Rascals Wellness and Spa

Reinvigorated, Refreshed and Relaxed… With Rascals

I’d heard a lot about the spa and the wellness centre at Rascals Hotel in Kuta, Lombok, and the recommendations, especially about the sauna and magnesium pool, were positive. My body was tired and I needed a detox and some serious relaxation. Decision made. I wanted to give it a try.

The centre is fairly new – only about 6 months old. It’s located at the entrance of the hotel so non-hotel guests can use both the spa and wellness centre without having to walk through the hotel and disturb the guests to get there. It is the only wellness centre where you need to book a time slot; guests can’t walk in without a booking. Each session is 1.5 hours and then there’s a 30-minute pause for cleaning. The booking process is easy, though; you can book for both the spa and wellness centre on the website.

The Wellness Centre

When we arrived at the wellness centre, the receptionist welcomed us and took our names. She showed us around and explained everything and we were able to order a coconut drink, to be delivered to us towards the end of our session at the wellness centre.

The wellness centre and spa are in the same building but separate from each other. Once you go through the centre’s glass doors it’s as though you’re in another world. When I entered, I immediately felt I was in ‘heaven’ or somewhere on another planet. As you walk in, you see the magnesium pool, then the two ice baths – one on each side of the room – and the sauna at the back. The area is spacious, the decor is beautifully done and the peaceful music creates just the right atmosphere, which really adds to the experience. You can’t hear anything from the outside world and you’re left to enjoy your 1.5 hours without any disturbances.

My first impression of the facilities was not exactly as I expected. Up to a maximum of eight people can use the ice baths, the magnesium pool and the sauna at one time. At first, I felt hesitant but the space is large, closed off, private and tranquil. And because there are two ice baths, and the sauna is large enough to seat up to 10 people, you don’t really notice the other people, especially as there are never eight people in the sauna at the same time.

We were provided with towels and, after leaving our other belongings in the lockers that are provided, we decided to try the sauna first. The first thing we noticed, as we stepped inside, was the fresh smell of pine wood. We sat in the sauna and let our bodies sweat.

Please note: this is not a ‘naturist’ sauna; there’s no nudity and swimwear must be worn at all times.

There are timers on the wall so you can choose the length of your sauna. After about ten minutes I decided to jump into an ice bath!

There are two; one is cold (8°C) and one is colder(12°C). I chose the colder one first. It. Was. Cold! I lasted two minutes at the most.

After that, I had another sauna and then tried the ‘not quite so cold’ ice bath. It was more comfortable and I stayed in for about five minutes.

After a shower, it was back into the sauna for the third time, then a final ice bath plunge, before chilling and relaxing in the magnesium pool, while sipping on a fresh coconut. It’s the perfect way to finish the 1.5 hours and the staff come in to remind you when there are ten minutes left before the session ends.

The experience left me totally refreshed and relaxed.

The Spa

At the spa, there are only massages on offer; no other treatments.

I had been hesitant to try the massage. A few days before, at another salon, I’d had what was probably the worst massage I’d ever had and I wasn’t sure what to expect at Rascals. I decided to go ahead and I am so glad I did. I needn’t have worried. Even though I’m not really ‘a massage person’, this was one of the best massages I’ve experienced.

After leaving the wellness centre, I was welcomed at the spa and asked which massage I would like. I chose the Rascals Signature Massage, which sounded as though it would be good! I wanted a massage that was not too ‘soft’ but would leave me feeling relaxed. I was then given a selection of six oils to choose from; I chose ‘green tea’ because of its lovely fresh smell.

After signing the form, which asks whether you have any allergies or problem areas you would like the therapist to focus on, I was met by my therapist, Ati. She greeted me with a very friendly smile and showed me to the treatment room. There are three single massage rooms and one double room at the spa.

My room had a massage bed and chair, and was aesthetically decorated, with low light. Ati left me to remove my clothes and put on a gown. She knocked on the door and asked whether I was ready and then asked me to sit on the chair as she washed and scrubbed both my feet in a warm bowl of water with flowers in it. When she’d finished, I lay on the massage bed, facing downward. She made sure she had the oil I had chosen and checked that my arms were in the right position. Then began the massage. She started on my back and checked the pressure was right for me. Once she had finished massaging my whole body, she asked me to lie on my back while she massaged my shoulders, legs, arms, head and face.

The whole massage took an hour and it was brilliant. The pressure was spot on, the music at the perfect volume, and the lights dimmed just right. And once it was finished, Ati gave me a card with a QR code, so I could leave a review, and left me to get dressed. Back in the reception area, I was given ginger tea before I left.

I can totally recommend this massage and spa. The environment is beautiful, the staff only do massages, so they are focused and good at what they do, and all the therapists have been properly trained. The price is also extremely reasonable – probably the best value for money I have seen in Kuta. 220k for a GOOD 60 min massage.

Rascals also offers yoga classes, so you could make a whole day of it! The wellness centre, the spa massage, and yoga… What more could you want?

I left feeling completely relaxed and calm. In fact, so much so that when I met my friends later that night one of them commented that I was so ‘Zen’ the whole dinner. I will definitely be back!

Name: Rascals Wellness
Address: Jalan Kuta Lombok, Kuta, Pujut District, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara 83573