The Ultimate Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat in Bali: My Zen Resort Experience

Arrival & first impressions

Picked up in Sanur, I embarked on what’s going to be a life-changing experience. Whether you’re looking to relax or in need of a retreat to help you go through hard times, Zen Resort is the place to let go and heal.

Driven across the countryside of Bali and through beautiful mountains in a comfortable and spacious SUV, I am heading north. The journey was pleasant. Bagus, the driver, asked a couple of times if I wanted to make a stop. As I was going to check in late, he even offered to stop for dinner if I wanted to, otherwise, room service would be waiting for me. Nice, that’s called top service for the former Hotels Quality Manager that I am. I already feel so comfortable and looked after, I let myself pass out for some time.

As I wake up, the night falls, and we’re on mountain roads, no street lights, but the moon lets us appreciate the mysterious landscapes covered with a humid fog. As I arrive at Zen, the calm atmosphere feels mystical. It’s quiet — only nature owns the place at night, and it’s beautiful. One man is waiting for me in a beautiful open area, which I assume is reception. As he passes a beautiful flower necklace around my neck, I feel such a good energy enveloping me. I climb the few steps to the open reception and am offered a seat for formalities with a glass of Jamu, delicious.

I was meant to enjoy a welcome Ayurvedic treatment (massage and flower bath), but it’s almost 9 pm. Don’t worry, they got my back. Everything has been arranged and reorganized for me so I don’t miss out on anything that was planned. It’s called flexibility and anticipation, the kind of service we call luxury.

Speechless, I am. Introduced to the schedule for the next few days, exciting! Everything is under control, and everything is made for me not to worry or even think, I can let go (unreal to the serial planner that I am). I’ve disconnected already, so much so that I will forget my passport at reception, only to find out the following day when a staff member brings it to me. That tells you how much I’m out already.

Time to make myself at home

I got an upgrade to a beautiful, spacious suite with a pool. The terrace is incredible. I can only guess the view at night, but I cannot wait to discover it tomorrow morning. As I make myself at home, room service arrives. I enjoyed a tasty soup, followed by some chicken with homemade bread, and almost cried when I finished the cake, it was so good.

It’s about time to turn off the lights. Tomorrow starts at 6 am with meditation and yoga.

Swimming pool at Zen

Day by Day at Zen

Zen offers various programs should you want to focus on something specific during your retreat. The team makes sure to tailor a day-by-day schedule according to your needs and is so flexible when it comes to adjustments.

I personally booked the Harmony Diving Retreat, which I will review in detail in another diving-focused report, but here are some of the various retreats you can find:

• Wellness Retreat: Relaxation, rejuvenation, purification. Health & Wellness programs.

• Slimming Retreat: A customized program enhancing detox and weight loss.

• Stress Release Retreat: A body-mind-heart and soul stress release.

• Harmony Diving Retreat: Whether you are certified or not, you can enjoy this five PADI-certified center and experience some exclusive diving. Find out more with my detailed report about Harmony Diving at Zen on my profile.

• Free Diving Retreat: Challenge yourself and find the ultimate freedom underwater. You can even get your certification.

If you want something specific, tailor-made for a group or just yourself, the team will go the extra mile to create the perfect itinerary for you.

Sunrise yoga at Zen

Activities & treatments I experienced

Here’s an overview of all the activities and treatments I received during this transformative journey:

• Daily sunrise meditation & yoga: Perched on top of the spa, a spacious rooftop offers a breathtaking view of the horizon, land fields and sea, slowly appearing as the sun rises. This beats any yoga class I’ve been to. Sunset Yoga.

• Ayurveda consultation & assessment: At the beginning of your journey at Zen, you meet a professional for a consultation. You previously filled out a questionnaire about different aspects of your life (physical and mental conditions, habits, recurring pains, etc.). The feedback was fascinating. I learned more about myself and how to improve my health.

• Mandi Lulur (Balinese Massage & Flower Bath): Originally planned for Day 1, this was moved to Day two since I arrived late. They seamlessly adjusted the schedule to ensure I didn’t miss out. Perfect to disconnect and relax!

• Daily pranayama exercises: A 30-minute session that helps you relax and learn to control your breathing. As I go through the exercises, I feel like my breathing expands. I usually feel limited and unable to breathe deeply. It’s almost liberating.

• Reflexology: A great experience! The therapist was so knowledgeable and did such a great job. This was the best session I’ve experienced out of the four I’ve had in my life.

• Zentsu & Open Chakra Massage: I won’t spoil the details, but these were transformative for me. Zentsu is a form of meditation in the water, truly a life-changing experience. The Open Chakra treatment is a blend of deep-tissue massage, reflexology and energy-enhancing therapy. Following these treatments, I received feedback from the owner of Zen himself. It was unbelievable how accurately he understood my personality and daily struggles. That’s when I realized the body truly reflects your lifestyle, and only you can do the work to maintain it in the best condition possible.

Departure day, a bittersweet goodbye

On my last day, I had to wake up at 4 am. This really isn’t a vacation, eh?! But it was so worth it. As I’m taken to the shore, I embark on a small, typical Balinese boat. The sun rises, we sail away and we must be patient. Suddenly, the captain spots one, two, three dolphins. They come towards us, and as we start to navigate again, they join us in this beautiful ride. About 20 dolphins surround us, swimming alongside us as we sail toward the sunrise. A beautiful morning. Warm tears ran down my cheeks. I know my last hours here are ticking away. This place was not real.

As I return to the resort, breakfast is waiting. I enjoy my last peanut butter toast, sharing my morning with Tini, who works at the restaurant. She tells me that the peanuts are grown in the forest, and the butter is made right here. I’m then taken to the forest, where I discover their stunning rice fields and countless plants. A fresh coconut awaits me by a natural pool, and I’m offered a relaxing swim before I leave.

The goodbyes were heart-breaking. The team became family, and fellow guests became friends. How can you feel at home so far away from home? Put together a dedicated team focused on your well-being, architecture blending perfectly with nature and an infinite dose of love, the cocktail couldn’t be better.

As I leave Zen, my only thought is: when am I coming back?

To anyone looking for a safe space to relax, disconnect and let go of daily burdens: go to Zen. This place is truly transformative, and you will experience what’s called hospitality from the heart.

My recommendation would be to stay at least a week. You will regret not staying longer anyway!

One of my favorite moments: waking up and stepping outside barefoot. The air is fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers, damp grass and the faint spice of aromatic herbs that grow freely around the resort. Every breath feels purifying. The world slowly awakens, birds singing, and the fragrance of nature wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. My senses are alive, and for the first time in a long while, I feel fully present.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Bali page.