Bali’s best haunts
Bali turns up the heat with designer digs, the island’s first speakeasy and all-day bliss, writes Jenny Hewett.
Stay at The Slow If anyone can convince us that pools are passé, it’s George Gorrow. The Ksubi co-founder, together with designer pal Gareth Moody, has created a new luxury 12-room boutique stay-andlifestyle concept on Canggu’s liveliest strip. Forgoing TVs and a public pool (the ground-floor suites have a private plunge pool) for art, music and retail, The Slow (theslow.id) is not the place you go to for mindless relaxation. It’s a hotspot for creatives that features polished-concrete floors, bespoke timber furnishings and striking artworks. The flagship store of the duo’s new men’s label, Non-Type, is next to the hotel’s restaurant. With the dining area buzzing from breakfast until bedtime and LA-based Reverberation Radio streaming Shazam-able tunes into suites, it’s a luxe and thoughtful ride you never knew you needed.
Drink at Baker Street Social For the best cocktails in Bali, those in the know make a beeline for the barbershop. Yes, late at night, climb the creaky stairs inside Seminyak’s Shearlock to the island’s first speakeasy, Baker Street Social (Jalan Petitenget 17c; +62 811 3865 869). It’s a lowlit space with hushed chatter and a knack for shaking drinks into works of art. There’s no menu; state your spirit, choose sweet or savoury and let them do the rest.
Eat at Kaum Occupying the second level of Potato Head Beach Club, with tables for two overlooking the infinity pool, this seductive spot draws on earthy elements, including teak furnishings, hanging plants and concrete panels stamped with traditional woodcarvings. In the kitchen at Kaum (kaum.com), local and Indonesian fare is given a modern spin. Dishes include pork-belly satay, prawns in Acehnese curry sauce and coconut shortbread with cashew nuts, Amed sea salt and vanilla ice-cream.
Explore Canggu Bali’s hippest area is home to world-class street art and Pretty Poison (prettypoisonbar.com), a lively skate bowl and bar. Here in Canggu, follow the beats to graffiti-scrawled brunch spot Crate Cafe (Jalan Batu Bolong 64; +62 812 3894 3040), where hip surfies sip coffee while sitting on upcycled shipping pallets and tattoos are almost compulsory. From Batu Bolong Beach, walk towards Seminyak to find derelict shacks made pretty by French street artist Seth Globepainter.
Bliss out at Spa Alila Take pampering to the extreme with a marathon Full Day Escape at Spa Alila, part of beachfront retreat Alila Seminyak (alilahotels. com). Watch waves lap at the shore over breakfast then get pointers on your tree pose during a private yoga session. Tension is taken care of with a Balinese massage and a Shirodhara oil treatment, followed by a full-body exfoliation, facial and manicure. As well as lunch and a sunset cocktail (try the Shadow made with vodka, muddled grapes, lychee purée and lime juice), you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.