“Even though it may not always have been so, in Bali today, the Bleisure gods have done quite a bit right.” Kai Böcking
I was travelling in Asia for almost three weeks in order to research a few hotels suitable for Bleisure, in addition to my business appointments. Five times three days Bleisure. The journey led to Singapore, Bali, the Anambas Islands and Langkawi in Malaysia. Each destination can be reached from Singapore in a maximum of three hours, Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur even only one hour by plane.
Bali was a special destination for me. The “Island of the Gods”, the dream destination of many holidaymakers, has changed over the years and in parts from a backpacker’s paradise to a long-distance destination with luxury flair. A two-hour flight from Singapore and a short transfer to Alila Villas in Uluwatu, and the business traveller in need of relaxation is already in paradise. Your first glance after entering the modern lobby opens up the magic of this place: Water pools with small paths, snow-white corridors on the right and left and straight ahead one of the most beautiful infinity pools I have ever seen.
3 days on almost 300 square meters
As the name suggests, there are only villas in this Alila Hotel, and the group has two more hotels in Bali. We move into the “smallest” category: a One Bedroom Villa with its own secluded pool, outdoor terrace, sun bed, huge marble bathroom and dark wooden furniture. Which is 295 square meters! All villas are located on a hill above the hotel complex, the 24-hour butler service will drive us down to the pool, spa, restaurants and bar at any time with a golf buggy. The entire hotel crew addresses us with our names, invoices do not have to be countersigned, expenses land discreetly on the final invoice. Here the guest is spoiled – not for a second do I not feel welcome at this five-star level.
We can have breakfast either a la carte in the Villa or in the Restaurant Cire. In the restaurant The Warung they again prepare Indonesian cuisine with the freshest local ingredients – in the open kitchen overlooking the pool. If you like, you can go to the market in the morning with the chef and learn to cook real Indonesian curry on the flat stone mortar on a course. But the hotel can afford a third restaurant: the small, fine Quila with just 20 seats! If you can get one, a culinary surprise awaits you. The menu served by chef Marc Lorés Panadés is a culinary puzzle in twelve courses: surprising, unique in quality and worth every cent. You must book at the same time! And while you’re at it, make sure you book your spa treatment right away: We recommend the Cliff Edga Spa Cabana Treatment, a double massage in the great outdoors with a view of the sea. Here you glide into a restful sleep with the gentle sound of the sea. The purest peace on earth.
In the middle of the rainforest
Those who want to add a few days extension to the extension should take the hotel shuttle to the sister hotel Alila Ubud that is one and a half hours away. Here in the hilly rainforest of Bali, the Bleisure effect is completely different. While the Alila in Uluwatu is a chic designer hotel, in the mountains the focus is on nature. The drive into the interior of Bali, past green rice terraces, lush vegetation and many small villages is just pure deceleration. The hotel itself lies high above a river valley in the middle of the forest. Not a white temple, but a retreat built into nature, where sustainability is not just a slogan: no plastic, many local products and the recycling of resources. You will be welcomed in the main house, an airy wooden pagoda. This is also the location of the only restaurant, Plantation. A long stone staircase leads to the pool and bar – an infinity pool overlooking a green river valley. It takes your breath away.
There are different room and villa categories. My tip: the stone villas hidden in the forest. The inside is comfortably furnished with wood and stone, a large bathroom, double bed and daybed. Outside a large terrace with a spacious daybed. But a warning: don’t be frightened on the terrace – wild monkeys live here and like to consider the area as their territory. Actually they are harmless, but it has been reported that a family of monkeys has cleaned out the minibar in unlocked rooms.
Walkway to heaven
Those who want to enjoy less excitement are well catered for in the restaurants. Especially, the breakfast is outstanding. For the first time I tasted “Jamu Beras Kencu” here. The Balinese swear by it: rice, herbs, green leaves – all warm! It is said to lower the blood pressure, although you don’t need it in this paradise. You are relaxed anyway.
And the only increase from letting go is the walk along the “Walkway to heaven”, a stone path that leads to the spa pavilion overlooking the river. At the Rainforest Retreat, for example, you will be “pampered” for half a day, including a romantic, healthy lunch in a fluffy bathrobe.
And for those who still want to leave paradise, the famous water temple and the huge rice terraces are close by, as perfectly organized excursions from the hotel.
Kai Böcking …
spoke weeks later of this trip with a “pamper” and encountered the impossibilities of everyday work with indestructible relaxation. Bleisure is addictive? In any case, it will continue for sure.
At a glance
Getting there:
To Bali one flies from Singapore two hours and is in a few minutes by transfer in Alila Villas Uluwatu. From here it takes one and a half hours by hotel shuttle to Alila Ubud in the interior.
Hotels:
Alila Villas Uluwatu is located on a hill overlooking the sea and is 3.3 km from Karma Beach and 9 km from Luhur Uluwatu Temple. The luxury resort has exclusively villas with one to three bedrooms, private pool and outdoor dining room. There are also two restaurants, a terrace on the cliff, an outdoor pool, a spa, a library and a fitness center with yoga classes.
Alila Ubud is located in the middle of the rainforest on a hill in the Ayung River Valley and was designed as a Balinese village. The resort is located 8 km from Ubud Palace and 12 km from Ubud Monkey Forest. The rooms and suites have a balcony or terrace with valley view, a day bed and a private pool. The resort also has an infinity pool, outdoor restaurant, bar/lounge, spa, art gallery, library and TV lounge.
Address:
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Jl Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Desa Pecatu 80364 Bali, Indonesia, +62 361 8482166, uluwatu@alilahotels.com
Alila Ubud, Desa, Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali 80572, Indonesien, +62 361 975963, ubud@alilahotels.com
Fotos: © Kai Böcking, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Ubud