By Rama Gaind.
Bali Hai … at long last! A holiday to remember is when indulgent moments become memorable experiences. Is there such a destination? Yes, in Indonesia … and it’s the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.
Aerial view of the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Resort sprawled across eight hectares of lusciously green landscaped gardens with unspoiled beachfront to the Indian Ocean.
It had been long time in the planning, but finally I’d arrived. First impressions lived up to expectations! A feeling of peace and seclusion – in the finest possible way – permeated the surrounds of the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua. We break away from boisterous surroundings and travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
The stay was incomparable to anything I’d experienced before. This Bali destination captivated from the moment of arrival, when the dream sojourn began.
English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy described the feeling to perfection in his 1874 novel Far from the Madding Crowd. The hustle and bustle of city life was left far behind. Instead, you felt cocooned in an idyllic backdrop where the option was still there to be as active or as socially engaging as you desired. Here was a location where you enjoyed privacy, but were also assured of receiving quality, attentive service. The serenity was bliss!
Nestled on the quieter side of Bali, the resort is about 30 minutes’ drive south of Ngurah Rai International Airport. It’s in contrast to the crowds of Seminyak or Kuta. Positioned on the beautiful Bukit Peninsula, the French-inspired, five-star luxury beachfront resort combines a unique fusion with the best of Balinese culture.
It’s an amazing water wonderland at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. From a ground floor room, you can access the main swimming pool that goes around the whole property … via a lagoon! Photo: Rama Gaind
The style and character of the sprawling eight-hectare resort is self-evident. The eye-catching verdantly landscaped tropical gardens, complemented by the spectacular labyrinth of swimming pools, are bordered by an immaculate stretch of a white sandy beach on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
Stunning setting
Located within an exclusive resort area in Nusa Dua, the Sofitel delivers stunning sunrises and sunsets and beachside pathways stretched over seven kilometers that are ideal for walks or cycling tours.
Nusa Dua means two islands (nusa ‘island’, dua ‘two’) because there are two islands in the bay of Bali Tourism Development Corporation area. The enclave covers 350 hectares of land and encloses more than 20 resorts. Located 22 kilometers from Denpasar, it was built in the 1970s and is situated in the southern part of Bali.
Only a short amble across the hotel’s open-air lobby, the ‘Circle of Life’, and you’ll be enthralled by the spectacular views overlooking the gardens and the ocean in the distance. The beauty is in the details with exquisite architecture and décor that are mostly the works of art by Balinese craftsmen, and the spiraling staircases leave you with impressions of French Renaissance and Baroque.
Being welcomed by Dwi for brunch at Cucina Restaurant at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Photo: Rama Gaind
Lasting impressions of an astonishing property, friendly staff, thoughtful service and spectacular backdrop aligns admirably with the ethos espoused by the resort’s general manager Sylvain Pasdeloup.
“The warm smiles of Sofitel staff quietly announce thoughtful gestures and sincere dedication,” Mr Pasdeloup says. “Allow us to display our senses of hospitality and to tailor our services according to your wishes. Your pleasure is ours.” So true!
The euphoria lasted for the duration of my stay. This overview evokes memories of tranquility and contentment.
The location
Bali is located at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with Java to its west and Lombok to its east; being one of the 14,000 isles from the Indonesian archipelago nicknamed the ‘Island of the Gods’. Popular destination.
The hotel
A lavish and sophisticated beachfront retreat, with stunning views, the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort has 415 rooms including 22 suites and 17 private pool villas. It has 12 function rooms, two restaurants, three bars and an executive lounge, Club Millesime. There’s so much to see and do.
The pools
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort has blue skies above, pristine sand below, balmy breeze off the Indian Ocean and peace within. Photo: Rama Gaind
It’s an amazing water wonderland at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. It has one big, main swimming pool that meanders around the whole property. It is divided into two parts: bar and deep, one whirlpool, and one children’s pool (with water games and slides).
From my ground floor luxury room I had my own private access to the main swimming pool … via a lagoon … or I could stay in the relative privacy of the pool outside my room.
You can leisurely swim in one of the ‘outer canals’ taking a sinuous route, occasionally stopping along the side to gaze wondrously, at the profusion of colourful frangipani in bloom, in particular, then glide under bridges before ending in the main pool area. A perfect place to keep your cool!
The room
Comfort all the way. My room was spacious, well-furnished, with remarkable bathrooms that offered a free-standing bath tub and a walk-in rain shower. The big bonus was the doorstep access to the pool maze.
The menu
One of the myriad of food stations for Sunday brunch at the Cucina Restaurant at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Resort. This is where you indulge in a splendid array of culinary offerings that include popular French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as, fresh and light seafood selections and delectable desserts. Photo: Rama Gaind
Kwee Zeen: a Pan Asian restaurant inspired by the scenes of a street food market elevated to five-star level through dynamic and interactive experience with visible preparations in a front kitchen or ‘ateliers’.
Cucina Restaurant: a unique Mediterranean wining and dining experience with Italian al fresco amidst the finest indulgent Italian cuisine. The Sunday brunches here are renowned.
Club Millesime: the executive lounge and bar which features express check-in and check-out services, evening canapés, an extensive selection of wines, butler services and many other special benefits.
Le Bar is in the lobby; L’OH Pool Bar invites you to indulge with light bites or creative cocktails to accompany your dip in the azure-blue tiled pool; spend some time in a breezy seaside atmosphere at the Toya Beach Bar & Grill; and Manarai Beach House by Ismaya provides access to crystal clear waters and a pristine beachfront location.
Kids Club
The Kids Club is a “piece of heaven on earth” to knowledgably entertain children – and a bonus for parents!
Health and wellbeing
Sofitel fitness gym will keep you healthy and succumb to blissful massages and beauty treatments at SoSpa.
Facilities and recreation
Relax in the stunning landscaped swimming pools or take a leisurely walk along the leafy pathways at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Resort.
Tennis and beach volleyball courts, bicycle and canoe rental, organic garden aquarobics, yoga, cycling, canoeing, cooking class, Zumba and boot camp.
Water sports: banana boat rides, parasailing, jet-skis, diving, flying fishing.
Tourist highlights
Bali International Convention Centre, Pasifika Museum, Jimbaran beaches with there fantastic sunset seafood dinners, Uluwatu (20 minutes), one of Bali’s most famous temples and surfing spots.
Nusa Dua is home to Bali Nusa Dua Theatre, the Bali National Golf Club and the Bali Collection shopping, dining and entertainment centre. It is a short-drive north to the water sport coastal area of Tanjung Benoa.
The best part
Seclusion, pristine beach, verdant landscape, magnificent views, from-room pool access, culinary indulgence … you get the picture.
This quote from Pulitzer Prize-winning American author John Steinbeck is justified: “people don’t take trips, trips take people.”
DETAILS BOX
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Lot N5, Kawasan ITDC Nusa Dua, Bali 80363 Indonesia
Tel: +62 (361) 849 2888 Fax: +62 (361) 849 2999
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.accorhotels.com
