Just came back from Bali last week and I must agree with you that the balinese massage is wonderful! Well, this is the first time I am in Bali and i did try out the spa in the hotel which turned out so good and after the treatment i felt that my body rejuvenated! I like the idea of them using the oil on your body which made the massage less painful compared to the one they do in Phuket. Really enjoyed the trip to Bali!

Thanks, Jean. Asking locals is always good advice. In Bali I found most locals would go to pretty bare bones places though. A good value for sure, but probably not exactly what most tourists are looking for. And since the price of even “tourist” spas were quite reasonable, it’s worth a few more rupiah to get a little ambience.

I sometimes check with local guides where they go for spa or massage. Partly because I’m working on the concept that to travel with a local personal guide for more insights (http://www.ourexplorer.com). Partly because if the locals go there, the place would be good of value, better than tourist-only spas.