The Launch of our NEW Luxury Wellness Sanctuary for Women
In 2021, in the midst of the global pandemic, when Bali’s borders were closed to international tourists and there was no foresight into what the coming months or even years could bring, I had an idea…
I decided (despite common opinion!) that it was the ideal time to purchase land here in Bali and build a brand new wellness retreat- a luxury sanctuary for women that was nothing like anything that had existed before.
To be honest, it was a dream I had harboured for many years, but it always seemed like such a huge daunting task that required so much time and energy. But with our retreats closed to international guests, the pandemic offered exactly that- time and space that could either be filled with worry and fear, or with inspiration and creation.
Now let’s face it, most people around me thought the idea was crazy! Why now?! Why buy and build and invest in a project when the future was so uncertain?
But despite having the odds stacked against me, I decided to take a leap of faith.
I’ve never been one to sit back and allow life to happen to me. I’ve always had a mindset that begs me to ask- what is life offering me right now? I knew that I could use this time of limbo to create a luxury wellness sanctuary that would be needed more than ever by women in the post-pandemic world.
Buying land and starting the build of the luxury wellness Bali retreat
We purchased the stunning land adjacent to our current retreat space in beautiful Canggu and started to make plans, supported by the amazing Balinese and expat businesses that we have come to know and trust over our time living in Bali.
Of course, buying and building in Bali has been an adventure, to say the least! Yet the growth and learning that I have experienced through this project has been remarkable and really valuable. I have loved remaining hands-on over the building process and have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with local designers, builders, landscapers and artisans in Bali to create a truly beautiful, healing, unique and nurturing space.
In all honesty, there were a few months where I had to take a break from visiting the site as I felt nerves creeping in around timelines and deadlines! There were times where the build felt out of my control which was pretty scary and I really had to learn to trust. Over these final weeks I’ve loved being on site daily and watching the interior elements bring the retreat to life. It has been such a rewarding journey and absolutely worth those prior days of trepidation!
Key highlights and features of the luxury Bali retreat space
Of great importance throughout the build was to create a design-led spa and healing sanctuary, one that perfectly united indulgence and luxury wellness with barefoot, relaxed comfort.
The new retreat space offers a plethora of incredible features that I cannot wait for you to experience including…
– A huge saltwater lagoon style pool with a swim-up juice bar and in-built fire pit for evening fire-side chats and special Balinese fire ceremonies
– A recovery centre with custom built infrared sauna,Moroccan style ice plunge pool and a huge 8 seater jacuzzi which creates a trio of wellness modalities to calm your nervous system and stimulate circulation and detoxification.
– The coconut bar with a complimentary menu including fresh pressed juices, healthy snacks, guilt-free sweet treats and a special cocktail menu.
– Exquisite indoor spa treatment rooms for the ultimate Balinese spa retreat experience – aromatherapy oils, relaxing music, custom blended spa products and our incredible team of experienced spa therapists to lull you into bliss.
– Designated healing rooms for our special holistic therapies including reiki, colourpuncture, Balinese healing, theta healing, tarot and body work.
– Ayurveda healing rooms for our unique ayurvedic treatments offered by our amazing team of globally trained Ayurvedic practitioners.
– 2 brand new private Jacuzzi suites with stunning interiors, belgian linen bedding and huge jacuzzi baths with living gardens and a private balcony.
– 6 private deluxe suites that have enormous double bathrooms, balconies and gorgeous desks and interiors for the perfect private retreat stay.
– 2 private pool view rooms that are on the second story of the retreat space with views over the lagoon pool and their own private ensuite bathrooms.
And so much more. I need to keep some surprises!
The dreams and goals of this new luxury retreat sanctuary for women
This space has really been designed not only from my 15+ years of experience of welcoming over 10,000 women on luxury wellness retreats here in beautiful Bali, but also from all the feedback and suggestions from our global female community over the years.
This is a luxury wellness sanctuary created by women, for women; somewhere you come and let your hair down and let go of the roles, labels and responsibilities of daily life.
No matter your unique goals, my hope is for you to leave feeling entirely renewed and restored. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your physical, mental or emotional wellbeing, or to simply rest and relax in a state of absolute bliss and indulgence, this new sanctuary is your personal wellness haven; a hidden oasis of inspiration and healing.
This is a place to come and focus on you, to fill up your cup, to reconnect, to feel inspired and enlivened by life again, and most importantly, to naturally and effortlessly flourish into the best version of you.
Best of all, one week is all it takes.
So my invitation to you is to come and join us, come and be pampered and indulged, just as you deserve to be.
My own lessons from this journey and my invitation to you
This experience has been a huge personal journey for me. Primarily it has been a lesson and a reminder to dream big and take risks, to follow that inner voice and inner knowing, and to trust the process.
It would have been easy to sit back and wait things out. Yet I am so glad that I didn’t. I am so glad that my family and friends have supported my vision, that my team have remained on staff the whole time, up-skilling and preparing for the launch, and that this beautiful new space is now ready, the space I have always dreamed of being able to offer you, it is now here.
Maybe this story will inspire you to join me here in Bali for a blissful wellness escape, or maybe it will remind you of your own inner strength and dreams and be the little kickstart to launching your own big goal or starting down a new path.
What I do know is that for myself, and for every woman who has come on retreat over the last 15 years, Escape Haven is a place of transformation. It’s a place that welcomes you just as you are, and also reminds you of all you can be.
