This week we have the privilege of sitting down with two esteemed individuals who play pivotal roles in creating transformative experiences at the renowned Fivelements Retreat Bali. Ibu Sang Ayu Nyoman Sumiati, Healing and Wellness Sanctuary Manager at Fivelements Retreat Bali & John T G Nielsen, General Manager of Fivelements Retreat Bali.

With their deep expertise and passion for holistic well-being, they offer unique insights into the art of nurturing the mind, body, and soul and give us a peak behind the curtain of what goes into running a successful wellness sanctuary and retreat.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING A SPA AT A WELLNESS RETREAT, SPECIFICALLY IN BALI, AND HOW YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED UNIQUE AND HOLISTIC SPA PROGRAMS TO ALIGN WITH THE RETREAT'S OVERALL PHILOSOPHY?

Fivelements Retreat was founded and opened in 2010 as a holistic wellness retreat using the foundations and philosophy of Tri-Hita-Karna as the guiding vision. This has never changed, but as we have developed, we have kept looking beyond the original concept and will keep exploring new opportunities, but always use Tri-Hita-Karana as our vision. Since the re-opening of Bali in March 2022 and with demand growing for wellness retreats, we have continued to develop the retreats ranging from more introductory 3-day style retreats to 10 days, but always focusing on nutrition, health and fitness and the spiritual aspects of retreats in Bali.  https://fivelementsbali.com/experiences/

HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE GUEST EXPERIENCE AND ENSURE THAT ALL SPA TREATMENTS AND SERVICES ARE DELIVERED WITH EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, INCORPORATING TRADITIONAL BALINESE HEALING TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES?

The most important point is we know what our guests are looking for, and we have regular refresher training for the team, which includes upgrading knowledge, educating all the team members with our guiding philosophy (Tri Hita Karana, respecting humans, nature and the Gods) and making sure that their experience are very personalized and treatments deliver what guests are paying and expecting. A key point is not to overbook the treatment rooms, as this will just cause stress for our guests and staff, putting pressure on the treatments and the special time they seek.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO DEVELOPING AND LEADING A TEAM OF SPA THERAPISTS, ENSURING THEY ARE TRAINED IN BALINESE HEALING TRADITIONS, AND FOSTERING A POSITIVE AND COLLABORATIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

Ibu Nyoman says, “My most important objective is to ensure that our current and future spa therapists understand the deep philosophies that our team of Healers have been taught as part of their family heritage. We have six Healers who are a core part of the team and offer wonderful treatments. They are in many ways like specialists or Doctors as their “education” is from generations of their parents. Teaching this to the next generation of therapists is key as part of their education and ensuring the quality levels at the Healing and Wellness Sanctuary remain high.”

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SETS HEALING & WELLNESS SANCTUARY AT FIVELEMENTS RETREAT BALI APART?

The wonderful deep Hindu philosophy of Tri-Hita-Karana and of course the stunning location of being on the banks of the sacred Ayung River, where the flowing river and jungle are nature’s music for our guests. The stunning volcanic river stone baths are often highlighted by our guests, but it’s really about the team of Healers and therapists who have a heart of gold and always keep the guests as their main focus.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECTS OF HEALING & WELLNESS SANCTUARY AT FIVELEMENTS RETREAT BALI?

As the Leader of the Healing & Wellness team and having worked here for over 10-years, I love that we have a holistic philosophy that is linked to my Hindu values and as Priest, I am a key part of teaching these values to our team and future therapists. Coming to work every day and listening to the sounds of nature and working with a team of passionate therapists and Healers. It is hard to describe the natural beauty of the Healing & Wellness Sanctuary, but when guests visit, we see their reaction to being one with nature.

HOW DO YOU CREATE AND IMPLEMENT WELLNESS AND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES WITHIN THE SPA, SUCH AS ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES, WASTE REDUCTION, AND ENERGY CONSERVATION, IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE FIVELEMENTS RETREAT BALI'S ETHOS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND HOLISTIC WELLNESS?

It’s really about looking closely at all aspects of the treatments and products we use. In general, all of our products are made from local ingredients sourced in and around Ubud. All our herbs, such as ginger, wildflowers and fruits come from the local Mambal market and from our new organic 3800 sq. meter garden at Fivelements Retreat. The treatment rooms are open and have no air-condition nor is there music, just the sounds of the Ayung River and jungle. Our gardens are all watered by nature or using the subak irrigation system from the flowing river. All these efforts keep our footprint small ensuring we follow the philosophies.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN HOSPITALITY?

Growing up in Denmark I was fortunate to have parents who loved to travel and I was invited a few times to stay and experience great hotels in southern Europe. My personality is well suited to the industry and my love of travel matched that. I entered the travel industry on the island of Madeira and after went the more traditional route via a Swiss Hotel School in Switzerland to Australia and Asia including the wonderful cities of Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Melbourne, where I was part of many great hotels and even spent four years managing the famed hotel schools, Les Roches and Blue Mountains Hotel Management School in Shanghai. I loved running the hotel schools and giving back to the industry and seeing young future hoteliers grow into leaders.

HOW DO YOU STAY UPDATED ON THE LATEST TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY IN BALI AND SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND HOW DO YOU LEVERAGE THAT KNOWLEDGE TO CONTINUOUSLY INNOVATE AND ELEVATE THE SPA OFFERINGS AT FIVELEMENTS RETREAT BALI?

As the General Manager, I wear a number of “hats”, one as the Ambassador of the global movement the World Wellness Weekend – two as a Board Member of the Wellness Tourism Association and lastly as a Judge at the World Spa and Wellness Awards. Being part of these movements places me at the heart of the wellness industry and the many developments that continue to see wellness grow from a niche travel segment into a mature and wonderful experience-based segment. Being in touch every week with wellness leaders gives us great insights and we use these insights to keep Fivelements Retreat “moving and changing” to ensure that we offer new and exciting options for our guests.