Fabulous villas, elegant hotels, world-class restaurants and spas, and Beverley Hills-esque designer boutiques – when it comes to luxury, Bali has it all. But the Island of the Gods is about much more than dining and splurging in five-star luxury. It’s an island fused with culture and tradition, where intricately designed temples are as commonplace as Mini Marts, and you’ll be unlucky not to see a colourful ceremony passing by on any given day. As for the scenery, whether it’s the rugged cliffs that characterise the south, the lush hanging gardens of Ubud, or Seminyak’s famous sunsets, Bali is second to none. Put simply, it’s an island with its own special allure and magic.
For the culture vultures
A villa at the Arma Resort in Bali
Lovers of art, history and tradition can head towards Ubud to take in its ever-growing collection of museums and art galleries. Browse the artisanal shops and workshops that can be found on almost every corner and round it all off with a slap-up gourmet meal. ARMA Museum and Gallery (+62 361 975742; www.armabali.com/museum ) is home to the only collection by German painter Walter Spies on the island, as well as a host of Indonesian masterpieces. Not only is there more than enough art to keep you going for hours, visitors can get participate in Batik and wood-carving classes and cultural workshops and seminars. Don’t miss a trip to the eponymous Blanco Museum (+62 0361 975502; www.blancomuseum.com ), a memorial to its eccentric Catalan-Manilan creator, expat Antonio Blanco, either. Nowhere else on the island will you find more flamboyant décor or raunchier portraits.
For the gastronomes
Haute cuisine at Mozaic in Bali
Once you’ve had your fill of art, it’s time to explore Ubud’s dining scene, which, in the last few years has taken off to become truly world-class. For classic French fare with a local twist, Mozaic (+62 361 975768; www.mozaic-bali.com ) an Ubud institution since it opened back in 2001, is the place to go with its romantic, torch-lit garden and incredible tasting menus. The ‘Surprize’, featuring truffles, lobster, caviar and the rest, is a particular highlight.
Or, if you’d prefer to support a couple of the newbies to Ubud’s fast-growing fine dining scene, Locavore (+62 361 977733; www.restaurantlocavore.com ) which is known for using only seasonal, local ingredients in its European inspired dishes, offers haute cuisine in a laidback setting, while Room4Dessert (+62 361 553 2598; www.room4dessert.asia ), created by ex-New Yorker Will Goldfarb, unquestionably serves the best dessert on the island.
To unwind
It doesn't get more indulgent than a 'Diamond Miracle Treatment'
There’s a good reason Bali has become a popular destination for tranquillity lovers; its spas, which range from week-long eco-retreats to decadent day experiences, have perfected the art of relaxation. Escape from the stresses and strain of life in Ubud, wher you can sign up for a three-, five- or seven-day wellness programme at COMO Shambala Estate, a havenb of relaxation overlooking the stunning Ayung Gorge. With a resident yoga teacher, Ayurvedic doctor, dietician and masseuses, they’ve got all the bases covered, not to mention a sacred spring water vitality pool, an outdoor open kitchen serving delicious raw and organic dishes and your own personal spa consultant. Spa Village Resort on the island’s northeastern coast is another great option for those searching for complete escapism. After an initial consultation, you can choose from three ‘Discovery Paths’, either focusing on Balance, Creativity or Vigour, all of which incorporate local traditions and techniques as well as plenty of outdoor activities, from dolphin spotting to squid fishing. The treatments can be tailored to suit your mood and needs.
But you don’t have to sign up to intensive programmes to experience true tranquillity on the Island of the Gods; simply spending the day at the first Thermes Marins Spa in Bali, located in the iconic Ayana Resort, is guaranteed to drop anyone’s shoulders. Not only is it home to one of the world’s biggest Aquatonic seawater jet pools, supplied directly from the Indian Ocean, the sprawling clifftop spa complex also offers ultra-indulgent massages and facials, including the ‘Diamond Miracle’ extravaganza, and even a bubble bath Grotto.
And the recently-opened spa at Bulgari Bali, which combines contemporary Italian design with Balinese-inspired ESPA therapies, is also not to be missed, if only for its dramatic cliff top setting. The spa pavilions, with their whirlpools and open air showers, offer a sense of utter seclusion.
For the luxe-adventurers
A Silolona private cruise in Bali
Bali alone is just one of the more than 17,500 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. Both Silolona (+62 0361 286682; www.silolona.com )and ALEXA Private Cruises (www.alexaprivatecruises.com ) offer various east Indonesia itineraries on their elegant and extremely well-appointed vessels, with a hint of adventure thrown in for good measure.
Komodo National Park, a popular destination for both companies, is a must-see and not only for its famed reptilian inhabitants, which can be up to three metres long and weigh more than 70kg. The World Heritage site, encompassing three islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, is also home to gorgeous turquoise bays, reefs made up of over 260 species of coral, and thriving marine life, including giant turtles, manta rays and 1,000 different types of fish.
Of course, guests on 50m Buginese teak schooner Silolona, her little sis Si Datu Bua, or ALEXA’s stunning all-white yacht designed just for two will have plenty more to entertain them aside from frolicking dolphins, snorkelling and top-notch diving. On Silolona’s traditional wooden vessels, you can expect rustic chic rooms and saloons, daybeds and alfresco dining, plus bespoke spa treatments and yoga sessions, while ALEXA’s slightly smaller but equally pristine yacht ups the romance ante with its under-the-stars sleeping area and champagne dinners.
Villa life
A villa at Komaneka at Bisma Ubud includes access to an ultra-lush infinity pool
Nowhere does all-inclusive quite like Bali with its architect-designed villa estates complete with spas, fine dining, 24-hour staff, infinity pools, breath taking views and, sometimes, even an art gallery or two.
And if you’re looking for the ultimate Bali villa experience, it’s got to be the (literally) heavenly Khayangan Estate. Named for the old Indonesian word for ‘Seventh Heaven’ and set on the island’s south western tip atop 140 metre cliffs, it was created from a selection of 150-year-old antique, hand-carved joglo houses, which were originally owned by Javanese aristocrats. The villas maintain their authentic Indonesian charm, but are now well and truly adapted to today’s discerning villa-goer.
Indeed, luxury certainly doesn’t play second fiddle to tradition at Khayangan Estate, where the many facilities include a full-service ‘Seventh Heaven’ spa built directly into the cliff, black stone infinity pools, 24-hour butler service, an on-call Spanish chef and shower rooms with tiny private lakes and waterfalls.
Of course, Khayangan is far from the only option for holidaymakers looking to hole up in style. While French retreat Morabito Art Villa is perfect for culturists thanks to its collection of primitive art, Villa Ketapang is best for those who bore easily; the antique property is home to a 50 metre infinity pool, tennis court, outdoor cinema and floating spa. Meanwhile, Luna2 Private Hotel, the brainchild of interior designer owner Melanie Hall, is retro personified with its mosaic of Marilyn Monroe on the bottom of the beachfront pool. For colonial design, Villa Uma Wana Prasta’s sky-high ceilings, white columns and black and white cocktail bar are just the ticket.
It should be mentioned that while hiding away in a spectacular villa complex does have its undeniable charm, it really is worth venturing out once in a while. You simply haven’t experienced the magical, eclectic island that is Bali without witnessing the locals’ time-honoured traditions, admiring the island’s diverse scenery first hand or popping on a snorkel to dive deep into one of its many marine wonderlands. Chances are your 24-7 staff will send you with a private driver and a five-star packed lunch, anyway.
Visions of blue and green at Arma Resort in Bali are standard
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