WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Savvy travellers will be familiar with Anantara’s collection of luxury boutique resorts in Thailand – the first of five opened in Hua Hin in 2001. Other Anantara (meaning “water flowing without borders” in Sanskrit) resorts are found in the Maldives, Abu Dhabi and Bali (one resort and counting), while the Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok serviced units debuted last month.
The Bali outpost, launched one year ago, benefits from an idyllic location by the beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean. In February, Anantara Seminyak had some partitions on the sixth floor and ceiling structures removed after it was found that the height of the building exceeded the legal 15m limit by 2.4m. This resulted in the temporary relocation of its bar and restaurant to the beach, while plans are under way to build these facilities on the rooftop (again) in time for the mid-year peak season.
WHERE IS IT?
The resort in Seminyak – known for its trendy restaurants, boutiques and nightlife – is a 20-minute ride from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.
HOW MANY ROOMS?
There are 59 suites: Anantara Suites, Anantara Pool Access Suites and Anantara Ocean Suites are 80sqm each, while one Anantara Penthouse measures 420sqm with its own eight-metre infinity pool and outdoor hydro tub.
ROOM FACILITIES:
Stays can be personalised based on the guests’ room, dining or activities preferences, ranging from a selection of in-room music, newspapers and pillows to mealtimes and venues to indoor and outdoor sports. All this can be prearranged before the stay through an online confirmation.
Rooms have a Balinese-inspired décor set against an earth-tone palette. Guests luxuriate in amenities such as an oversized bed, Bose DVD player (Casino Royale and Harry Potter were among the selections), 42-inch LCD television, Wi-Fi, coffee machine and iPod dock (music players are for rent). Families can pacify vivacious kids with games like Uno and Jenga or a sketch pad and colour pencils.
The balcony of our Anantara Ocean Suite was particularly inviting, with a daybed for admiring the expanse of the ocean and a terrazzo hydro tub big enough for two – just what an escape is all about.
Bath facilities include rain shower, sinks for him and her, another soaking tub and toiletries including a choice of four different scented soaps. Though luxurious, the bath area is doorless but not entirely see-through with a wall structure in place and a semi-frosted glass-covered toilet. However, if you are sharing the room with someone besides your other half, you may find a bathroom without a door inconvenient.
RESTAURANTS:
The Paon for all-day dining, Wild Orchid for Thai and the Restaurant Grill and Wine (open 7pm-11pm) offering live grilling stations in an alfresco beach setting. (There are plans to relocate the latter to the rooftop, where it used to be but was subsequently moved due to building regulations.) For exclusivity, there is a Dining By Design option for customised dinner experiences.
BARS:
Sunset on Seminyak or SOS (also moved temporarily to the beach from its former sunset-watching rooftop venue) opens from 4pm and features DJ music and resident mixologists for drinks.
BUSINESS FACILITIES:
Wi-Fi in the resort’s public areas and a business centre one floor below the lobby.
LEISURE FACILITIES:
A library and lifestyle store, three pools including one infinity, a spa and a gym with treadmills, free weights, exercise bikes and cardio equipment. Resort staff can organise activities like yoga, beach football and cultural rituals.
PRICE:
Suites from US$380 nightly. A high-season surcharge of US$100 per night applies.
VERDICT:
A seamless stay with well-appointed rooms.
CONTACT:
Jalan Abimanyu (Dhyana Pura), Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, tel 62 361 737 773, www.bali.anantara.com
Julian Tan
