Nestled on the banks of the sacred Ayung River, and just a little over an hour’s drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, Fivelements Retreat Bali is an award-winning eco-conscious wellness property deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of Bali. The Indonesian retreat offers guests a peaceful sanctuary in which to embrace authentic Balinese healing, epicurean plant-based cuisine, and local “sacred arts” practices.
Inspired by Bali’s abundant natural assets, Fivelements houses 20 eco-luxury Sleeping Suites including nine Riverfront Suites each with a private bath house, 11 Hillside Suites with private plunge pools, and one 2-bedroom suite with a private swimming pool.
Fivelements Retreat Bali Offers Clients a Wide Range of Features
Unique Location
The uniqueness of the location lies in the fact that Fivelements Retreat Bali is part of the small, spiritually focused village of Batur Rening, which lies on the Ayung River and is surrounded by jungle. The village is just a 20-minute drive south of Bali’s spiritual capital of Ubud, and 45 minutes from the seaside village of Sanur.
GM John Nielsen says, “The soothing river and vibrant jungle, which is rich in fauna and animals, offer an inspiring and intimate connection with nature.”
Health & Safety Protocols and Procedures
When the island of Bali reopened in 2022 (Indonesia was closed to visitors for two years), the Indonesian government implemented a range of COVID-safe programs to protect the local population, its tourism industry as well as all visitors. Every hotel was required to become certified in order to reopen.
Holistic Focus
Fivelements Retreat Bali is an experience-based property with a holistic focus that includes following the Balinese Hindu philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which encompasses being good to God, all humans and nature.
Designed around spiritual, health and fitness, or culinary themes, programs can be personalized and range from 3-day retreats (specifically designed for guests who may have never experienced a retreat) to 5-, 7- or 10-day retreats. On staff Balinese healers are a key feature of every retreat, and personal fitness trainers are internationally certified.
The majority of the multi-day retreats include personal training sessions and culinary classes for guests wishing to embrace a plant-based focused lifestyle. Nielsen points out that even non-retreat guests can experience a bit of local culture with the daily Sunrise Yoga class designed to inspire guests to embrace yoga as a regular practice.
One program highlight is the unique Hindu fire-ceremony known as Agni-Hotra, which always takes place on the night before a full moon and is included as part of the two main signature retreats: Panca Mahabhuta (a healing retreat for regeneration, replenishment and alignment) and Tri Kaya Parisudha.
The wellness retreat programs at Fivelements range from USD$350 to USD$800 per night, and include either half or full-board plant-based meals.
Authentic Experiences
Beyond the Agni-Hotra mentioned above, another authentic experience is the visit to Tirta Empul Holy Water Temple to experience a water healing ceremony; it’s part of the 5-, 7- or 10-day Tri Kaya Parisudha, Fivelements’ signature cleansing program.
Off property, Bali has an array of activities including visiting the nearby tiny islands of Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands, or touring the fascinating temples around Ubud. Another highly recommended way to experience Bali is to visit Mount Batur, join a trekking tour climbing Mount Batur and witness the sunrise from the summit.
Target Audience
Over the course of a year, guests are typically 65 percent female, 35 percent male and, generally, a mix of business executives, parents seeking to unwind and destress, and honeymooners. Since the primary focus is on wellness retreat programs, Nielsen acknowledges that, “families who visit are generally very young children with parents who are vegetarians seeking an alternative destination and a more nature-bound experience.”
He adds that the honeymoon market is very strong “as they love the complete tranquility of the retreat.” Key markets are U.S., UK, France, Australia, India and, more recently, the Middle East and Asia.
Solo Travelers?
“Fifty percent of our guests are FIWT (Frequent Individual Wellness Travelers) who are seeking to get away from their fast-paced lives,” says Nielsen. “All our programs are individual tailored so they are ideal for a solo traveler.”
Client Goals/Intentions
Almost 50 percent of guests participate in retreat programs with the prime objectives of weight loss, changing lifestyles, health and fitness, or an overall reboot (one of the top wellness vacation motivators indicated in a recent Wellness Tourism Association consumer survey). Nielsen points out that the property also hosts yoga retreats for small groups (between 10 and 20 people).
Customized Programs
Customized retreat programs follow three main themes: The Spiritual theme, which is a journey through the mystic culture of Bali; Health & Fitness; and the Plant-Based Culinary Journey. All multi-day, themed retreat programs allow guests to alter the programs to suit their specific needs and wants, including the desire to focus more on healing massages or personal coaching or training.
Best Time to Travel
Bali is located just south of the equator so, generally, the destination offers pleasant weather conditions year-round. During the dry season, (April to October) temperatures range between 80 and 90°F, with higher humidity levels. The rainy season is November to March, but very rarely (according to bali.com) does the destination see consecutive days where it rains continuously. The months of July, August, December and January are seen as the two “high seasons,” with lower rates generally available around those time periods.
Memorable Points
According to Nielsen, “Fivelements Retreat offers our guests a true Balinese healing experience, where guests are welcomed into a spiritual village, which is a sanctuary from the busy beaches and roads of Bali. Our beautiful gardens are lush, and the farm-to-table concept was created to give Fivelements Retreat a unique point of difference as part of the sustainability mission.”
For more information, visit fivelementsbali.com.
Recommend magazine has partnered with the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) to bring you monthly columns to help travel advisors sell wellness travel. For more information on the WTA, visit wellnesstourismassociation.org.
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