The Samata Sanur is an ideal destination to retreat for a complete wellness experience. Nestled within long stretches of rice fields, the resort has managed to escape the background noise of motorbike traffic and busy streets, which tend to fill the more touristy areas of Bali. Despite being located slightly inland from the beach, you can still pick up sounds of the Indian Ocean in the distance.
Mary Tilson takes time to stretch by her private villa pool The Samata, Bali. Image © Tânia Araújo
The Samata Sanur
A free round trip shuttle service from Ngurah Rai Airport will take you to The Samata Sanur in about 30-minutes, depending on traffic. The luxury retreat resort also located within close proximity to some of the other popular tourist destinations including Sanur (10 mins), Seminyak (35 mins), Kuta (30 mins) and Ubud (30 mins) for those travelling within Bali.
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Samata Sanur offers an intimate, luxury setting to unwind and indulge. Image © Lifestyle Retreats
Two Bedroom Villa at The Samata Sanur
The Samata Sanur offers an intimate setting comprising a mix of ten luxury suites and pool villas. The design is simplistic, facilitating a deeper connection with the beautiful natural surroundings. I personally loved the outdoor shower and bath area wrapped in trees. We stayed in the Two Bedroom Villa, which included a large private pool, daybeds, an outdoor living and dining area and fully equipped kitchen. With the butler service providing room service, we enjoyed dining in for most of our stay.
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A barefoot morning walk through the rice fields at The Samata Sanur is the perfect way to embrace the day. Image © Mary Tilson
Staying Fit at The Samata Sanur
There are plenty of ways to stay active both on the property and offsite. My first day began with a sunrise walk to Muara Tangtu, a black volcanic sand beach about 15 minutes away from the resort. As promised by my lovely guide Leni, it was well worth the 5:30am wake-up call. We passed by Tjampuhan Temple as we made our way from the empty street roads onto the beach, where we found many others up walking or jogging ready to greet the morning sun.
Magical Morning: Guide Leni sits on the volcanic sand at sunset with a traditional breakfast. Image © Mary Tilson
With low tides creating a reflection on the black sand, we had a breathtaking view of the colourful sunrise from all different directions. Before heading back, Leni provided a traditional Indonesian breakfast. The drink Bajigur was a Sundanese specialty drink made from coconut milk, palm sugar and cinnamon stick. We also had Sumping, a sticky rice flour cake filled with banana slices, coupled with another sticky rice dish layered with palm sugar and grated coconut. It was a sweet, energising treat before our walk back through the rice fields.
The Samata is a fully equipped wellness resort. The fitness centre features state-of-the-art facilities including a professional boxing ring. Image © Lifestyle Retreats
On the property itself, I was very impressed by the fitness amenities including a full tennis court, boxing ring, weight training and cardio machines, TRX bands, yoga props, exercise balls; you name it. At the front of the first gym housing the machines, there are sliding glass doors, which can transform into an open-air workout space facing the garden.
There is also a group fitness room with mirrors and space for classes and personal training. I was informed during my stay that The Samata brings in specialised trainers at times or by request of the guests. As a travelling yoga teacher, I found the amenities to be ideal for a yoga or fitness retreat.
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Mary Tilson created her own outdoor yoga studio by the pool at The Samata, Bali. Image © Tânia Araújo
The Spa at The Samata Sanur
We made sure to balance out our day with deep tissue massages at The Spa located above the fitness centre. There are plenty of other Balinese spa services to choose from covering you head to toe.
Dining at The Samata Sanur
Opposite the community pool is Zenso Restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is positioned partially outdoors facing towards the pool and rice fields, with options for indoor seating including the bar area. During our short stay, the restaurant was rarely occupied with more than one or two other tables meaning we had the full attention of the staff.
The menu appealed to a range of tastes and dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, which I always find to be a plus. For the real foodies, Balinese cooking classes can also be scheduled upon request.
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Zenso Restaurant specialises in healthy dining with an emphasis on super foods and nourishing ingredients. Image © Lifestyle Retreats
Given that the resort appeals to quite a few couples and honeymooners, they also create private romantic dinner setups in-villa or around the resort as well as private BBQs and a traditional Indonesian Rijjstafel “rice table” menu for small parties and special events.
Just as the name The Samata, which is a Sanskrit word describing the equilibrium between body, mind and soul suggests – we left our stay feeling very well-balanced and at ease. Lifestyle Retreats has a number of properties in Bali following the same philosophy that will certainly be worth checking out.
Related: Ubud Travel Guide
A shimmer shoots across the volcanic sand at sunrise on Muara Tangtu beach, providing the perfect spot for morning yoga. Image © Mary Tilson
The Samata Sanur
The Fit Traveller was a guest of the The Samata Sanur for this stay. As always, the opinions and words are authentically our own.
