When did you move to Bali and why?

I moved to Bali in 2008 to follow my dream of setting up a luxury women's wellness retreat. I had recently left the corporate world after suffering from burnout. My goal was to create a tranquil luxurious sanctuary for busy women to get away from it all and fill their cup. I especially love hosting mums ⁠— it is always so wonderful to be able to nurture and pamper mums who spend so much of their time nurturing others, and to witness the effect the retreat week has on their sleep, health, stress levels and overall vitality. I always say one week is all it takes for women to rediscover the best version of themselves. We have three retreat locations in Canggu and my role is ‘Chief Happiness Officer’ ⁠— making sure that our team and guests are all thriving. 

"In Bali, kids are revered. They are indulged and treated like mini gods! Childcare is very affordable and high quality"

Which areas of Bali are best for families?

Nusa Dua is wonderful as it has an abundance of family hotels with excellent kids’ clubs, fun activities and sports programs for older kids. It’s a favourite family destination for expats on the island too.

Ubud also offers a great change from the ‘beach scene’ that Bali is known for. It's a great opportunity for kids and families to experience a taste of Balinese culture, and there are lots of fun outdoor adventures. You can swim in waterfalls, go white water rafting through the jungle full of monkeys and other wildlife, experience the big swing above a valley of lush coconut trees, stroll through rice fields, chase butterflies at the Butterfly Park, ATV through the jungle and even cycle down a volcano!

Where would you recommend staying?

The Westin resorts at Ubud and Nusa Dua are great options, with well-developed kids’ clubs and facilities. Como Uma Ubud or Como Uma Canggu are also both excellent choices and are known for being terrific family-friendly destinations. Soulshine Bali in Ubud is a place that creates a lot of joy and is ideal for families wanting to get away from the hustle and bask in Bali’s best nature and views, especially at sunset. The two-tiered pool and water slide is a huge highlight. The food is delicious (as is the cocktail menu!). Kids can pick fresh produce from the organic garden and then the chef will whip it up into an amazing lunch for them. This means they can enjoy a really educational experience and you know they are eating healthy food too. For any mums eager for a kids-free escape with a focus on luxury, wellness and complete rejuvenation, I would say join us for a retreat! We run pop-up ‘Mums and Bubs’ retreats throughout the year, where a small group of mums visit us for a luxury retreat with their little one in tow. Mums can enjoy mums and bubs yoga and different activities as a group, but then we also have a team of experienced nannies that care for and entertain the kids so the mums can indulge in spa treatments, meditation and time out to recharge.