HOTEL REVIEW 83
Jimbaran’ s
Beach Palace
Hidden away on one of Bali’ s best beaches, Jimbaran Puri epitomises the intimate, understated luxury that many travel to the island in search of.
The Resort Located on a stunning stretch of Jimbaran Beach, Orient-Express’ Jimbaran Puri resort is a hidden gem. Without the fan fare of much larger resorts, Jimbaran Puri is a place for travellers in the know, looking for intimacy, privacy and luxury. Its 42 cottages and 21 villas are nestled in lush manicured gardens, punctuated by winding paths beneath coconut grooves, many of which lead out to the sun-kissed beach with its army of thatch umbrellas.
The Arrival Arriving at Jimbaran Puri is like arriving at a private home; porters scurry around collecting bags and guiding us through to an open-air lobby of lounges which looks out across the resort’ s expansive swimming pool. From here we’ re guided down narrow garden paths, past shrines veiled in bright tropical flowers, to a separate reception dedicated to the resort’ s 19 deluxe pool villas, little havens within themselves.
The Accommodation Of the different accommodation options on offer at Jimbaran Puri, the pool villas are my favourite; spacious, elegant and utterly Balinese, the pool villas offer couples a true respite, complete with high walls, lush gardens and lawns, a sizeable plunge pool and plenty of privacy. Split into two halves, the villas boast to one side a main bedroom, complete with four-poster bed and a spacious bathroom with soak tub and outdoor shower, and to the other a separate living room, with an intimate dining set up at the rare, perfect for in-villa breakfasts. In between is a shaded sala or two, and a garden table that captures the noon day sun, as well as the pool with its bubbling water feature. Both bedroom and living room are dressed in cool marble and teak, as well as Balinese art and subtle yet cutting edge technology. Pool villas with an additional bedroom are also available.
The Facilities You’ ll be forgiven if you rarely leave the confines of your pool villa, but if you do, Jimbaran Puri has plenty on offer. The infinity-edged main pool, decked out in shimmering blue-green natural stone tiles, is the resort’ s epicentre, and is ringed by teak sun loungers and attentive staff. Down on the beach, break up sessions of Mai Tais at the beachfront Puri Bar with kayaking or snorkelling, or pamper yourself at the indulgent Beach Spa, home to open-air bales and a sumptuous menu of Balinese wellness treatments.
Dining The restaurants at Jimbaran Puri continue the theme of intimacy and innovation. Dine on the white sand beach with nothing but candles and the starry sky to light your table at the Nelayan restaurant, home to the Mediterranean-meets-Indonesia cuisine of Italian executive chef Michele Greggio. Alternatively, the Tunjung Restaurant is adjacent to the reception, and is the perfect spot of lingering al fresco breakfasts or romantic dinners poolside. Of course, there is nothing more romantic than a dinner is your own villa, served by villa butlers. www. jimbaranpuribali. com www. jetsetter. hk