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east of eden

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 reSortAs 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 Thai Yoga 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 Kerandangan Valley 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 and Vanilla 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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SpadestinationroeMah Spa, hoteL viLa oMBaK and aKira Spa, hoteL oMBaK SunSetUntil recently, Vila Ombak on Gili Trawangan, 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

Spadestinationhening 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 highlight Tugu’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 Barong Temple, 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 LombokThe 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