This is a story about the trials and tribulations of love. As a young teenager I had a short but extremely passionate encounter while on holiday to Bali. This relationship has shaped my adult life, and spurred a passion that still exists today. It was a trip where I started my love affair with luxury hotels.
My first love was Amankila on Bali’s East Coast, and I still look back on our time together with such fond memories. Amankila had a rare elegance that I hadn’t come across before, and was the tropical jewel in the crown of Bali. It was love at first sight.
Several years later I have returned to Bali to discover that this love isn't quite as magical as I remember. Amankila is still a world class beauty, but it is the surrounds of Bali that haven't matured as graciously. It is a destination that is now swarming with visitors with a range of new hotels of all shapes, standards, and sizes. Where it was easy for me to fall in love as a teenager, it is now a bit more of an task to find the right match. I guess like any mature relationship it requires a bit more work. In saying that the love is still very much alive, and Bali is still a unique island in the Indonesian archipelago... and Amankila still one of my all-time favourites.
These are my three new loves on the island of Bali.
COMO Shambala Estate - An incredibly chic wellness retreat
To say this property is peaceful is an understatement, surrounded by lush forests and totally secluded. Rooms and suites in the estates vary in style from colonial to oriental, but all are incredibly chic and reflect the sense of understated luxury that COMO hotels are known for. The focus here is on wellness, and programs can be designed to include anything from yoga to massages… Pure BLISS if you ask me!
Alila Villas Uluwatu - A contemporary cliff hanging resort
Sleek minimalist design is the approach here, with a bit of gravity defying engineering thrown in for good measure. The resort is located on the southern Uluwatu coastline high on a cliff overlooking the rolling seas below - truly mesmerising. Private villas all have their own pools, with larger configurations perfect for family groups.
Puri Ganesha Villas - A charming collection of traditional beachfront villas
Located far from the masses in a sleepy beach village on the North shore, you are immediately taken back in time to an undeveloped Bali. The property oozes confidence in the elegance of its traditional style, and with a Cordon Bleu trained chef as your host you are going to eat very well (not mention be very well entertained).
While I was initially worried about the state of my relationship, I left feeling that the fame was still very much alive. True love I guess will last a lifetime, and Bail still knows how to turn on the charm when she wants to.