Weekendin Singapore Nov '13 | Issue 08 | Page 62

WeekendinFEATURE WeekendinFEATURE HOLIDAY A charming outdoor pool Travel to the Centara Taum This boutique hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Krobokan, Seminyak, a 15 minute stroll from Bali’s most renowned leisure and night-life area. Shops, restaurants and bars are spread along the beachfront, flags waving at passers-by, calling them closer, inviting them in to sample their wares. The Centara Group has an impressive portfolio of properties in Thailand which have tiered ratings, ranging from 3-5 star accommodation. The Bali Centra is one of the group’s first international franchises. The building towers over the rice paddies, forming a convenient landmark with which to find your bearings, housing a total of 90 studios and suites, a spa and fitness centre. The Taum restaurant, overlooking the swimming pool, is undoubtedly the heart of the hotel. Catering to both Asian and western appetites, it comes alive at breakfast with a substantial well devised menu, delivering in both quality and presentation. The hotel’s designers have maximised this area to house not only the restaurant and pool, Weekendin 60 but also business facilities and a lounge on a counter-levered mezzanine floor. The division of space using stairs, ramps and block walls is ingenious. In a lay-man’s hands this 3.5 acre property would have been claustrophobic and unwelcoming, but clever design has rendered it free-flowing and easy on the eye. The finishes are uncluttered yet still attractive with wellplaced aesthetic features in the woven window shutters, rattan cladding, bright summer colours and innovative pieces of furniture. Every room has either a patio or a balcony; some have a plunge pool and others house a fish filled pond. Suites are equipped with cooking facilities, a flat-screen TV, microwave and internet. Transfer services are available to and from the airport as well as shuttle services into Seminyak and Petitenget Beach. Centara Taum Bali makes for a great holiday base from which to explore the Island. The hotel has alliances with a number of tour operators and will gladly assist you in planning and book- Family Residence with Private Pool Centara Taum Bali’s warm reception A Studio with Pool View By Tanya Micallef ing your adventures. I recommend a 2 hour horse-back ride along the Tanah Lot beach – an amazing experience for the whole family – if good holiday food leaves you a little too heavy for the thoroughbreds (there is a weight restriction) the heavy metal variety are available – you can choose between dirt-bikes and quad bikes. Another great holiday treat is the Bali Waterbom. 3.8 hectares of landscaped tropical gardens providing fun and entertainment for the young and young at heart. This waterpark boasts 21 world class slides and a number of food and beverage outlets so that there is no need to leave the premises. A full day of laughter and family bonding is a given. We arrived at ten and left at six and both boys could have stayed for more. We return to the Taum as the sun is setting. After dark, the hotel ups its sophistication quotient through the use of well-placed spotlights. The pool lighting contributes to creating an atmosphere of charm and romance – speaking of which, couples celebrating their honeymoon can get great package deals that include: a 4-day stay, a romantic dining experience, airport transfers and a few personal touches to their room, courtesy of the management team. restaurant is a must-visit. From a distance, the building looks like a huge glass cathedral – this is what caught my eye and curiosity drove me to investigate. As the Christmas season is just around the corner, the hotel has festive season packages that include a family suite, airport transfers, Christmas dinner and gifts and activities for the little ones (who stay free of charge.) Similar newyear packages are also available. For those who take food seriously and consider dining out a religious affair, look no further! The interior of this restaurant is inspiring and echo friendly - the roof is designed to catch the rainwater, which is then funnelled down majestic interior columns into a central, underground reservoir, wh ere it is filtered and used in the bathrooms and indoor water features – all in an inspiringly beautiful aesthetic. Merah Putih is the epitome of elegance and setting and has successfully wooed tourists and locals alike to the extent that evening bookings are essential. Centra Taum Bali will also allow you to see a side of Bali that many might never get to see: Take a wide-eyed ramble into Seminyak main road and find some surprising spaces along the way… we punctuated our wanderings with a rest-stop at the “Ippolito Coffee shop” (the best Cappuccino on the strip!) Other note-worthy locations are “The Gourmet Café and Catering Company” and “La Lucciola Italian Restaurant” on the beachfront . For gourmet-obsessed foodies, 5-star dining includes “The Breeze,” “Potato head” and “Ku De Ta.” Our best dining experience on this leg of our Bali tour, was lunch at Merah Putih. This The first in a parade of indigenous dishes, was chicken soup. The lemongrass and shavings of crisp cabbage lift mama’s traditional healing broth up more than a few notches, leaving the palate fresh and ready for the next course: chicken curry served in coconut, leaks, tomatoes and fresh herbs. The serving size is as it should be - just enough to feel satisfied, but wishing you could taste just a little bit more. Breakfast is served at Taum Restaurant The chef’s attention to detail and balance in the flavours and spices redefines the art of cooking… and who could have thought that the simplest of desserts – Lychee sorbet atop fresh cut fruit salad, would make so perfect an ending to this culinary affair! We also sampled pork belly, gourmet chicken nuggets and chocolate fudge slices off of the “Mini” menu (of course for the “mini-me’s”). They say that home is where the heart is and that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If these be true then I am home indeed! Centra Taum Seminyak Bali | 37-39 Lebaksari Street | Petitenget Kuta Utara | Badung, Bali | T +62 36 1473 1797 | www.centarahotelsresorts. com/CTB 61 Weekendin