Hotel review: Inside Hilton Bali Resort’s stunning coastal transformation

With 401 rooms and 19 villas, the accommodation options cater to travellers with different vacation purposes, be it a family-friendly trip or a couple’s retreat. 

We stayed in the One Bedroom Pool Villa, which is a generous space spanning 220 square metres. It offers an intimate sanctuary that offers both indoor comfort and outdoor tropical living. Floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve the boundaries between interior space and the lush surrounding landscape, allowing natural light to flood the interiors.

The villa’s private pool is carefully positioned to capture uninterrupted views of the verdant gardens and glimpses of the Indian Ocean beyond—a therapeutic view at the break of dawn or in the beautiful hours near dusk. 

Crafted with a sophisticated palette of natural woods, slate, and soft neutral tones, the living space reflects a modern interpretation of Balinese design: minimalist yet warm, contemporary yet deeply rooted in local aesthetics.

There is also a large walk-in wardrobe that provides ample storage, while the adjoining bathroom offers a spa-like experience with a standalone bathtub, rain shower, and premium toiletries.

We enjoyed access to the executive lounge, which is conveniently located in front of our villa. Situated in a discrete wing of the resort, the lounge offers a refined retreat for guests seeking additional privacy and personalised service. We enjoyed some down time in this quiet space and especially enjoyed their evening cocktail hours where we sampled curated wines, artisanal local pastries and light canapés.  

The resort’s newest jewel, Elara Seaside Lounge and Bar, is a Mediterranean-inspired sanctuary that elevates the concept of coastal dining. As it is located on the cliff’s edge, making our way up there was quite a climb! But of course, the immaculate views and service made up for it. 

The menu features classic Mediterranean dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, highlighting the region’s renowned focus on wellness and nutritious, flavourful cuisine. Guests can look forward to dishes as a 12-hour marinated grilled lamb rack with chimichurri, chickpeas, crumble, tahini and yoghourt purée; cured salmon crudo accompanied by pickled onions, capers, labneh and extra virgin olive oil, as well as roasted figs with stracciatella, topped with pomegranate and blueberries.

Handcrafted cocktails complement the extensive menu, best enjoyed in the al fresco area where you can people watch and enjoy the sounds of the ocean waves. ocean. Those who want a more intimate dining experience can have their meals indoors, where the restaurant’s interiors centre on an olive tree, which symbolises renewal and rejuvenation.

What we looked forward to each day was the breakfast spread. The breakfast experience is where Hilton Bali Resort truly showcases its gastronomic prowess. The morning spread features both global and local flavours, transforming the first meal of the day into a lavish culinary journey. Each morning, guests can look forward to a veritable feast—and we’re not exaggerating.

There is something for every conceivable palate. International stations feature made-to-order eggs prepared by skilled chefs—from classic French-style omelettes to traditional Indonesian telur balado. A dedicated Indonesian counter celebrates local cuisine with an exceptional array of regional specialties. Nasi goreng prepared with traditional recipes, accompanied by perfectly crisp chicken satay, sambals of varying heat levels, and an array of local condiments provide an authentic taste of Balinese morning traditions. The freshly made bubur ayam (chicken rice porridge) are comforting bowls that showcase a depth of flavour that speaks to generations of Indonesian culinary heritage.

The bakery section is also extensive with freshly baked croissants, muffins, donuts, a variety of breads to cater to different dietary requirements as well as a range of spreads including artisal honey and butters made in Indonesia. 

For those seeking wellness, a dedicated health corner offers cold-pressed juices, chia seed puddings, açai bowls, and an array of superfoods. Coffee aficionados will appreciate the dedicated coffee station, featuring beans sourced from various Indonesian regions, particularly the renowned Balinese and Sumatran varieties.

In case you missed it: 10 best cafés to start your day at in Canggu, Bali

Beyond the rooms and dining, the resort offers a playground of wellness and recreation for all including: four interconnected swimming pools; a 30-metre water slide for the adventurous; a fully equipped gymnasium; eight semi-outdoor spa villas offering blissful treatments; and a kids’ club for families.

The Hilton Bali Resort offers a range of experiences that transform a simple stay into a deeply immersive journey. The resort’s commitment to cultural engagement is perhaps most beautifully expressed through its Balinese cooking class, a culinary adventure that goes far beyond typical resort activities.

Hosted at its restaurant Grain, the cooking class is an intimate exploration of Balinese culinary traditions. Our class was led by a kind and experienced local chef with generations of family cooking knowledge. Each session normally takes about three hours and the experience begins with a morning market tour, where guests accompany the chef to local markets to source for ingredients in nearby Sawangan. However, we had to skip this tour due to our own time restraints and went straight into the real magic!

We were taught how to prepare classic dishes such as sambal matah (a raw, spicy Balinese condiment), traditional Balinese salad, grilled seafood and even kueh dadar. It was a truly hands-on experience where we learnt more than just cooking instructions but also the cultural significance of these different ingredients and dishes. 

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To make the most out of your stay, try to carve out some time to enjoy what Bali has come to be known for: its stunning and iconic sunsets. For an even more splendid experience, you can request a cabana at Elara during sunset in which you can enjoy a tipple or two, or by the pool that seems to merge with the ocean horizon. The combination of decadent food and handcrafted cocktails as well as the dramatic ocean backdrop creates a moment of unfiltered luxury that epitomises the Hilton Bali Resort experience.

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