Bali’s Edge
Opulence and ocean panoramas await at this luxury all-villa stay on the clifftops of Bali’s Billionaire’s Row in Uluwatu
“To infinity and beyond,” I whisper to myself before picking my jaw up off the floor. I have just clocked the view from my sprawling, cliffside villa in Bali’s Uluwatu. Perched more than 500 feet above the sea, with uninterrupted panoramas and a private black-stone pool tracing the horizon on the Indian Ocean, the cerulean scene from the opulent five-bedroom villa at The Edge does more than impress, it takes your breath away. I could very well be at the end of the world. In a destination that prides itself on affordable luxury, the ultraexclusive, US$4500 a night villa at this luxury Bali stay is raising the bar. Quite literally, in fact, they claim to be the highest hotel on the Uluwatu peninsula. Inside my villa, rather fittingly known as The View, no expense has been spared, from the 24-hour designated butler to the private cinema and wine cellar, this fit-for-a-queen holiday mansion was made for deep pockets. But at that price, you can expect more than just luxury digs, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are the defining details.
THE VILLA
With a sprawling sea-facing patio, two pools, a private cinema and breathtaking views, this five-bedroom stay has the makings of a Hollywood party-pad. But the contemporary Javanese decor (spindly, sea urchin-inspired chandeliers hang in the master bedrooms), teak carvings, local textiles and warm Balinese hospitality create a sense of place. The Edge is a collection of six luxury villas ranging in size from one to five bedrooms (with two more to open soon), but the View is its piece de resistance. A popular wedding destination, the two-level villa sleeps 10 adults and five kids, and has two large living areas, a tropical garden and a children’s playroom. If you can pry yourself away from the villa, there’s a clifftop restaurant, popular for its high tea, plus a spa and gym on site.
THE VIEW
With floor-to-ceiling windows, endless outdoor space and two private bales commanding opposite corners of the sun-soaked deck, the Indian Ocean can be admired from almost every nook in the villa. To make the most of the morning sun and ocean vistas, order a floating breakfast to the cliffside infinity pool, where you can enjoy the first meal of the day while half submerged in water.
THE BED
I barely notice when the sun rises in the morning, so effective are the blackout curtains. The patio remains quite well lit-up at night and the automatic blinds in my room only have two settings, closed or open. It’s the only downside, considering the staggering views from the bedrooms. When I do wake, it’s like I’m cocooned in cotton wool, the bedding is some of the most sumptuous I’ve slept on.
THE PRIVATE CINEMA
If, for any reason, you want to know what it’s like to keep up with the Kardashians (or any other celebrity, for that matter), step into the media room. Reclining leather armchairs, surround sound and cozy blankets await movie buffs in the villa’s self-contained, eight-person cinema. For the ultimate overindulgence, my guest and I, still dressed in our robes, head straight for the cinema after our meal, where the butler serves dessert directly to our seats.
THE DINING
In a hotel that’s predominantly defined by its location, you’d think it would be easy to become complacent on the finer details. But Chef Nyoman Suasa’s cuisine feels as carefully considered as the view. Quality produce and a modern yet honed menu of Mediterraneaninspired small plates and seafood speak straight to its salty, seaside location. I migrate from Rockefellar oysters, snapper croquets and yellowfin ceviche at lunch to the Tomahawk steak frites for dinner, served at the dining table in my villa. A cigar lounge and private wine cellar are hidden on the lower level of my five-bedroom digs, but who needs a cellar when you have a sommelier. The extensive wine list is 1500 bottles deep, impressive, but somewhat overwhelming. So the butler musters the inhouse Balinese expert, head sommelier Nyoman Suwinda Yasa, who knows his stuff, and most important, is passionate about it.