not compatible with western standards. Lombok’s best
spas featured here are located along the surprisingly
undeveloped north-west coastline, where Lombok’s
main tourism development (also in its infancy) can be
found. This region also covers the ‘Gilis,’ three tropical
paradise islands a short speedboat ride off the coast.
While the industry is young, Lombok’s fascinating
indigenous Sasak culture offers age-old therapeautic
massages and homestyle traditional remedies and
healing therapies using local herbs and spices.
Increasingly, spas have come to recognize their value,
incorporating these traditional Sasak ingredients and
practices in menus. As a tourist destination, Lombok
is a rustic paradise with underrated natural beauty that
exceeds Bali, with sacred volcanoes, deserted bays
of dazzlingly white sand and crystal clear turquoise
water, virgin rainforests and jaw-dropping sunsets. In
addition to this scenic beauty, Lombok, meaning ‘fiery’
or ‘chili’, boasts an abundance of tropical fruits and
blooms, spices, unusual herbs and roots and rich marine
products, such as seaweed, sea salt and South Sea pearls.
Recently, up-market resort and villa complexes have
come to notice Lombok’s beauty and undoubtedly
world-class spas are sure to follow suit, especially when
the much-anticipated international airport opens. But
the beauty of Lombok is its “back-to-basics” spas. Bathed
in an indefinable magic, the tranquillity of its mostly
undiscovered beauty is, in itself, a powerful natural
relaxant, and inspires a sense of wellbeing and serenity.
Lombokwriter Samantha Coomber

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Laguna Spa, Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort
As Lombok’s first luxury resort and only international brand in
Senggigi – the island’s main tourist centre –high standards are
assured at Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort. With the tropical island
surrounds, the spa is a sanctuary of chilled out relaxation. In addition
to being Lombok’s oldest spa, it is the only spa on the beachfront,
sandwiched between landscaped gardens and a private section of
crescent-shaped Senggigi Beach. Late 2011 will see the spa undergo
an expansion to incorporate a more traditional feel and include a
beachfront fitness centre, Jacuzzi and retail store.
Still wonderfully rustic and semi-open with timbered walls
and stone-clad areas, Laguna Spa makes you forget any need for
air-conditioning. Two treatment rooms have adjoining relaxation
terraces just inches from the Indian Ocean, where you can indulge
in pre and post-treatment beverages such as Pandan leaf tea.Three
beachside balés (traditional gazebos) are perfect for outdoor mas-
sages, like the ThaiYoga Massage, a unique marriage of meditation
and yoga stretches with Thai massage.
The ‘high touch/low tech’ menu highlights traditional, authentic
Asian treatments, combined with innovative twists and custom-
made, island-derived organic products. Absolute Signatures include
Ayus Lomi Massage, a combination of Ayuvedic principles with
Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage for profound relaxation. Facials use
the Biodroga System whereas the Luxurious Royal Crystal treatment
combines rock crystal wands with aquamarine formulated micro-
dermabrasion peeling and was exclusively created for Lombok’s
Sheraton. As a family friendly hotel, the spa also offers a selection
of treatments for eight to 15-year olds.
www.sheraton.com/senggigi
Puri Mas Spa and Wellness Retreat, Puri Mas
Beach Resort
Puri Mas Spa is unique in many ways. It is the only spa in Lombok
recommended in Condé Nast Johansen’s Luxury Spas 2011 which
uses prestigious Pevonia and Indian Shankara products and the
island’s only garden-based spa. Located in the KerandanganValley
and part of the equally idyllic Puri Mas Beach Resort, the spa is
set in a lush garden with three resort suites and a lap pool, all of
which are backed by jungle-clad hills featuring tropical blooms,
mature trees and a rescue sanctuary for birds and animals. With
two indoor garden pavilions, Puri Mas incorporates traditional
therapies and Lombok and Indonesian remedies using naturally
fresh ingredients, including fine essential oils, local herbs, flowers
and spices. An evolving wellness programme features yoga sessions
and customized advice for sustainable health and fitness by the
resident healthy lifestyle coach.
The Signature Lombok Mocha andVanilla Bean Exfoliation is a
two-hour revitalizer using freshly-ground coffee, cocoa and vanilla
beans, all harvested from the spa’s own garden. Another stand out
is the three-hour Sasak Kampung which combines age-old village
therapies including a lemon-grass foot bath, coffee body exfoliation,
hot herbal compress, and traditional massage with warmed, purified
coconut oil and turmeric infused herbal bath.
Post-treatment, relax with a drink in the traditional tea pavilion
or take a refreshing plunge in the cold water Vitaliser Pool. The
hotel’s traditional Javanese twin pavilions make for a perfect end
to the evening with a candle-lit Rijstaffel dinner featuring old-style
Dutch-Indonesian dishes.
www.sparesort.purimas-lombok.com
www.purimas-lombok.com
Spa Jeevaniya, Jeeva Klui Resort
Jeeva Klui Resort wisely relocated their spa to a prime position, high
on the headlands of curving Klui Beach.The thatched, stilt-house spa
matches this eco-friendly boutique resort with traditional Sasak design
mixed with modern rustic chic and is constructed with sustainable
local materials such as coffee wood and recycled ironwood, natural
stone and bamboo and decorated with Lombok artifacts.
Four treatment rooms, including two with upper-level bathrooms
on pebble-stone floors, are open-sided, as is the elegant lower level
reception, maximizing refreshing sea breezes. Modesty prevails
with white hemp curtains, although Jeeva Klui is the sole occupant
along this secluded bay. In the tree-house style bathrooms, soak in
a stone tub infused with aromatic herbs and spices, while surveying
idyllic tropical views.
Much research has gone into this recently relaunched spa,
reflecting the resorts’ philosophy and natural surroundings. Hence,
great emphasis is placed on traditional Indonesian massage and
therapies, thus keeping Javanese, Madura, Balinese and Lombok
traditions alive. Fresh, natural Lombok-sourced ingredients such as
cocoa, seaweed, avocado, papaya, and honey feature prominently,
as does the island’s famous pearls, which are combined with custom-
blended organic oils. The interesting Kerokan uses fresh ginger
slices for skin strokes while Jeevaniya Bliss is a sea salt and betel
leaf foot ritual. The signature Sea Gem Facial uses freshly-ground
pearls blended with candlenut, cucumber and Sumbawa honey.
www.jeevaklui.com
Oberoi Spa, The Oberoi, Lombok
Arguably Lombok’s most exclusive resort, boutique property The
Oberoi Lombok personifies tropical luxury, nestled in 24 acres of
immaculate gardens alongside secluded Medana Beach, Tanjung.
As a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and carrying
the prestigious Oberoi name, this resort comes with impeccable
standards. The same goes for its eponymous spa, a beautifully
appointed pavilion hidden amongst the coconut trees, lead by a
spa manager previously of Pangkor Laut Spa Village.
The understated modern elegance of the Oberoi Spa blends with
traditional local Sasak artifacts and textiles. The spa features two
semi-open suites with private Jacuzzi and a sunken marble bath.
The spa menu embraces holistic therapies inspired by ancient
eastern traditions of health and healing while still incorporating
international influences. Oberoi uses their own customised spa
products, sourced from natural ingredients, such as lime and ginger
for exfoliations. Hungarian brand Omorovicza is used exclusively
for facials and guests select their own incense and healing aromatic
oils. Honouring the brand’s Indian heritage, the menu has extensive
Ayurvedic treatments including the Shila Abhyanga, a palm-based
massage with heated river stones, covering top-to-toe key marma
points. For men, the Hot Lava Shell massage uses smooth, heated
lava shells which, when combined with natural minerals, sea kelp
and salt water, promotes blissful relaxation.
www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_lombok
this page: (top to bottom) Puri Mas pool by night; flower arrangement at the Oberoi
Spa. opposite page: The Jeeva Klui Spa at Hening Swarga Spa. OPENING page:
White sand beach with boat.

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Roemah Spa, Hotel Vila Ombak and Akira Spa,
Hotel Ombak Sunset
Until recently,Vila Ombak on GiliTrawangan, the largest of Lombok’s
three dazzlingly beautiful Gili Islands, was the largest resort with
the only international-standard spa among the Gilis. However, their
sister hotel, Hotel Ombak Sunset, has just opened nearby and is poised
to take over in terms of style and sophistication.
Servicing a growing resort and island, Vila Ombak’s Roemah
Spa seems rather small with just four simple treatment rooms. But
what it lacks in panache, it more than makes up for with its warm,
unpretentious and welcoming atmosphere that does justice to its
name (roemah means “home”). Treatments are of good value,
incorporating natural ingredients and are designed to cater to the
island’s unique quaintness. Soothing signatures include Gili Sunset,
a sunburn treatment with fresh aloe vera and lavender, and the
Coconut Bath Moisturising Ritual, a Lombok tradition. The island
has limited fresh water supplies (resorts only provide saline water),
the reason why Roemah’s fresh water traditional flower baths and
crème hair baths are also highly sought after.
Hotel Ombak Sunset’s new spa, Akira (which aptly means sun),
has some similarities to its older sister, such as fresh water baths
and gentle signature massages including the Akira Massage with its
mix of techniques. However, Akira’s spacious facilities have a more
contemporary Indonesian-style feel and the still-evolving menu is
more results driven, with facials featuring Biodroga. The two and a
half to three-hour Sunset Tropical Bliss treatment includes a rose-
mary sea salt foot bath, papaya body polish, avocado body mask
and an Aroma Massage. Enjoy a spa session in the glass encased
Sunset Suite or a post-treatment drink in the outdoor lounge area.
www.hotelombak.com, www.ombaksunset.com
Spadestination
Hening Swarga Spa, Hotel Tugu Lombok
Following in the illustrious footsteps of its Bali counterpart, Hotel
Tugu Lombok magically captures old Lombok’s art, soul and
romance. Its Hening Swarga (‘Heavenly Silence,’) Spa located
within a Hindu temple and inspired by the ancient temples of East
Java, has magnificent pillars carved with mythological animals and
towers adorned with mystical deities.The vast open-sided spa suite
reveals a massive stone bathing pool with water jets, directly facing
the Indian Ocean, and two extra-long massage beds. Beneath a
hand-painted vaulted ceiling, antiques and Buddhist statues are
bathed in incense. An outer staircase to the spa’s top floor reveals
a private dining platform for starlit dinners à deux.
Outdoor massages are given in three thatched bamboo huts
beachside, and highlightTugu’s indigenous Sasak Massage. A disap-
pearing traditional Lombok home treatment, this is only given by
men, as the pressure applied is (fearsomely) strong with therapists’
using their strength and weight on a simple low bed. Such authentic
techniques are not found in other spas, as these traditions have been
passed down from the great-grandfather of Tugu’s male therapist
(who brings his own coconut-based oils from the village).
Other ancient Balinese, Lombok and Javanese therapies are
also incorporated into the spa menu including Pijitan Eastern Mas-
sages and Keputrenan (ancient treatments previously given to Java’s
royal families). Hotel Tugu uses the finest Lombok organic herbs
and spices and exclusive custom-made Juara products inspired by
Eastern traditional medicines. In addition, the spa offers yoga and
meditation at Shang Hyang BarongTemple, a reconstructed 200-year
old and richly ornamented, timbered temple-pavilion, and arranges
trips to nearby forest waterfalls.
www.tuguhotels.com/lombok
this page: A mud treatment at Hening Swarga Spa, Hotel Tugu. opposite page:
Akira Spa at Hotel Ombak Sunset, Couples massage at Roemah Spa.
on the horizon...Novotel Lombok
The four-star recent multi-million dollar refurbishment also incorporates the launch of
its InBalance Spa. Perched up high, the all-new spa features five treatment rooms –
two overlooking Kuta’s Caribbean-blue bay – and facilities including salon, relaxation
room, crystal healing room and adjoining InBalance Gym. Beachside treatments are
also available at the ocean-cooled gazebo. Within these tranquil, idyllic surrounds, it’s
a breeze helping guests to “Relax, Rejuvenate and Revitalize.” Emphasising treatments
to soothe away stress and fatigue, their forte, massages, include Reflexology, Bamboo
Massage and soothing Hot Stone Massage, with heated river stones placed on key
acupuncture points. Signatures are Traditional Sasak Massage, combining Swedish-style
techniques and locally-sourced natural oils, and Dwi Enges (Four-Handed, Sasak-style
Massage) with two therapists working in blissful harmony. Products highlight aromatic
Indonesian spices and finest, natural essential oils.
www.novotellombok.com