Bali is an island paradise, with the most immaculate and dreamy beaches as well as deep, dense forests to explore and a timeless culture to admire. And far from the maddening crowds lies Nusa Dua; a beautiful, idyllic and peaceful part of the island to unwind and re-charge.
When it comes to luxury locations and hotels, the Ritz-Carlton is synonymous for offering an elevated experience. Safe and secure, this gated complex is sheltered and calm; bordered on one side by a private beach and the other by a spectacular cliff. This resort is a cosy, intimate place to be, despite its size. From the moment we arrive at the resort, and step into an open-air reception, the breathtaking view from this elevated vantage point overlooks the entire resort and the expansive Indian ocean. This is a resort that truly allows you to get away from it all.
The glass-lit, majestic beachfront wedding chapel is filled with light and is the perfect place to say your vows. A dedicated wedding planner is on-hand to ensure every element of your day is seamlessly perfect. Service is what the Ritz-Carlton is famous for!
And once you are married, the Ritz-Carlton offers the best in luxury accommodation for you and your guests. Overly spacious rooms and suites with high ceilings and large windows feature touches of elegant Balinese features but overall there's smooth, modern lines which give the entire place a sleek feel. And the beds are some of the largest we've ever encountered! Soft, luxurious linen and pillows encourage the perfect night's sleep.
There are over 300 rooms at the Ritz-Carlton, ranging from rooms overlooking the ocean to suites set in the gardens, some with private pools. Although in some places that would lead to crowds and noise, that’s not the case here. The resort has been thoughtfully created to offer space and serenity. And for a little extra privacy, The Ritz Carlton 'Club' offers a personalised check-in, a private pool for Club guests, garment pressing, and tasty morsels of food presented five times daily...and let's not forget the nightly cocktails! For the small additional expense to upgrade to Club accommodation, it's well worth it.
All the rooms and suites are decorated in dark wood and colourful artwork. but it's the bathrooms that really make this hotel stand out – enormous bathtubs dominate the room and the indoor/outdoor showers make for an exhilarating experience. The penthouse suites offer extra large terraces affording a spectacular view out over the beach and across the Indian Ocean - perfect for an ultra luxurious honeymoon.
As for food, you're spoilt for choice here. Six restaurants - ranging from casual cafes to upmarket restaurants -offer a wonderful variety to meet all tastes and budgets. The food is all prepared freshly on-site using local ingredients where possible. The chefs are all highly skilled from across the world, so no matter which restaurant you choose to dine in, the food is exceptional.
Raku, for example, serves freshly prepared sushi and sashimi from a wonderful cliff-top vantage point, while Benjana specialises in Indonesian banquets, a highlight of our stay. But for sophisticated elegance right on the beach, The Beach Grill offers a romantic, candlelit evening 'a deux'. If romance is high on your agenda, a private dining experience is a must, where you can enjoy just-caught lobster or tender Australian Wagyu beef, all while barefoot on the beach.
And for those that seek more than relaxing by the beach-side infinity pool, there's cooking classes, evening entertainment or a first-class spa offering. Their Balinese hydro pool is set amongst lush foliage and is taken from traditional Balinese Hinduism and is seen as spiritual as well as rejuvenating. Yoga, a salon, a hydro-vitality pool, and treatments that include facials and extraordinary massages round out the Wellness centre offering. The couple's 'Escape to Romance' Signature massage is a relaxing way to spent time with your loved one in a private Spa Suite.
You will want for nothing when you stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Nusa Dua, and with twenty-four hour room service, you don't even need to leave your room's cocoon-like environment. But when you do, there's plenty to keep you occupied with a golf course close by, a private beach with white powdered sand, and a spa offering a variety of exotic treatments. But for me, the large, comfortable loungers at Breezes Tapas Bar, bordering the infinity pool and the ocean, is the best place to enjoy the gentle and personalised hospitality of the staff at the Ritz Carlton...with a cocktail in hand.
Visit their website :: Ritz-Carlton Nusa Dua, Bali
