Cold plunges are ubiquitous in Bali, which the buff and the bronzed dip their chiseled bodies into daily for better focus, mental clarity, discipline, resilience and recovery – not to mention their anti-ageing and fat-burning benefits. And although nearly every spa and fitness studio across the island has some variation of it, none come more aesthetic than the one at The Asa Maia in Uluwatu, Bali.
The subterranean hot and cold plunge – part of the luxury boutique hotel’s wellness offerings as “contrast therapy” – sits at the core of the guest experience, and serves as a sort of metaphoric water cooler to introduce guests to one another and ultimately bond over the bone-chilling experience.
The bonding continues at the open-air campfire, the infrared sauna, the gym and yoga shala, and at the communal dining table that overlooks the salt-water swimming pool framed by spiky palm trees.
There, the talented kitchen team serve up mean cups of coffee and a delicious vegetarian and pescetarian menu with healthy options such ad smoothie bowls and nasi dishes that nourish both the eyes (read: IG feed) and the body. By night, the dining and lounge area turns into an open-air bar with a variety of tipples to retox, if you so desired.
Why The Asa Maia:
As far as wellness retreats go, there is nothing quite like The Asa Maia. With just 10 spacious and unique suites, this intimate luxury boutique hotel lets you decide exactly how much wellness you want to do.
The family-owned, adults-only retreat was opened in 2021 by founder and cancer survivor Martha Booke, who wanted to introduce others to the wellness practices that changed her life for the better – primarily breathwork, contrast therapy, yoga, pilates and body gua sha. But even for those who have zero interest in wellness, The Asa Maia is the ultimate haven in Uluwatu as a quiet spot to chill.
Who goes:
Young and hip travellers who appreciate smaller, well-designed luxury hotels with a cosy, cabin feel and strong focus on wellness.
The rooms:
Each of the 10 standalone suites (called gladaks) are centuries-old, traditional homes from Eastern Java that were handpicked personally by Martha and transported to Uluwatu for reassembly. Cosy and rustic, the timber-rattan interiors match perfectly with petrified wooden furniture, reclaimed teak cabinets, ikat furnishings and eclectic artwork.
As for the bathrooms, which have both indoor and outdoor showers (just mind the monkeys!), the Turkish towels and mosaic tiling add unexpected patterns to the room whilst the copper countertops and bath tubs add a bit of shine (and sustainability).
Some gladaks even have bath tubs made of Belgian Bluestone, a material also known as ‘petit granit’ studded with corals and sea-life fossils that was abandoned on Indonesian shores by the Dutch occupation.
What else:
Although it’s small in size, The Asa Maia packs a lot in for a boutique luxury hotel – besides the wellness offerings, it also has a library, in-house spa, and even a salon for nail and haircare.
Tip: try the Cream Bath – a traditional scalp treatment that not only rehydrates your hair but comes with an invigorating head massage.
To get around easily, the Asa Maia has its own buggy for quick rides in and around Uluwatu, which you can arrange via the front desk or via their Whatsapp concierge. The hotel also has a resident cat (Bunny, the ‘hotel manager’) and dog (Cosmo), who can often be seen greeting guests with the hotel’s just-as-friendly GM, Axel.
Verdict:
The perfect place to take the plunge into wellness, whether you’re a noob or ice bath aficionado. With its cosy cabin vibes, The Asa Maia has everything you need for an intimate, luxe stay in the middle of Uluwatu, which will have you leaving a healthier version of yourself and likely with a few new like-minded friends, too.
Book your stay at theasamaia.com
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