Reviewed by Spa-beach-vacations.com
The Thalasso Spa, a marine-themed spa burst onto the scene in 2002 with the world’s largest Aquatonic Pool, 32 treatment rooms and a whopping 236,000 square-feet, making it Bali’s largest spa. The most recent addition to the facility is the hedonistic Spa on The Rocks, which encompasses two spectacular spa pavilions built atop rugged offshore rocks overlooking the Indian Ocean.
| Adjacent to the main resort building, the Thalasso Spa is a cluster of thatched roof bales connected by palimanan stone walkways. After passing the spa boutique, ascend the pebble-strewn stairs to reach its open-air spa reception. Two unisex relaxation gazebos carved from dark coconut palm wood and dressed in bale bengong (traditional thatched roof open air pavilion) flank both sides of the pathway, which is surrounded by lily pad-filled ponds. |
We arrived at the Thalasso Spa and were pretty impressed by the reception area, the stone walkways, the thatched roof bales and the patient, knowledgeable reception staff. The staff introduced us to the spa with a visit to the Aquatonic® Pool. The Aquatonic® Pool features fourteen hydro massage stations, which offers rehabilitation therapy for weary travelers suffering from strained muscles. Containing almost two million gallons of warmed seawater from the ocean, the pool is said to provide both psychological and physical healing. The Balinese consider seawater holy, who use it during rituals, to cleanse sacred temple artifacts, and to receive the ashes from cremated loved ones. Hence, the highlight of the Thalasso Spa is without a doubt, the 7,000 square-foot Aquatonic® seawater therapy pool.
After an introduction to the Pool, we were given a spa treatment menu which shows all the treatments provided by the Thalasso Spa. The spa treatment menu is so extensive that we needed to bring it back to our room for further deliberation. Therefore, we decided to come back on the next day to make the spa reservation. In the room, we studied the extensive menu and had a hard time deciding which treatment to choose. From Underwater Jet exercises to tone and firm muscles, ease stress and promote circulation to a 25-minutes Aqua Relaxation session of stretching and relaxing exercises at the Aquatonic® pool, the Spa also offers a host of other treatments. Shower treatments include Circulatory Shower and Dynamic Affusion, both working to improve the body’s circulation and tone muscles. One of the treatment that we wanted to to try was the 50-minute Manual Affusion – A combination of Hawaiian lomi-lomi with thalasso therapy, in which one is immersed in warm seawater while the therapist massages the body using her forearms and a relaxing herb balm as six shower jets relax and rejuvenate you.
Aquatonic Pool
After numerous changing of our minds, we decided that we will go for a 2 hour Aquatonic® pool at 5 pm the next day. On the second day at the resort, we walked to the Thalasso Spa from our room via the wooden bridge linking the main resort building and the Spa and make our reservation for a 2 hour access to the Aquatonic® pool at 5 pm.
At 4:30 pm, we arrived at the Spa. We were given locker keys, bath robes, bathing towels and slippers. We took a quick shower and by 5 pm, were ready to get into the pool. We dipped ourselves into the pool and realized that the pool is warm. According to the trainer, the pool is warmed to optimal temperatures to rebalance mineral deficiencies so that the body can best take advantage of the curative and preventative properties of seawater. With 14 hydromassage stations with therapeutic jet streams, micro-bubbles and geysers to rehabilitate injured muscles, relieve stress and for relaxation, the natural buoyancy of the pool makes it an ideal therapeutic exercise arena. Intensively trained by Thermes Marins, the personal trainers are on hand to guide and assist with the exercises, right from the first station. Each of the 14 stations along the pool serves to address a specific part of the body, massaging all the way from the bottom of the feet right to the head. Some of the 14 stations include the following:
Cross Current Walking Corridor
Jets placed at different heights on each side of the corridor
Geysers
High pressure underwater jets placed on a wall that rises from the bottom of the pool. Used lying or sitting down.
Jet Pool
Jets placed at different heights for an all over body massage - the higher temperature of the water in this area is also better for relaxation.
Bubble Bath
Relaxation pool with air and water micro bubbles - heated to 34 degrees Celsius.
Aquatic Seats
Relaxation seats with aerial and underwater jets for shoulders, upper back and foot massage.
Aqua Beds
Relaxing bubble massage in front of the ocean.
Swam Necks
Aerial jets with variable pressure for neck and shoulders.
Aquafitness Area
Different sports and exercises provided in this area.
Swimming & Aquagym
Swimming and exercise area.
| Our personal trainers guided us through the usage of all the 14 hydro massage sections of the Aquatonic® pool, instructing us to start with the Cross Current Walking Corridor. To reap the maximum benefits, we were required to use the hydro massage stations in a correct sequence. The highlight of the Aquatonic® pool is the Sunset Pavilion which faces the Indian Ocean. We had chosen the 5 pm time slot with the aim of seeing the Indian Ocean’s beautiful sunset. |
Indeed, it was a decision well made and the Aquatonic® pool is an experience that you should not missed, especially if this is your first time at The Thalasso Spa, Ritz Carlton Bali. Before leaving the Spa, we decided that we should also try the Spa on The Rocks, the Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa's new luxury facility anchored offshore by natural rocks in the midst of the shimmering Indian Ocean. The time slot of 11 am, our third day at the resort was selected for this.
Aqua Bed
Aquatonic Pool's View of the Indian Ocean
On the third day at the resort, after returning from our breakfast at Ku Deta, we again made our way to the Spa. To get to the Spa on The Rocks spa pavilions, we took a three-minute buggy ride from the Thalasso Spa, which brings us to a staircase that leads to a kalimantan wooden bridge. This is the only access to the Spa on The Rocks spa pavilions that are literally built “on the rocks‿ at Kubu Beach. A ukiran (Balinese traditional door) opens to reveal sweeping, unobstructed and literally breathtaking, views of the Indian Ocean.
The Ritz Carlton, Bali's the Rock Pavilion
As we enter the air-conditioned pavilion, we saw a huge bathtub covered completely with flower petals. Only two treatment packages are available for guests of Spa on The Rocks: “The Real Aromatherapy Experience‿ and “Diamond’s Miracle.‿ We opted for the former, a two-hour treatment only available from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Before hand, we sipped fresh lime juice on an elevated open-air daybed located adjacent to the pavilion while a therapist did a personal consultation with us.
The world’s finest spa products, Crème de La Mer, are used during the 50-minute body massage. Using carefully applied spinal pressure and foot reflexes, the rub down is a mix of Eastern and Western techniques using medium to firm pressure to sweep away aches and pains. After the Thermes Marins Softening & Toning facial, we enjoyed a glass of ice tea, which capped off the pleasurable and relaxing experience.
The sound of waves lapping against the rocks provided a soothing and rhythmic soundtrack might almost lull you into slumber. Except for the occasional fleeting glance of fishing boats in the distance, you’ll see nothing but the deep blue sea on the horizon. We concluded that the new Spa on The Rocks facility is really The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa’s pièce de résistance and an experience that no other spa in Bali can match.
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