A Uniquely Magnificent Retreat
Take a step into another realm, a palatial setting, strikingly modern, yet authentically Balinese, boasting magnificent views of the sparkling Indian Ocean and the lushly tropical gardens whose energy and aromas infuse the estate. The moment you arrive, you are greeted with a majestic experience intended to delight not only the eyes, but each of the senses.
This is the Apurva Kempinski Bali, a resort which cossets guests in serene luxury while connecting them to both the land they are visiting and its deep culture. It’s here, high on a Nusa Dua cliff, that the Apurva Kempinski Bali resort artfully cascades down to the oceanfront, reminding lovers of Indonesian heritage of the nearby ancient temples in Uluwatu or the grand palaces of Borobudur. And guests too will recall both gods and royalty as this is indeed a resort where one’s stay is guaranteed to be epic in many respects: in scale, service, hospitality, grandeur.
The architectural team of Melbourne’s Dentor Corker Marshall engaged the founder of the firm’s Jakarta branch, Budiman Hendropurnomo, to design the resort. The result has surpassed all efforts to capture the local heritage and sense of place. In particular, the cascading façade, a mix of pools, waterfalls, lush foliage, bougainvillea-draped terraces against natural stone, calls to mind both the region’s rice paddies as well as Bali’s most sacred temple, the Purah Besakih. The façade flanks a majestic Grand Staircase, a journey of 250 steps that is dramatic when undertaken in any direction.
The resort, the second of the Kempinski brand’s Indonesian properties after Jakarta, originally debuted in 2019. A year later – and arguably a year which was not lost in significance -- the 475-room resort garnered four World Luxury Hotel Awards for Best Spa, Best Luxury Experience (for Koral Restaurant), Best Resort and Hotel of the Year in addition to other regional and international kudos.
A sense of peace abides in the clean lines and modern surrounds of the resort’s luxurious 176 suites, complemented by the jewels of this resort’s crown: the 43 exquisite villas which offer complete privacy in indoor and outdoor living space. This is capped by the three-bedroom Nusantara Presidential Villa, offering 1,379 m² spread over two floors, including an 18-metre infinity pool which makes an incredible statement as family getaway, honeymoon hideout, or corporate retreat.
The enchanting Apurva Spa beckons guests with traditional Javanese rituals designed to detox and rejuvenate. The rituals which cater to the various stages of life (i.e. adolescence, married life, prime of life, and post-adulthood) incorporate today’s aesthetic and medical innovations and combine them with long-standing local practices of healing energy. A stop here is worth the visit, if not for the serene beauty of its almost sacred space. But the resort also offers various fitness activities like yoga on its beach from the early mornings onward.
Eight dining venues and bars are artfully designed to take advantage of the tropical surrounds, all while honoring the region’s flavors, and creating unique culinary experiences for guests to savor and remember. One memorable entry is Koral, Bali’s first aquarium restaurant, where dinner “with a view” takes on another dimension. But the artistry led by chef Andrea Astone, whose culinary background includes stints at multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, makes dining here certainly as much of a goal as merely sitting in 2020’s “Most Instagram-able Restaurant” (according to TripAdvisor). The menus (including a 5-course degustation and separate vegan and vegetarian entrées) frequently changes, and feature an array of traditional international dishes made modern by local ingredients with a Balinese accent. Also of appeal is Izakaya by OKU, the Balinese outpost of the award-winning OKU Restaurant at this resort’s sister hotel in Jakarta. Centered around an open kitchen concept, fans of Japanese cuisine can partake for both luncheons as well as dinners and will appreciate the wide array of the authentic japanese sushi and sashimi offerings as well as more elevated entrée options. Last but by no means least is Atelier Cyril Kongo, after the internationally renowned, self-taught graffiti artist. The rooftop Atelier is part gallery, part lounge, where guests can enjoy art in the vibrant sophisticated space, as well as savor an exquisite collection of Cuban cigars, exceptional champagnes, and fine wines with background vibes provided by a DJ or pianist.
