It’s a long way to Bali from Los Angeles. First, 15 hours to Hong Kong, then five more hours to Bali, the Indonesian province. Upon landing, there are narrow streets crammed with scooters weaving and, more often than not, traffic at a complete standstill. I kept dozing off on the two-hour drive to my final destination – the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan – but when I woke up, I was not disappointed.
Despite being located near the bustling town of Ubud, the resort is a tranquil escape nestled among a lush, jungle landscape. The Ayung River runs alongside the property and can be used as a means of transportation for guests traveling from the Four Seasons’ other Bali resort at Jimbaran Bay.
The resort first opened in 1998 and has since hosted the likes of Barack Obama, who visited on a family vacation in 2017, and Julia Roberts, who stayed there while filming “Eat, Pray, Love” in 2009. But despite establishing its credibility long ago, Sayan still manages to reinvent itself. Its latest improvement is the expansion of its Sacred River Spa.
I stayed at the Four Seasons at Sayan for four nights in late October, ahead of the spa’s reopening. Here’s what travelers need to know about what it’s like to stay at the luxury resort, including activities, treatments, and a few considerations.
About Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
- The property consists of 60 accommodations: 42 private villas and 18 suites.
- Nightly rates start at $790 for a suite and $1,295 for a villa.
- There are two restaurants, Ayung Terrace and Riverside, in addition to the Sokasi Chef’s Table experience.
- Three pools are available to all guests, and villas also come with a private pool.
- The Sacred River Spa offers massages, facials, body scrubs, and other treatments.
- Complimentary amenities include a gym, yoga, and meditation classes.
- For an added cost, guests can book sightseeing tours, private dining experiences, and a cooking class.
- A complimentary shuttle transports guests to Ubud Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- A recreational center, the Pici Pici Club, is available to young guests, ages 4 to 12.
What I Like About Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
My arrival at Sayan helped set the tone for my stay. Bali is often referred to as the “island of 1,000 temples,” and there is indeed an altar at the entrance of the resort. After a brief welcome ceremony, where I was given a sash and a local frangipani flower, I crossed the small bridge toward one of the resort’s many showstoppers: a massive floating lotus pond that sits at the top of the resort’s main building. The flight of stairs down to the open-air lobby is backdropped by towering palm trees. I sipped on watermelon juice as I received an overview of the property. The sun began to set as I was whisked away to my villa on a golf cart – the main mode of transportation around the resort.
The villa is a magic trick of sorts: I arrived out front, and it looked like an empty, thatched-roof gazebo. I remember thinking, in my jet-lagged fog, “Where is the room, exactly?” But a small set of stairs at the center of the hut took me to my room, which was truthfully larger than some of my previous apartments.
If you make it all the way to Sayan, I highly recommend springing for one of these villas, each of which comes with its own outdoor lounge area, a pool, walk-in closet, canopy bed, and bathtub, as well as indoor and outdoor showers. The word “dreamy” doesn’t even cut it.
Though I could have happily stayed in my villa for the entirety of my visit, a few amenities and activities are worth leaving the room for. I thoroughly enjoyed my reiki session, as well as the restorative yoga class I took, but ironically, one of my favorite activities took place outside the resort entirely: the three-hour excursion with a guide who brought me to a local temple, traditional village, and a water temple, where I was able to participate in a purification ceremony known as melukat. The tour is referred to by the hotel as “Can You Keep a Secret?” because it asks guests to keep many of the day’s sights off social media to prevent overcrowding from tourists.
And, of course, the spa – it being the raison d’être for my visit – is a highlight. The newly opened Sacred River Spa now consists of several individual villas surrounded by lotus ponds. The tranquil setting is matched by the thoughtful treatment menu, which incorporates many elements of Balinese healing rituals, as well as local ingredients.
My first treatment was the Tirta Ening ritual, which was centered around water and involved a full body scrub and Vichy shower followed by a waterbed massage. I also tried the Holistic Buccal Lift and Sculpt Facial, which lifted my cheekbones to the high heavens, and I ended my spa tour with the Restu Bumi treatment, my favorite. The two-hour massage incorporates gemstones and some sonic reverberations courtesy of a gong. It was epic.
I’d be remiss not to mention the service, which was perhaps the best I’ve ever experienced. The staff at Sayan goes above and beyond, and I enjoyed so many of my conversations throughout my stay, whether in the restaurant or on a golf cart ride. It was in these interactions that I learned a great deal about the local history and culture, the must-try menu items, or the evolution of tourism in Bali. And really, those interactions epitomize what travel is all about.
What to Consider Before Booking Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
There are few things lacking at Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, but I have some considerations for prospective travelers to note. First, as I previously mentioned, it is quite a long drive from the airport, which isn’t exactly ideal if you’re coming off a long day of travel. You could always stay at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, which is typically just a 20-minute drive from the airport, if you wanted to extend your trip and tackle the longer drive to Sayan after a few days of rest and relaxation.
And if I’m really nitpicking here, I could have used a little more variety in the food. Since I only ate onsite, I became quite familiar with the menu items at Ayung Terrace, the Indonesian restaurant, and Riverside, which serves Mediterranean cuisine. As a result, I recommend booking the Sokasi Chef’s Table experience to switch things up. (For what it’s worth, I found Jimbaran Bay, which has four restaurants, to offer more variety.)
Who Four Seasons Bali at Sayan Is Best For
Sayan is the destination of all destinations for honeymooners, of which I spotted several during my stay. But any couple, really, will likely be pleased with the romantic resort – especially if they’re the type to book a couples massage wherever they go.
Because of the Pici Pici Club and variety of activities, Sayan is also a good fit for adventurous families. For those travelers, I’d recommend booking one of the multi-bedroom family suites, as opposed to a villa.
That said, I was perfectly content as a solo traveler. If you’re someone who’s seeking a reset or some healing, Sayan will not disappoint.
Is Four Seasons Bali at Sayan Worth the Trip?
With nightly rates ranging from nearly $800 to $1,300, a stay at Four Seasons Bali at Sayan certainly comes at a cost. And while there are more affordable options available throughout Bali, for travelers seeking a luxury experience with a variety of amenities and impeccable service, then that cost is indeed worth it.
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Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Four Seasons for the purpose of writing this story.
Kelsey Garcia (she/her) is the associate content director of PS Balance, where she oversees lifestyle coverage, from relationships to parenting to financial wellness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, dating trends, and changes in the workplace. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she interned at Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, among other publications.
