A BEACHFRONT OASIS
Wandering through the tropical, flowering gardens of The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa, I can’t help but feel like this is one of those “hidden gem” kind of resorts. A prime beachfront address in the heart of the thriving Seminyak area is like gold dust nowadays, and with a flurry of new boutique hotels and restaurants squeezing into the limited space that is left along the popular tourist strip, few resorts are spacious enough to leave room for a vast, open and peaceful expanse of manicured greenery.
The gardens at The Seminyak give the resort that “paradise island” feel you’ve come to expect from a holiday in Bali – a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the streets outside. Sheltered by gorgeous flora and fauna and dotted with lily ponds and thatched pavilions, nothing disrupts the soft sound of the Indian Ocean’s lapping waves. And yet, when the mood strikes to paint the town red, The Seminyak’s select location means you are just a stone’s throw from the island’s biggest nightlife names, like KU DE TA and Townhouse.
Into the Villas
Although there are thousands of beautiful villas in Bali, each one more charming than the next, the rooms, suites and villas at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa are right at the top of the list. Not only do they have the resort’s stunning gardens and too-good-to-be-true beachside views right on their doorstep, they are designed in a way that perfectly blends traditional Balinese aesthetics with twenty-first century style.
A chic and sophisticated fusion of indigenous and contemporary décor, attention to detail in every room is truly exquisite. Custom wood carvings frame each bed, hand-hammered bronze door handles are cool to the touch and a sunken Jacuzzi bathtub sits lazily amidst the spa-inspired en-suite. Personalised touches include a rustic wooden fruit bowl filled with Bali’s bounty (dragon fruit, manggis and star fruit), while a slender vase holds a spray of elegant white lilies. Ikat upholstered furnishings, raw silk curtains, double flat screen televisions and waffled cotton bathrobes complete the idyllic home away from home experience.
Out into the in-villa courtyards via hand carved Balinese doors and the ocean is not just a distant view but a constant companion. The creamy seascape of Bali’s most iconic beach is just footsteps away from the villa’s private pool, where the gentle waves and the smell of the Indian Ocean’s sweet saltiness is a constant reminder that paradise is right here. A sparkling plunge pool sits close by, beside the semi open-air entertainment area complete with a wet bar and a contemporary set of chic outdoor lolling spots.
A Place to Unwind
Away from your own private abode, a magnificent infinity edge swimming pool fringes the resort’s oasis-like gardens, running along the entire beachfront stretch. As a lively social hub, this is the perfect place to enjoy a light, healthy lunch and an icy cold Corona with lime. The pool’s exclusive atmosphere makes it feel like your own private beach club, while the hip, sunken bar serves up tropical fruit smoothies and innovative cocktails for the ultimate holiday elixir.
At sunset, watch the sky turn pink in the resort’s open-air Sanje Lounge, or for a relaxed fine dining experience, reserve a table under Santan Restaurant’s collection of modern dining pavilions, surrounded by waterways and tropical greenery. Offering an all day dining menu, Pan-Asian dishes are created with the island’s freshest ingredients, bursting with flavour.
Raise a Toast
With a perfect holiday all wrapped up, head to the resort’s on-site wine cellar to celebrate with a bottle of your favourite vino. The Cellar is as chic as the resort itself, and it stocks over 150 wines and Champagnes from all around the world, complete with extremely competitive price tags. You can buy your chosen grapes in The Cellar then enjoy them anywhere in the resort that you choose. Toast to uninterrupted privacy at your pool villa, or recline in the garden’s pavilions draped in beautiful white fabrics. Wherever you decide to celebrate, you’ll no doubt be toasting to a fabulous holiday, where you found paradise amidst The Seminyak’s beachfront oasis.
