City of Light – the Apurva Kempinski Bali Hotel
STEVE COLLINS WAS IMPRESSED WITH ONE OF BALI’S NEW LUXURIOUS RESORT
Bali isn’t referred to as the ‘Island of the Gods’ without reason. If you avoid busy Kuta, with its overcrowded streets and aggressive vendors, there are many wonderful places to visit in Bali. Nusa Dua is an area with beautiful beaches and stunning resorts, where you can enjoy your privacy and relax in luxurious hotels.
GRANDEUR AND STYLE
Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to try out one of the newest resorts in Nusa Dua, and we were simply overwhelmed by the grandeur and style of it all. The Apurva Kempinsky Bali
Hotel has only recently opened after many years of planning and construction. The hotel has, literally, been carved into the side of an imposing cliff and is incredibly palatial. The design is a contemporary reflection of traditional Indonesian and
Bali architecture, replicating palaces which hark back to the 12th century.
I had stayed here before, when the hotel was not quite finished, and it launched a soft opening. Even then it was obvious that this hotel was very special. I had warned my wife that this would be like no other hotel she had experienced. Her first impressions of the Apurva Kempinski Bali Hotel were really quite overwhelming.
IMPOSING ARRIVAL
You are dropped off in front of a large pond and, as your luggage is whisked away, you enjoy a walk past the serene water feature and up into the imposing foyer. To refer to the foyer as being
grand, is quite an understatement. Impossibly high ceilings herald a huge space that is open, vast and decorated with traditional carvings that soar up to the ceiling and ample lounges with a large veranda on the water side.
Check-in is very personal. We were greeted by a woman in red, who was our ambassador. She makes the check-in process easy as you are offered a traditional Jamul herbal drink. It is worth walking over to the veranda for the view, which is extraordinarily expansive. In fact, we found it difficult to take it in all at once, it is so stunning.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW
Firstly, you gaze out over the Indian Ocean, with the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida sitting off to your left. As you move closer to the edge, the Apurva reveals itself. Way below are two large accommodation wings, several pools, including one massive infinity pool, lovely gardens, an impressive chapel for weddings, a beach club, a restaurant and a kids club.
Looking straight down you see a 250-step grand staircase which connects the cliff-side rooms with the gardens and pools below. The staircase abuts a cascading series of rooms which cling to the cliff-face in tiers. There is a large range of rooms, allowing you a choice of private villas, cliff top suites with their own private pools, grand deluxe rooms and more. Rooms are both spacious and comfortable. The bathrooms are large, airy and contemporary. Beds are delightful to sleep in, and each room affords a true sense of privacy.
DIVINE SUITE
We had a clifftop suite that was just divine. Plenty of room, a fabulously appointed bathroom, and a plunge pool to relax in. The best part, though, was the view. It was simply hard to turn away the view was so riveting.
At night the Apurva Kempinski lights up like a city. It is expansive and very colourful, particularly as the pools and many water features shine like gargantuan emeralds. It was really mesmerising and definitely unforgettable.
EXCITING THE SENSES
I can recommend the spa in which they practise traditional Javanese healing in a most relaxing and tranquil environment. My masseuse was absolutely perfect and I felt so splendid afterwards. Guests can enjoy the buffet breakfast in the Kubu Pool Bar, which has a lovely environment. They served a variety of cuisines including Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Western and, of course, the egg chefs were very popular. Food was fresh and delicious. I like to mix cuisines and can recommend the dumplings.
We also enjoyed breakfast in the Cliff Lounge, which is available to villa and suite guests. Service was absolutely superb, and our Eggs Benedict with Salmon was perfectly cooked and easy to savour. We shared an amazing degustation meal at the Izakaya by OKU Japanese restaurant. Instead of matching wines with each course, they match food with sake. Each course excited the senses. Visually they were superb, like miniature works of art, with textures and flavours that exploded in the mouth to be washed down with a sake that perfectly complemented the serving.
TOES IN THE SAND
The Reef Beach Club allows you to sit with your feet in the sand as you enjoy more casual dining in a gorgeous location. The menu features a mixture of popular Asian and Western dishes, and we were entertained by a good band on the night we ate there.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali Hotel is perfect for families as the hotel has a kids club which caters for the very young up to teenagers. The club has organised activities, but there are also dedicated kids pools, that are very safe. Although the
Infinity Pool is 60m long, a series of alcoves line the pool so you have a good deal of privacy and you feel the pool is somewhat exclusive. There are carts nearby filled with cooled water, and each hour pool staff provide guests with a different flavoured granita to help you deal with the heat. Adjacent to the infinity pool is a small protected beach.
ATTENTIVE STAFF
One of the real joys about staying at the Apurva Kempinski is the interaction with staff. They are cheerful, attentive and give you warm greetings whenever they see you. They make you feel as if you are part of their family; such friendliness gives you the impression that you are at home.
Bali has become a sophisticated destination, and the Apurva Kempinski reflects the quality that comes with such a superb hotel. It is well worth considering if you are seeking a luxury and memorable Bali holiday.
www.kempinski.com