Riverside calm and coastal bliss in Bali

Embraced by acres of tropical green, these two spots on an already spiritual isle are oases of the most luxurious kind. Mirrored from river to sea, wellness experiences are a window to Balinese culture, first found at Sayan’s sacred river spa high above the Ayung Valley. Add a two-tiered pool and a riverside cooking school for good measure, and a calming sense of cultural immersion is realised across a spacious jungle resort.

Further south, you’ll find a similar quietude on the coastline at Jimbaran Bay, where the second edition to this Four Seasons pairing appears as a traditional Balinese village. Here, tropical gardens frame the shoreline, and spirituality manifests in the Healing Village Spa overlooking the Indian Ocean. A live cooking concept stands in place of Sayan’s cooking school, and the thrill of river rafting subsides in favour of a gentle pace to water sports. Such serenity shared between these two destinations is set apart only in setting; winding down at Jimbaran Bay to the tune of temple tours exploring heritage and history follows energising enrichment in the island’s cultural heart of Ubud.