Bali digital detox? Check in to Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s Disconnect to Reconnect programme – or search Style’s recommended secluded resort stays in Thailand, Portugal or the Grenadines

If you’ve ever gasped in horror at the amount of time you spend on your phone after receiving one of those screentime notifications, you’ve probably considered embarking on a digital detox. But completely going off grid for a few days – or in extreme cases, even just a few hours – is a nightmare for those who like to be constantly connected, taking a great deal of willpower and self-discipline. Going at it gently then, ideally starting with a wellness retreat in a tropical idyll, is a sensible approach.

When I first heard of the Disconnect to Reconnect programme at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the Indonesian island of Bali, I was intrigued. Unlike many other experiences of this kind, which range from strictly silent retreats to regimented routines to provide a perhaps much-needed shock to the system, this felt like just what I needed to take a short break from my busy city life without switching off completely.

The resort is near Ubud, a tourist town where early morning yoga and meditation groups are a much more common sight than the crowds dancing to loud music seen in the bars and clubs of Kuta and Canggu. Surrounded by lush jungle and rice paddies, and sat beside the Ayung River, Mandapa is one of only six Ritz-Carlton Reserves in the world (the other five are in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Japan, China and Thailand). As you would expect from such a select place, Mandapa comes with all the luxury trappings, from private-pool villas to decadent fine dining and dedicated butlers. Its name refers to the entrance of a traditional Hindu temple (there is one on the grounds that is still visited by local villagers), reflecting the strong connection of the property to Balinese culture.

You could easily spend your entire break within the confines of Mandapa and have a fabulous time trying the four restaurants, relaxing by the pool or enjoying spa treatments, but to get more out of your stay, the Disconnect to Reconnect programme provides a worthwhile experience without forcing you to shun the finer things in life.

A typical day starts with quantum healing. Developed by wellness guru Deepak Chopra, this is a kind of meditation meant to access past memories, to help you let go of trauma and other negative thoughts. I am normally wary of this type of new age stuff but I thoroughly enjoyed the session, though mainly for the hour of tranquil bliss it provided rather than any form of enlightenment or spiritual awakening.

Yoga aficionados and novices alike are in for a treat as the programme involves a range of yoga classes, from gentle restorative ones to more challenging sessions that involve intense but extremely beneficial breathwork.

Surprisingly, for someone who is not artistically inclined at all, the most eye-opening and rewarding experience was the mandala art class. Sitting by the river while colouring in a blank drawing of a mandala – a geometric design that has deep meaning in Buddhism and Hinduism – was the most soothing form of meditation I’ve ever experienced (and probably the most I could handle when it comes to meditation, anyway). Simple yet extremely effective, the session awoke the inner child in me, helping me start the day with focus and joy.

Speaking of children, the most striking structure in the entire resort is the play area, Mandapa Camp, a whale-shaped bamboo building with a slide located next to a vegetable garden and a barn where on my visit I glimpsed two well-fed cows.