9 minute read

EAT STAY PLAY: A BETTER BALI

A BETTER BALI

Experiences with artistic flair beyond the everyday are having a renaissance, from accommodation with soul to immersive dining, and a relationship that starts with the booking process. If you’re ready for more, farewell the ordinary and allow the senses to guide you to some magic places I’ve taken a little tour to, so you don’t have to, writes Cameron Pine.

STAY

THE KEMPINSKI BALI

Cascading down a hillside like a New York skyscraper over Manhattan, the Kempinski, known as the Apurva Kempinski Bali, for just a moment, has you wondering if you’re in even in Bali at all. Steeped in tradition and cultural immersion, the hotel’s surrounds and heritage are at every touchpoint of this ultra-luxurious inner-world, from entrance to the dreaded departure, a stay with such curated detail and ultra-sensorial surrounds is nothing short of breathtaking.

The Kempinski believes the experience started centuries ago, with every aspect of the hotel, its surrounds, rooms and suites built around a landscape of endless beauty and pure salvation from a busy world.

While not the only Kempinski globally, The Nusa Dua location away from the busiest spots of Bali but still close to the airport, maximises the yearning for a holiday. From the entrance lobby all roads lead down to a majestic and completely private stretch of beach. In fact, the management almost guarantee each stay will be spectacular, curated, sensational and serene.

The Kempinski

Interior designer Rudy Dodo of Trivium Design Group has imagined the hotel’s opulent interior spaces and utilised Indonesia's finest craftsmen and artisans, which pay tribute to the country's rich design heritage, while adding a sense of modernity, luxury and functionality. These elements together have raised the standard for luxury hotels and anchor The Apurva not just in the forever over-used realm of luxury but in the present day. At the crown of the resort, the Pendhapa-style lobby is a wideopen and welcoming space with a soaring tiered roof before each guest or visitor truly realises the overall scale of this grand property that presents itself as a majestic open-air theatre, a true embodiment of Indonesian elegance.

The word Apurva translates to ‘unique and magnificent’ in Sanskrit, embracing Kempinski's dedication to bringing unique experiences to everywhere. Not only this, but the property is home to an insane array of leading culinary experiences from coastal delicacies at Koral, the first underwater restaurant in Bali, to Bai Yun – a mouth-watering traditional hot pot experience - be sure to order the wagyu. If Japanese is more your thing, Izakaya by Oku has an elite range of signature Bento’s – think pure luxury and artful presentation compared to the Bento you’d expect at your local corner restaurant, as with all the options – the experience is superior and a level of service detail typically not seen in Bali.

While there may be many luxury options to choose from when it comes to a hotel, there is little comparison to the quality of food on offer at the Kempinski and that’s without the Reef Beach Club, where you can even order the best seafood on the sand. The Pala restaurant and rooftop bar are also on offer, and at Pala you almost feel like you’re in New York’s soho with graffiti clad walls, views and beats separated from the pristine poolside vibes of some of the other hotels' bars.

Koral restaurant

There are 475 luxurious guest rooms and suites, but despite the sheer presence of looking up at the building when you’re inside you feel like the only one. There are 146 suites and 43 private villas that come with their own pool, and 48 Grand Deluxe rooms that have access to a leafy lagoon pool. It is also the first hotel in Bali to be awarded as a GTSC Certified Hotel – acknowledged for upholding international benchmarks in environmental, social, cultural and government aspects.

Like the rest of the hotel’s curated experiences, the Apurva spa is impressive and iconic from first sight – the entrance met with stone stepping plates of gigantic proportions, lighting and water as if you are entering a completely new world. There are customised treatments and tonics for both men and woman. It’s not just a matter of a massage with the same oil you’d get everywhere – it’s a journey from its achievement of ‘Best Hotel Spa’ in the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence to the individual treatment rooms that are larger than many hotel rooms, and include private bathrooms and steam room showers. You will be forgiven for spending the entire day in your robe before retreating to the wellness space where you can sit and gaze in the view over the property as if they were rice fields and straight onto the beach, before taking a cold-plunge and heading for happy hour drinks – which are at the Kempinski are every hour.

So, if an elevated stay of event is on your list, from Banyan branches in the rainforest to beachside margaritas – travel the world or travel to the Kempinski, either way you won’t be disappointed.

For more information visit www.kempinski.com

PLAY

LUNA BEACH CLUB

Luna Beach Club is Bali’s newest and largest beach club in Tabanan, just moments from Canggu. It’s no ordinary beach club - it has eight experiences in one – and caters for all ages – think free ice cream from an ice cream cave with the kids before sending them home with the nanny to hear some of the world’s best DJs to play into the night. Luna is a world we all need to become acquainted with.

Luna Beach Club

A highly immersive journey – there are treetop caves and even an underground swim up cave bar –it’s a real day to night venue where you’d be forgiven for skimping on your accommodation and spending most of your time here. Gastronomy, entertainment and design come together in a world where you don’t just have to be drinking to have a good time.

Book a table for lunch, stay for a poolside pod hang, dream among the treetops or dance front and centre stage – Luna will have you going back more than once. From poolside to cheeky cocktail cave at night, Luna is about not having to make a choice or compromise. There’s even a 360 degree mapping lighthouse that offers a lighting experience and insane views. Set on two hectares of beachfront land it’s a mega-venue akin to your childhood dreams of Fantasia.

For more information visit www.lunabeachclubbali.com

SUKU BEACH CLUB

Away from the chaos and perched above Secret Point Beach on Nusa Ceningan Island, SUKU Beach Club is not only the perfect spot to watch Ceningan’s most epic surf break, but it brings that elusive modernity and style to an island vibe with swim up pool bar and that tropical island spirit where you feel a million miles away from Bali.

SUKU Beach Club

A short 45 minute rife from Sanur, the best way to get there is by Rocky Fast Boat – just next to Nusa Lembogan, where both are connected by a bridge. Dining at SUKU takes you from traditional Indonesian, to Italian and Asian and back again and the cocktails and mocktails are equally as refreshing. Think of it as your little slice of paradise, fun and luxury while wanting to enjoy a quieter island of Bali.

For mire information visit www.sukubeach.com

EAT

DA MARIA BALI

Da Maria Bali is a local institution in the bustle of Seminyak. Owned by famed Australia-based restauranteur Maurice Terzini, Da Maria is iconic Italian in an understated yet eccentric surrounding. Think Maurice’s Bondi Icebergs venue meets Italy – complete with a fountain in the centre of the restaurant and plants akin to Roma’s stone cobbled streets.

Da Maria Bali

Da Maria is modern Italian Osteria Style with both hip music and an equally cool crowd. Until Da Maria, Bali was missing an Italian restaurant with a spark, open pizza ovens and that refreshing Aperol Spritz (you won’t get a better one in Bali). Designed by Italian architects Lazzarini Pickering, you’ll be both unwound and inspired.

For more information visit www.damariabali.com

HONEY AND SMOKE

Ubud is increasingly known for its dining scene and nightlife with that extra touch of sophistication you don’t always see in downtown Seminyak and Honey and Smoke is at its epicentre. Honey and Smoke has the feel of both a wood fire restaurant and a Soho basement bar but with a twist. It's housed in a space that’s taken design from an old train carriage. Up the stairs you feel like you’re boarding a train to a den of true indulgence.

Honey and Smoke

While fire is the kitchen’s focus, that’s not to say that Honey and Smoke is a steak restaurant. Dishes are varied with guests invited to tuck into the likes of Grilled Scallops topped with chilli butter, dried mint yoghurt, and sumac. It's probably the nicest scallops I’ve had in a long-time, coupled with the Fish of the day is a must. There's a range of little bites including Fried chicken and succulent grilled corn. It’s one for the Ubud bucketlist.

For more information visit www.honeyandsmoke.co

HUJAN LOCAL

Hujan Local is an Indonesian treasure in the heart of Ubud’s busiest streets and nearby markets. A street food take on traditional Indonesian cuisine, it nods to all the flavours of the archipelago. Crafted cocktails, a grazing menu and the most insane dumplings and Duck Curry you’ve ever tasted – but be prepared for some serious spice.

Hujan Local

No wonder it’s called local, because local foodies and visitors flock to this venue 7 days a week. Not just the food but it’s chic two-story venue with bar and makes it easy to champion local food and fusions.

For more information visit www.hujanlocal.com

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