Raffles Bali – Luxury Pool Villas, Jimbaran
Monica Tindall
Raffles Bali is an excellent choice of stay on the Island of the Gods, not only for its spectacularly beautiful location but also for its convenient access. You may have heard the horror stories of Bali’s popularity, causing long waits at immigration and horrendous traffic. However, you can skip both of those with a Fast Track service, and choosing a hotel that is not far from the airport like Raffles Bali.
Raffles Bali – Luxury Pool Villas, Jimbaran
Less than 30 minutes from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Raffles Bali sits on the headland of Jimbaran, an exclusive retreat offering calm and tranquillity, yet is still only minutes into the action. The drive from the entrance gate to the lobby winds through manicured gardens flourishing with tropical blooms. An artificial stream runs through the centre, with small bridges crossing it, making picture-perfect photo spots. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d missed a turn and instead entered a fancy country club, ready for a glass of bubbly with the girls and a round of golf or match on the tennis court. However, with only 32 villas, this is a much more exclusive experience.
Immediately rejuvenated from the drive through the lush tree-lined landscape, we arrive at reception, where we’re given a proper Balinese welcome. Blessed with water drops on our heads, rice on our foreheads and frangipanis behind our ears, we’re ushered to a seat at The Writer’s Bar. “Cocktail or mocktail?” is the only decision we need to make, as our needs are predicted before we even know we have them – a cold, moist towel and ice water refresh us from the journey. Then, our butler whisks us away to our private pool villa.
Private Pool Villas Bali
An oft-under-utilised service that many luxury properties offer today is customising your stay pre-visit. If you download the hotel’s app, there are usually many opportunities to state your preferences and arrange experiences before you arrive. It’s a great idea, but who has time to download an app when you’re busy working? Instead, our butler ensured our penchants were noted with an email – no clicks, no downloads, a personal connection, and an easy chance to describe exactly what we like – healthy food, French press or drip coffee (no nasty Nespresso), cervical memory-foam pillows and the list of wellness activities.
When we arrive at the villa, we find our requested pillows already in place, healthy snacks (no wasted miniature sweets that will sit untouched until we depart), local drip coffee, and the list of resort activities at our fingertips.
We’re in Villa 8, perched halfway up the hill and looking directly out to the sea. It’s flanked by greenery on both sides, so while we have an open view, it’s perfectly private. The crowning glory of our digs is the infinity pool, seemingly dropping down to the sea. Fuchsia bougainvillea and white frangipani bloom amongst coastal shrubbery. We have so many seating options, that we don’t have a chance to use them all on one visit. There’s a daybed, sunchairs with an umbrella and an outdoor dining table. The bedroom has two more armchairs, a bed bench and a desk.
The enormous bed is the perfect balance between soft and supportive, and there’s a pillow menu, too. The blinds are automated, so we can control them while still in bed. I like to leave the curtains open to wake up to the magnificent view. There’s no need to hit “sleep” on the alarm clock repeatedly. This is a scene I’m eager to rise to.
Light switches are labelled and make sense, and the air conditioning is easy to use, too. International power points allow us to charge devices without the need to carry adaptors, and the TV is SMART; we can watch an assortment of channels or go straight to Netflix. The screen quality is superb, but we’re especially impressed with the surround-sound experience.
Behind the bedroom is a walk-in wardrobe with a safe large enough to store our laptops, iron and board, indoor and outdoor slippers and robes, hats and beach bags. There’s plenty of space to have our separate areas for luggage and hanging clothes.
Then there’s the bathroom. Twin sinks, free-standing tub, dual-head shower with instant, high-pressured hot water (also easy to figure out and clearly labelled), automatised Japanese-style toilet, and … an outdoor shower! I love bathing under the sky. Bath products are in refillable ceramics, showcasing care for the earth and luxury, and the bathtub has salts for soaking as well as a tray large enough to hold a laptop, book and glass of wine. There’s even a complimentary Raffles toiletry bag with sunscreen, eye cream, face mist, lip balm, pillow spray and aloe gel. It’s a nice touch and just the right size for travel.
And then there’s the minibar. I always say you can predict the quality of a stay by a property’s welcome and minibar. The Balinese blessing and cocktail entrance set the standard high, and the minibar confirms the prediction. It’s filled with gourmet products – several types of artisanal jamu (Balinese health elixirs), coconut chilli cashews, dried fruit and nuts, Raffles’ own chocolate bars, and Indonesian drip coffee. The thoughtfulness continues with turn-down service, where a pot of sleep-inducing herbal tea is delivered with more artisanal bites each evening. One night, it’s rosella tea with a fruit and nut ball; another evening, it’s pandan and lemongrass tea with coconut palm sugar mini pancakes. The attention to detail is well-noted and much appreciated.
The villas are so comfortable that you might be forgiven for ordering room service and staying in for your entire stay. We’re tempted, but the culinary offerings at Raffles Bali under the leadership of culinary director and chef Gaetan Biesuz are something this foodie is keen to explore.
Breakfast at Raffles Bali
Breakfast at Raffles Bali is my dream menu and setting. It has unlimited orders of freshly made-to-order wellness, Balinese and international recipes, and the open-walled restaurant overlooks the treetops out to the sea. It’s late June when we visit so we have blue skies and cool temperatures. A soft breeze drifts through making it ever so pleasant, even in the later morning.
Freshly pressed juices, espresso-based coffees, Sumatra Lintong brewed coffee, well-being elixirs and tea, alongside milk and dairy-free alternatives, have us off to a happy start. Our cappuccino and flat white are made by a barista with nicely textured foam. The local single-serve pour-over coffee has unique characters, too. We like trying it black first to appreciate the nuances, but we prefer it with a splash of milk. Do try the roselle tea, which is sourced from a sustainability program supporting the Muntigunung community. It’s rich in immune boosters and has a lovely fruity and tart taste. You can add syrup or honey to sweeten it, but we like it unsweetened.
We love that the small portions allow us to try several dishes in one sitting. My chia pudding, tomato tartine, coconut yoghurt and tropical granola are delicious. Hubby praises the banana pancakes and cheese platter, especially the local goat cheese chevre from Klungkung Farm. It’s a meal that launches our day with happiness.
Loloan Beach Bar & Grill
We move from the top of the hill to the base for lunch with Loloan Beach Bar & Grill, a seaside restaurant exclusive to Raffles Bali guests. Meals here are included in their half-board or full-board packages. The location by the sea with a 25-metre infinity pool and purple bougainvillea planter boxes is breathtaking. It’s particularly pretty as the sun is taking a nose dive to the horizon, making the water’s surface glisten and the beach golden.
The menu is an uncomplicated mix of fresh ingredients, simply prepared to bring out the natural character of each. As we wait for our order, a basket of cheese grisini, rolls with pumpkin seeds and slices of brown sourdough are served with a tasty tomato dip and salted butter.
From the garden, we enjoy Summer Spring Rolls, with carrot, daikon and local seasonal greens wrapped in soft vermicelli papers. A lovely, light peanut vinaigrette is tasty dipping. The Mixed Vegetable Salad with green peas, young jackfruit, pomegranate, celery, and lettuce is dressed in pleasingly tangy passionfruit and chilli dressing. Both are bright and fresh, an excellent start.
There are plentiful vegetarian choices on Loloan’s menu that could easily compete with any animal protein dishes. My Green Pita Pocket resembles a taco shell filled with chickpeas, pomegranate and spiced roasted cauliflower in a lime-chilli-yoghurt sauce. The cauliflower could be mistaken for shredded meat. Yummy.
The Catch of the Day is just the right size for lunchtime. There’s a choice of tuna or snapper, and we select the latter with garlic butter sauce and a side of steamed rice. It’s served in a cast iron pan, with a crispy skin top and moist, flaky middle seasoned with only a sprinkling of sea salt. The baby roasted potatoes in the same pan balance the meal.
We’ve appreciated the light, healthy starters and mains so think the Exotic Sunday Passionfruit Sorbet is a fitting conclusion. The house-made sorbet is fresh and light with a vanilla lime Chantilly, tapioca sago pearl and Alphonso mango salsa. Every spoonful is a delicious taste of the tropics.
In-villa Dining
Although the restaurants and bars at Raffles Bali are mighty tempting, the villas are so wonderfully comfortable, spacious and beautiful that they’re hard to leave. If you want to give in to the temptation to stay in, the in-villa dining menu has plenty to satisfy. You may have noticed our preferences for healthy, whole foods, and room service delivers. (Of course, there are burgers, noodles, desserts, and more, depending on your preferences). So, for lunch on our second day, we order in.
We’re off to a pleasant start with Raffles Farm Terrace Salad (IDR 230), a vibrant bowl of baby romaine, roasted pumpkin, pomelo, jicama and edamame in a light lemon dressing. The Sweet Corn Soup (IDR 240) is another meat-free choice, featuring Karangasem Mountain hybrid sweet corn soup with onion confit and braised moringa leaves. Yum!
I continue with the vegan option for the main, Pumpkin Texture (IDR 250), which sees roasted stingless honey-glazed butternut pumpkin ringed by cashew cream. Organic house-made sauerkraut and lemon jus break the rich cream and pumpkin with lively acidity. Caning’s Pan-roasted Organic Chicken Breast (IDR 390) is golden brown, moist and tender. Baby potato Provençal, watercress and sauteed green beans side the chicken, and a pot of natural jus can be added for more flavour, but we don’t think it’s necessary.
“Carrot” cake is healthy, right? We end our in-villa dining at Raffles Bali with a pretty slice of Organic Carrot Cake (IDR 180). Grated carrots from Bedugal fill the cake, which is topped with a light cream cheese frosting and passion fruit coulis. It’s moist and has just the right sweetness to satisfy without being heavy.
Dinner at Raffles Bali
For dinner at Raffles Bali, guests have several options. Set on 39 hectares, with only 32 villas, we feel like we own the property hardly seeing any other guests. The team does an exceptional job of spreading diners across the resort. We feel like royalty with attentive service no matter where we dine.
The property’s signature restaurant, Rumari, celebrates a contemporary menu of Indonesian flavours with an excellent wine list. We highly recommend arriving at sunset for an aperitif in The Writer’s Bar and then dining on one of the restaurant’s degustation menus to get the full experience. Because of the exclusivity of the setting, Rumari is already an intimate booking. However, if you want undivided attention and a location 100% yours for the evening, consider one of the Dining Destinations.
Guests can choose from the Farm Terrace, which offers authentic local alfresco-style dishes at a farm-style table. For a romantic atmosphere, couples often book the Purnama Honeymoon Bale, which features a menu inspired by the beauty of the ocean below. Raffles Bali also offers private dining in a dramatic cave setting at The Secret Cave. We dined in the latter and were blown away by the experience.
Wellness Facilities
Beyond the serene ambience of the private pool villa, Raffles Bali has a two-room spa, each featuring its own secluded outdoor patio and ensuite. During our splendid session here, the meticulous attention to quality products (I love the tropical forest massage oil with spearmint, eucalyptus and patchouli), luxurious rituals (including jamu, tea, mesh underwear, footbaths and sound bowl), and exceptional techniques leave us feeling blissfully relaxed—even long after it has concluded.
Beyond the spa, guests can also participate in private meditation sessions in a cave, enjoy a refreshing dip in the infinity pool that extends toward the endless horizon, or practice their backhand on one of the private tennis courts. The fitness centre, though small, is sufficient for the limited number of guests, and the garden-lined pathways around the resort offer ample hills and steps for those who prefer a workout in a natural setting. Between June and September, there’s less humidity, a cooler breeze and blue skies in Bali. Additionally, the tropical flowers are in full bloom. I love strolling around the resort, taking advantage of the weather and beautiful environment.
Raffles Bali Review
A stay at Raffles Bali promises an indulgent and exclusive experience on the Island of the Gods. Every detail is carefully crafted from our arrival to the heartfelt farewell (gamelan musicians, a handwritten note, and gourmet dark chocolate). With its secluded setting and a limited number of guests, Raffles Bali offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking tranquillity and a touch of magic.
Reasons to stay at Raffles Bali: an incredibly beautiful property with extensive gardens and a secluded beach; luxurious private pool villas; exceptional servce; excellent gourmet options; less than 30 minutes from the airport.
Raffles Bali
Jalan Karang Mas Sejahtera 1A Jimbaran
Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
+62 361 201 5800 [email protected]
@raffles_bali
Link to Raffles Bali on Google Maps
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