This Bali Resort Has a Private, Mile-Long Beach—And a Cable Car to Take You There

Stay Here For

Bali’s best of the best. Rather than a culture-packed Indonesian experience, you come here to spoil yourself silly.

On paper, it shouldn’t work: a brand known for its showy jewels, plunked down on an island marked by modesty and restraint. But apart from a Bvlgari boutique stocked with shimmery Serpenti, the renowned jeweler dialed back its bling for its second-ever hotel in favor of a design that’s both Italian and Indonesian.

Unsurprisingly, staying here is all about la dolce vita. You’ll want to ditch any sightseeing plans as soon as you lay eyes on the pool. A wavy, turquoise-tinted number, it’s flanked by frangipani trees and cabanas with linen curtains billowing in the breeze, attended by staff in colorful sarongs who deliver cold refreshments at the drop of a hat. Suntanned guests in flouncy dresses and designer slacks complete the picture.

Across the board, service is fittingly sophisticated. Here, you don’t have to deal with silly inconveniences like strict checkout times. Breakfast? It’s whenever, wherever: Your butler is a text message away to arrange a 3 p.m. delivery of eggs Florentine and Neapolitan brioche to your villa at no extra charge. Chuck your shirts in the laundry basket to find them, washed and ironed, in your wardrobe the next day (gratis!), and don’t worry about signing a bill after each drink or meal—it’s all handled when you say your final arrivederci upon checkout.

While the resort leans heavily on its Italian roots, there are plenty of Indonesian touches, too. The spa, with a lobby set in a traditional wooden joglo house that’s been transported piece by hand-carved piece from Central Java, deals in invigorating Balinese massages that incorporate ancient practices. If, for some reason, you do want to leave this paradise of a property, your butler can arrange everything from intimate melukat purifying ceremonies to morning strolls around the colorful markets and traditional temples of the local banjar (village). Whatever you choose, you can be assured that Bvlgari delivers it with its signature polish.

The Essentials

The Location

Bvlgari sits on one of southern Bali’s prettiest stretches of coast. Steep limestone cliffs plunge to a cappuccino-colored beach, and the Indian Ocean rolls into a blue-on-blue infinity—one glimpse, and you’ll understand why Uluwatu (the region where the hotel is located) translates to “land’s end.” If you do feel the need to escape this perfectly manicured bubble, you’re a short taxi ride away from vibey Padang Padang Beach or the postcard views of the cliff-top Uluwatu Temple, which is gorgeous (but crowded) at sunset.

The Rooms

With a polished terrazzo-clad tub at their center, the villas’ bathrooms feel like personal mini spas.

Built from volcanic stone, villas are clustered like homes in a tiny Italian village, separated by cobblestone lanes and gardens frothy with bougainvillea. They all have one or two bedrooms and open to shady outdoor decks, where you’ll find your minibar (stocked with goodies like complimentary organic kombucha, sparkling water and truffle-speckled sea-salt chips) and Nespresso machine, plus a plunge pool and a set of plush loungers. If you’re traveling with family and want to go all out, book one of the Mansions, which are essentially resorts-within-a-resort with private spas, a breakfast chef, up to five bedrooms and huge two-tiered swimming pools.

Views vary depending on your villa’s level: Those closest to the cliff deliver the most spectacular Indian Ocean views (with dolphins, if you’re lucky), while the ones higher up the hill will find part of their vistas blocked by neighbors’ roofs. The oversize bathrooms, centered around large bathtubs clad in black terrazzo, feel as sinfully luxurious as the floral-scented toiletries—by Bvlgari, of course.

The Bars and Restaurants

Every evening, aperitifs are served under the thatched roof of The Bvlgari Bar while the sky fades from brilliant orange to peachy pink. This daily ritual is a perfect prelude to dinner at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, where almost-too-pretty-to-eat degustation-menu dishes fuse Italian flavors with seasonal Balinese produce (think: rose-shaped beet with smoked-mozzarella sauce, or truffle-dusted local snapper). At lunch or dinner, the Indonesian dishes at Sangkar Restaurant, a more casual alternative to Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, deliver a spice-heavy punch (you’ll want to sample the melt-in-your-mouth beef rendang). A terrace table is an automatic yes, but don’t miss an opportunity to pop inside and check out the traditional Balinese rooster cages that double as sculptural lighting.

The Standout Feature

The cliff-edge infinity pool seemingly melts into the ocean.

The cliff-edge pool area, which is simply sensational. It’s ringed by hot-pink bougainvillea and mattress-thick loungers, adorned with fluffy turquoise towels and fresh frangipani flowers. Even closer to the cliffside, two mini plunge pools allow for canoodling without onlookers.

The Time to Go

The months of May to September usually see the least amount of rain, making them an ideal time for a beach or poolside holiday like this. Bvlgari isn’t really a base for sightseeing, so even the peak-season months between June and August (which see Bali’s streets clog up with traffic) are fair game.

The Vibe

Bring a book, order a drink and prepare to spend most of your days in a supine position at the beach.

The perfect spot for your social media post: The Bvlgari Bar at sunset, cocktail in hand, gazing dreamily at the Indian Ocean, which around this time looks like liquid gold. Handily, the resort has created a glass-bottomed platform over one of its water features for this very reason, and staff is on hand to snap a few shots.

The one thing we can’t stop thinking about: That beach. Reached via a hair-raisingly steep funicular, this mile-long private stretch of sand and clear water is, by far, one of the most spectacular beaches on this corner of the island.

The worth-the-splurge purchase: The resort is home to Bali’s only Bvlgari boutique, and a diamond-studded Bvlgari ring or necklace would make for a memorable—if pricy—souvenir. Your butler can arrange a private session and close off the store for you, so you can shop in privacy while sipping champagne. After something a bit more affordable? La Galleria boutique, just next door, stocks beautiful made-in-Bali bracelets and pendants at a (comparative) steal.

The decor you’ll wish you could pilfer: Anything from the gorgeous table settings in both Il Ristorante – Niko Romito and Sangkar Restaurant, including the brassy cutlery and the decadent glassware.

The spa treatment to book: A Balinese Lulur treatment, which starts with a foot massage and includes a scrub made from ground rice, sandalwood and spices that’ll leave your skin feeling like a baby’s bottom. Make sure you snag one of the ocean-facing treatment rooms—even if that means rescheduling your session.

Bvlgari sits on one of southern Bali’s prettiest stretches of coast.

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