Bali! The very name evokes the magic and romance of white beaches, windswept palms and the gentle lull of the ocean blue in a timeless and magical land. It is to this tropical paradise that we were invited as guests of the Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa, one of Bali’s finest luxury resorts that can be described in one word…sublime.
As we arrived after a short flight from Singapore, we were greeted immediately by the warmth and hospitality that is the epitome of every Balinese we met during our trip. Brisk efficiency at the airport saw us safely through immigration and we were on our way within minutes of having landed.
The drive to our final destination was less than an hour, and we were regaled along the journey by our eminently articulate driver, Tu De. As we neared the resort, we drove through upscale Seminyak filled with tourists thronging its modern restaurants and shops – western music filled the air from more than one source. We then reached our home-away-from-home for the next few days, the Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa.
The Seminyak is an exclusive beachfront oasis in the heart of bustling Seminyak. Traditional Balinese hospitality, replete with flower garlands and moist scented towels, instantly reminded us of why Bali ranks among the world’s best tourist destinations consistently, every year.
The Resort is striking in its clever aesthetics of the traditional and modern, with fabulous ocean view suites as well as a row of independent villas tucked away discreetly among the foliage. But more on that later, as it was time to meet our gracious host, Ingrid, the hotel’s PR Manager and quite simply, one of the loveliest people we have had the pleasure of knowing. Over a sumptuous lunch at the alfresco Sanje Restaurant, overlooking the Indian Ocean, Ingrid outlined some of the Resort’s attractions. Its F&B venues, apart from the Sanje that we were dining in, include the Santan as well as the intriguingly named Klass & Brass, a perfectly delightful Hemingway-themed bar and restaurant that came alive every night.
We then toured the adjoining beachfront chapel, a one of a kind in the area that is said to be a popular choice for weddings.
That evening, Michael Luible, the Hotel’s gregarious and visionary General Manager had kindly invited us along with a few other guests to view the sunset over sundowners at the beach. And what a glorious sunset it was…everything you ever dreamt of in a Bali sunset was evident as the skies turned a myriad hue of every imaginable colour that put every filter of modern technology to shame. And, as we basked in the beauty of that tranquil vision, sipping our exotic umbrella drinks, one recurring thought on our minds was, ‘life is beautiful.
True to the spirit of personalised hospitality, Michael then sat down to outline our itinerary for the next few days, including lesser-known spots around the island. And, later that night, the itinerary had been efficiently emailed to us by the hotel’s Guest Experience Centre who was always on hand to serve the needs of all its guests for sightseeing trips around Bali.
Pegged on to the itinerary was an invitation to a Bali Cultural Night, which is hosted every Thursday on the Lawns. This spectacular event included a Balinese dinner; complete with live entertainment featuring the traditional Jabong Dancers and their accompanying musicians. As we feasted on traditional delicacies like Lavar, Bebek Betutu, Sate Lembat, Nasi Ayam and Nasi Campur, Pepes and Tum, made under the watchful eye of the Resort’s Executive Chef Joshua Job from Australia, we had come to the end of a blissful day one.
Early morning saw us on the road to the northern part of the island, Ubud after a sumptuous breakfast at the Santan Restaurant. A first stop allowed us to walk through the monkey forest, taking in the scenes that looked straight out of the Jungle Book (King Louie’s soldiers were everywhere). The next stop was at the Goa Gajah or elephant temple, followed by a sumptuous lunch, and we were on the road again for a blissful drive through the picturesque island to Sebatu Water Springs and a return journey through the wonderful rice terraces of Tegalalang. The last stop was at the bustling Ubud market where we spent a happy hour shopping and haggling with the throngs of street vendors offering unbelievable bargains on everything imaginable – from clothes to artefacts and accessories. Tired and happy, we returned to the sanctuary of our hotel suite.
We decided to reserve the following morning for the ritual of a Bali holiday: the romantic beach walk at sunrise on Seminyak’s wonderful beach.
It was time then to explore the property’s magnificent amenities. Our first stop was for a dip in its Infinity Pool with a truly stunning ocean view. Our next stop, after a leisurely breakfast, was to the hotel’s magnificent Kahyangan Spa for a blissful morning of traditional Balinese massage. With a wide variety of treatments and massages, the Spa is a true haven for wellness and beauty, living up to the highest standards that Bali is renowned for. With a discerning eye of a global luxury seeker, I would give the Spa a five-star rating for being among the top tier that I have visited around the world.
The Spa left us too overwhelmed to try out the well-appointed fitness centre, so we retired for a brief nap before our afternoon expedition to the south of the island. The drive to Uluwatu Temple took us to witness the amazing Kechak dance, a spectacular rendition of a timeless tale against the magnificent backdrop of the ocean. A tale woven from the ancient Ramayana, it tells the story of good and evil, and mainly of its protagonist, Hanuman the white monkey who helps the good King Rama retrieve his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of the evil king, Ravana. As Hanuman stood on the temple walls and the sunset behind the actor, the world stopped for a minute and we were transported to another time and place. Later that night, we decided to step out and return to the 21st century with a night out. Bali at night competes with some of the world’s hippest destinations for its nightlife. We sampled the delights of various nightspots until the wee hours of dawn.
All too soon, our trip had ended. And yet, we were sure of one thing. We would be back in Bali.
In a nutshell, The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa which takes up a lion’s share of Seminyak’s prized beachfront offers endless opportunities for a quiet, relaxed time with family as well as extensive options for indulgences and explorations. With its uninterrupted ocean views, the infinity pool is the perfect spot to unwind and watch the sunset into the ocean. The resort hosts a range of facilities including luxury villas with stunning views, delicious Balinese cuisine at world-class restaurants – Sanje Restaurant & Lounge and Santan Restaurant, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a stylish award-winning spa, Kahyangan Spa. It’s the stuff that holidays – and Instagram posts – are made of.
