| The Oberoi Bali
The Oberoi in Seminyak sits in 15 acres of immaculate palm and hibiscus strewn landscaped gardens with a beachfront like no other on the island, yet it is just 25 minutes from Bali's international airport.
You could switch-off here and stay in the Oberoi 'village' for your entire stay, whether as a family or a honeymoon couple, and return home, having had an amazing holiday. Many vacation boxes are ticked with the Oberoi Bali: it is a Balinese 5 star beach resort; it has the reputation of being the 'Grande Dame' of Bali's luxury hotels; plus it offers everything you could possibly wish for on a tropical island holiday, with luxurious garden or beach-view Lanais (small cottages) offered at extremely affordable prices. Hence, this family-styled resort, which also caters very successfully for couples, encapsulates many people's dream holiday.
The Oberoi Bali is set out along the lines of a traditional Balinese village and genuinely feels charmingly authentic. The luxury villas and lanais have the veritable thatched roofs while each one, whether grand or petite, feels extremely private. Each benefits from a beautifully maintained private garden or courtyard, teaming with vibrant foliage and birdlife, along with a water feature or features. In the larger luxury lanais there are raised pavilions set at the rear of the sizeable gardens, perfect for alfresco dining and sunrise breakfasts, while the villas with pools can brag some seriously impressive-sized pools of up to ten metres. I saw one that for many would compete with the oceanfront nearby. No matter where you bed down in this cosy and luxurious settlement, the sea is only a short stroll away.
Our Ocean-front Luxury Villa
If you can stretch the budget to an ocean view then your stay will be truly exhilarating, because the awesome ocean breathes life into every square millimetre of this relaxing resort, 24/7. Simply sliding open your doors to hear those waves breaking on the beach, just a few metres in front of you, was elating. However, if you have a garden lanai then fret not, because the beach and the lawns have many comfortable daybeds and private seating areas, including large hammocks, fringed red and yellow umbrellas shading tables with daybeds; all ideal for seaside cocktails and light refreshments.
Our villa was entered via a large wooden door between high stonewalls in order to ensure maximum privacy. The garden was large and prolific with an immaculate lawn surrounded by a plethora of tropical plants. A massive day bed in navy canvas with comfortable cushions was placed on the garden's terrace beside sliding doors, which led us into the boudoir that looked-out smack onto the sea. Before we were familiarised with all our 21st century modcons and luxuries I opened the doors onto the ocean-facing terrace. The sea breeze gushed in with a blissful intensity while the sound of the waves meant one thing to us; we were on a holiday.
Our four-poster, a classic mahogany Balinese bed, was surrounded by (now much loved) white muslin, while a little cot was made up beside me for my baby. The rooms are all traditional and comfortable with a floral theme and ours was hibiscus. The furniture is wooden and chunky, the cupboards capacious with a large flat screen television along with a fully stocked mini bar in the middle. Our bathroom enjoyed a large sunken marble bath that looked onto a water feature with a spurting gargoyle and koi carp. Air conditioning is, of course, standard throughout the villas and lanais, as is a comprehensive menu of extras including boogie boards, welcome drinks on arrival, use of the tennis courts and gymnasium, a shuttle service to Legian village which leaves 6 times a day, in-room films, an exploding fruit basket and much more besides. This is a five star establishment and you never forget that.
Unfortunately for us, we were ending our stay in Bali and we could only enjoy one night here, though ideally you should savour at least five. Bearing in mind our time frame, we chose to relish some fine dining at the Oberoi and shop in Seminyak before taking off for Singapore.
Our night out/in
We were offered a wonderful babysitter for this special evening, our final on the island, and chose to have a cocktail in the atmospheric Kayu Bar with open sides in order to let the ocean vibe wander in as a constant, followed by a delicious meal in Kura Kura, the hotel's main restaurant. With drink in hand we wandered down to the nearby amphitheatre and watched a traditional dance display where young girls, dressed up in exquisite regalia, were entrancing their seated audience. The music from the gamelan players not only provided their routine; it also filled the sea air with a melodic resonance, now forever linked to this magical place.
The following morning we enjoyed a healthy breakfast of muesli, porridge, local fruits, fresh coffee, the newspaper and a high tide. We could have taken this under the shade of our raised pavilion in the garden, however the terrace-sur-mer was just too tempting. At lunch it seemed appropriate to indulge in the ocean's finest, a meal that really was sensational. It was not classically Balinese, we had relished plenty of that throughout our stay on the island, instead it was beautifully fresh fare, straight from the sea before us, prepared as both sushi and sashimi as well as lightly grilled together with delectable salads and homespun breads. It was fabulous, while the service was faultless.
Before the airport we dipped into Seminyak for some last minute shopping. I could definitely have done with more time, as this really is the shopping Mecca of Bali. Going into hyperfocus-female-mode, I managed to visit some outstanding boutiques and bought an extra suitcase as a result.
The following shops impressed me and I missed them this Christmas: Dandelion - a children's clothing boutique with adorable hand stitched twin sets in the softest of Indonesian cotton; Dinda Rella - (think Cinderella) which looked so outrageously exotic I had to pop in, however the long frilly taffeta gowns seemed more perfect for marriage (excellent shop if you choose to get married at the Oberoi); Saintropez - the clothes are made in honour of its namesake, however, to get the look costs less than half the price; Khikalis Kloset 1 - had the most adorable sixties-style leggings and t-shirts, from tie dye to floral, for children and infants; and Buddha Wear which designs fabulous casual to chic wear with a hippie twist, perfect for the beach or a yoga retreat. There were, of course, many more but our fight against time meant that we had to return to base to bid our fond farewells.
The Oberoi Bali prides itself on its longevity, on its exceptional setting, and on its dedication to maintaining and upholding its much-coveted title, namely the 'Grande Dame' of Bali.
Please click here to see our video review of The Oberoi Bali.
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