Golden Rock Retreat
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Aas, Bunutan 10 km southeast of Amed, Karangasem Indonesia
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#43 of 115 in Amed
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Nestled in a remote spot on the north east tip of Bali, Golden Rock Retreat is an exquisite and innovative detox and healing centre that provides our guests with a unique opportunity to take part in our carefully prepared health programs, whilst experiencing the peace and tranquility of local Balinese life.
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I recently did a 10-day detox at the Golden Rock. The location is just stunning; right on the beach in an unspoiled part of Bali. You can hear the waves crashing all night, it is extremely peaceful here. The program is not for the faint-hearted; coconut water and supplements in the morning, followed by some light exercise, a juice then more supplements and clear vege broth at night (a big bowl of it which does actually fill you up). Massages are provided every day as well as ozone treatment (cleans your colon!) - short and not painful at all. The last two days you get delicious fruit and vegetables - woo hoo! The staff at Golden Rock are lovely and switched on. Made in the clinic is a delight, as is Alan, the owner. I would highly recommend Golden Rock if you want to have a full on detox and drop a few kilos.…
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Date of stay: February 2020
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2 Helpful votes
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I returned to Golden Rock after 7 years to do a 5 day detox. The location is amazing, I was the only person there which had it pros and cons. The staff were accomodating, the detox hasn't changed and the massages are still very good. The beds are very comfortable and the villas have great views of the sea, it's very relaxing watching the fishing boats come and go. I would recommend this place if you need to recharge.
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Date of stay: October 2019
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Beauty of Nature The retreat lies on the Eastern tip of Bali, almost at the end of the road. The area is still almost as original as Bali life ever was. Fishermen leave before dawn each morning, right from the shores of the retreat, to return with the sun in the early morning, sailing in their colorful boats, to their wives and children who receive the boats, fish, and men back home. The ocean is ever present. Shimmering blue silver during the sun struck days. Speaking in tones of whisper and roar during the nights under the gold light of the moon. It is in front of the retreat, the bungalows, and inside of you weaving its rhythm everywhere. Its wraps the retreat into its embrace framing the many and different lush flowering trees, plants, rocky shoreline, green, soft lawns, pool, and the yoga space into a perfect home for the week. A home protected and energized by the many, beautifully carved Balinese altars and salutes to the nature and its spirits of the times of old. A beautiful, safe space to focus on yourself, and your experience. Loving Care of Staff And you do really feel at home here, the people taking care of you like a mother would. They are caring, smiling, soft spoken, understanding, always around - supporting you in a really loving and caring way. They take care of you in practical ways, following time and your individual program making sure you to stay on course, no matter how much you drift away swimming in the ocean, lounging around the pool, or napping after your massage on the terrace of your bungalow. Your juices, vitamins, and little friendly reminders (to take a bath in the steam room and such) arrive literally by your very bedside so you can concentrate on yourself and let go of schedule driven life for a while. And as a mother would, they also take care of you in subtle emotional ways too - always asking how you are feeling, if you need anything, if all is well. I really felt so warmly supported - just like at home with your family. Spiritual (Emotional) and Bodily (Physical) Experience This was the first time I did any type of de-tox and I learnt that it is both an emotional and physical experience. An experience that teaches you a lot about yourself, both about your feelings, energy, and about your body, how it functions, feels, and how you have been treating it. I learnt that the experience requires surrender - to trust the program, its deep, tried and tested foundations, follow it, and it will lead you on a journey that cleans your body and your mind. I also learnt that the journey, at times, feels like hard and important work you undertake for yourself, for your benefit. The deep cleaning releases old energy, both from the mind and body and being with those feelings takes a willingness to do, and be, with how you feel. The rewards of that work are clear and significant - my mind became clear and calm. My body younger and relaxed. I felt closer and more intimate with myself. Re-Fresh Body, Mind, Soul The rewards were also clear and significant to my wife - when I arrived back home she looked at me like I was a bit different person - somehow the same but somehow also different - and she was cutely shy to hug me. And I was, I am. I feel younger, I have more energy, my mind is stiller, and I feel calmer. I also look different. Somehow. Younger for sure. Rested, clear. But also somehow more deeply different, more radiant inside and that makes me glow I guess. All in all, a full body, mind, and soul clean up. It also important to note that I have had to keep working at home - to adjust my way of living regarding food. I have gone back to how I used to eat years ago and it has not been always easy. It takes time and energy to shop and cook differently. And I miss some of the life’s little guilty pleasures and rituals like making my strong, milky, morning coffee - yet, I know I will return to these in a while, once I have completed the return to a healthier diet and my body is again easily able to handle all types of food, including those little pleasures like fresh croissants on a Sunday morning. Of Companionships, Of Friendships A week like this makes you not only very connected and aware of yourself but also very close to the people you share the experience and journey together with. I am so thankful for the companionship, friendship, support, wisdom, compassion, and caring I received from the people I shared the week with. I also felt that I left them with some positive pieces of myself, that deeper myself that comes out to surface more when I live close to life, to the bone of it all. There is magic in those moments, in those friendships. Surrounding Areas Have Magic And there is magic in the areas around the retreat too. Forests, valleys, small streams, much beauty to see, both of nature’s and of man’s - there is an ancient temple not too far away, and the walk up there during the fast is a challenge that makes arriving feel that much more meaningful. There is something about the area that connects you back to yourself and the nature. And you can see authentic Balinese way of life in the fishing villages, in the hill valley villages too. Happy Returns I returned home feeling new but yet true to myself, as I was, been some times ago. I will return to Bali, for another deep experience, that I already know. Thank You. P.S. the 80s style exercise gear made me feel like training hard - no bull…, just do it 😊.…
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Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Travelled
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Room Tip: All bungalows are wonderful - 1 & 2 have open ocean views, 3 & 4 are more secluded and...
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1 Helpful vote
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I just had the life changing experience of a 10 day detox programme at the Golden Rock Retreat. To sum it up the experience exceeded all expectations. The programme is designed to clean the body as well as the mind and the welcoming and caring nature of the Balinese staff is combined with the latest knowledge and technology of a detox programme that can hold its own with most sophisticated clinics in Switzerland or elsewhere. The staff are beyond nice and professional and help to make this stay a most memorable experience. The retreat centre is located in one of the few areas of Bali largely untouched by tourism. The fishermen leave every morning and come back at lunch. Just a short stroll and you immerse yourself in true Bali local life, observe the children going to school, the carpenters and craftsmen pursuing their passion. The accommodation is right on the water front inviting you to contemplate the simplicity of life. From the rooms balconies you can observe the most spectacular sunrises and on a clear day you get a good view of Lombok's vulcanoes. The treatment schedule is full and includes a daily yoga and chi gung session, steam bath, IR sauna and massages at request but due to the staffs' highly trained professionalism you never feel in any rush. It is more like an effortless cruising from one treatment to the next with ample time to rest or go for a swim in the sea. You have the option of various degrees of detox or rejuvenation programmes and if you chose not to go for the full fast, the food is delicious and super healthy. Also the food reintroduction process after a full fast is incredibly well managed. I can only recommend anyone to try out this experience. It will change your life forever.…
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Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Travelled
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Room Tip: All rooms are next to the waterfront and equally beautiful
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1 Helpful vote
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Life affirming. Life defining. Life changing. These are the words that I would use to describe my incredible experience at The Golden Rock Retreat. I showed up one Sunday morning with huge expectations having read outstanding reviews in the Daily Telegraph and heard from numerous friends about the dramatic healing qualities of the programme. Furthermore, I really really needed the course to work. I was completely burnt out after a very hard end to 2017 and start to 2018. I have two small children, am self employed, travel backwards and forwards to the States and the weight of responsibility was beginning to really impact my well being. I had tried lots of different measures to keep balance - diet, exercise, meditation, therapy, coaching….. Nothing was quite hitting the mark. So, I came praying the course that I had heard so much about would deliver the goods. And boy did it deliver! I have never ever felt so alive, clear and strong. Yes, it is hard, yes it is tiring and yes it is all new and somewhat overwhelming BUT there is a reason why countless people have been using techniques like they deploy for centuries. It is because they work. And there is a reason why 80% of TripAdvisor users describe it as ‘Excellent’ or 'Very Good’ (81% including my ‘Excellent’ score). It is because it is totally brilliant. All of the different treatments combine to totally transform the body and mind. Processes like Bio Resonance, O-Zone and Zen Chi where all completely new to me but I could feel their impact instantly. And the liver flush process is a stroke of genius. Once I let myself go and completely ‘gave’ myself to the process the change kicked in. The staff guide you through it to perfection and they are so so so nice. It made me very sad to say goodbye to them all. These are not people driven by money or acclaim, they are deeply kind and caring human beings who want improve you to be the best you can be. They succeed. The greatest accolade I can pay the place is I got home and my wife threw her arms around me and said ‘I have my husband back!’. Thank you so much to all of the team, Alan, Yuku…everyone. I owe you big time. And to anyone reading this, book it. That’s the hardest thing, getting there. Once you make it, you will be so grateful that you did! Ben Ps I do not normally use or read Tripadvisor but I felt compelled. I have just read the other reviews and was stunned by the ‘Avoid’ one. It bears no resemblance to the experience I had - or the other people who were on the retreat with me. I found it very sad to read such an inaccurate and malicious review. Alan - I have to say, you were nothing short of charming, helpful and knowledgeable to all of us and I really hope you have ignored the review too!…
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Date of stay: May 2018Trip type: Travelled
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2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Golden Rock is the perfect place to relax and detox yourself, in a physical but also emotional way. Coming for a 10 days program every year is the best treat you could offer to yourself. The team onsite take beautiful care of ourselves, the private villa on the beach offer privacy and luxury, the detox program is well thought - all this making you feel rejuvenated, fresh and new.. I would recommend it to everyone once a year, to keep our body & mind balance and healthy.
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Travelled
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2 Helpful votes
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The cleanse program was recommended to me by my yoga teacher, because the centre had originally been set up 15 years ago by a well-known yoga master. Probably he has not been back recently, or he would know that It has been left to rot. I had a bad experience and knew I would regret the minute I turned up, and I can second EXACTLY what the other 2-3 star reviewers had to say. - I filled in forms and paid deposit for the 4 day cleanse 6 months before the retreat. I asked to confirm all food and treatments were included. They said yes, with NO mention whatsoever that this was a fasting retreat. I was not prepared to fast. When I expressed surprise, the "manager" said "it is all on the website mate". Seriously ?? - I was given no medical information or warning beforehand, even if I would be imbibing all sorts of supplements and liver potions with lack of solid food. - The local nurses / nutritionists taking care of you there are lovely and do their best. Their supposed manager is an ignoramus who thinks he knows it all. After my first night, I came out in a rash which I thought was bed bugs. Instead of showing concern, he was in denial and dismissive, saying simply "no bedbugs here, mate". It was only the Indonesian staff who actually noticed my skin and said not to worry, that it was a reaction to the magnesium. - The liver cleanse comes with severe health warnings (look it up, or if you know any biology) that could leave someone needing emergency evac to an operation theatre. I let you guess how aware of and prepared the "manager" is to deal with that. - The bungalows must have been lovely in their day and the setting is filmic, but the lack of maintenance and care given to the place is obvious. The exercise bike, and all the other machines could be straight out of an 80s film set. - There is some arbitrage happening here. Clients are charged western money (1000 USD for 4 days) while paying the staff presumably indonesian salaries. For all the words about cleansing and natural ingredients / supplements, what I saw on the kitchen shelves were mostly you could easily find on any UK high street. This is a scam in my view. - You are left alone, in all ways. I was bored with no energy, scared from feeling that I was just needlessly starving myself, and the only reassurance from the "manager" was "we've been doing it for 15 yrs, you are the first to complain". - The biggest joke was to be told, upon asking " who came up with this diet, what is the scientific basis ?", that "fasting is good. Jesus did it. Mohammed did it." Enough said. - The place essentially is left to its own devices, with the local staff cleaning and doing the routine treatments, while the money rolls in. I am seriously concerned what would happen if anyone were to be taken ill owing to the fasting or any supplement. - NO MEDICAL INFORMATION WHATSOEVER SUPPLIED. This is a disgrace. How can you play with someone's digestion and health without any precautions / contraindications ? If they were in the UK or any other Western country you would be closed down. And they know it. That's why they can only do this in Bali.…
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Date of stay: December 2017Trip type: Travelled
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from GoldenRockRetreat, Manager at Golden Rock Retreat
Responded 19 Mar 2018
Dear John, I have never felt the need to reply to a T/A review before but I do feel it is appropriate to do so in this case. When you arrived here on 24/12/17, you seemed already to be quite angry and confrontational and it was clear that for various reasons you were expecting something very different from what we offer. I feel that I should have been more sympathetic and understanding about this from the get go and I am sorry that I was not. I am however quite shocked about your unfair and untrue comment that the place has been left to rot. We have a constant maintenance schedule here and do our best to keep everything as nice as possible. I am still confused about your expectations and understanding of what we are all about as a centre, there was no problem if you did not want to 'fast.' I offered you our 'Rejuvenation Program' as an alternative where you can have organic healthy food and juices but in the end you decided that you would try our fasting program to see how you would feel. The following day I heard you shouting in our reception area complaining that you had been bitten by bedbugs. I tried to assure you that this was not possible, and to make you happy we moved you to another room. Your advice about the liver cleanse coming with a severe health warning is a little unjust. The liver cleanse is an optional part of our program and has been part of natural cleansing practices in many cultures for centuries. It is included in programs across the world from small centres such as ours to incredibly high tech natural hospitals, dealing in preventative medicine in many countries. I think you or anyone else will find it hard to find anything as damning as your accusation anywhere on the internet. In fact a brief search will most likely back up the literature which we provide all of our clients in their program pack, which gives a thorough explanation and background information to the processes involved. I’m sorry if you did not read this to allay some of your fears. In it we mention that some people will feel very week and lightheaded if their blood pressure is low but we constantly monitor you and will stop the liver flush if there is a problem. I did try to reassure you that we have carried out thousands of liver flushes here and nobody needed emergency evacuation. You actually didn't have a problem with the liver flush, which is optional anyway. You made no comment about the positive aspects of your experience, your reflexology session, daily yoga, chi gung, massage, steam, sauna, Zen chi, ozone therapy, bio resonance and enemas, so I can only imagine you were happy with that part of the program. However you do mention pricing quite a lot without reference to the fact that these treatments are included. These programs have been put together by professionals in Cleansing, Ozone Therapy, Nutrition, Traditional Javanese Medicine, Yoga and Meditation and we have been running it for 15 years with great results and testimonials. You also mention the filmic setting of our location. The fact that we have a very small capacity means our guests get incredible peace and quiet in this beautiful setting with a high staff to guest ratio. This is also something which has to be factored into the pricing of our programs which you didn’t recognise and which many of our guests are extremely grateful for. Obviously it takes all sorts and some will prefer a busier retreat in the likes of downtown Ubud, whereas some will recognise the incredible opportunity of tranquillity and peace in nature which our retreat provides. We do not have Wi-Fi on all the time as we believe the digital detox is an important part of allowing our guests to deeply unwind and heal. While I recognise that you may have been upset that things were not what you expected, your extremely damning and dramatic review has left us saddened but also somewhat confused, especially as you apologised for your behaviour and told our team leader that you in fact felt good after your 4 day program! My guess is that your problem was with me and NOT Golden Rock or the program, which we have been running here for many years. If that is the case I can only offer a personal apology. We have so many friends who come back every year. Some people have the most amazing healing experiences here also. Trust me when I say that I believe in everything that we do here. If I didn't I would be somewhere else. We are sorry that we couldn't help you and we wish you well. Alan Partner Golden Rock Retreat Bali
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In summary: The program works and the location is beautiful, but the communication is very poor and makes it a rather confusing, sometimes frustrating experience. There are probably better run places with a more personal, helpful feeling to them. If you're not fussed about that, maybe you'll like just feeling like one of the locals. Pros: + Location, remoteness, the view + Beautiful sunrises if you can wake up early enough + The cleanse works (although not for the faint of heart) - lost 4kg, felt great after + Very kind, friendly, helpful Yoga instructor named Claudia (although she is only filling in for someone that is on vacation I think) + If you get the chance to go snorkeling, do it - it's really nice Cons: - Communication is very poor, hard to tell if they (the staff) understand what you're trying to get across or whether they'll act on it (sometimes they do, sometimes not). Almost all my issues revolve around the lack of someone knowledgeable and/or communicative. - Some of the premises are a bit run down - 3% for Credit Card transactions is highway robbery. - Wifi didn't work for half the time we were there and we had to rent a scooter just to get it. When we complained about that fact, they didn't do anything. The Yoga instructor was very kind enough to lend us her scooter though - very many thanks Claudia. My girlfriend and I recently got back from doing the 7 day cleanse at Golden Rock. We've both done similar programs before at Santosa in Phuket (which I rated 5 - highly recommend) and this wasn't anywhere near as good for reasons which I'll describe now. Also worth noting is that the owner Alan was not there, which judging by other reviews must make a difference, as there was really no-one to have a frank, english conversation with. Making the booking was frightening as the phone number on their website is a French number, which immediately made me both confused and suspicious. Bookings are made through a French lady (in France) that communicates via email (as far as I know) with the manager at Golden Rock. I had no idea when I could contact her and it's by sheer luck that we made the booking at all - they must be losing LOADS of business from this very strange setup. In the beginning, I thought the +33 number was a typo. The accommodation is generally OK. It's by no means fancy, but that's not what you're there for anyway. Worth mentioning is that I got bitten in the middle of the night by an unknown bug. Because of the language barrier, no-one could really tell me what it was or reassure me that I was going to be OK. Not a pleasant experience that was. The detox program is thorough and rigid. It works and you'll benefit from it. It's also not for the faint of heart, the liver cleanse was horrible and the magnesium oxide is pretty rough. The enemas are pretty challenging, I've done Colemas before and much preferred that method. The main issue with the program is again, the communication. I felt the lack of having someone explain things well, every step of the way and reassuring me that what I was feeling was normal. What was a little alarming is that there is no-one on premises that seems to have any form of medical background or training, leaving me wondering what would have happened if we had any serious issues... I tried to ask about this but again, communication was almost impossible. The massages weren't that great, except for one lady which was very good. The scrub damn near ripped my hair off my chest and despite many cries for help, the masseuse just kept doing her thing. I do wonder if the experience would have been different with Alan around. I'm so glad I did this with my girlfriend because I would have been immensely lonely if doing it by myself. We were at least able to reassure and help each other... Top tip - put lime in your turmeric juice at dinner time, it will take away how bad it tastes.…
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Date of stay: July 2017Trip type: Travelled
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I was first time there 2011 in January/February with 2 friends and feel in love with the place and there approach to fasting/healing/Rejuvenation... the place have always been on my mind sens my first visit but somehow I have not manage to be back before now May 2017. I cant start to say how happy I was to be back there. It was even better then I remembered it. My stress levels went totally down and I could finally hear my mind again. You are so well looked after there. The 10days went so fast but was beautiful. It helps with your mind,body and soul. I really can't wait to be back there again, already planing my next visit. And will bring my mother and friends that would benefit from spending time in this magical place. I have through the years visited many detox/fasting places around the world in different budget classes but nothing comes close to this place. It has a special place in my heart always. And the staff and Allan makes the place perfect. Thank you so much! See you soon again …
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled
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I came across this place as I was desperate to fix my recurring candida problem, and was hoping for a faster fix than diet alone. It did not disappoint, not only did it fix my candida problem (which I've struggled with for over a year), I came away feeling like a new person, physically and mentally rejuvenated. The villas on the ocean front are spacious, airy and beautifully designed. With infinite views of the ocean and sounds of nature. The staff are loving and always available but never "in your face". The detox schedule includes almost hourly drinks so you never have a chance to think about being hungry, and there is daily yoga and meditation. The staff will happily accommodate for anything you want to change or alter and are flexible to your needs. The liver flush was intense but the results were literally instant. For me, the soothing energy of the place made it a deeply healing retreat physically and spiritually, which was an absolute bonus as i only signed up for a candida fix! I cannot recommend this place enough to anyone who is serious about being kind to themselves and wanting a complete rejuvenation. Don't expect big groups and a clicky vibe. But do expect to meet Alan, the jovial, friendly owner with some LOL stories to share!! :)…
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled
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ALSO KNOWN AS
golden rock retreat hotel amed
LOCATION
IndonesiaBaliKarangasemAbangAmed
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Golden Rock Retreat
Which popular attractions are close to Golden Rock Retreat?
Nearby attractions include Jemeluk Beach (5.8 km), Amed Beach (6.4 km), and Japanese Ship Wreck Point (1.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Golden Rock Retreat?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, free parking, and room service.
What are some restaurants close to Golden Rock Retreat?
Conveniently located restaurants include Warung Agung Amed, Asli Amed Restaurant & Bar, and Restaurant Bukit Segara.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Golden Rock Retreat?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Golden Rock Retreat have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Golden Rock Retreat offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are there any historical sites close to Golden Rock Retreat?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Tirta Gangga (13.8 km) and Ujung Water Palace (12.9 km).