roots
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54
Mar/Apr 2015
Back to my
here are many exciting views of
the Bali coastline and those who
visit (to say nothing of those who
live here) are continually spoilt by
glorious sunsets and epic views.
It seems impossible and unfair to
really compare them, and that’s
not what we’re here to do.
But the viewpoint from the wonderfully relaxed
and laidback rooftop of the Kuta Beach
Heritage Hotel, with its swimming pool, bar and
restaurant, has one thing that stands it apart.
For it is here, near as dammit, that Kuta’s – and
Bali’s – first hotel was built and to sit here and
try to imagine what Bali would have looked like
then is to stretch the limits of most mere mortals.
But it’s still a great view, even if at the back of
your mind you know you’re now surrounded
by some of the world’s fast-food behemoths
where it used to be rice fields and palm trees.
But we’re not here just to gaze at the sea
imaging Bali of yore; we’re here to enjoy some
1
www.essential-bali.com
The Kuta Beach Heritage
Hotel is linked to the very
beginnings of Bali tourism
and still forges a niche
for the island’s visitors
of what Bali of today has on offer, which is one
of its great deals. 195,000 Rp for a four-hour
all-you-can-eat barbecue (Wednesday and
Friday only) seemed almost too good to be
true, so we set off to find out the reality.
As we’ve intimated, the roof terrace is a
great place to unwind, with cool holiday
tunes in the background, the pool to the fore
allowing you to splash around looking at the
sea and the restaurant area to the back. It’s
an uncomplicated setting that makes the
most of what it has and the food is similarly
uncomplicated. Simply peruse the meat and
fish on offer, choose your weapons and hand it
over to the chef for cooking.
The island today is transformed beyond
recognition from what it was when Bali’s first
hotel was built here all those years ago, but this
is a reminder of what made it attractive in the
first place – a place to relax, enjoy the view and
indulge yourself. And you’re just across the road
from the beach that started it all.
1. Up on the roof:
Good times are on
the horizon
2. Essential selection:
A broad range of
meat and fish