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Raffles Bali - Raffles Bali joins Virtuoso Travel Network to enhance luxury guest experiences

Raffles Bali joins Virtuoso Travel Network to enhance luxury guest experiences

Raffles Bali, a stunning luxury resort on the island of Bali, has recently announced its membership with Virtuoso. This is exciting news for the resort, as it will now be part of a prestigious network of the world’s top luxury travel advisors, hotels, and destinations.

Virtuoso is a by-invitation-only travel network that consists of over 1,000 agencies and 20,000 advisors worldwide. The network is renowned for its expertise in luxury travel and personalized service. Virtuoso’s partnerships with the world’s top hotels, resorts, and destinations allow its members to offer their clients exclusive access, upgrades and perks that are not available to the general public.

Raffles Bali’s membership in Virtuoso will provide its guests with even more personalized and luxurious experiences. The resort already boasts stunning oceanfront villas and suites, a private beach and a luxury wellbeing spa. With Virtuoso’s network of advisors, Raffles Bali’s guests will have access to tailored experiences that cater to their unique interests and preferences. These experiences could include private tours of Bali’s cultural and natural wonders, exclusive access to top restaurants and nightlife spots, and more.

Raffles Bali’s General Manager, Katya Herting, expressed her excitement about the resort’s membership in Virtuoso, saying, “We are thrilled to join Virtuoso and be part of such an esteemed network of luxury travel advisors and partners. We are committed to providing our guests with exceptional experiences and personalized service, and we look forward to working with Virtuoso to achieve this.”

Raffles Bali has cemented its position as one of Bali’s top luxury destinations, having been recognized with multiple accolades. The resort has been awarded the title of Bali’s Luxury Villa by the World Travel Award, Hotel of the Year by Destination Deluxe, and Indonesia’s first and only Krug Ambassade. It has also been honored with the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator. Currently, Raffles Bali is a nominee for three prestigious categories in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023. The resort’s membership in Virtuoso further underscores its commitment to providing its guests with exceptional experiences and personalized service.

In conclusion, Raffles Bali’s membership in Virtuoso is exciting news for the resort and its guests. With Virtuoso’s network of luxury travel advisors and partners, Raffles Bali’s guests can expect even more personalized and exclusive experiences that cater to their unique interests and preferences. As Bali’s top luxury destination, Raffles Bali continues to raise the bar for luxury hospitality in the region.

Raffles Bali has recently received exciting news: it has been nominated for not just one, but three prestigious categories in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023. The categories in question are Best Beach Resorts in Indonesia, Best Hotel Spas in Indonesia, and Best Experiences in Region-Wide for its Five Senses of Wellness package. It is a testament to the resort’s dedication to providing guests with the best possible experience, whether they are looking to relax on the beach, unwind at the spa, or enjoy all the incredible activities the region has to offer.

The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 is created to celebrate the best of the hospitality industry in the region. Nominees were chosen by experts and editors, without any paid promotions. There are various categories, including luxurious urban escapes, private-island beach resorts, spas, airlines, airports, travel agents, and immersive travel experiences. Audience can vote for their favorite nominees until April 22, 2023, and even submit nominations for any worthy ideas.

Raffles Bali is a luxury resort located in the heart of Jimbaran, one of Bali’s most sought-after destinations. Boasting a beautiful beachfront location, the resort offers unparalleled views of the ocean and some of Bali’s most spectacular sunsets. It is the perfect place for travelers looking for a tranquil and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The resort’s Best Beach Resorts in Indonesia nomination is well-deserved, as it offers guests a range of facilities and activities to enjoy on the beach. From swimming in the ocean to sunbathing on the sand, guests can indulge in the ultimate beach experience. The resort’s beachfront villas are a favorite among visitors, offering direct access to the beach and private pools for a truly luxurious stay.

The Best Hotel Spas in Indonesia nomination is also fitting, as the resort’s spa is a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. The spa offers a range of treatments, from traditional Balinese massages to rejuvenating facials, all designed to help guests unwind and leave feeling refreshed and revitalized. The spa’s tranquil setting and expert therapists ensure that guests can enjoy a truly luxurious and indulgent experience.

Last but not least, the Best Experiences in Region-Wide nomination is a reflection of the resort’s commitment to offering guests an unforgettable stay. From exploring Bali’s breathtaking natural beauty to immersing oneself in the local culture, Raffles Bali offers well-traveled connoisseurs Five Senses of Wellness experience. Curated by healer and medicine woman Ida Dayu Alit Sumiati, Raffles Bali helps you rediscover your whole self by harmoniously blending serenity rituals and ancient healing wisdom with local excursions, artful therapies and health-conscious cuisine. Inclusions such as 7 Chakra Balancing, Singing Bowl Therapy, Fire-Cleansing Ritual and much more.

The Tri Datu bracelet is a powerful symbol that embodies the essence of Hinduism and its core principles. The word “Tri” means three, while “Datu” means power, and the bracelet represents the Tri Murti, the great triad of Hindu gods responsible for the creation, preservation, and destruction of the world, depicted by the three colors in the bracelet’s yarn.

Lord Brahma, represented by the color red, is the creator of the world and all living beings. He is associated with fire, the transformative element that brings new forms and states into existence and provides sustenance. Balinese people offer canang, a small offering, in their kitchens as a symbol of gratitude to Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu, represented by the color black, is the preserver and protector of the universe, who descends to Earth to restore balance during troubled times. Lord Shiva, represented by the color white, is responsible for destroying and recreating the universe, inducing beneficial change and reminding us of the circle of life.

The Tri Datu bracelet serves as a reminder of the power of creation, preservation, and restoration, and the key components that define us as humans: our minds, bodies, and souls. It conveys the need for balance and reminds us of the tenets of Hinduism. Its history in Bali dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was worn to indicate obedience and faithfulness to God.

While the Tri Datu bracelet is commonly worn by Hindus, it is not claimed by them exclusively. Those of other religions and beliefs are also permitted to wear it, but should do so properly and wisely. The bracelet reminds us to be wise, to be careful, and to consider our behaviors and intentions as we live our lives in this world that we share with others.

In essence, the Tri Datu bracelet is a powerful symbol that represents the essence of Hinduism and the need for balance in our lives. By wearing it, we are reminded of the importance of healthy minds, thoughtful words, and good deeds, and the need to create balance in our lives to live in harmony with ourselves and others.

As part of our unwavering commitment to upholding and preserving the rich and vibrant Balinese culture, we proudly offer our well-traveled connoisseurs a Balinese Tri Datu bracelet as a cherished memento upon departure.

Raffles Bali is a haven of luxury and wellbeing, seamlessly blending Bali’s vibrant history and culture into its concept to offer guests an immersive, authentic experience. With awe-inspiring architecture, intricate decor, and handpicked local activities, our resort celebrates Bali’s rich heritage while remaining committed to wellness. Delighting the discerning connoisseur with a cultural feast, we showcase Bali’s fascinating stories through carefully curated activities and expertly narrated tales.

Long ago, Bali was actually connected to East Java by a land bridge, thanks to the Sunda Shelf, an enormous continental plate protruding from the Asian mainland. During the Pleistocene glacial periods, ice caps solidified much of the world’s waters, leading to lowered sea levels that made parts of it fall dry and periodically gave way to land masses.

Hindu Java began to extend its influence into Bali during the reign of King Airlangga, from 1019 to 1042. When his uncle lost the throne, 16-year-old Airlangga fled into the forests of western Java but gradually gained support, won back the kingdom, and became one of Java’s greatest kings. Airlangga’s mother moved to Bali and remarried after his birth, creating an immediate link between Java and Bali. At this time, the courtly Javanese language known as Kawi came into use among the royalty of Bali, and the rock-cut memorials seen at Gunung Kawi (Mt Kawi) near Tampaksiring are a clear architectural link between Bali and 11th-century Java.

Bali retained its semi-independent status after Airlangga’s death until Kertanagara became king of the Singasari dynasty in Java two centuries later. Kertanagara conquered Bali in 1284, but his power lasted only eight years until he was murdered and his kingdom collapsed. With Java in turmoil, Bali regained its autonomy, and the Pejeng dynasty, centered near modern-day Ubud, rose to great power. In 1343, the legendary chief minister of the Majapahit dynasty, Gajah Mada, defeated the Pejeng king Dalem Bedaulu and brought Bali back under Javanese influence.

Although Gajah Mada brought much of the Indonesian archipelago under Majapahit control, Bali was the furthest extent of its power. The ‘capital’ then moved to Gelgel, near modern-day Semarapura (once known as Klungkung), around the late 14th century, and for the next two centuries, this was the base for the ‘king of Bali,’ the Dewa Agung. The Majapahit kingdom collapsed into disputing sultanates, but the Gelgel dynasty in Bali, under Dalem Batur Enggong, extended its power eastwards to the neighboring island of Lombok and even crossed the strait to Java.

As the Majapahit kingdom fell apart, many of its intelligentsia moved to Bali, including the priest Nirartha, who is credited with introducing many of the complexities of Balinese religion to the island. Artists, dancers, musicians, and actors also fled to Bali at this time, and the island experienced an explosion of cultural activities. The final great exodus to Bali took place in 1478.

 

As you step into our resort, you will undoubtedly be struck by the diverse array of flora and vegetation. This is no coincidence, as our landscape was meticulously crafted by none other than Made Wijaya, who carefully selected indigenous plants to maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem in the area.

Made Wijaya was a world-renowned tropical garden designer and one of Bali’s most flamboyant and larger-than-life characters. He was an artist, designer, photographer, videographer, historian, journalist, humorist, satirist, diarist, anthropologist, and more. In 1973, Made Wijaya, then known as Michael White, sailed to Bali on a break from his architectural studies. However, his temporary visit became permanent when he immersed himself in Balinese life, learned the island’s intricate rituals and history, and gained an encyclopedic knowledge of Bali that rivaled that of many Balinese natives. In 1975, a priest in a temple ceremony officially renamed him Made Wijaya.

Initially, Made Wijaya coached tennis and English to wealthy Balinese, but his own sense of aesthetics drew him back to architecture and garden design. He saw gardens as a theater and created dramatic vistas with bright tropical shrubs and creepers flowing from one well-chosen classical sculpture to another. His first major project was revamping the Bali Hyatt Hotel in Sanur, followed by the Oberoi in Seminyak, which was designed by Australian architect Peter Muller. Made Wijaya went on to create over 600 tropical gardens in Southeast Asia and around the world, including David Bowie’s garden on the island of Mustique and the Naples Botanical Garden in Florida.

Made Wijaya’s extensive knowledge of Balinese culture and his unique brand of caustic wit led him to write a column called “Stranger in Paradise: Diary of an Expatriate” in The Sunday Bali Post. He also authored several books, including “Tropical Garden Design” (1999), “At Home in Bali” (2000), “Modern Tropical Garden Design” (2007), and “Architecture of Bali” (2011).

In summary, Made Wijaya was a well-known Balinese landscaper who left a lasting impact on the world of tropical garden design. His knowledge of Balinese culture, his wit, and his artistic sense were integral to his success, and his legacy lives on in the hundreds of stunning gardens he created.

Indulge in a sustainable herbs ingredients at Raffles Bali’s Botanical Garden. Inspired by Made Wijaya and the lands of Jimbaran, some beneficial herbs have beautifully grown such as chili, flavorsome kefir limes leaves, curry leaves, passion fruits and stingless bee honey. Explore our wide range of lush botanical garden delivered by Raffles Bali Botanical Guru.

Celebrating the arrival of the New Year is a significant event in every culture and religion worldwide. While some cultures like the Chinese and Muslims commemorate the occasion with music and festivities, others like the Hindus of Bali choose a more solemn approach with their ritual of Nyepi.

In stark contrast to boisterous New Year celebrations, Nyepi is a day of complete silence and self-reflection. The day after the dark moon of the spring equinox, the island of Bali shuts down all lights and sounds, stops all traffic, and abandons all worldly activities to focus on connecting more closely with God and introspection. The word Nyepi means “to keep silent” in the local language.

The day before Nyepi, the Balinese carry out the Melasti or Mekiyis or Melis ceremony, which involves cleaning statues or symbols that help concentrate the mind for praying. The ceremony is a way to clean up the universe and its contents and take Amrita, the source of eternal life, from water sources like the sea, lakes, and rivers.

Three days before Nyepi, villagers symbolically take statues of their gods from their temples to be cleaned in rivers or the sea. The gods’ symbols are then purified with water and brought back to their respective temples.

The day before Nyepi, villagers exorcise the devil in the main street of the village with an Ogoh-ogoh, a giant statue symbolizing evil spirits made of bamboo, which is paraded around the village before sunset. The Balinese believe that Ogoh-ogoh represents the evil spirits surrounding their environment that must be removed from their lives to create a harmonious relationship between man, God, and their environment. At night, they celebrate Ngerupuk by making noises with bamboo and burning Ogoh-ogoh as a symbol of getting rid of “bhuta kala” or demons.

On Nyepi day, Hindus follow the four restrictions of “Catur Brata Penyepian”: prohibiting the lighting of fires, physical work, movement or travel, and entertainment. The Pecalang, traditional Balinese security forces, ensure road safety and prohibit activities that disturb Nyepi. Non-Hindus are also asked to stay indoors to honor this significant day. Any violation of these provisions incurs penalties determined by local villages.

Nyepi is a time for introspection, closeness to God, family, and Bali itself. By ceasing all activity, the earth is given an opportunity to breathe and regenerate, and the Balinese take a short break before resuming daily activities. Ngembak is the day when Catur Berata Penyepian is completed, and the Hindu community forgives each other and engages in Dharma Canthi, reading ancient scripts containing songs and lyrics.

In conclusion, Nyepi is a unique and special way of celebrating the New Year for the Balinese, focused on self-reflection, spiritual growth, and environmental regeneration. Its rituals and traditions make it one of the most profound and significant cultural events globally.

Let us take you on a bespoke Stargazing experience using our own in-house Telescope during Nyepi Day to pinpoint your favourite constellations or just marveling the magnificence of the heavenly bodies. A once in a 420 days journey.

Sunday Brunch is becoming even more blissful at Raffles Bali Resort with a change of venue from Rumari to Loloan Beach Bar and Grill from March 12th, 2023. Indulge in an unparalleled adults only Sunday Brunch with the breathtaking beachfront scenery of Jimbaran Bay and live music as the backdrop to your afternoon.

Every Sunday Brunch brings a new menu of lavishly prepared chef’s creations. From artisanal pastas and cheeses, to premium meat, seafood, and caviar, your palate will be tantalised by the selection of culinary delights. Each course is carefully curated with a focus on fresh sustainable produce from the resort’s farm gardens and local growers and producers from around Bali.

For the inaugural Brunch on March 12th the menu will include a sumptuous seafood platter, scallop ceviche, delicate pan seared foie gras, luscious burrata ravioli, Jimbaran Bay bouillabaisse, and Wagyu beef ribeye. If this wasn’t indulgent enough, a selection of artisanal cheeses and desserts follow.

With a variety of packages to choose from you can elevate your experience to compliment the occasion starting with the Italian Brunch Experience at 1,850k ++ for the set menu brunch including beer, and premium Italian wines. The Corte Giara Pinot Grigio, Neprica Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Independent Prosecco perfectly compliment an afternoon by the water.

For those who prefer French wines, the French Brunch Experience at 2,150k ++ includes the set menu brunch and a Chateau Minuty ‘M’ Rosé from Côtes de Provence, Bouchard Pere & Fils Bourgogne La Vignee Pinot Noir, and NV Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label for bubbles.

Discerning couples seeking true opulence or perhaps celebrating a milestone in their relationship in Bali will find two options, The Luxury Brunch Experience and the Royal Brunch Experience. Both packages include the outstanding set menu brunch as well as a Chateau Minuty ‘M’ Rosé from Côtes de Provence, and a Bouchard Pere & Fils Bourgogne La Vignee Pinot Noir. The distinction between the experiences comes with the choice of champagne. The Luxury option at 13,000k ++ per couple offers a Bottle Dom Perignon Brut Champagne, while the Royal Brunch Experience at 17,000k ++ per couple includes one bottle of Krug Grand Cuvee.

This sophisticated moment is an exceptional way to spend an afternoon in Bali. Make memories with a loved one of unparalleled cuisine and breathtaking scenery that you will cherish forever.

CHECK-IN

Raffles, the grand dame of colonial hotels, known for its Singapore Sling cocktails and decadent hospitality, is still an iconic destination today. The brand’s long-held reputation for exceptional quality and immaculate service has been brought to Bali since private owners bought land here 39 years ago and opened the property at the end of 2021. Like the original suites at Singapore Raffles, each of the 32 villas on its sprawling 23 hectares has its own butler at the ready to chauffeur golf buggies, retrieve a left-behind phone (mea culpa) or organise cultural activities. That said, the resort emits more of a Bali villa vibe than one of high teas and hatted doormen. This is never more evident than when you’re indulging in a plate of lime-drenched tropical fruit, slipping into the cool waters of a private pool and lazing on a lounger in the humidity.

THE LOOK

Jimbaran Bay is on the western side of south Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, known for its limestone cliffs, white sand beaches and cracking surf. The resort sits on a hillside at the southern end of the bay looking across the sheltered boat-specked water to Mount Agung rising behind. It’s a 25-minute drive to the big name tourist spots of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, and 75 minutes to Ubud. Ngurah Rai International Airport is just 20 minutes away. In fact, the airport’s western runway is visible from the resort. You rarely hear the planes, so it can be a thrill seeing them touch down in the distance.

The resort is designed like a Balinese village with each of the 32 villas neatly placed estate-like around the hillside. They’re surrounded by lush greenery and ornamented walls with double entry gates that mimic those of traditional compounds. Heavy hardwood floors and walls, and dark-toned fittings and furnishings dominate the restrained Balinese interiors, a masculine ambience only marginally offset by lighter-toned rattan, beige fabrics and a surplus of sunlight. Blue batik tapestries behind the king beds in odd-numbered villas mark a rare (and welcome) stray from the muted colour scheme.

THE ROOM

I’ve been upgraded to a “hilltop panoramic” pool villa – a palatial 375 square metre one-bedroom suite. These premium suites feature uninterrupted views of Jimbaran Bay, but if it’s space you’re after, the entry level “ocean” and “panoramic” pool villas are 470 square metres. The two-bedroom pool villas and presidential villa are a whopping 900 square metres.

In all suites, luxury, quality and attention to detail are where it’s at. Little Balinese culinary offerings such as dadar gulang and ginger and padan herbal tea are delivered to the room unrequested. The bathroom features a half-egg shaped bath, a toosh-warming Japanese toilet and bottom-drawer treats including eye contour cream and mini bathroom bags. The mini-bar has full-size bottles of quality gin and whiskey for self-mixing. Outside, it’s all about lounging around the private pool on umbrella-shaded recliners or the cushioned Bali-style gazebo.

FOOD + DRINK

Indonesia’s remarkable cuisine is often overlooked on a world stage. Newbies like Rumari, the resort’s signature restaurant on a terrace overlooking the ocean, might be championing the change. Chef Gaetan Biesuz has created a degustation menu that takes tastebuds on a regional journey around Bali. It’s exceptional. For more casual dining, Loloan Beach Bar and Grill, the guest-only beachfront restaurant overlooking a 25-metre pool, serves up the likes of grilled fish tacos and fresh rice paper rolls. Eating brunch poolside is a treat, but so too is breakfast on Rumari’s terrace. Indonesian dishes such as bubur ayam compete for your stomach’s attention alongside lobster omelette. The service is so efficient and generous, it’s easy to over-indulge.

OUT + ABOUT

With such a high-end price tag, guests might be more interested in getting their money’s worth by staying put at the resort. If you do leave, Jimbaran Bay is home to Kedonganan Fish Market, the largest traditional seafood market in Bali. It’s a feast for the senses with tubs of iced fish and crustaceans being bartered and sold inside and cooked on hot grills outside. Jimbaran Beach is another must-do. Its white sands are home to dozens of local seafood restaurants that serve market fish-to-order on beach tables as the sun goes down.

THE VERDICT

Raffles Singapore is famed for having unobtrusive service “like a soft breeze”. Those forking out the lofty price at Raffles Bali with a similar expectation might find the butler service wanting. But considering the pandemic’s toll on staff and training, Raffles Bali has done an exceptional job maintaining quality standards and luxury service during tough times. Honeymooners and anyone with an excuse to spend big on a luxury flop and drop, won’t be disappointed.

THE ESSENTIALS

Villas from $1850 a night including breakfast. Raffles Bali, Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera 1A Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. Ph +61 800 1723 3537. See https://www.raffles.com/bali/

HIGHLIGHT

The Writers Bar, adjoining a cosy library, is the perfect place to sample handcrafted Indonesian spirits including Balinese arak made from grape and aniseed.

LOWLIGHT

The resort has big plans for its Emotional Wellbeing program but the seven chakras balancing treatment that I tried remains a work in progress.

OUR SCORE OUT OF FIVE

★★★★½

 

For more information please visit TRAVELLER

BALI – When you stay at Raffles Bali, which opened in the Indonesian island’s Jimbaran Bay in 2020, your welcome starts well before you step into the resort.

That is because every villa in the luxury resort, the latest in the home-grown Raffles brand, is assigned a butler whose job is to cater to all your requests during your stay.

My Raffles Wellbeing Butler is Ms Ariyanti, who sends me a welcome e-mail the moment my room is confirmed, introducing herself and asking if I need any special arrangements and if I want to make reservations at the restaurants and spa.

That in itself is not unusual because most premium hotels these days would send you a similar e-mail. Except that you usually never actually meet the person who contacted you. And you still need to consult the concierge in the lobby for services that cannot be settled over the phone.

But Ms Ariyanti is not only at the entrance to meet me when I arrive at the resort, but she is also with me throughout my two-night stay – acting as my resort guide, buggy driver and overall assistant.

The first WhatsApp text from her arrives the day before my flight to Bali, so when I touch down at the airport, I can confirm with just a quick text of my own that the resort’s driver is already waiting to pick me up.

Everything I need is at my fingertips – delivered subtly and with as little intrusion as possible.

That seamless service extends even outside the resort when my suggestion to walk from one restaurant to check out another is quickly vetoed by my driver. “It’s too hot to walk,” he says. “Just text Ariyanti and I’ll come to fetch you.”

And he did. Granted, the resort is just a 10-minute drive from those restaurants but, for me, that is beyond the call of duty.

My stay at Raffles Bali is memorable in many other ways too.

Like many luxury resorts on the island, there are only villas here that are furnished like suites. The rooms come in calming hues of wood and fabric, with views of the private garden and the pool outside.

Each is equipped with its own swimming pool and tanning bed on an outdoor terrace as well as a shaded daybed in a gazebo.

That leaves you with seemingly little reason to venture out other than for meals, even though there is a main pool by the beach for guests who want a change of scenery.

But with only 32 villas in the resort, which straddles a staggering 8ha of land, chances are, you will not see many other guests during your stay.

I certainly do not, and it is not like I am hiding away in my villa. I am planning to check out as many of the resort’s activities as I can fit into my stay.

First on my itinerary is a guided botanical tour of the resort. While it does not cover all 8ha of the resort, it is a good way to see part of the expansive grounds.

There is a herb garden that includes a stingless bee hive where the honey is harvested only after the insects abandon it for a new home.

You do not need to be a botany expert to recognise the names of plants scattered around the area, such as moringa and cashew, though that is the first time I get to see what the trees look like.

But I easily identify the Traveller’s Palm at the driveway entrance as that is the logo for the Raffles hotel brand. Many of the trees that originally grew there are also retained, albeit in a more manicured landscape.

I also plan a morning meditation session the next day, but when I wake up, it is drizzling. However, a quick text to Ms Ariyanti confirms that it is still on and a buggy arrives at my villa on the dot to transport me to The Secret Cave location.

It turns out to be an actual cave, hidden on a hill slope that is accessed by a flight of wooden stairs. Despite the wet weather, my buggy driver leads me there, sheltered under an umbrella, with little difficulty.

There, my instructor Komand, a local young man from Jimbaran, takes me through an hour of meditation that is so relaxing, I am glad that I did take the effort to wake up early.

I learn some stretches and breathing exercises and how to clear my mind of distractions as Komand gives his instructions in a mellifluous voice, sometimes breaking into a chant aided by a singing bowl. It is the best way I can think of to start the day.

The second best way is, of course, breakfast at the Rumari restaurant, where some of the best croissants I have eaten await me. It is a la carte, but servings are kept small so that guests can sample multiple items.

I have a delicious lobster omelette served in a rock lobster bisque, then decide to go local with a soto ayam kudus and tipat blayag ungasan, which is rice cake served with braised organic pork leg and long beans.

Rumari transforms into a fine-dining restaurant in the evening and my nine-course menu is a marvellous modern interpretation of Indonesian cuisine by chef Gaetan Biesuz.

Equally impressive is that the restaurant has a commitment to source at least 80 per cent of its ingredients locally. The set dinners range from 1,150,000 rupiah (S$101) for five courses to 1,750,000 rupiah for nine courses.

Chef Biesuz also collaborates with other chefs on four-hands menus under the Rumari And Friends programme, and on my last night at Raffles Bali, chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive from Singapore’s Basque Kitchen by Aitor is in the kitchen. So even though I have dined at the same restaurant on consecutive nights, I have two very different experiences.

sunset in raffles restaurant | raffles hotel bali

For a casual lunch, the casual Loloan Beach Bar and Grill on the waterfront offers an a la carte menu of artisanal pizzas and seafood.

But there are other dining venues that can be set up on request for small groups.

These include The Farm Terrace (from 12,800,000 rupiah for four persons), which offers a dinner for up to six guests with a curated menu of organic vegetables, cold cuts and meats set in a garden.

Or have a table set up on the highest rock on the resort’s beach and enjoy the Purnama Honeymoon Bale’s seafood menu (from 6,000,000 rupiah a couple) to the sound of waves in the evening.

And The Secret Cave can be turned into a romantic dinner venue (from 7,000,000 rupiah a couple), where sandalwood scents and music accompany a dinner using seasonal ingredients that are sourced locally.

Each is magical in its own way and reserved only for guests.

There are also plenty of dining options just outside the resort. Jimbaran is a well-known fishing village and the area boasts many local grilled seafood restaurants, as well as those serving international cuisines ranging from Indian to Italian.

For me, a resort holiday is not complete without a visit to the spa. But make sure you make an appointment at The Sanctuary, preferably before you arrive, because the spa treatments are usually fully booked.

My one-hour massage, which is preceded by a foot detox on a balcony overlooking a verdant landcape, is so relaxing that I wish it can go on forever.

treatment suites fitness centre wellness resort | raffles bali

But all good things must come to an end and so does my stay. Check-out is just as stress-free as all I have to do is pass Ms Ariyanti the villa key when she arrives with the buggy to take me to the main lobby, where my drive to the airport is waiting.

And just as she is the first to greet me on arrival, her smiling face is the last I see, waving a cheery goodbye as the car pulls out of the driveway.

Tip: If you plan to visit one of the restaurants in Jimbaran for lunch, try to leave a little earlier and visit the fish market, which is along Jimbaran Bay beach. The market is one of the busiest in Bali and many restaurateurs come here to get their seafood.

Tourists can buy what they fancy and get it cooked at the stalls and eateries nearby for a fee. But even if you do not buy anything, it is an interesting way to sample local life.

 

For more information please visit The Straits Times

 

If ever a destination spoke a wellness language, it is Bali — shrouded in mystery and mist, and known for its haunting gamelan music, fresh cuisine, and exotic flower bath rituals. Raffles Bali, set high on a hill overlooking Jimbaran Bay, is one of the country’s most wellness minded. Serving as the flagship property for Raffles Emotional Wellbeing program, this stunning resort is an intimate oasis for well-traveled connoisseurs seeking space, privacy, and cultural discovery. And the experience comes with your own personal wellness butler.

The Reset: For the ultimate indulgence and reset, pad your way past lush foliage to the Sanctuary treatment suite set high in the hills. Here you find authentic Balinese healing experiences, similar (just more luxe) than those found in traditional Balinese villages. Experience the ancient Javanese Lulur, an over 400-year-old tradition that includes a full-body massage, exfoliation, and warm flower bath. This mind-, body-changing ritual was historically performed every day for 40 days on royals leading up to their wedding day.

For more information please visit Travel Curator