In this fast-paced world we’re living in, taking a break from screen-time and living more ‘in the moment’ has been shown to have a tremendously positive impact on our mental health. Making time for mindfulness and practising the art of self-care is a current trend that we’re definitely keen to get on board with – and there’s no better place in Bali to head for some self-reflection than Ubud!

Renowned as the spiritual heart and soul of the island, Ubud is famous for its calm and serene ambience, yoga studios and healthy eating culture. In fact, the name Ubud is believed to have originated from the Balinese word Ubad, which means ‘medicine’ due to the area’s abundance of plants and herbs, reflecting its traditional healing properties. Nestled in the heart of Ubud’s lush jungles, just above the Tjampuhan River is Adiwana Svarga Loka – an idyllic oasis and the perfect location for a relaxing wellness retreat.

According to Balinese folklore, the Tjampuhan River, which flows below the property, is believed to carry water straight from the sacred temple of Ulun Danu, adding to Adiwana Svarga Loka’s unique energy. 

Welcome To The Jungle

On arrival, we were invited to take part in a traditional Balinese welcoming ceremony, where a sarong and sash (selendang) were wrapped around our waists. The entrance to Adiwana Savarga Loka is unlike anything we’ve even seen before – towering ancient Banyan trees, moss-covered walls, thick vegetation, gentle jungle sounds and the scent of incense burning create a feeling of enchanting wonder. There was certainly an old Bali energy here that we couldn’t quite explain…

In front of the beautifully carved entrance, we were then asked to close our eyes as a bell was rung above our head, ridding us of negative energy, before a traditional ceremonial bracelet (Benang Tridatu) was tied around our wrist and we were invited to light incense and place it in a holder before being shown to the reception area. It was clear to see that at Adiwana Svarga Loka, sharing Balinese customs and traditions is at the very heart of their guest experiences.

Check-In With A Cosmic Twist

It’s these charming little touches that really make Adiwana Svarga Loka stand out – even their check-in process is something special, where you receive not only a wellness consultation with the resort’s Wellness Assistant, but your Balinese horoscope will also be read according to your date of birth. As well as analysing your personality, it also helps to identify any potential health issues and charka imbalances or blockages, which can then be followed up with a healing session later on.

The rooms at the Adiwana Svarga Loka are dotted throughout the property, some joined together, with others as stand-alone rooms. We were in the Junior Suite Room with two queen-sized beds, air-conditioning, fridge, coffee & tea making facilities, shower and bath with a view. We also had our own private balcony with table and lounging area, making a great spot to sit with a book and listen to the flowing river below and rhythmic cicada calls.

Blending With Nature

Something we loved straight away was Adiwana Svarga Loka’s ethos on working in harmony with the area’s natural surroundings. Instead of trees and large stones being chopped down and moved to make way for modern buildings, structures have been built to co-exist with the environment. It’s important to note that being in amongst Mother Nature does mean that you will most likely come into contact with the local wildlife. Our Junior Suite Room not only had mosquito nets around the bed, but also mosquito netting on the windows and plug-in devices to keep the little critters at bay. It’s also not uncommon to see geckos on the walls and hear the croaking of frogs (especially after the rain), but for us, this was exactly the kind of escape into nature we were looking for!

A Healing Touch

After settling-in, we made our way down the hillside to our appointment with Pak Komang, the renowned Ubud Balinese healer, who would be giving us a personalised treatment using targeted acupressure points to unblock our chakras. Not knowing what to expect, we arrived at the little hut to the smell of sandalwood incense and the smiling face of Pak Komang, who explained his background and what he would be doing that day. What followed was 60-minutes of what can only be described as one of the most special and transformative experiences we’ve had in Bali throughout the many years that we’ve lived here. Needless to say, if you’re booking a stay at Adiwana Svarga Loka, this definitely needs to be on your itinerary!

Tea, Tranquillity & A Feast For The Senses

Feeling much lighter in body and spirit, we wandered to join the daily Afternoon Tea set-up, overlooking the river below. With a choice of tea or coffee and a small plate of savoury and sweet treats, we enjoyed some quiet contemplation after what had already been an incredible and spiritually nurturing first day at Adiwana Svarga Loka. 

That evening, we enjoy a relaxing dinner at the resort’s restaurant Kemangi Ubud Resto, which serves a delicious array of Balinese, Indonesian and Western dishes with a focus on showcasing fresh, seasonal local ingredients with healthy cooking techniques. We started with the Tuna Guacamole with generous chunks of seared fresh tuna on a bed of avocado and salad, followed by the Kedewatan Bebek Betutu (stewed duck in Balinese spices), brought out over sizzling coals and served with rice and fresh veggies.

As well as signature cocktails, premium spirits and wines, Kemangi Ubud also offers a range of freshly squeezed juices and authentic jamu-infused drinks. Being on a health-kick, we decided to opt for the Energizer, a combination of carrot, beetroot, fresh orange, ginger, lemon and honey, which looked and tasted great. 

As well as live acoustic music, the al-fresco ambience, fairy-lights and fresh jungle air provided the perfect dinner accompaniment. Then it was back to our room for an early night as the rhythmic rainforest sounds lulled us to sleep.

Rise & Shine – A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

After a very comfortable night’s sleep, we awoke to glorious sunshine and made our way to the restaurant for breakfast. Whilst there is the option of undercover seating, we chose a table on the terrace with gorgeous views of the valley below. As well as a buffet selection of cleaning teas, traditional health drinks (jamu), yoghurt, local honey, nuts and seeds, fresh fruit, salads, breads and pastries, you also get to choose off the à-la-carte menu with tasty choices such as Cinnamon Toast, Smashed Mango, Eggs Benny, Smashed Avo and Dragon Fruit Bowl. 

Poolside Lounging & Hidden Jungle Corners

With hunger at bay, we decided to lounge by the pool and enjoy the sunshine. Adiwana Svarga Loka has two pools – one right by the restaurant, and another located near to the river, however this was under maintenance during our stay. You’ll also find plenty of shady nooks around the resort to sit and relax in, especially their Library area.

Spice, Sizzle & Stir – Mastering Balinese Cuisine

Keen to try some of the cultural activities on offer, we opted for the Balinese Cooking Class where under the expert guidance of Chef Windy, we learnt how to make four delicious local dishes including Sayur Urap (mixed vegetables with shredded coconut), Jukut Jepang Mekuah (prawn and green veggie soup with authentic Balinese spices), Sate Lilit Ikan (minced tuna fish satay served with aromatic rice) and Kolak Pisang (poached bananas with palm sugar and coconut cream).

With the sound of the river in the distance and a much-welcomed breeze, this was a great way to spend the afternoon, not only learning something new, but also getting to eat the fruits of our labour afterwards. We chopped, fried and laughed our way through the two hours, where we were rewarded with the recipes to practise back at home, as well as an extremely delicious lunch.

If cooking isn’t you’re thing, Adiwana Svarga Loka has heaps of other amazing activities that not only provide an insight into the local culture, but are also centred around wellness, including Balinese dance classes, yoga, Gamelan lessons, meditation, Balinese offering-making and Silat martial art classes. Most of these are complimentary so be sure to check the schedule to see what is taking place that day.

A Spiritual Soak At Ayusha Wellness Spa

After feeding our bellies, it was time to feed our souls with a Balinese Healing Ritual at the resort’s Ayusha Wellness Spa. To reach this slice of serenity, you will need to take a short walk down the hillside, past the ancient temple tucked mystically into the jungle, and head down to the river. We were welcomed with a purification ritual at the temple, and as we were splashed with holy water and adorned with flowers to cleanse us of any negative energy, we could feel a sense of calmness wash over us. Next, we were shown how to make Lulur Boreh, a body scrub consisting of natural ingredients like rice powder, ginger, turmeric, cloves and other spices that help with exfoliation and promote circulation – this would be used later on in our massage.

Our treatment room was tucked away on the side of the hill, a quaint cabin with the river water flowing beside it – absolute heaven! We had chosen the Balinese Healing Ritual, which began with a traditional foot bath, before we lay face-down on the comfy massage table and our skilled therapist began by reciting a Sanskrit mantra for healing. Listening to her melodic voice against the hum of the river and birdsong was almost hypnotic. The massage was idyllic, followed by the aromatic body scrub and a warm bath to relax in as we sipped on a hot ginger tea amongst the natural surroundings. This was unlike any other massage experience we’d had before, and we loved every second of it!

Dancing Into The Night – A Cultural Celebration

Luckily for us, our final evening coincided with Adiwana Svarga Loka’s Balinese Cultural Dance night, with traditional performances from some of the children from the local area. It was heartwarming to see the island’s unique heritage being passed down throughout the generations, and was the perfect way to conclude our stay experience. After feasting on a creamy pumpkin soup, followed by perfectly cooked steamed salmon with sweet potato puree and asparagus, it was time to make our way back to our cosy room as the soothing patter of rain began to fall outside.

A Soulful Stay At Adiwana Svarga Loka

As we zipped up our suitcases the following morning, we took one last breath of crisp jungle air and couldn’t help but feel a sense of renewal, both mentally and physically. Adiwana Svarga Loka isn’t just a retreat – it’s a feeling. It’s the warm Balinese welcome, the grounding energy of the ancient trees, the slow mornings and valley views, the restorative healing rituals and the melodic sounds of the river. Every moment here feels like a reminder to pause, breathe and embrace the present. Ubud may be the heart of Bali’s wellness scene, but Adiwana Svarga Loka is where you’ll truly feel its magic!

Address: Jalan Raya Penestanan Kelod, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud
Website: https://adiwanahotels.com/svargaloka-resort-ubud-bali 
Instagram: @adiwanasvargaloka