Cover Aerial shot of Raffles Bali, a 23-hectare property located in the heart of Jimbaran Bay
Aerial shot of Raffles Bali, a 23-hectare property located in the heart of Jimbaran Bay
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Raffles Bali provides the perfect balance of seclusion and accessibility, offering much-needed privacy while keeping you close to the island’s most popular attractions
Think of Bali and its pristine beaches, perfect for catching the waves or relaxing by the shore, easily come to mind. But as I have rediscovered on my recent holiday there with my mum, the Indonesian island is so much more than that. You only need to venture beyond the coast to be rewarded with nature’s lush greenery and breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape. And for me, the ideal resort to experience the best of both worlds is Raffles Bali.
The expansive 23-hectare property is nestled in the heart of Jimbaran Bay but is also framed on the other side by mountains. As general manager Katya Herting tells us, “we didn’t want to damage nature” so the property was seamlessly integrated into the mountainous terrain. This unique setting gave us that much-needed exclusivity and privacy in one of the busiest islands of the world, when we stayed for two nights in one of its 32 luxurious pool villas.
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First Impressions
Above Raffles Bali's Wellbeing butler
Raffles Bali's Wellbeing butler
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Raffles is a well-known international brand, but it is clear from the moment we arrived (via the limo pickup from the airport) that it is dedicated to keeping the Balinese culture alive. The moment the car door was opened for us, we were serenaded by live Balinese music all while participating in a local ritual of sprinkling our hands with water and gently pressing rice grains on our foreheads, all in the name of the gods.
As we waited for our Raffles Wellbeing butler to check us into our villa, we couldn’t help but admire the local touches that were incorporated into the property’s design. The open-air lobby, which overlooks the mountains, vast Indian ocean and sprawling well-manicured lawns, is fashioned after a jineng (traditional house made from wood). Thus, earth-tone hues dominate the space made from mostly wood materials and outfitted with local artworks and furniture made by skilled Balinese craftsmen. This thoughtful design extends to the adjacent Writer’s Bar, where the bartenders make a local version of Singapore Sling called Bali Sling, concocted with Balinese arak, blue pea tea, gin and grenadine, alongside a bevvy of local-inspired drinks.
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Do Not Disturb
Above Ocean Pool villa
Ocean Pool villa
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Due to the size of Raffles Bali and its hilly roads, walking to our villa wasn’t the most ideal, especially with my 74-year-old mum in tow. But it wasn’t an issue as the resort has more than 20 electric buggies driven by the staff who were prepared to whisk us away to the villa or wherever we needed to go. As we opened the villa’s massive angkul-angkul (or gates), all the worries and stress were left outside the door as we entered our luxurious 470 sqm private sanctuary that we would call ‘home’ for two nights.
The spacious room was designed with comfort in mind—think comfy king-sized bed framed by a batik wall, locally made rattan chairs made for lounging, and all the yoga and beach amenities you will need throughout your stay. If we weren’t enjoying the surround sound system we could connect to via Chromecast Bluetooth, you would find us relaxing in the gazebo or enjoying our own 35sqm private pool that overlooks the deep blue. It was so tempting to stay cocooned in our villa because everything was provided for by the butlers, who were always one text or phone call away.
The Extras
The Sanctuary treatment
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You can’t go on a holiday without getting a massage, and that was what my mum and I did to fully immerse ourselves in our Balinese holiday. The session started with us choosing our body oil: Relaxing Oil, which had strong notes of lavender; Tropical Forest, which smelled of eucalyptus and mint; and Calming, which was a mix of lavender and sandalwood notes. Then we proceeded to the room where our feet were first cleansed before the masseuse led us to the massage bed where all the knots in our back were eased during the one-hour session.
With Raffles Bali being such a massive property, I also took the time to explore it while my mum was lounging around. I discovered the resort’s private beach, which is also accessible from Loloan Beach Bar & Grill. It was so tempting to spend an hour lying on the sand, as I could easily cool off with ice-cold drinks such as beers or fresh juices. But in the end, I ended up staying by the infinity pool which offered the same majestic views of the blue sky and ocean.
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Food & Drink
Above The Secret Cave
The Secret Cave
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Under the helm of culinary director Gaetan Biseuz, Raffles Bali has become a food and drink destination in its own right, with four dining concepts. French by blood but Asian at heart, he taps into his French culinary training and love for Indonesian produce and ingredients to create a fine-dining experience at Rumari where diners are able to tuck into imaginative dishes in his 7-Step’s Journey menu. As the sun set, casting an orange glow on our surroundings, we happily tucked into the likes of crayfish chawanmushi in which the crustacean comes from the town of Sibang in Bali, and the smoked ahi tuna fished from Jimbaran and served with a spicy tangy sambal matah hollandaise. While Biseuz is all about championing local produce, he tells us that he doesn’t force it if he can’t find top-quality produce on the island. His lamb, for example, comes from Gundagai, Australia, and is known for its clean and non-gamey taste.
As a special treat for my mum, we went to dinner at The Secret Cave, which is literally inside a secret cave that was discovered during the resort’s construction. Hundreds of candles lit our path as we made our way into this hidden spot furnished with a lavishly decorated table for two. Biseuz has created a more classic European menu for this unique dining experience, where we got to enjoy dishes like the Bedugul beetroot done in different ways (crisped up into ribbons, candied and roasted), and slow-roasted Wagyu beef tenderloin on a bed of potato risotto and laced with truffle jus. The Secret Cave can only accommodate one round of guests per night (maximum of 6 diners), so booking it a few days in advance is highly recommended.
Tatler Tip
Above The view from the outdoor yoga space
The view from the outdoor yoga space
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The resort offers daily yoga and meditation classes, which guests need to sign up for in advance. For my first full day in Bali, I signed up for a relaxing yoga session in an outdoor space that overlooks the greenery. It was such a different experience being in touch with nature and hearing the birds chirp as we did our warrior one and two poses, before lying down in our final savasana. On my last day, the resort arranged a private meditation class for my mum and I, which took place at The Secret Cave. Our trained instructor guided us through deep breaths and gentle stretches, all while listening to the sounds of nature.
Credits
Images: Raffles Bali
Topics
Dudi Aureus is the senior dining and travel editor at Tatler Singapore, covering the city’s most exciting restaurants, global travel trends, and the personalities shaping the culinary and lifestyle scenes. She also serves as co-jury chair for the Tatler Best awards in Singapore, celebrating the very best in hospitality. When she’s off duty, she can often be found at a favourite hole-in-the-wall Thai spot, savouring a perfectly balanced pad thai.
