My Solo Retreat to Bliss Sanctuary for Women, Bali

From: North Shore Mums

After her breast cancer diagnosis in 2024, North Shore Mums founder Rachel Chappell made the courageous decision to finally prioritise her own health and healing — booking her very first solo overseas trip in 16 years of motherhood. In this heartfelt review, Rachel shares every detail of her transformative week at Bliss Sanctuary for Women in Bali, an experience she describes as a genuine turning point in her life.

I’ve been a mum for 16 years. In that time, I’ve never travelled overseas alone. The biggest break I’ve carved out from my (wonderful, chaotic, beloved) family has been the occasional “mums weekend away” somewhere near Sydney. So when I booked a solo week in Bali, it felt like a very big deal…

But let me rewind a little, because this trip didn’t happen as a ‘spur of the moment’ indulgence.

Why I Finally Booked the Retreat I’d Dreamed About for Years

After I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2024, I found myself doing a lot of soul-searching. With no family history and no genetic link, I kept asking myself — why me? One of the major risk factors I kept coming back to was stress. So over the past year, I’ve been on a real journey to change that: lowering my own expectations, getting better at delegating, accepting help when it’s offered, saying “no” to things that don’t serve me, and trying to protect my own time and energy.

But even with all of that, I knew I needed a complete reset. A proper one.

I’d dreamed about doing a health retreat for years, and it was honestly the breast cancer diagnosis that finally made me stop dreaming and start booking. I looked at options in the Queensland hinterland, closer to home on the NSW coast, and various spots around Sydney — but the prices were significant. When I looked overseas, I discovered that Bali had an incredible range of women’s health retreats at roughly half the cost (even with flights!), I started paying serious attention.

That’s when Bliss Sanctuary for Women came onto my radar.

Why Bliss?

What initially drew me to Bliss was the story behind it. The retreat was founded by an Australian woman named Zoë Watson, who launched it after navigating significant health challenges of her own. She wanted to create a genuinely welcoming and safe space for women to relax and recharge — and that really resonated with me.

I reached out to the Bliss team to find out what would work for someone who had just finished breast cancer treatment, and they couldn’t have been more warm or accommodating.

What I also loved from the outset is that Bliss isn’t a rigid, prescriptive health retreat. There are no rules about what you must eat or how you must spend your time. You arrive on whatever day suits you, stay for as long as you like, and tailor the experience to your preferences.

Also, you don’t need to have a health condition to justify a stay at Bliss! You might simply need some time to yourself, or want to get off the hamster wheel and invest in some self-care. I only wish that I’d done something like this much sooner!

Leaving the Family (and the Guilt)

My three daughters are 10, 14, and 16 now, which definitely made leaving easier than it would have been a few years ago. That said, the prep before I left was no small feat — batch cooking, frozen sandwiches for lunch boxes, and a very thorough handover document for my husband covering a week’s worth of logistics and school movements.

Even with all of that sorted, I felt a little nervous in the lead-up, and honestly, quite guilty. As excited as I was about having a week to focus entirely on my health, those two feelings sat alongside each other the whole way to the airport. I think a lot of mothers will understand that particular flavour of guilt — the kind that lingers even when you know, logically, that you absolutely deserve the break.

LEAVING SYDNEY… FEELING EXCITED (BUT ALSO A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS & GUILTY!)

Arriving at Bliss

From the moment I landed in Bali, I was taken care of. After clearing immigration and collecting my luggage, a Bliss driver was waiting for me at arrivals, holding a sign with my name and a warm smile. The drive to Seminyak took about 30 minutes, and I arrived at the retreat at around 11pm local time — quiet, calm, everyone already in their rooms.

My room was absolutely gorgeous. A spacious sanctuary with a king-size bed dressed in four-poster curtains and a mosquito net, and — a detail I loved — the letter R spelled out in frangipani flowers on the pillow. So cute!

A huge walk-in wardrobe with more than enough hangers, and a stunning outdoor bathroom complete with a large bathtub and two showers. I could have stayed in that room for the entire week and been happy.

ARRIVING AT BLISS LATE AT NIGHT AFTER A 6-HOUR FLIGHT FROM SYDNEY

Bliss Sanctuary at Seminyak

One of the things that makes Bliss so special is its intimacy. With just six women accommodated at any one time, the retreat has a wonderfully quiet, peaceful atmosphere — a world away from the busy resort hotels that can sometimes feel more overwhelming than relaxing.

Every guest has their own beautifully appointed room with a private outdoor bathroom. Mine featured a stunning, large bathtub, two showers, and a huge walk-in wardrobe with plenty of hangers and drawers — something I appreciated more than expected, because being able to fully unpack and settle in made it feel like a proper home away from home.

MY BEDROOM AT BLISSHUGE OUTDOOR BATHROOM (WITH COMPLETE PRIVACY!)

Beyond the rooms, the shared spaces are just as lovely. A large sparkling pool is surrounded by poolside loungers and a shaded cabana, and a pretty garden complete with a hammock is the perfect spot to lose an hour with a good book. There’s also a generous communal kitchen, dining area, and living space where guests can come together, share meals, and swap stories.

But honestly? The best thing about Bliss isn’t the pool, the room, or even the treatments. It’s the hostesses. These beautiful Balinese ladies will do absolutely everything in their power to make your stay as comfortable, enjoyable, and blissful as possible — and they’ll do it all with the most incredible warmth and a smile that never wavers. They truly go above and beyond.

And they give the best hugs. That part is non-negotiable.

THE BEAUTIFUL HOSTESSES AND STAFF AT BLISS

Nourishment… through food and drink!

I didn’t expect the food to be quite as incredible as it was, but it became one of the genuine highlights of my stay.

Breakfast and lunch were ordered from the chef’s menu, and the range was beautifully balanced between nourishing and indulgent. Breakfast options spanned everything from chia puddings and tropical fruit salads with yoghurt through to fluffy pancakes, eggs done every way imaginable, and smashed avocado on toast. Lunch was equally impressive — across the week I worked my way through fresh rice paper rolls, a beautiful seared tuna steak with green beans, a gorgeous prawn salad, and a rich, fragrant fish curry that I’m still thinking about.

Dinner was something I looked forward to all day. Rather than ordering individually, the evenings were a communal affair — a long table shared with the other women, generous Balinese dishes passed around, and conversation that flowed just as freely. It became one of my favourite parts of the entire experience.

ENJOYING A DELICIOUS BALINESE MEAL WITH THE OTHER LADIES AT THE RETREAT.

The kitchen catered beautifully to all dietary requirements, from vegan to gluten-free, and throughout the day, there was a wonderful selection of fresh smoothies and juices alongside plenty of chilled water. While I no longer drink alcohol, a wine menu is available for those who’d like to unwind with a glass at the end of the day.

Curious about what’s on offer? View sample menu.

The Treatments (Yes, They’re Unlimited)

Here is where I need to talk about the thing that completely sold me on Bliss… unlimited treatments. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures — all included in the package, and the hostesses genuinely encourage you to make full use of them. Some days, I didn’t even leave the resort. I was entirely, blissfully, unashamedly in heaven.

The treatment menu includes:

• Blissful Balinese Massage
• Heavenly Hot Stone Massage
• Herbal Ball Massage
• Rejuvenating Cream Bath
• Silky Smooth Body Scrub
• Ridiculously Good Foot Reflexology
• The Beauty-ful Facial
• Balinese Manicure & Pedicure

Every day without fail, I treated myself to a minimum of two hours of treatments — and on some days, I leaned fully into the decadence and clocked up four or five hours. I’m not even slightly sorry about it. It was pure, unapologetic heaven.

THE STUNNING TREATMENT ROOM AT BLISS SEMINYAK

After my first full day, returning to my room to find a Blissful Sleep Bath drawn and waiting for me felt like the ultimate treat. A Balinese salt and lavender blend designed for deep muscle relaxation — topped with the most beautiful scattering of purple flowers floating on the surface. It was one of those “ah, yes” moments. Exactly what you need after a long flight!

A BLISSFUL SLEEP BATH WAS WAITING FOR ME AFTER MY FIRST DINNER AT BLISS SANCTUARY

Healing Treatments

In addition to the standard treatment menu, Bliss also offers a range of optional healing modalities that can be booked through your hostess at an additional cost. Given that I was there for more than just relaxation and was genuinely seeking deeper healing, I decided to try a couple of these.

The first was a Tarot Card Reading combined with Reiki. If you’d told me a year ago I’d be lying on a table in Bali having energy healing, I might have raised an eyebrow — but I went in with an open mind and came out genuinely moved. Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice in which the practitioner channels energy through gentle touch (or near-touch) to promote emotional and physical healing. Paired with a tarot reading, it became a deeply reflective experience that prompted much thought.

The second was ColourPuncture and SuperCoherence — two healing modalities I’d never heard of before. ColourPuncture involves applying coloured light to specific points on the body, similar in philosophy to acupuncture, with the idea that different colour frequencies can help release emotional blockages and restore balance. SuperCoherence works with specific frequencies to support the body’s own healing intelligence. Both sound a little “out there” on paper, but after everything my body had been through, I was open to anything that might help — and I left both sessions feeling surprisingly calm, light and centred.

These treatments aren’t for everyone, but if you’re going through something — whether that’s a health challenge, burnout, or simply a period of transition — they’re absolutely worth considering.

Yoga

For those who want to move their bodies, there’s also a beautiful open-air yoga studio where you can attend one-on-one or small-group yoga sessions.

I’ve not done Yoga for many years… and it really is a different kind of exercise. I was surprised at how hard it was… the strength, flexibility and balance really centre your body in a way that traditional cardio and weights don’t.

It made me realise how important it was to incorporate this form of exercise and relaxation into my everyday life when I get home.

OPEN-AIR YOGA STUDIO

Exploring Bali

As much as I loved the serenity of Bliss, I was also keen to spend a couple of days soaking up everything Bali had to offer beyond the retreat walls.

One of the highlights of my week was the Bali Bike Tour — a full day immersed in the stunning Ubud countryside. We started the morning with breakfast overlooking the active Mt. Batur volcano, before cycling downhill through lush rice paddies and winding back roads, stopping at a traditional Balinese family compound, a village temple, and a Luwak coffee tasting along the way. The morning finished with a beautiful Balinese lunch, and we were back at the sanctuary just in time for an afternoon massage.

On another day, I jumped in with one of the Bliss personal drivers, along with another guest, for a trip around Ubud. Our first stop was Tirta Empul Temple — a breathtaking Hindu water temple founded in 962 A.D. and famous for its sacred, spring-fed purification pools. Dressed in a sarong, I waded into the cool holy water and took part in the traditional cleansing ritual known as melukat. It was one of those quietly profound moments that stay with you long after you’ve come home.

From there, we made our way to Umapakel Bali Swing & Coffee to sample a gorgeous spread of local Balinese coffees and teas — Luwak coffee included. The jungle setting was stunning, but the real highlight was summoning the courage to jump on their swing for the most ridiculously photogenic shots of the entire trip. Absolutely worth it!

UMAPAKEL BALI SWING

A note worth mentioning: Drivers are included in the Bliss package — and they’re so much more than just a driver! Think of them as your personal tour guide and photographer rolled into one. The only extra cost is entry fees to any tourist attractions you choose to visit.

My Verdict

Bliss Sanctuary for Women isn’t just a holiday. For me, it was a genuine turning point — a week where I gave myself full permission to stop, to heal, and to be looked after. Every single member of staff was warm, attentive and kind, and the environment they’ve created at Bliss feels genuinely special.

If you’re a woman who has been putting yourself last for too long — whether you’re navigating a health challenge, burnout, or simply the relentless pace of motherhood — I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. Do the research, make the budget work, and go.

You can explore packages and plan your own retreat at blisssanctuaryforwomen.com.

Mention North Shore Mums for a Friends & Family Discount!

RELAXING IN A CABANA BY THE POOL

Essential Details: Bliss Sanctuary for Women

• Locations: Seminyak & Canggu, Bali
• Bookings: bookings@blissinternational.com – Mention North Shore Mums for a Friends & Family Discount!
• Information: info@blissinternational.com
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Disclaimer: Rachel was a guest of Bliss Sanctuary for Women. As always, all opinions are completely her own.