Theresia Maria Faustina Astrid Amalia | 100% Catholic | Writer | Yoga Teacher | I only provide Public and Private Yoga Classes and Craniosacral Therapy | Author of Yoga Book: Tetap Sehat dengan Yoga | Journalism, Consultancy, Research, Social Media
I have a big secret that I have been keeping all this time that I like to visit some massage spas in Jakarta and Bali to enjoy their massage and learn about the massage techniques they apply to their customers. Though it is kind of hard to memorize all the massage techniques while I sleep (Yep, I always fall asleep when the therapists massage me. LOL!), but I always try to remember all the pressures, the points where they press, and the way they do the massage sessions. When the massage sessions have finished, I usually try to apply the techniques to my yoga and therapy clients. This is something good to learn for me as a yoga teacher and a health therapist.
Front Area of Arkipela Spa and Wellness
On the recent visit to Bali, I have a good time to relax and enjoy my me-time by visiting Arkipela Spa and Wellness in Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali and get a really nice massage there. I must admit that I really enjoy the massage service and learn a lot too from this spa. Let me share my massage experience in Arkipela with you.
Welcome to Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Astrid Amalia and the friendly staffs at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Arkipela Spa and Wellness is located on the 5th Floor of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali. It can be accessed from the resort lobby and from Samasta Lifestyle Village (the Balinese-inspired retail mall for shopping, wining and dining).
Indonesian traditional fabrics at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
As a big fan of massage in the spa, I know that most spas I visited look half dark and too packed as their size is not big. When I see Arkipela Spa and Wellness, I feel that it is totally a different thing. The interior of Arkipela is unique and artistic, big and large, clear and soothing. It is a unique combination of modern design and Indonesian culture. All corners in the spa are beautiful. Some kind of a perfect place for me who like to be in a beautiful place.
Reception area at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
When I arrive at the reception area, there are some cabinets that display all the Arkipela Spa and Wellness products, and a big table where I can see the herbs, roots and spices that Arkipela uses as the potions to make its customers happy. Happy potions!
Display table in Reception Area of Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Spa products at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Spa products at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Spa products at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Massage potions at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Massage potions at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Massage potions at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Oil Massage at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
A friendly staff then greets me and asks me some questions about what I want from the services in Arkipela Spa and Wellness. She also gives me a form to fill on the iPad before explaining about the type of massage that I get. I need to fill the form because Arkipela needs to make sure about my health condition and find out about what I want from the massage service there. The staffs here then adjust the massage type with my current condition and what I expect. It is very impressive that they care about my health condition and my need. I never have this in the other spas.
When I fill the form, another staff serves me a healthy Green Juice that tastes very fresh!
Green Juice at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Based on the form I fill, the staff in Arkipela decides to give me 90 minutes Arkipela Signature Massage. The massage techniques will refresh my body, increase the circulation in my body, balance my soul, and clear the blockages in my mind. Sounds very pacifying!
Besides the massage type she offers me, Arkipela Spa and Wellness has many massage types that are taken from Indonesian massage method and culture. The customers can choose the massage type from Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Bali, and many more. Can you imagine the number of massage type in Arkipela? Well, it feels like traveling to the islands in Indonesia through a touch of massage.
Road to Massage Rooms at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
Artistic water bowls at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
After I agree to accept such a lovely choice of massage type, the female staff guides me to the massage room. The journey to the massage room is another unforgettable experience. I feel like walking inside the Palace of Arts. It is very luxurious and exclusive. There are some big bowls filled with water and comfortable lights that give a “Zen” ambience.
Massage Room for Couple at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
When she opens the door to the private massage room, another level of my happy journey starts. The room has two therapy beds, a bath tub, a toilet and a changing room. If the size of one room is this big, can you imagine how big the other rooms are? Now you know how big Arkipela Spa is!
Foot Massage at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Foot Massage at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Inside the massage room, there are two massage therapists who will treat me and my sister. (Oh yeah, I bring my sister to Bali). They ask us to change clothes and get relax at the chairs. We start the therapy with foot massage using Salt, Lime and other things. Super!!!
Astrid Amalia at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
After the foot massage finishes, I move to therapy bed where I have to lay down on my chest. Before the massage starts, the therapist asks me to breath in and out three times to relax my body and mind. And yes, I slowly feel very relax.
Bath tub at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
At this therapy bed, I learn more about massage, pressure and light touch. The therapist carefully presses her palms on my body lightly and only place deep pressures from her thumbs and fingers on certain points, starting from the back side at the beginning to the front side of my body at the end. She uses press and slide techniques too that really clear all the blockages in my body. I can really feel my blood flow starts to run again! The massage is very slow and mindful, and all the pressures are very gentle and light that every proper space is taken care of. The massage technique is very professional as the therapist doesn’t touch any sensitive areas, and it is very relaxing that I don’t feel too painful and too harsh.
Astrid Amalia at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Astrid Amalia at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Therapy beds and bath tub in Arkipela Spa and Wellness
When the massage session is finished, the therapist ask me to directly put my clothes on without taking a shower. She says that taking a shower directly after the massage will give me cold, and I should let all the oil and the potion to absorb inside my skin. What a good lesson! All this time, I always took a shower after every massage I got at other spas, and now I know I did it the wrong way. But hey, I learned my lessons now.
Green Juice and Ginger Tea at Arkipela Spa & Wellness
After I put my clothes back, the therapist offers me a cup of Ginger Tea. For a moment, I enjoy the bliss that runs inside my brain to my throat. My skin is very moist and soft, and I feel very fresh, relax and happy.
Before I leave Arkipela Spa and Wellness, I ask the staffs there if they can take me around for a short tour. One of them agrees with a big smile on her face. Yeay! Arkipela has many types of room, starting from Single Massage Room, Massage Room for Couple, and many more.
Private Massage Room at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Massage Room at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Massage Room at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Arkipela Spa and Wellness has a lounge room too for the guests if they want to stay longer at the spa, either while waiting for the treatment or after the treatment. The lounge is private and cozy. Wow!
Lounge Room at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Over all, I think it is very wonderful to be in Arkipela Spa and Wellness to get really relaxing and insightful experience as what I get is more than just a massage. The relaxing journey is very complete, from foot massage, body massage, and a warm drink. The staffs here are very good that they really care if I feel happy and satisfied. The massage therapist is very professional, and I learn a lot from her. The things I learn here can really be used for my yoga and therapy clients. Thank you very much! I want to do it again.
Interior at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
Interior at Arkipela Spa and Wellness
For your information that Arkipela Spa opens to both in-house guests and outside customers. So yes, you can enjoy the services at the spa without staying in Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali. Isn’t it nice?
Thank you, Arkipela Spa and Wellness in Jimbaran, Bali! I hope to visit you again very soon!
Arkipela Spa and Wellness at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali
I am always excited to go to Bali, but most of my visits are related to works or yoga thingy (in Ubud). This time, I have a great time to really enjoy my holiday in the areas I have never stayed in Bali.
In this holiday journey, I make one of my stops at Best Western Resort Kuta. It is a huge old hotel in the centre of Kuta. I guess this hotel is created for those people who really want to rest and enjoy their holidays.
Best Western Resort Kuta
Lobby of Best Western Resort Kuta
Lobby of Best Western Resort Kuta
Lobby of Best Western Resort Kuta
When I arrive at the hotel, the lobby welcomes me with its warm atmosphere. In the lobby area, I find a check in and out counter at one side and a computer with Internet Access to be used by the guests at the other side. An officer from the hotel offered me a cold welcome drink while a receptionist handles my check in process. It takes a few minute for the check in process to be done. Oh, they found my name! Yeay! Great job, guys! So, let’s go to my room!
Banyan Tree Lounge - I like to name it like that :-)
Banyan Tree Lounge
Banyan Tree Lounge
Banyan Tree Lounge
Banyan Tree Lounge
On my way to my room, I pass a huge area where I see a huge Banyan Tree. Around the Banyan Tree, there are sofas and tables that the guests can use for sitting, chatting and relaxing. Sounds like an outside extended lobby area and it is very cozy!
Padmi Lounge Bar
Not far from the Banyan Tree Lounge (Well, it is not the name of this outdoor space, but I like to call it like that. Will the hotel management name it as I wish? LOL!), there is a bar where guests can order any drinks there. The name of the bar is Padmi Lounge Bar.
Room at Best Western Resort Kuta
Deluxe Pool View Room at Best Western Resort Kuta
It is time to talk about my room. My room is a Deluxe Pool View! It is very huge, and located in the highest floor in the hotel. When I look at the bed, the clean and comfortable bed is big enough for two to three people.
My Bed at Best Western Resort Kuta
There are two small tables at the side of the bed. The left table is a place for a digital alarm clock, a tv cable channel list, a list of hotel phone numbers that connects to the operator, housekeeping, front desk etc., a telephone unit, TV remote, blank paper for notes and ballpoint. The right table is left empty.
Work Table at Best Western Resort Kuta
TV at Best Western Resort Kuta
Facilities in this room is quite complete. There is a small table and a bench with small pillows. There is also a work table equipped with electrical plugs of various types of feet, ranging from flat, round standard to a three-legged. In addition, there is also a large flat-screen television that attached to the wall.
Drinking Corner at Best Western Resort Kuta
Just behind the door and next to shower room, I can find Mini Fridge, a place to put luggage, bags and shoes, cabinets and clothes hanger and safety box. There is a small Drinking Corner too where I can find Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Creamer, Electric Teak, Cup and Glass. My small heaven!
Bathtub at Best Western Resort Kuta
Washing Stand at Best Western Resort Kuta
There is a bathtub inside the shower with two body towels, two face towels, and various amenities, such as bath foam, shampoo, shower cap, brush and toothpaste, comb, cotton bud, two drinking water bottles, and a hairdryer.
Pool View at Best Western Resort Kuta
The room has a balcony with two chairs and a table. When I sit at the balcony, I realize that my room is located right in the middle facing to the swimming pool. That is why this room is classified as Deluxe Pool View! Woho!
Sitting Area
As I walk around the hotel, I find an interesting thing that every floor has an area where people can sit at a large wooden chair. There is a wooden table in front of it. It is a very good place to hang around and have some chats with the family and friends. Cool!
Ambrosia Restaurant at Best Western Resort Kuta
Ambrosia Restaurant at Best Western Resort Kuta
In the morning, I experience a very nice breakfast at its dining area, Ambrosia Restaurant. It is a buffet breakfast, so it is not a surprise to see a lot of food in the restaurant.
Among all the drinks on the buffet set, such as fresh juice, milk, and tea, of course I choose coffee. Back to basic, people!
On the food side, they prepare many food, from Chicken Porridge, Chicken Sausages, Fried Rice, Fried Noodle, Sauteed Mix Vegetables, Pudding, Croissant, Yellow Rice, Vegetables, Salad, Soft Roll, and many more! There is a special booth to cook eggs with a chef who is always ready to take your order. All of the food here are in medium taste which is good for both Indonesian guests and foreign guests.
Swimming Pool at Best Western Resort Kuta
Looking at the swimming pool from Ambrosia Restaurant
After the breakfast, it is the right time to hit the swimming pool! The swimming pool is located just next to the Ambrosia Restaurant. Very good spot for those who are always hungry after swimming. LOL!
Swimming Pool at Best Western Resort Kuta
The swimming pool is very big and its shape is like number 8. Very unique! Its depth is divided into four sections, the deepest in the left end is 3 meters, then 1,5 meters, 1,3 meters and the last one is the children's pool.
Matsya Pool Bar at Best Western Resort Kuta
The swimming pool is not only for those people who want to swim. If you want to sit around and drink up, you can do those at the pool. The swimming pool has a bar called Matsya Pool Bar. The chairs of the bar are planted inside the swimming pool. So yes, you can order the drink from the bar and drink the beverages you choose while you sit at the chairs inside the swimming pool. How cool is that?
Spa Room at Best Western Resort Kuta
Spa Room at Best Western Resort Kuta
There is a room that provides Spa Service near the swimming pool. It is a good room for those who feel tired and want to relax and be pampered.
Before I start swimming, I practice short yoga session. Please check my yoga video at the Swimming Pool of Best Western Resort Kuta here:
When I swim, I meet a group of frequent guests from Australia who have been staying at the Best Western Resort Kuta for almost a week. Well, how we meet is quite funny. As I sit next to them to prepare my swimming activity, one of them says that she feels tired just by looking at my yoga practice by the pool there. Hahahahaha!!!! Oh yeah, I can feel her! That funny chat becomes the start of a new friendship! Oh this is what I love about having holiday in Bali, everyone is relax and friendly. Yeay! I have a great time to chat with them, and I interview one of them for this blog. They love staying at the Best Western Resort Kuta. You can watch the video of the interview here:
Note: I know that I look messy on both of the video. First of all, I am in Bali where no one cares if I look good or not. Secondly, I practice yoga and do some swimming, so excuse the sweat and the wetness on my skin. I am on my holiday, people! So, relax, okay!
With Desak Trisnawati - Director of Sales and Marketing at Best Western Resort Kuta
At the end of my journey at Best Western Resort Kuta, I meet Desak Trisnawati, the Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel, who prepares my beautiful room and accompanies me on my last day in the hotel. Thank you, ibu Desak, for arranging my beautiful room and for your hospitality. I hope to see you again soon!
That is all my staycation experience in Best Western Resort Kuta in Bali. I have a great time there and I really enjoy my holiday there. I hope to see you again soon, Best Western Resort Kuta and Bali!
If you plan to stay at Best Western Resort Kuta, don't forget that it is not that far from the tourist destinations, such as Kuta Beach, Jimbaran Beach, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue, Dreamland Beach, Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, Kuta Shopping Center, Discovery Mall, Sukawati Market, etc.
