Spa Village Resort in Bali Review

The Spa Village Resort in Tembok in Bali has to be one of Bali’s best-kept secrets. I never imagined a place so far away could be so surreal, peaceful, and unique in its own special way. As a frequent resort and hotel guest in many countries, this has to be one of the most enjoyable stays I have had to date.

For those who have only visited Kuta and the popular places in the south, you have yet to fully experience Bali and this mystical island. The Spa Village in Bali is located way up north of the island near Tejakula and Tembok and is one of the most secluded and private resorts.

The beautiful Zen Garden at Spa Village Resort.

As I visited this place alone, I would stress that this experience would be best if you were planning a honeymoon, romantic getaway, escape from the city, or just wanting something different.

To begin my experience here, I had no idea what to expect at this place apart from knowing it was a resort with spa facilities. My journey from Kuta took about four hours by taxi, and I paid about US$45 for a very scenic drive that included various stops at interesting sites.

On arrival at the Spa Village Resort in Tembok, I was greeted by the resident manager, Sharron Hopley, who led me to a welcoming chair where a nice cold herbal drink and a cold towel were handed to me.

Next, I was prepared for a traditional black sand foot scrub, back, and neck massage. When I asked if it was something special, I was informed that this was the normal treatment given to all guests checking in at the resort. How impressive!

While the arrival experience was extraordinary compared to the usual resorts I have visited over the years, I would have to say that these people know how to pamper guests and make them feel at ease.

That welcoming message made me forget about the long journey there. As it was late in the evening, I had a traditional massage under the stars scheduled, but my late arrival prevented it from being executed.

But the good news was that it had been rescheduled for the following day, and I could choose something different. Without hesitation, I was introduced to a fantastic dinner at the Wantilan Restaurant.

Polite and well-trained local staff attended to our table, and a simple one-page menu was handed to us. Looking at it, I saw that there were not many choices, and I immediately asked Sharron about it, only to be surprised that the head chef changed the dinner menu daily.

What a nice touch indeed, and having ordered the entire course of starter, main and dessert, I can only praise the chef for his creativity and experience, as the dishes were excellent, and I did not see any of the everyday resort-style dishes on it.

I was also informed that the ingredients for the food are purchased from the locals, making this a very sustainable resort. Fish is bought from the local fishermen who go to sea daily, while greens and herbs are purchased from the villagers who grow them organically.

After a lovely dinner here, I chose to retire early because I wanted to experience the amazing sunrise in the northern part of Bali, which I had heard so much about. Just so you know, the sun rises at 6.00 am and sets at about 6.00 pm in Bali; therefore, I had to be up by 5.00 am.

To speed things up, I got up on time, dragged my groggy self out of bed, camera and tripod in my hand minus the usual cup of coffee, and staggered half-eyed to the beach, which was a five-minute walk from the rooms.

I seldom photograph sunrises due to the extra early mornings, but the north of Bali is indeed one of the best places to do so, and the result is —take a look at the picture below.

While many may think that the Spa Village Resort Tembok is some health spa escape, I can assure you that it is not what you may think. This place is more of a sanctuary away from the typical resorts.

It targets those looking for a place to chill out, have some personal rest, and relax without the typical kids running around. What caught my attention was the age limit for children, which is set to 16 years and above, so you can only imagine the total freedom enjoyed here.

The entire resort’s landscape is beautifully manicured and maintained by local staff daily. Walking around the resort brings one to a state of total calmness. On a quiet day, all you hear is the sound of waves beating up on the shore.

A total of 31 room units make the place peaceful and quiet. Many people come here to escape the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced lives most of us live. You can be assured of peace of mind as the place sits right at the end of a slip road in a secluded area by the beach, with no neighbours in sight except the local villages.

The beach here is a unique type of black sand beach, unlike the one you usually come across on your holidays. My taxi driver told me that black sand from the northern shores of Bali was used to mix the cement to make the Puras (Temples) in Bali.

Local fishermen are seen going to sea in their little boats as the waves come in hard and settle on the black sand beach. It is a great place to do a morning walk as it stretches for a few kilometres both ways.

On a side note, I would have loved to include my room and spa review here, but there are just too many pictures, so I will have that done in another article, which will be linked here. Therefore, I am sharing beautiful photos and an overview of the Spa Village Resort Tembok in this article.

Everywhere I walked, something unique caught my eye. One of the must-do things here is simply lazing on one of the hammocks by the sea and dozing off to the sound of the waves. At night, they have a special 20-minute Stargazing experience while floating on a pool bed. This was one of the highlights of my stay here.

Apart from the beautiful landscaping, the overall structure received a lot of attention, as the owners wanted guests to feel comfortable in a traditional Balinese look and feel.

Some water features stand out, and you cannot help but notice them whenever you pass by. Trees are carefully planted so as not to overcrowd the area, while native coconut palms are seen throughout the place.

The resort caters to several local and traditional activities, which are conducted by the local people of Tembok who work here. What I admired about the place is that all the staff are hired locally from around the village, resulting in giving back to the economy, which is a great deed in practising Sustainable Tourism.

The management hires and gives English lessons to local Balinese people, and to my surprise, they speak really good English compared to many other places I have visited.

While here, I found one of the decorations along the main walkway intriguing and captivating. A rock garden in the shape of a large circle was made with red-leaf plants surrounding it. Smack in the middle, a Buddha’s head was on top of a little rock mount.

On top, a unique glass wind chime is hung from a branch, giving a reflective shine whenever the sunlight hits it. Surreal and yet, very zen and peaceful. I stopped and looked at this for a few minutes, absorbing whatever energy it gave me.

Apart from the perception that the resort is a health-type sanctuary, I can assure you that this is not what you may think, but only better. Judging from the pictures above, this place is indeed one of a kind but different from the usual resort.

Having said that, if you are looking for a beach resort with loud crowds, kids running around and people puffing cigarettes and drinking beer all day, this is not your place. Spa Village Resort Tembok is more for those seeking something different away from the usual resorts.

One of the highlights here is being taken care of in a less crowded environment by polite local staff. The spa facilities are above average. Although the resort is located away from the main areas, you are still within reach of tourist sites like Ubud and other places.

The resort has private cars and vans that take guests to these places. Usually, I never make a second intention to revisit a place unless it stands out, and this is one of them. I would probably return here in a year to spend a few more days instead of just 2 days on my last visit.

Please note: Smoking is prohibited throughout the resort, but there is a small section on the beach where you can do so. The age limit is 16 years and above, so you will have some peace and quiet.

There is also no TV or WiFi in your room, except in the main lobby area, as the concept is to take you away from the daily grind and relax here. Another must-try is stargazing while floating in the pool.

The black sand private beach at the resort.

Conclusion

From the above, you will find that the place is a wonderful escape that suits just about anyone who needs privacy. It is one of those places that is completely shut out from the world and possibly one of Bali’s Best-Kept Secrets. Please read my other Indonesia articles for more places and reviews.

Most honeymooners seem to like coming here as it is peaceful, and you get to spend quality time together without the general distractions. Singles who seek solitude and some time would love staying here, while couples looking for a romantic getaway will find this place amazing. Thanks for reading my Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali review. I would love to hear your comments below.