Raffles – Bali, Indonesia
The hospitality that comes with a legacy brand such as Raffles, is second to none – it’s not everywhere that you’re assigned a private butler who’s on hand even before your stay. At the end of a long, winding road, in 57 acres of tropical foliage and facing west for some stunning sunsets, the resort is the epitome of harmony and sophistication – a beguiling mix of Raffles traditions and Balinese charm and design.
Here, traditional customs are celebrated and rituals observed, with an encompassing sense of wellbeing. It’s a resort for restoring your batteries and appreciating the very relaxed local way of life.
At A Glance
Why We Love It:
For its sublime villas and out of this world service.Style:
Contemporary eastern chic.Location:
Right on the beach on the west of the Bukit Peninsula – just 30 minutes from the airport.Rooms:
32 ocean facing villas, with private gardens and pools.Swimming:
Beach front infinity pool and private beach.Children:
Tropical family idyll.Accessibility:
There are facilities for guests with reduced mobility.Open From:
All year round.rooms
Each of the 32 one and two bedroom villas is wonderfully secluded, coming with its own tropical garden, expansive terrace and pool. Views come as a standard, with the Ocean Pool Villas and Panoramic Pool Villas living up to their name, whilst the lofty Hill Top Pool Villas have a truly prime spot looking out over the blue, and offering total privacy. Interiors are modern and lavish, with elements of sleek Balinese design, large living spaces and indoor and outdoor showers.
The one bedroom villas can sleep three guests and the enormous two bedroom villas have room for a family of up to six. Most impressively, each villa has its own butler, who not only takes care of your every need whilst you stay, but who are also experts on what to explore on the island.
food
It’s worth coming here for the food alone! Rumari serves exquisitely presented and delicious, authentic Indonesian cuisine with a contemporary twist, and has an equally impressive wine list. Down by the water’s edge, at Loloan Beach Bar & Grill, you’ll find freshly grilled seafood – straight from the ocean – prime cuts and tapas. All of the ingredients are grown in the resort’s organic gardens, or locally produced.
No Raffles is complete without a signature bar, and at the Writer’s Bar you can’t leave without at least one Bali Sling. Start the day with breakfast in your villa, and for private dining, dinner in the beach cave doesn’t get more romantic. And if you’re there on the second or fourth Sunday of the month, the brunches are truly legendary.
activities
Everything at Raffles is experienced at a leisurely, and very serene Balinese pace. Indulge in yoga and meditation sessions on the beach on in the limestone cave, or learn how to make canang sari – traditional offerings to the gods. Find your inner self with a fire cleansing ritual, or relax under the healing hands of a therapist in the Spa – the full day experience is something else – or in the comfort of your own villa.
For exercise, there’s a fitness centre and two tennis courts, and there are bikes for heading out to the local village or beyond. And if you want to explore further afield, you only need to ask your private butler who can organise tours and visits.
family
The resort is a haven for families, with the villas promising both space and seclusion. Whilst there is no kid’s club, there’s a range of arts and crafts activities and cookery classes. There are children’s menus, and babysitting is available.
sustainability
The Raffles brand is committed to responsible tourism, and the resort supports a number of local environmental initiatives. It partners with a local programme encouraging sustainable farming practices in the area, and is involved in regular river and beach cleans. Within the resort itself, there’s a strong focus on energy and resources reduction, recycling, and the villas are stocked with eco-friendly amenities.
Location
Bali, Indonesia
Right on the beach on the west of the Bukit Peninsula – just 30 minutes from the airport.
