Review / Raffles Bali, nestled in Jimbaran Bay, is the ultimate luxury family getaway

There are three of us, and quite frankly, we are all on different Bali holidays. One friend is partying at a beach club, another is seeking her higher self in Ubud, and I have found bliss – and supreme understated luxury – at Raffles Bali. Later on, we will all meet for a wedding and share our entirely varied but uniquely Bali experiences. That said, on this trip I am also travelling solo with my two children, aged five and eight. So if our stay was not entirely relaxing, it was calm. Which, as any parent of small children will attest, is more than enough. Also, it must be noted that my children became rather alarmingly accustomed to having a personal Raffles butler. But when your butler is as kind as ours, Bella – a gentle and attentive soul who built an immediate rapport with both children by listening to them prattle and asking questions as she drove them in the buggy or set up our in-villa dining experience – it’s easy to understand why. Raffles Bali is indeed a truly unique Balinese experience. Opened mid-pandemic in 2021, it is nestled into a rugged cliff face and the lush greenery of the former fishing village of Jimbaran Bay – known for its calm waters and white-sand beaches. Surrounded by dense jungle, with a riverbed running through the 23-hectare property, the 32-villa hotel embodies a Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (to respect God, humans and the environment). This is readily understood from the design of the hotel, which takes great care to preserve its natural environment – including a giant rock incorporated into the spa area, with a secret cave on site – to the welcome blessing for guests arriving in the hilltop lobby. The hotel Raffles Bali is only a 30-minute drive from the airport, but the feeling of seclusion and escape is immediate upon arrival. There are expansive views of the Indian Ocean everywhere you turn (there is also a secluded beach to be found by following the jasmine-scented paths of the hotel). The hotel feels as though it has been seamlessly incorporated into the environment, following its contours in an organic way. The sheer vastness of the property means privacy is practically a given – we do encounter other families and couples, but mostly it feels as if we have the space to ourselves. The open terrace lobby is situated at the highest point of the property, offering incredible views of the area’s magnificent sunsets. These views are best paired with a zippy Bali Sling, made with the local Arak spirit, Sipsmith gin, jackfruit purée, bitters and grenadine, from the excellent Writers Bar – a local take on the famous Raffles Singapore creation. Designed in collaboration with James Hyatt Studio, the hotel features an aesthetic that nods to traditional Balinese structures with a pared-back sensibility that allows the natural beauty of the area to be in focus. Art takes centre stage, with an eclectic assortment of works from the likes of German artist Walter Spies, whose early 20th-century depictions of Balinese life remain influential, and Japanese artist Keizaburo Okamura – one of his serene elephants is on display in the lobby. There are also custom limestone pieces by British sculptor Richard North-Lewis. The children especially enjoy a guided botanical tour of the resort – during which transport by buggy remains a highlight of their holiday – learning about the healing properties of indigenous plants and discovering stingless bees, from which the hotel gathers its own honey. It is a reminder, too, that for all the luxury, time and curiosity about the world are the most precious commodities. For those more sportily inclined, there is a tennis and pickleball court and a fitness centre with personalised programmes available; bicycles can also be borrowed to explore the area. Each villa has a private pool, but the 25-metre beachfront infinity pool is an ideal place to while away a few leisurely hours. Order a mango smoothie from the Loloan Bar and make the most of the canopied day beds. The villas Each villa is designed in the style of a traditional Balinese compound, incorporating the outside into the interiors, with every villa boasting views of the ocean and gardens. Peace is slightly shattered by the children’s screeching discovery of our private pool, which features a Bali-inspired day bed. From here, I can take on my lifeguard duties – a cup of tea, chosen from the array of options in the minibar, in hand. We stay in a one-bedroom villa, which offers plenty of space for us given we are all piling into the king bed together, but the resort also features two-bedroom and presidential villas. These span an enormous 900 square metres and come complete with separate dining spaces and kitchenettes. Cool and pared-back, the design leans towards tradition and muted tones with dark mahogany lacquered floorboards, blonde teak furniture, rattan ceilings, and the rare splash of colour found in batik wall hangings. The children are, of course, delighted by the button-operated, multi-option Japanese toilet that opens when you enter (“hello, toilet!” they yelp). But my glee is found in the deep-soak bathtub and generous Appelles toiletries. My only chance to use the bath in peace is before the children wake up in the morning, and it is utter bliss. Meanwhile, the minibar is generously stocked with complimentary snacks and an excellent selection of spirits from which to create sundowners to enjoy on the private patio. We all become addicted to the house-made dark chocolate blocks and the turndown service chocolate chip cookies. For those who might not want to leave, the Raffles Bali Residences are opening in stages, with the first already occupied. The spa Throughout the entire resort, there is a deep connection to wellness and well-being, or indeed the idea that true luxury doesn’t exist without this as a grounding. This is as true for the well-being elixirs left as a welcome drink in the villas as it is for the chia puddings on the breakfast menu at Rumari. The spa shares these same philosophies. Yes, there are facials with products from the likes of Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza, but also singing bowl therapies, reiki, and seven-chakra balancing experiences. I had a traditional Balinese massage, which began with a foot soak and then, section by section, eased the knots in my body. “You have a lot of tension,” my therapist said to me softly as I later sat drinking ginger tea and nibbling on fruit and nuts post-treatment. Which surely, I thought, was an invitation to simply never leave. The area Located in what was once the sleepy fishing village of Jimbaran Bay, the area is now home to a slew of luxury hotels, white sand beaches, and seafood restaurants. Definitely venture out to see some of the island’s temples. If you time your visit to one of the most impressive, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, you can see a Balinese Kecak fire dance performed at sundown. For children Unlike many other Bali hotels, there is no dedicated kids’ club, but little ones are well looked after with activities such as biscuit-making and – which my children took part in while I was in the spa – lessons on crafting the traditional Canang Sari offering. The two-bedroom and presidential villas are, however, perfectly suited to families, and the famed Raffles butlers can attend to any whim. My kids, for what it’s worth, asked to visit the secret cave on the property and requested vanilla ice cream only in their in-villa ice cream sundaes. The dining There are three dining options at Raffles Bali, plus in-room dining. Breakfast is served in Rumari, with its sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a breeze that ripples through the open-air design. Under the direction of executive chef Gaetan Biesuz, the à la carte and tasting menus offer an innovative take on Indonesian cuisine, with some 80 per cent of ingredients locally sourced. Importantly, Rumari’s locally roasted Sumatra Lintong coffee is very good. There’s also Illy coffee, and a good range of both teas and well-being elixirs. Breakfast starts with a warm, flaky croissant and a colourful fruit plate, followed by an à la carte menu, with sharing encouraged. For my children this means Nutella crepes and then a waffle with Chantilly cream and berries “for the table”. We are on holiday, after all. I opt for the tomato tartine and the oatmeal with caramelised banana and jackfruit, and both are equally delicious. Another highlight is Loloan Coastal Peruvian, which sits above the secluded beach and next to the property’s infinity pool. Here the focus is on fresh flavours and produce, and the children and I especially enjoy the fire-grilled anticuchos (skewers) of eggplant, fish, beef and the squid with chimichurri. In-room dining includes traditional favourites such as nasi goreng, which is not available at the main restaurants. A perfect aperitif or nightcap can be found at the handsome Writers Bar. To borrow from my five-year-old son holding his freshly squeezed pineapple juice aloft, “this is the life”. Yes indeed, there are many ways to have a Bali holiday – the Raffles way is hard to beat. Villas start from £830 (US$1,132) per night, inclusive of breakfast. The writer stayed as a guest of Raffles Bali.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Bespoke experiences, including a personal butler, combined with Balinese wellness, luxury dining and stunning ocean views, await discerning travellers

Bespoke experiences, including a personal butler, combined with Balinese wellness, luxury dining and stunning ocean views, await discerning travellers