Right Here, Right Now
Ensconce yourself in the gorgeous Alila Villas Uluwatu and you may not want to leave – ever.
“Ibu, your treatment is finished,” my therapist whispered into my ear, stirring me from a gentle slumber. I had just completed an utterly pampering hot stones massage, body scrub, body wrap and avocado coconut hair treatment at Alila Villas Uluwatu’s Spa. Groggily, I returned to my luxurious pool villa to await my three-course meal, and I would top off this ultimate seven-hour Journey To You treatment with an in-villa feet reflexology session.
To say that my stay at this gorgeous resort is indulgent, is an understatement. From the moment I stepped in and had my breath taken away by the magnificent panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, awe-inspiring décor by award-winning local firm, WOHA Architects, who transformed the humble bird’s nest into this resort’s stunning signature feature, to my extremely well-thought out and spacious pool villa, every moment here has been nothing short of amazing.
I spent idyllic days lounging with a book in my floating “bird’s nest” cabana overlooking the vast Indian Ocean, doing lazy laps in my private pool (or in their 50-metre main pool when I’m feeling virtuous), enjoying their delicious breakfast buffets by the poolside and meals in their two restaurants, CIRE for modern Western cuisine or The Warung for traditional Balinese food, and even spent half a day ensconced in their Spa for its signature Journey To You which left me more relaxed than I had ever been in a long while.
There is no need to leave the resort or even my pool villa when it is so comfortable complete with spiffy fittings like a 360-degree rainforest shower, His and Hers toiletries, Bluetooth-enabled speakers and my every whim answered via a Samsung tablet direct to the hotel staff. This service menu is also available in various language modes to cater to their mostly Asian guests who may not speak English.
Service is stellar too. When my husband felt peckish before making a trip down to Seminyak which is an hour away, the staff actually packed a goodie bag filled with crackers and nuts for him to munch on in the car! There are also thoughtful touches like refreshing face mist, cool cucumber body milk and insect repellent on every table in the restaurants. They also acceded to my request for a late checkout on my last day as my flight was only in the evening, allowing me to enjoy my wonderful room just a little more.
When we were there, we witnessed a couple exchanging their wedding vows in their Cliff-edge Sunset Cabana, an overhanging cliffside platform with a dramatic view over the Indian Ocean, making for a truly spectacular experience, not to mention photos! In fact, every corner in this resort is Instagram-worthy, and I soon joined the many snap-happy guests, and flooded my social media feeds with stunning photos, inciting major travel lust in my friends. Although it rained during most of our time in Bali, I was more than happy to stay in my villa, curled up with a good book on my expansive sofa by the pool witha cup of green tea while listening to soothing jazz – my idea of heaven on earth!
Must-try spa treatment:
Journey To You, an indulgent seven-hour spa journey that comprises a 90-minute massage, body scrub and wrap, flower bath or steambath, yoga or hair treatment, three course Asian or Western dinner and feet reflexology. ($330++)
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Jl Belimbing Sari Banjar Tambiyak Desa Pecatu, Pecatu, Bali 80364, Indonesia.
For more information, go to www.alilahotels.com/uluwatu
