April/May, 1998
No. 034/VI/98

cover story

Ground Breakers
Bali's top corporate
women

Out of the Frying
Pan
The legacy of widow
burning in modern Bali

beyond
bali

Pedal Power
Cycling around Lombok

regular
features

Sidelines
The cultural value of
Indonesia textiles

Adventure
Off-road trips by Land
Cruiser

Home Grown
Bali's surf hero of
nineties, Rizal Tanjung

Health and Beauty
Mandara's many Bali
spas

Books
The Butterflies of Bali

Food
Four delis that have
survived the crisis

Photo Gallery
F.X. Marit captures nyepi
on film

Jungle Drums

advertising index for
Bali Echo web site

According to Susan, there are some basic principles that have been laid down to form the foundations of the spas’ philosophies. Firstly that everything should be natural, no machines. Secondly that everything should have a very authentic, traditional Indonesian feel, drawing on the many existing recipes and techniques and then polishing them by introducing some of the most popular elements from other parts of the world.

One element that makes the Mandara experience unique is that almost all the treatments are conducted by two people so as not to break contact until the treatment is over. How to begin, how to finish and setting the guest at ease, is also key to the experience. “Massage is a two way communication. Being able to give a good massage is a valuable and much appreciated skill, but the atmosphere is also important. You have to place people in the right frame of mind to receive the massage,” Susan passionately embraces her subject.

The Mandara massage was probably Ginger’s greatest contribution and one of the most popular products at the spas. Expanding on the idea of two therapists, each with their own job, she contrived a dance-like massage where the two therapists harmonise their movements and strokes. The Mandara massage is a skillful blend of elements originating from Balinese, Swedish, Japanese Shiatsu, Thai, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage and the principles of aromatherapy. In addition the traditional Balinese massage has been tempered with a combination of stretching, acupressure and Swedish massage techniques.

Many of Bali’s best spas have worked long and hard to develop the range of products that are used in their spas and their success has spawned a healthy retail business. “Ginger worked very carefully developing the products that would be used in the spas. Once again the inspiration was local recipes,” explains Susan. Four different aromatherapy oils have been mixed exclusively for the sensual benefits they provide. A fifth has been added recently to cater specifically for expectant mothers, a very gentle oil with just a hint of mandarin. The range of scrubs offered in the Mandara spas is also a vital component in the experience. The traditional Javanese lulur, with its turmeric base, the spicy Balinese Boreh with cloves and pepper as well as the coconut scrub for sensitive or sunburned skin and the Bali Kopi scrub very popular with the Japanese.

As one after another of their properties open in Bali’s prestigious resorts, one cannot help but be impressed by a formula that works in every one of the locations but maintains a certain level of flexibility. Like their signature massage, the Mandara Massage, it is a hands on style that is open to many interpretations. Each of the properties has its own individual characteristics, influenced by the space and personality of the resorts that contain them. Spa villas for individual use or to enjoy with a friend or a partner are a constant as they are a generic part of the formula. However, in the Nikko for instance, their Tranquillity Centre operates separately for spa and salon treatments. At Waterbom, where visitors are more conscious of the price operations are pared down to a single therapist.

Although Mandara’s founders have since broken up and moved on, and a new team now holds the operation’s reins, the marks of Mandara’s conceptors remain evident in the quality of the experience that guests enjoy. Many of the original staff are now themselves trainers, supervisors and managers. All staff are constantly monitored and a regular re-training program ensures the staff are constantly receiving new input, getting feedback and receiving the treatments themselves. “It’s really like a big family and that has been the greatest success in my mind, it is why everything works so well. Everybody feels they have an interest in the operation of the spas and their success,” explains Jeff.

While the low profile boss, Tom Gottlieb quietly goes about the business of expanding in Bali and beyond to other parts of Indonesia and eventually to other parts of the world, the spas themselves are constantly evolving. New trainers, stylists, and spa consultants are to introduce new techniques, improve on the old ones, the spa business is growing up in Indonesia. It has yet to reach its full potential and increasingly local people are taking up managerial positions, confident enough in their own ability to put their own stamp on the industry.

photos courtesy of Mandara

For information about Mandara, their products and how to experience it for yourself contact any of these locations.

The Chedi Hotel, Ubud - Bali, The Chedi Hotel, Bandung - Java, The Legian Suites Hotel, Kuta - Bali, The Serai Hotel, Karangasem - Bali, The Datai Hotel, Langkawi - Malaysia, The Imperial, Kuta - Bali, Bali Padma, Kuta - Bali, Nikko Resort and Spa, Nusa Dua - Bali, Taman Dayu, Surabaya - Java, Waterbom Park and Spa, Kuta - Bali, Ibah, Ubud - Bali, Novotel, Kuta - Lombok.

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