Though times were tough for Bali following terrorist bombings in 2002, the Indonesian island slowly but surely reclaimed its place on the hot list as an international jet-set destination. Today, adding to its appeal are a slew of new luxury hotel openings and renovations. Topping the list are two new Ritz-Carlton properties that opened within the past year, one on the beach and one in the lush interior near Ubud. They have brought a touch of understated glamour back to this island paradise.
About 30 minutes from the airport in Denpasar, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali sits perched above the waters off Nusa Dua on Bali’s southern coast. Though just a short taxi ride from the town, the resort feels a world away, down its own country road and past some of the other luxury properties here.
Guests enter through a palatial lobby and are immediately greeted with panoramic views of the rest of the resort and the stunning Indian Ocean shoreline over 200 feet below. Up here, you will find not only the hotel’s perfume boutique where guests can craft their own signature scents, but also the sushi restaurant Raku, and flagship dining room Bejana. The latter offers both a stunning outdoor deck and an atmospheric cave-like interior where guests can explore Indonesia’s many regional cuisines in various tasting menus.
Down the elevator to the resort’s main level, guests will find The Ritz-Carlton Lounge & Bar (where a sumptuous afternoon tea is served) as well as the spa anchoring the main structure. After a few days in the sun, be sure to schedule a restorative Tropical Marine Pleasure body treatment that begins with a soothing seaweed body scrub which gently exfoliates the skin. It then detoxifies you with a nutrient-rich seaweed body wrap before a Sea of Serenity massage instills a sense of tranquility and calm in you.
Various pathways radiate from there, taking you to the buildings housing each of the hotel’s 313 rooms and suites, the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, and the pool area. The pool is enormous, with various areas for both lounging and swimming, as well as shallow areas for the children and plenty of lounge chairs and daybeds for whiling the afternoon away. It sweeps from the heart of the resort down to the little beach area where guests can opt for chairs in the sun or shade.
This is also where travelers will find the glass wedding chapel (in case your trip turns romantic) and two more of the dining outlets. The Beach Grill is set right along the sand and offers a menu of grilled seafood and meats while the Breezes Tapas Lounge is a more casual venue with small bites for sharing and a selection of specialty cocktails including a Ginger Caipiroska with a kick.
Rooms start at a spacious 1,050 square feet with the Pool Pavilion category, and include oversize king or double beds, huge marble bathrooms with dual vanities and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, walk-in showers and separate baths kitted out with signature Asprey products. They also feature balconies or terraces with daybeds and dining tables, and direct pool access on the ground floor.
The various suite and villa categories range from around 1,070-7,300 square feet, and offer a diverse range of amenities, including private pools and sundecks, expansive outdoor patios and balconies, and outdoor baths and showers.
Meanwhile, about a 90-minute drive away into the island’s forested interior, Ritz-Carlton opened up the the third of its uber-luxe Reserve properties (after Puerto Rico and Thailand) near the cultural hotspot of Ubud.
Whereas The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is a sprawling beach retreat, Mandapa is like a serene oasis set in the jungle, with just 60 suites and villas. Each comes with its own private butler for a more intimate experience that is inspired by the cycles and rhythms of indigenous Balinese villages (there’s even an organic garden onsite that provides much of the produce for its restaurants).
Set along the banks of the Ayung River, the resort showcases local temples and rice terraces in order to give guests a sense of place as soon as they set foot on the property. The structures mirror those of traditional Balinese houses with peaked roofs and plenty of local wood accents, while interiors were designed by Jeffrey Wilkes and his studio DESIGNWILKES. The rooms feature plenty of large windows and sliding glass doors to optimize natural light, hand-painted landscapes on the wall panels, and colorful native textiles for a touch of flair.
Guests can take advantage of the property’s Mandapa Spa, which bases its treatments on six pillars of wellness: Balinese Spa, Detox and Nutrition, Alternative Therapy, Body Therapy, and Healing. There are just eight treatment rooms (four of which accommodate couples) and treatments use the Ritz’s partner ESPA brand products. The spa complex also includes a riverfront yoga studio, a vitality pool, relaxation areas and a fitness center.
The resort is also home to four restaurants and lounges. The Sawah Terrace offers all-day dining overlooking the forest with a focus on Balinese dishes. Featuring ingenious bamboo dining nests, Kubu serves à la carte and degustation menus of Mediterranean cuisine. The Library is the place to unwind with drinks as well as afternoon tea and finger foods, while the Pool Bar serves lighter items and an entire juice menu. The signature dining experience is Dining Beyond, with which guests can experience health-conscious wellness and detoxifying menus tailored to their individual preferences and at a location of their choosing within the resort.
With the Ritz's new complementary resorts opening—one for beach-going fun on the island's sunny southern coast, and the other for a tranquil wellness-focused retreat in the lush hinterland—the brand is ensuring travelers continue venturing to this Southeast destination year-after-year.
Read about the Ft Lauderdale Ritz Carlton by Justluxe
