The Bulgari Resort Bali (Uluwatu) is located in Uluwatu, near the village of Pecatu on the southern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. This large limestone peninsula – which features rugged scenery and a semi-arid climate – harbors some of Bali’s most famous attractions, including the cliff-hanging Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple, a number of Bali’s most spectacular beaches, and the top surfing spots on the island. As is so often the case, it was intrepid surfers and backpackers who really opened up the eyes of the world to this magnificent part of the island, hereby initiating the tourist development of this area in the seventies. Uluwatu is home to some of Bali’s most exclusive hotels, including the Bulgari Resort Bali.
The ultra-luxurious resort is set on a wind-swept promontory, 150 m above its own private beach and the Indian Ocean. The property’s epic cliffside location is one of the most pristine and beautiful spots in the Indonesian archipelago and affords unrivaled views across the sea. The best vantage points in the resort to take in the stupendous panoramas are the hotel’s stylish and open-air welcome pavilion, the infinity pool, and the villas located on the cliff’s edge. In addition, the resort’s location on the southernmost tip of Bali puts it in a position to offer its privileged guests majestic views of both sunrise and sunset from the hilltop lobby, depending on the time of year.
An intimate Hindu temple rises on the highest point of the property. This place of worship, built in accordance with Balinese traditions, neighbors Bulgari’s imposing arrival pavilion, which welcomes guests with elegant proportions and a masterful design. From here, the resort cascades down the lush cliffside, which is dotted by a maze of massive resort pavilions and high-walled villas interconnected by steep cobblestone pathways. The most expensive villas as well as the spa and pool are located on the cliff’s edge. The resort’s layout blends seamlessly into a terraced and perfectly manicured landscape of lush Balinese gardens. Frangipane trees, a ubiquitous presence in Bali, are scattered throughout the resort with their white blossoms spreading a sweet fragrance from morning till evening.
The 59 individual villas, freestanding and private, all include an open-air pavilion, terrace, and private plunge pool, with the ones on the first row enjoying spectacular ocean views. In all villas, every natural element is polished to a shine: Indonesian wood floors glow, natural lava walls are neatly bricked, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls reveal manicured tropical plants. A pristine private beach, suitable for long walks along the oceanfront and featuring a private beach club, is reached via an inclined elevator. The property also features world-class dining venues and a fabulous spa.
The resort’s high caliber is evident from the mint-basil-honey welcome drink onward – from the restaurants’ waitstaff to the villa butlers, to the muscle-melting spa therapists, the charming staff provides exquisite yet discreet service across the board. What more could one ask for on holiday than a sparkling infinity pool with ethereally draped cabanas, smiling pool boys proffering complimentary snacks, and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean 492 feet Not much, but in addition to that little slice of heaven, there’s a secluded spa with another outdoor pool, plus a yoga pavilion, a salon, a fitness center, and open-air treatment rooms facing the coast. And let’s not forget the private beach, which can be reached by a cliff-hugging inclinator.
Created by architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners, the resort’s unique design is a blend of traditional Balinese style and dramatic contemporary Italian elements. The hotel’s pavilions and villas have been built and furnished using hand-cut volcanic stones, rich exotic woods, and refined fabrics. Natural lava and palimanan stone are used for the resort’s gardens and walls, refined bangkiray hardwood in the villas and restaurants, and natural green-colored sukabumi stone to clad the private and public swimming pools. A collection of exquisite Balinese antiques and exotic art pieces also adorn the resort. Furniture and decorative details, such as stemware, flatware, ceramics, and woven fabrics, were designed and produced in Bali by a team of local artists and designers in collaboration with the resort’s architects. Using local materials such as exotic woods and hand-cut volcanic stone, the resort exudes a Milan meets garden of Eden vibe. Frangipani-draped stone pathways wind between the exclusive thatched-roof villas, each one a secluded, glittering treasure trove hiding behind fortress-like walls. The airy, polished public spaces incorporate design elements including Balinese antiques, exotic art pieces and local handicrafts, while still retaining a contemporary Italian flair. Bathrooms are spa-like havens, with a central bath, indoor and outdoor showers, double basins, luxuriant Bulgari brand toiletries, and even a terry-covered lounge chair.
The resort’s 59 freestanding villas stand side by side in several rows on the sheer terraces of the majestic cliffs. They are nestled within high volcanic stone walls and all come with their own pool. During my visit, I stayed in a one-bedroom ocean villa resort’s entrance to the villa was via an open-air pavilion, which featured a private garden, a plunge pool, and an expansive outdoor living area. On the inside, a spacious vestibule lead to the stylish bedroom, which came with two queen-sized beds and floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides. The interior was decorated with pieces of antique Balinese art and equipped with state-of-the-art technological features such as a flat-screen TV, high-speed WiFi, and an audio/video system by Bang and Olufsen. The bathroom was enormous, taking up half of the villa, and featured black terrazzo flooring, two sinks, a deep soaking tub, and two showers (one located inside, the other in the garden).
The hotel also includes several two- to five-bedroom mansions. Compared to the one-bedroom villas, these mansions feature larger pools in addition to kitchens equipped with Miele appliances. The property’s most exclusive mansion is the incredible Bulgari Villa, which is located at the resort’s westernmost point, at a slightly higher position. Reachable by a private access, this villa boasts two master bedrooms, a large living area with a built-in bar, an oversized dining room, a home theatre, and a spa treatment room. The villa’s phenomenal 20 m private pool and a meditation pergola surrounded by an extensive terrace and small pavilions where you can eat and live in the open complete this one-of-a-kind scenario, perfect for private events, weddings, or a family holiday.
Also, the resort has a twofold spirit. On the one hand, the walled separation between all villas ensures maximum privacy and a perfect holiday playground for guests. On the other, if you can drag yourself outside (the pool of) your villa, a glamorous, energetic, and cheerful public area await you on the resort’s easternmost side. Here, you find an infinity-edged pool along the cliff, surrounded by comfortable sun loungers and romantic cabanas. The pool area also features an open-wall bar, sunken sofas, and two jacuzzis on the side. Next to the pool is a water pond, overlooked by the resort’s two restaurants (more on that below). From here, a majestic volcanic stone stair leads to some other facilities above the pool complex, including the reception pavilion and the Bulgari Boutique. The latter is the only Bulgari store in Bali, offering Bulgari jewelry, watches, accessories and fragrance collection.
Hotel features a pristine beach, sandwiched between the towering cliffs and water’s edge, and 1,5 km long at low tide. The golden sand beach is inaccessible to the general public by both ground and sea, as it is protected by a coral reef. The only access is via the resort’s funicular that shuttles guests between the resort’s main facilities up the cliff and the beach club, offering jaw-dropping views on the way. The beach is one of Bali’s most scenic and spectacular stretches of sand. Here, you can laze the day away on luxurious lounge chairs while having a front row seat on the spectacle of occasional monster waves crashing on the offshore reef. If you are lucky, you may even spot dolphins frolicking around in the foam from the ocean froths, or even observe a giant whale. The magnificent beach club also features a restaurant and bar.
The resort features 3 restaurants, offering Italian inspired and locally influenced cuisine:
One of the greatest things about the Bulgari Resort Bali is its amazing staff. All employees are extremely friendly, helpful and sweet from the day of arrival until you leave.
Bulgari Resort Bali is one Bali’s most exclusive and famous properties and you need to know the following when considering a stay here:
* There’s not much within walking distance, just narrow village roads lined with skinny cows and modest shops. So, if you want to get away from it all in a super stylish, secluded environment, you’ll love the Bulgari Resort Bali. However, if you want to explore some of Bali’s famous sights, you’ll face long day trips due to the bad traffic jams on the island. For example, it takes around 2-2,5 hours each way to get from the resort to Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali.
* Given the tiered cliffside architecture and the gentle slope rate of the hotel terrain, most villas do not enjoy open sea views as the panoramas are obstructed by the roofs of the villas in front. Only the eight ocean cliff villas on the edge offer completely unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean and the horizon.
* A large part of the pool deck is in the shade around three hours before sunset, due to the hilly terrain and high walls on the pool’s westernmost side. You’ll appreciate the shade offered at the pool by umbrellas and trees during the day, but once you could start getting out in the sun in late afternoon without burning yourself, you’ll find yourself in the shade. The one area of the pool which remains in the sun until sunset is its easternmost point, but unfortunately, there’s no deck with sun loungers here
* IMHO, the beach of the Bulgari Resort Bali is one of Bali’s most spectacular beaches, given its rugged scenery. That said, it’s not the best beach for working on your tan as the resort’s elevated beach area with loungers is in the shade most of the day due to the high cliffs. During my visit mid-summer (July), there was only sun for about one hour at noon. In addition, the sea here is not good for swimming due to exposed corals.
* The resort’s funicular leads to one of the most spectacular landscapes in all of Bali with thundering waves and soaring cliffs. The funicular doesn’t go all the way to the beach though: there are still many steps from the funicular’s lower station to the beach, but the awe-inspiring beauty that awaits you is worth the effort. The funicular’s last run is at 5 pm, which is a pity, since the resort’s private beach extends into another mile-long curving stretch of golden sand at low tide, which would be perfect for a romantic stroll in the setting sun.
Restaurants
The Bulgari Bar
Sophisticated and comfortable, The Bulgari Bar opens into a terrace that overlooks a stretch of the island’s spectacular cliffs, offering enchanting views of the ocean and the Balinese sunset. Definitely one of the best beach bars in Bali – the curved bar counter in black resin is modeled on that of the Bulgari Hotel bar in Milan, while its main element is a massive stone, sculpted entirely by the forces of nature.
The menu at the Bulgari Resort bar offers a refined selection of cocktails, quality wines, canapés and snacks, all in keeping with the Italian tradition of the aperitivo.
Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin
Opened in 2017, Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin at the Bulgari Resort Bali is an intimate 36-seat restaurant that serves creative interpretations of classic Italian cuisine blended with local, organic ingredients all paired with the refined techniques and the great creativity of Italian Resident Head Chef. Open for dinner only, the restaurant offers a seductive ambience overlooking a reflection pool, enhanced with suggestive soft lighting. The wine list also features 200 bottles of predominantly Italian wines and an excellent Champagne selection. The first flagship Michelin-starred Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin is located in Tokyo’s Bulgari Ginza Tower, and has offered one of the city’s most sophisticated dining experiences since it opened its doors in 2009.
Sangkar
Walk through the chill cliff-side bar to the second restaurant, Sangkar, which features teak wood art, an ocean-view deck, and both international and local Indonesian choices. Breakfast is also served here, with à la carte options ranging from traditional English, Mediterranean or Japanese, to sumptuous Jimbaran Bay lobster or truffle scrambled eggs complete with champagne. Located on the cliff’s edge, the all day dining restaurant offers a more casual ambiance and combines authentic Balinese dishes enriched by various regional influences from the Indonesian archipelago with a selection of international specialties.
There’s also the private beach club, the 12-seat La Spiaggia offers a grill menu featuring the catch of the day and organic baby salad greens, complete with aromas of open air cooking and casual seating beneath a bamboo clad bale. Providing the perfect atmosphere for beach side soirees, La Spiaggia can also be privately booked for a rustic dining experience.
