Review of the Bulgari Resort Bali

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluation.

Final summer season, I loved a beautiful vacation in Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Java & Bali. You possibly can learn my journey reviews right here:

Right this moment (January 2, 2019): Evaluate of Bulgari Resort Bali (Indonesia)

Managed by the distinguished Italian Bulgari firm, the Bulgari Resort Bali is situated on prime of a 150 m (450 ft) excessive, jaw-dropping cliff cascading down in the direction of the Indian Ocean. The 59 particular person villas, freestanding and personal, all embrace an open-air pavilion, terrace and personal plunge pool, with those on the primary row having fun with spectacular ocean views. In all villas, each pure factor is polished to a shine: Indonesian wooden floors glow, pure lava partitions are neatly bricked, and floor-to-ceiling glass partitions reveal manicured tropical vegetation. A pristine personal seaside, appropriate for lengthy walks alongside the oceanfront and that includes a non-public seaside membership, is reached through an inclined elevator. The property additionally options world-class eating venues and a wonderful spa.

Bulgari Resort Bali options in my prime 10 lists of the greatest luxurious motels in Bali and the most spectacular cliffside luxurious motels on the planet.

Have you ever ever stayed at Bulgari Resort Bali? In that case what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The Bulgari Resort Bali is situated close to the village of Pecatu on the southern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. This huge limestone peninsula – which options rugged surroundings and a semi-arid local weather – harbors a few of Bali’s most well-known sights, together with the cliff-hanging Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, a lot of Bali’s most spectacular seashores, and the highest browsing spots on the island. As is so usually the case, it have been intrepid surfers and backpackers who actually opened up the eyes of the world to this magnificent a part of the island, hereby initiating the vacationer improvement of this space within the seventies. Right this moment, Uluwatu is dwelling to a few of Bali’s most unique motels, together with the Bulgari Resort Bali. Bali’s Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport (Denpasar) is a 45-minute drive from the resort (roughly 18 km or 11 mi).

The ultraluxurious resort is about on a wind-swept promontory, 150 m (450 ft) above its personal personal seaside (extra on that under) and the Indian Ocean. The property’s epic cliffside location is likely one of the most pristine and exquisite spots within the Indonesian archipelago, and affords unmatched views throughout the ocean. One of the best vantage factors within the resort to soak up the stupendous panoramas are the lodge’s trendy and open-air welcome pavilion, the infinity pool, and the villas situated on the cliff’s edge. As well as, the resort’s location on the southernmost tip of Bali places it in place to supply its privileged company majestic views of each dawn and sundown from the hilltop foyer, relying on the time of 12 months.

An intimate Hindu temple rises on the best level of the property. This place of worship, in-built accordance with Balinese traditions, neighbors the Bulgari’s imposing arrival pavilion, which welcomes company with elegant proportions and a masterful design. From right here, the resort cascades down the plush cliffside, which is dotted by a maze of large resort pavilions and high-walled villas interconnected by steep cobble stone pathways. The costliest villas in addition to the spa and pool are situated on the cliff’s edge. The resort’s format blends seamlessly in a terraced and completely manicured panorama of lush Balinese gardens. Frangipane timber, a ubiquitous presence in Bali, are scattered all through the resort with their white blossoms spreading a candy perfume from morning until night.

Created by architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Companions, the resort’s distinctive design is a mix of conventional Balinese fashion and dramatic up to date Italian components. The lodge’s pavilions and villas have been constructed and furnished utilizing hand-cut volcanic stones, wealthy unique woods and refined materials. Pure lava and palimanan stone are used for the resort’s gardens and partitions, refined bangkiray hardwood within the villas and eating places, and pure green-colored sukabumi stone to clad the personal and public swimming swimming pools. A set of beautiful Balinese antiques and unique artwork items additionally adorn the resort. Furnishings and ornamental particulars, resembling stemware, flatware, ceramics and woven materials, have been designed and produced in Bali by a workforce of native artists and designers in collaboration with the resort’s architects.

Opened in 2006, the resort is operated in a three way partnership between the Marriott lodge chain and Bulgari. Though Bulgari is principally often known as an Italian luxurious items model, the corporate is quickly increasing its portfolio of resorts throughout the globe and goals to turn out to be one of many main luxurious hospitality collections on the planet. Comprised of chosen properties in main cosmopolitan cities and luxurious resorts locations, its goal is to convey the joy of the Bulgari model, its timeless glamour and its heritage of magnificent Roman jeweler. The style-forward model Bulgari presently manages posh motels in Milan, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Bejing and Bali, and can quickly unveil new editions in Tokyo, Paris and Moscow. The model is dedicated to sustainable luxurious, respecting the encircling setting in addition to human assets.

The resort’s 58 freestanding villas stand aspect by aspect in a number of rows on the sheer terraces of the majestic cliffs. They’re nestled inside excessive volcanic stone partitions and all include their very own pool. Throughout my go to, I stayed in a one bed room ocean villa (the resort’s lowest room class). Entrance to the villa was through an open-air pavilion, which featured a non-public backyard, a plunge pool, and an expansive outside dwelling space. On the within, a spacious vestibule result in the trendy bed room, which got here with two queen-sized beds (per my request) and floor-to-ceiling home windows on three sides. The inside was embellished with items of vintage Balinese artwork and geared up with state-of-the-art technological options resembling a flat display TV, high-speed WiFi and audio/video system by Bang and Olufsen. The lavatory was monumental, taking over half of the villa, and featured black terrazzo flooring, two sinks, a deep soaking tub, and two showers (one situated inside, the opposite one within the backyard).

The resort additionally consists of a number of two- to 5 bed room mansions. In comparison with the one bed room villas, these mansions characteristic bigger swimming pools along with kitchens geared up with Miele home equipment. The property’s most unique mansion is the unimaginable Bulgari Villa, which is situated within the resort’s westernmost level, on a barely increased place. Reachable by a non-public entry, this villa boasts two grasp bedrooms, a big dwelling space with built-in bar, an outsized eating room, a house theatre, and a spa remedy room. The villa’s phenomenal 20 m (66 ft) personal pool and a meditation pergola surrounded by an in depth terrace and small pavilions the place you may eat and stay within the open full this one-of-a-kind state of affairs, excellent for personal occasions, weddings or a household vacation.

The resort has a twofold spirit. On the one hand, the walled separation between all villas ensures most privateness and an ideal vacation playground to company. On the opposite, in the event you can drag your self outdoors (the pool of) your villa, a glamorous, energetic, and cheerful public space awaits you on the resort’s easternmost aspect. Right here, you discover an infinity-edged pool alongside the cliff, surrounded by comfy solar loungers and romantic cabanas. The pool space additionally options an open-wall bar, sunken sofas, and two jacuzzis on the aspect. Subsequent to the pool is a water pond, missed by the resort’s two eating places (extra on that under). From right here, an imposing volcanic stone stair results in another services above the pool complicated, together with the reception pavilion and the Bulgari Boutique. The latter is the one Bulgari retailer in Bali, providing Bulgari jewelry, watches, equipment and perfume assortment.

The resort incorporates a pristine seaside, sandwiched between the towering cliffs and water’s edge, and 1,5 km (0,9 mi) lengthy at low tide. The golden sand seaside is inaccessible to most of the people by each floor and sea, as it’s protected by a coral reef. The one entry is through the resort’s funicular that shuttles company between the resort’s most important services up the cliff and the seaside membership, providing jaw-dropping views on the way in which. The seaside is one in every of Bali’s most scenic and spectacular stretches of sand. Right here, you may laze the day away on luxurious lounge chairs whereas having a entrance row seat on the spectacle of occasional monster waves crashing on the offshore reef. In case you are fortunate, chances are you’ll even spot dolphins frolicking round within the foam from the ocean froths, and even observe a large whale. The magnificent seaside membership additionally incorporates a restaurant and bar.

Unique remedies – primarily based on conventional Asian traditions and methods – are provided on the oceanfront spa. The spa’s reception is situated inside an vintage Joglo home from Java, which was dismantled and exactly relocated on the website. The spa gardens characteristic a prevalence of water ponds, a tranquility pool, and a yoga pavilion, creating a mix of surfaces and chromatic harmonies to supply a soothing setting. Six totally geared up remedy rooms and a couple of royal pavilions with outside gardens, outside rain showers and plunge swimming pools full the format. A singular idea of service and conventional Asian methods – enhanced by fashionable practices in physiology and pure E’SPA merchandise – guarantee essentially the most personalised and attentive care.

The resort options 3 eating places, providing Italian impressed and regionally influenced delicacies:
- Overlooking a mirrored image pool, the resort’s signature Italian restaurant, Il Ristorante, pays homage to Italy in a seductive atmosphere. Open solely for dinner, the 36-seat restaurant options inventive interpretations of classical Italian delicacies, completely mixing the best imported Italian substances with the island’s bountiful natural produce.
- Positioned on the cliff’s edge, the all day eating Sangkar restaurant provides a extra informal ambiance and combines genuine Balinese dishes – enriched by numerous regional influences from the Indonesian archipelago – with a choice of worldwide specialties.
- Positioned above the personal seaside membership, the 12-seat La Spiaggia provides a grill menu that includes the catch of the day and natural child salad greens, full with aromas of open air cooking and informal seating beneath a bamboo clad bale. Offering the proper ambiance for seaside aspect soirees, La Spiaggia will also be privately booked for a country eating expertise.

Bali is likely one of the greatest locations on the planet to tie the knot, and the Bulgari Resort Bali is named one of the vital sought-after wedding ceremony websites on the island, because of its stunning wedding ceremony chapel. Bearing the Bulgari mark of lavish luxurious, the remarkably fashionable chapel is the one Bulgari branded marriage venue on the planet. Its understated magnificence comes from the paras Kerobokan stone from Bali and floor-to-ceiling glass paneling which, blended seamlessly collectively, create a superbly harmonious setting. Adjoining to the chapel is a big pavilion terrace, a fantastic outside venue that boasts an unrivalled view over the ocean, befitting any event.

One of many biggest issues in regards to the Bulgari Resort Bali is its wonderful employees. All staff are extraordinarily pleasant, useful and candy from the day of arrival till you permit.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Bulgari Resort Bali is one Bali’s most unique and well-known properties. But, it’s not excellent, and you must know the next when contemplating a keep right here:

There’s not a lot inside strolling distance, simply slender village roads lined with skinny cows and modest retailers. So, if you wish to get away from all of it in a brilliant trendy, secluded setting, you’ll love the Bulgari Resort Bali. Nevertheless, if you wish to discover a few of Bali’s well-known sights, you’ll face lengthy day journeys because of the unhealthy site visitors jams on the island. For instance, it takes round 2-2,5 hours every method to get from the resort to Ubud, the cultural coronary heart of Bali.

The dimension of the personal plunge swimming pools on the Bulgari Resort Bali is comparatively small in comparison with the personal swimming pools in different, newer resorts within the space (e.g. Banyan Tree Ungasan, Six Senses Uluwatu, Anantara Uluwatu, and Alila Villas Uluwatu).

Given the tiered cliffside structure and the mild slope charge of the lodge terrain, most villas don’t take pleasure in open sea views because the panoramas are obstructed by the roofs of the villas in entrance. Solely the eight ocean cliff villas on the sting supply utterly unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean and the horizon.

A big a part of the pool deck is within the shade round three hours earlier than sundown, because of the hilly terrain and excessive partitions on the pool’s westernmost aspect. You’ll recognize the shade provided on the pool by umbrellas and timber through the day, however as soon as you can begin getting out within the solar in late afternoon with out burning your self, you’ll end up within the shade. The one space of the pool which stays within the solar till sundown is its easternmost level, however sadly, there’s no deck with solar loungers right here (solely vegetation).

The variety of cabanas and loungers round the primary pool is restricted and at occasions of excessive occupancy, company might have to attend earlier than a seat or cabana turns into accessible (as I skilled myself on two separate events). Most company want although to lounge on the personal pool deck of their villa, and received’t have any concern with this. I additionally wish to point out that in my keep, an disagreeable scent was current on the pool deck within the neighborhood of the bogs and it continued for a number of days earlier than the ‘concern’ was mounted.

IMHO, the seaside of the Bulgari Resort Bali is one in every of Bali’s most spectacular seashores, given its rugged surroundings. That mentioned, it’s not the very best seaside for working in your tan because the resort’s elevated seaside space with loungers is within the shade a lot of the day because of the excessive cliffs. Throughout my go to mid-summer (July), there was solely solar for about one hour at midday. As well as, the ocean right here shouldn’t be good for swimming as a consequence of uncovered corals.

The resort’s funicular results in one of the vital spectacular landscapes in all of Bali with thundering waves and hovering cliffs. The funicular doesn’t go all the way in which to the seaside although: there are nonetheless many steps from the funicular’s decrease station to the seaside, however the awe-inspiring magnificence that awaits you is well worth the efforts. The funicular’s final run is at 5 pm, which is a pity, for the reason that resort’s personal seaside extends into an one other mile-long curving stretch of golden sand at low tide, which might be excellent for a romantic stroll within the setting solar.

The seaside membership is open climate allowing. The seaside is closed throughout robust wind and wet climate to make sure the security of company.

The resort’s pathways are steep and there are lots of stairs all through the property, which make the Bulgari Resort Bali not preferrred for mobility-challenged company. Nevertheless, the resort’s buggies can drop you of at most locations, so it isn’t actually a problem inside the resort itself, besides if you wish to go the seaside (for the reason that funicular doesn’t go down all the way in which to the seaside itself, as talked about above).

The quite small breakfast buffet doesn’t supply the hugest vary by way of selection and is slightly disappointing for a 5-star resort of this caliber, though actually sufficient to maintain you content. You get the majority of your breakfast from the in depth à la carte choice.

I’d not advocate this lodge as a vacation spot for households with younger kids. It’s positively higher suited to honeymooners and {couples} who simply wish to take pleasure in one another’s firm and overlook in regards to the hustle of their common life. That mentioned, if you’re touring with your loved ones to the Bulgari Resort Bali, chances are you’ll wish to e book one of many multi-bedroom mansions, which give a non-public ‘resort inside a resort’ expertise that’s higher suited to youthful kids.

Clearly, that is not an inexpensive place to remain (and that’s an understatement) however you must know that moving into. IMHO, the villa charges are just like what you pay at different high-end resorts within the space, however the extras (e.g. transfers, meals and spa remedies) are generally exorbitantly priced. For instance, the speed for an additional mattress on the Bulgari Resort Bali is greater than $100 USD per evening, excluding breakfast (not one of the different resorts I stayed at in Bali charged further for a roll-away mattress within the room).

Though the resort is managed in a collaboration between Marriott and Bulgari, the property doesn’t take part in Marriott’s loyalty program, Marriott Rewards.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
Total expertise: distinctive: 9/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the very best deal at a luxurious lodge like Bulgari Bali Resort (and/or obtain many free perks).

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving through Virtuoso (e.g. room improve, early check-in, late check-out, each day breakfast, and $100 USD resort credit score).

Room tip: for an unhindered view of the Indian Ocean, you must e book one of many eight ocean cliff villas on the sting.

Learn my suggestions for getting ready your journey in time.

REVIEWS OF OTHER HOTELS IN BALI & INDONESIA

Evaluate: Anantara Uluwatu, Bali (Indonesia)
Evaluate: Bulgari Resort Bali (Indonesia)
Evaluate: Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali (Indonesia)
Evaluate of Amankila, Bali’s greatest luxurious lodge
Evaluate of Amandari (Ubud, Bali)
Evaluate: Amanjiwo, Borobudur (Java, Indonesia)
Evaluate of Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Bali, Indonesia)
Evaluate: 4 Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Ubud, Bali)
Evaluate: 4 Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay (Indonesia)
Resort evaluation: Villa Sungai, Bali (Indonesia)
Resort evaluation: the Viceroy Bali (Indonesia)
Evaluate: Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali’s most spectacular lodge
Resort evaluation: COMO Shambhala Bali (Indonesia)
Resort evaluation: Soori Bali (Indonesia)

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Positioned near the equator, temperatures in Bali hover at a balmy 30°C (85°F) year-found. Temperatures within the Ubud space stay pretty fixed all year long, though some cooler evenings can happen as a consequence of its location within the mountains. The frequency of precipitation is the one concern for vacationers searching for to go to Ubud. The wet season lasts from October to March, and the heavy humidity and torrential rainfalls make this era extra unpredictable for adventures and exploration. The dry season lasts from April to September, and the climate throughout this time is heat and nice, so that is usually considered because the optimum time to expertise Bali at its best.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bulgari Resort Bali is a forty five minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport. Click on right here for a repeatedly up to date checklist of airways that supply direct flights to Bali.