Respect and try to understand different cultures, habits and people.
The pandemic has shaped the way we travel and live, with a growing trend leaning towards health, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle. More than ever, individuals are seeking not just getaways, but immersive wellness retreats that help rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. Destinations that provide a serene environment, unique wellness offerings, and an unparalleled experience are in great demand. In this interview series, we are talking to property owners and hospitality companies who are at the helm of these wellness havens. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Keiko Watanabe, Spa & Wellness Producer & Manager.
Ms. Keiko Watanabe holds qualifications in Esthetic and Spa Therapy from Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosméthologie (CIDESCO) in Tokyo. She also studied aromatherapy in France and Onsen therapy in Japan, experiences that enriched her understanding of Q.O.L., nature, and local culture. She aspires to create a resort spa with wellness programs in nature to harmonize body and mind with theoretical bases.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Madam Josiane Laure, a French aromatherapist who taught me her aromatherapy method. At her Beauty Farm (Ferme de Beauté) in Burgandy, I learned a lot about the therapeutic effects of nature.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
Madam Teruko Kobayashi, a pioneer in make-up and beauty therapy, taught me the importance of therapeutic make-up and enhancing quality of life (Q.O.L.). From her, I learned that even an expressionless woman with dementia can smile after receiving a good massage and seeing herself with beautiful make-up. Through this experience, I realized that our hands have the power to make people happy. At 89 years old, Madam Kobayashi continues to work, constantly showing and encouraging us with how she brings happiness to others with her hands.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or takeaway did you learn from that?
Before HOSHINOYA Bali was opened, I stayed in a local traditional Balinese house for 10 days to gain a deeper understanding of the daily life of the locals. To be honest, I was not prepared for this but still expected it to be easy. It turned out to be a very tough experience but a priceless one to me.
First, I learned all about the simplicity of life. The traditional Balinese house is a compound consisting of several small houses, each occupied by family members. Inside the compound, there is a shared kitchen, a shared bathroom, a gazebo in the center for family gatherings, a large family temple in the left front, and a pig pen or cow and chicken farm in the back of the house.
There, I found that happiness is all about being content with what you have and who you are. Comparing all the facilities and comfort I have in Japan, to the traditional houses, where their family temple is often larger than their living spaces, was eye-opening. I expected to have a warm shower, but it didn’t happen. The water was cold, even on rainy mornings. Despite having a washing machine, they preferred to do laundry manually as the machine couldn’t do it thoroughly. The kitchen stove was modern with gas, but mostly they cooked using the traditional one (with wood fire), which made the food more delicious. Girls were taught how to cook with it, prepare the daily prayer offerings, and join the community by learning Balinese dance or ceremonial events from a young age.
Nowadays many Balinese people live in houses with modern facilities, but the way people live have not changed much. The Balinese people still live by the local wisdom of Tri Hita Karana (a way to achieve happiness by maintaining harmony with gods, people, and nature). They prioritize maintaining harmony with God first. That’s why, in daily life, Balinese women often gather in the gazebo to make flower offerings for the temple, while men take care of household chores and food offerings. The Balinese have close relationships with their family and neighbors, working together, helping each other, and welcoming anyone who wants to learn or be part of their community. This expresses human love and maintains harmony with people. They also practice traditional farming with organic fertilizers and protect trees wherever possible to maintain harmony with nature.
Although I found similarities in faith with my country (in Japan, we also have many gods, temples, and respect ancestors through daily prayers), there are significant differences nowadays. The Balinese put their gods above everything and prioritize their spiritual rituals. In contrast, in Japan especially in big cities, we often prioritize work over spiritual activities. The Balinese believe that maintaining spiritual wisdom through daily life is more important than living wealthily without a good relationship with gods and the community. Nowadays, people mostly live with left-brain thinking, focusing on numbers and logic or critical thinking, which leads to stress and depression. We are so accustomed to modern lifestyles that we forget to use our right brain, which appreciates the beauty of life in simple things. This Balinese local wisdom reminds me to use my right brain, making me more human and peaceful.
Overall, this experience was a truly transformative journey for me. It opened my eyes to be kinder and more generous whenever possible. I realized that we can never be grateful if we don’t know what we have. Being grateful is the key to mindfulness. Being satisfied with what we have gives us a peaceful mind wherever we are and eventually transforms us into the wellness of our soul, mind, and body. When I came back to design the spa and wellness program at HOSHINOYA Bali, I incorporated this principle into our guest experience. For example, the Balinese melukat (purification ritual) spiritually cleanses the soul of negative energies. Additionally, the cold water used in this ritual can help improve blood circulation. Another guest experience that reflects this principle is the Balinese dance lesson. By engaging in motoric movement and art of the body, guests can improve their flexibility. In our modern, automated lives, we rarely use our muscles, so this activity provides a beneficial physical challenge.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
“Willows do not break but bend under the snow.” — A Japanese saying.
Maintaining flexibility and respecting different habits, ways of thinking, and lifestyles are key to creating unique activities and programs.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
Our Holistic Ritual of the Sacred Valley Wellness Package is one of our most exciting offerings. Over five days and four nights, guests explore the ancient philosophy of Tri Hita Karana — the harmony between humans, nature, and the divine to release tension and enhance relaxation, bringing harmony to their body, mind, and soul.
Throughout the program, guests are guided through the ancient Balinese tradition of Melukat, a soul and mind cleanse, by exploring the Tirta Empul temple to purify themselves through the sacred spring water of Sebatu village. Guests will also activate their muscles and flexibility through daily stretching, yoga, and a Balinese dance lesson. By indulging in nutritious foods and tranquil spa treatments onsite, they will also give their bodies much-needed nourishment.
The Holistic Ritual of the Sacred Valley Wellness Package is an all-in-one experience designed to help guests unwind, relax, and nourish their body, mind, soul, and spirit.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview about wellness destinations. Let’s dive deeper into this together. Based on your research or personal experience, why do you think travel can lead to better wellness? Can you share a story?
Traveling can improve wellness in several ways, especially through mental stimulation and stress reduction. When you explore new places, you’re not only soaking in experiences, cultures, and languages, but you’re keeping your brain active. This stimulation can boost your cognitive abilities and spark creativity. Plus, stepping away from your daily routine and everyday stressors through a new environment allows you to recharge and refresh your mind, often giving you a new outlook on life and reducing stress. Exploring new places and activities not only keeps your mind healthy but also enhances productivity and social interactions, leading to a more balanced, healthier life.
What are a few things that distinguish your property from thousands of wellness properties around the world?
HOSHINOYA Bali focuses on the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which is the harmony between humans, nature, and the divine. The resort experience has been carefully crafted to help our guests connect with nature and the divine through traditional Balinese techniques allowing them to heal their mind, body, and spirit.
In addition to the activities in our Holistic Ritual of the Sacred Valley Wellness Package, we offer a Banjar Walking Tour, where guests discover the history of Balinese Hinduism through Banjar, a cornerstone of life in Ubad, Balinese craft workshops, Ubud Rice Field Walking, Morning Wedang or Jamu — traditional drinks known to high antioxidant properties and ability to boost energy, and our Bali Harmony Set Course menu, a culinary odyssey (8 courses) that captures the phases of Balinese life through the perspective of Tri Hita Karana. Each carefully crafted dish reflects the local philosophy, upholding a seamless connection between Gods, nature, and humanity.
What type of experience do you want your visitors to have when they visit?
We strive to create an environment where our guests can disconnect from the pressures of everyday life. Our goal is for every guest to experience complete relaxation allowing them to leave behind the stressors of responsibilities, work, and home life. Whether it’s through our meticulously designed spa treatments, cultural tours and lessons, serene natural surroundings, or stretching and yoga classes, we hope every guest leaves us feeling rejuvenated and restored.
What makes your property a beautiful escape for a body and mind recharge?
Our property sits above the sacred Pakerisan River, surrounded by lush jungles and panoramic views of UNESCO Heritage rice terraces, far from the bustle of Ubud. The resort’s peaceful natural surroundings offer a serene atmosphere where guests can truly unwind.
Can you share any transformative stories or testimonials from guests who visited your property?
One guest changed his morning habits and started incorporating stretching with deep breathing into his routine after our wellness program, while another realized how tired she usually felt by the end of our wellness program in Bali.
Why do you think the experience you offer is so needed nowadays?
The HOSHINOYA Bali experience is needed because the connection between spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being is more apparent than ever. Rather than simply addressing isolated symptoms, our experience is designed to address the person holistically promote balance and harmony within the mind, body, and a connection nature. This not only helps reduce stress but also enhances overall quality of life.
Do you think travel enhances our mindfulness, optimism, or sense of gratitude? How? Can you please explain with an example or story?
Traveling exposes you to new experiences and challenges that really open up your perspective. Stepping out of your day-to-day routine and exploring new places can help you discover yourself. These experiences give travelers time to take a deep breath and reflect on life’s pleasures.
What are your “5 Habits You Should Develop In Order Make Travel Into An Opportunity For Wellness & Personal Growth?”
1 . Keep flexibility in mind.
2 . Respect and try to understand different cultures, habits and people.
3 . Maintain intellectual curiosity.
4 . Be courageous and take on challenges.
5 . Be courageous and take on challenges.
Based on your experience, where do you see the future of wellness travel heading in the next 5–10 years?
Many of us are so reliant on our smartphones and other technologies. There is a growing awareness around the importance of stepping back, unplugging, and taking a moment to recharge. Travelers are increasingly seeking peaceful surroundings, found at resorts like HOSHINOYA Bali, where they can disconnect from their devices.
Practices like yoga, engaging workshops, meditation in serene landscapes, and enjoying nutritious meals aren’t just about relaxation — they’re also tools for promoting overall well-being. These activities help our guests recalibrate and find balance in our fast-paced, digital world.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them 😊
Madam Martha Argerich, the Queen of the keyboard and one of the world’s top pianists at 83 years old. She always inspires me with her dynamic, delicate, and deeply insightful expression.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please visit us at https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyabali/ for more information.
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
