10 Things You MUST Know Before You Book Your Bali Massage … From a Bali Spa Owner
We interviewed Made Pinda – insider and massage-spa owner in Bali – to explain what you need to know before you book a Bali massage on Bali island. If you’re tired of clickbait SEO articles that don’t have a clue what’s really going on in Bali, this article is for you!
1. HOW MUCH YOU SHOULD PAY FOR A MASSAGE IN BALI?
1 hour is the standard length of time for a Balinese massage on Bali island, reveals Made Pinda. The average price for a 1-hour Bali massage is about Rp250,000 ($15 USD). The cheapest price for a Balinese massage on Bali island is about Rp90,000 – Rp 100,000 ($5 USD). A luxury high-end Bali massage in Bali starts from about 450,000 ($30). At the absolute top-tier of decadence you can pay well over Rp1,000,000 ($60+ USD), such as at the Ayana, Hilton, Bulgari or Mekar Ubud Jungle Spa at K Club resort. There, massages max out at about Rp2,000,000 ($120 USD), but essentially what you’re paying for is access to the estate and location, with massages occurring in locales from the jungle to atop gorgeous beach cliffs. The actual quality of the massages in the most expensive spas ironically are often carried out by staff who have the same level of training and skill those who carry out Rp250,000 ($15) massages in the more affordable spas. TL;DR: Rp250,000 ($15) is the sweet spot for an hour Balinese massage in Bali. If you pay more than that it’s not for a better massage, it’s for a better location, interior and/or setting.
2. WHAT DO YOU GET IN A BALI MASSAGE ON BALI ISLAND?
Yes, everything you’ve heard about getting a massage in Bali is true. They are super cheap, ridiculously relaxing and available everywhere you look. When you pay for a Balinese massage on Bali island you will get a 60-to-90-minute massage including a foot bath, foot massage, full-body massage and head massage. Imagine paying someone $15 to give you a full body rub down while listening to sounds of waterfalls, breathing in scents of lemongrass, and finishing with a warm ginger tea.
But what style of massage do you get exactly? Well, Bali therapists use palm pressure – gentle to medium – typically the tops of the palms just under the knuckles rolling down to the base of the hand. This can involve firm and gentle stroking and even percussion (rhythmic taps). Believe it or not, you’ll also receive spiritual value from a Bali massage, as the masseuse follows the “Qi” lines, focusing on energy flow, aiming to restore the balance of energy within the body.
The aforementioned aromatic oils applied to your body are are a crucial aspect of Balinese massage, contributing to the overall sensory experience. These oils not only provide soothing qualities but also enhance the massage’s effectiveness.
And you’ll get vibes. A Bali massage environment typically includes dimmed lights, soothing Balinese music (which can include the sound of waves and birds) and a serene meditative setting. This ambiance is designed to maximise relaxation. Balinese massage is not just about physical therapy; it also aims to provide the complete aforementioned sensory experience. The combination of massage with oils and ambience obviously have an enhanced, “holistic” effect (to use a cliché). The more you pay the fancier the environment, but really at a certain point you’re just paying for the higher rent of the location.
There are different variations of Balinese massage you can get (so make sure to ask your therapist) such as Sasak massage, Lombok massage, Urat Massage, Balinese Boreh, and Javanese Lulur Ritual. Each has its unique approach but generally follows the same philosophy and procedure. Read our blog on What Are the 5 Bali Massage Types explaining all of these.
Balinese massage isn’t actually the only massage Bali massage spas are famed for, and you should certainly consider the other main massage on Bali island which is known as the Hawaiian “Lomi Lomi” massage. The Lomi Lomi massage is stronger according to spa-owner Made Pinda and uses long, flowing “dance-like strokes”. Unlike the Balinese massage it incorporates the use of forearms, elbows and the thumb, as well as a touch of spirituality rooted in traditional Hawaiian culture.
Insider tips: If you choose the cheaper massages on Bali island – for example the Rp90,000 ($5 USD) massages of Kuta – you will not get a foot bath. The cultural foot wash symbolises the cleansing of life’s stresses and tensions … and it also symbolises the quality of the spa. These budget spas tend to go straight into the full body massage. You should also assume that cheaper spas won’t change the linen of the massage beds you will use … yes this is a real thing in Bali. And there have been stories of some customers getting rashes from dirty linen.
If you choose the standard Rp250,000 ($15 USD) massages, beyond the foot bath and full body massage, here you can expect to get a welcome drink, and some form of herbal tea, such as ginger, at the end. Unlike cheaper spas, these mid-tier massage spas will change the linen and they should also provide you with a cold towel, a private room, a private bathroom, a private shower and air con. This is once again in contrast to the cheaper spas which tend to crowd customers into the same room separated by dividers.
Now if you choose the high-end of Bali massage spas starting at Rp450,000 ($30 USD) for a 60-minute massage you not only will get everything from the Rp250,000 ($15 USD) spas, but also more space and fancier interiors. Never pay this amount for a spa on the street – these are hotel and resort prices. Really all you’re paying for is the brand name, location and fancy lobbies. Still, you can get that Instagram-able view from the pricier hotels and resorts located in and around jungles and ocean clifftops.
When weighing up the value of your Bali massage Spa – I may be biased here – but while the luxury resorts and hotel spas are extravagant and impressive, there is something to be said for the authentic local atmosphere of the genuine Rp250,000 60-minute massage spas where the quality of the massage can be just as good … and you can get four of them for the same price!
3. SHOULD WE TIP ON A BALINESE MASSAGE?
In Bali, tipping for a massage isn’t expected but is appreciated. It’s common to tip around 10% of the total bill if you are satisfied with the service. However, it’s entirely up to you.
Made Pinda reveals that, as far as his massage spa goes, about 80% of guests tip, on average. According to Mr. Pinda: to tell you the truth, the hard-working staff of the mid-tier local massage spas of Bali really rely on tipping unlike some of the bigger hotels’ staff who are sometimes (but not always) from the local area. If you want to support the local community in Bali along with the grass-roots massage culture here, then please consider tipping. It isn’t rude not to tip however, as tipping is based on your feeling of happiness which we respect. TL;DR: If you feel satisfied with your therapist, please tip!
4. HOW TO GET WHAT YOU WANT FROM THERAPIST?
Clearly state your preferred massage type (e.g., Balinese, deep tissue, reflexology) and any specific areas you’d like to focus on. Inform us about any sensitive areas or injuries to avoid discomfort. Don’t be afraid to tell us your preferred pressure level (light, medium, or deep). Mention if you have any allergies to oils or lotions, and ask for adjustments in room temperature or music if needed … don’t be shy! We’re very friendly on Bali island. Don’t hesitate to ask about our techniques or the benefits of the massage. Politely give feedback during the session if the pressure is too much or too little.
Remember, a good therapist will appreciate your input to provide the best experience!
5. HOW DO I KNOW IF A SPA IS GOOD OR NOT?
As alluded to, the price of a Bali massage spa depends on the location of the facility, not just the technique of the massage. So, it’s difficult to gauge whether a spa is “good” from the price alone.
If you’re in an upscale area like Seminyak (where I own a Spa), for example, the price will be more expensive than in a cheaper area like Kuta, however this still doesn’t mean it will be “good”. Price does not always reflect the quality (as is the case with any industry or service) but you’ve got infinitely higher chances of it being good than if you choose a budget spa. Sometimes a cheap massage spa can have good technique, but they’re generally diamonds in the rough known to locals and experienced expats. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any massage spas below Rp90,000 ($5 USD) – especially anything veering into Rp60,000 territory – you have been warned and there are plenty of horror stories you can read about online. And for those you wondering how budget spas can also be found in upscale areas, 70% of them will not be comfortable or satisfactory because they will be small and cramped, and often don’t feature trained staff.
Of course, when figuring out if a Bali massage spa is good or not, Google reviews and Trip Advisor are your friends. Check the reviews before going in. My Spa has a high ratio of 5-star reviews; 362/373 are 5 stars.
Note: the cheaper spas in Seminyak have therapists and staff that come from other islands in Bali who are willing to work for less in exchange for cheap accommodation from their employer. Despite these spas’ small sizes, they have a large customer capacity. They tend to offer quantity over quality; cramming as many massage tables separated by dividers into one space as they can. The guests often know it, and expect that for a low price. Each spa of course has different techniques and strategies, so we cannot say that all cheap spas are “bad”. The standard is generally decent.
TL;DR: if you want to identify low-quality spas in Bali you should ask to see the facilities before booking; ask whether they change their linen, and so on. If you only see dividers and no private rooms, as a Bali spa owner myself, I personally do not feel comfortable. In this case I don’t even need to see the technique … I won’t book it.
8. HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR MASSAGE AND A SEX MASSAGE ON BALI ISLAND
At times, for visitors to Bali, it really isn’t clear if a massage spa is legitimate or “adult”, and there can be a lot of confusion! Even for me as a native Balinese I often cannot tell if a massage spa includes erotic activity or not. If you go into a spa, some of them will offer you sex services, others won’t.
Here is your golden tip: Your taxi driver tends to know! Among drivers, they learn which spas are which, because they get info from the customers. So, if you want to know whether a massage spa is regular or for sex, just ask the driver! There are rare stories of certain masseuses posing as a regular establishment but then attempting to service the client erotically. Once again – avoid the budget spas and definitely avoid touts on the street who’ll take you down an alley. If you’re a first-time tourist it can be difficult to tell, but this doesn’t mean you should deprive yourself of the experience of a regular wholesome massage. You just have to be careful; confident; and communicate properly. So long as there’s a storefront you can see and you’re not looking to skimp too much you’ll be fine.
To summarise, even local Balinese massage spa owners cannot tell easily which massage spas are regular or for sex services without the wisdom of the Bali taxi drivers. There is a blurred line between these types of salons and they can overlap.
Sometimes our new customers ask us for erotic services, and we politely let them know that that is not our kind of business. TL;DR: always ask the taxi driver!
Finally, one surefire giveaway of an adult massage spa on Bali island is when you see the sign “SPA PLUS PLUS”. “SPA PLUS PLUS” is a euphemism for sex massage and is 100% an adult service, so be sure to avoid this if looking for a regular massage.
CONCLUSION
I hope this guide demystifies the massage services offered on the beautiful island of Bali, and encourages you to try one. You can use this information to help get the best out of your massage. Of course I’d be happy if you came to my spa, but really the right thing to do is weigh up all of the options and choose what’s best for you! Hope to see you soon!
“Rahajeng nyanggra rahina, semeton dumun.” (Wishing you a good day, may all beings be happy.)
–Made Pinda