After landing at Denpasar’s bustling I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and navigating through Bali’s loud streets, jam-packed with cars and scooters, it almost felt surreal to turn off a road and instantly be transported to the serenity of Bvlgari Resort Bali, one of just nine hotels worldwide owned by the revered Italian fashion house.
But, as I sat in the ocean-facing outdoor reception area overlooking the rest of the property, that is precisely what happened. The sound of blaring horns and sirens faded into that of crashing waves, punctuated by a “Welcome home” as a staff member offered me a drink of basil, mint, honey, and soda. After 25 hours of travel, I had never been happier to hear those words.
Shortly after checking in, a dedicated butler for my stay picked me up on a motorized buggy and drove us down a hill to my room — one of 59 villas, each with views of the Indian Ocean. Walking into the open-air villa, the first thing that caught my eye was the private swimming pool that each villa is equipped with, showing off the ocean views below. The minibar area is also outdoors, adjacent to the pool beds and a dining table. Inside was a selection of complimentary snacks, water, and other beverages for purchase.
Courtesy of Bvlgari Hotels
Inside the main living room, curtains pulled away to reveal full floor-to-ceiling windows. This allowed light to pour into the space and offered another glimpse of the perfect ocean view, ideal for taking in the sunrise.
Behind the main living and sleeping area was a wardrobe space with closets and a long bench. In addition to the ample storage, villas offer complimentary laundry service and same-day pressing — all I had to do was call or WhatsApp my butler. After going out for a day at the beach or to a fitness class at the gym, I would come back to find my clothes already hanging in the closet, ready to go for the evening.
Stepping just past the wardrobe, I found myself in the large, almost spa-like bathroom. The tub was directly in the middle of the room and stocked with Bvlgari products. Doors leading back outside led to an outdoor shower, which I used for early morning wake-ups.
All this, and I haven’t even mentioned everything there is to do outside the villa: From beach excursions to daily yoga and traditional cleansing ceremonies, Bvlgari Resort Bali will make you feel like the main character in your new favorite movie.
Read on for a full review of Bvlgari Resort Bali, including a run-down of rooms, activities, food and drink, location, and more.
Bvlgari Resort Bali
The Rooms
Each suite has been created using hand-cut volcanic lava stone, indigenous woods, and alang-alang thatched roofs, and they are terraced along the hillside in a way they say evokes the look of the Balinese rice fields. Inside, the suite is decorated with antique furnishings and filled with Bvlgari’s vintage advertisements — this is a hotel owned by a jewelry brand, after all — and art books. Rich textiles give the room a cozy yet modern feel, while the king-size bed provides a comfortable night’s sleep.
The suites feature spacious, glass-walled bathrooms that highlight the villa’s lush green landscaping. The bathrooms include a bathtub and separate shower outfitted with Bvlgari’s fragrance and bath collection toiletries. They also include an outdoor shower and powder room.
The private plunge pool is the perfect place to cool off on especially hot days, and each villa includes day beds for lounging. The minibar, located outside, offers complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as wine and other spirits.
Food and Drink
Courtesy of Bvlgari Hotels
The resort features three restaurants: Il Ristorante, Sangkar, and the Bvlgari Bar.
Il Ristorante, Chef Luca Fantin’s ode to Italian fine dining, serves upscale versions of Italian classics in an open-air dining room filled with black marble and ocean views. Directly across from Il Ristorante is Sangkar, a traditional Indonesian restaurant specializing in spicy flavors, like sambal, the ubiquitous Indonesian chili paste. Near the pool, guests can enjoy a drink and small plates at the Bvlgari Bar, the perfect place to take in a sunset while having a pre, or after-dinner drink.
Activities and Experiences
Courtesy of Bvlgari Hotels
The highlight of my trip to Bvlgari Resort Bali was the Melukat purifying ceremony at the 1,100-year-old temple on site. The ritual, performed by a Balinese priest, cleanses both body and soul, banishes evil spirits, and brings good fortune. For the ritual, other participants and I dressed in traditional attire and were led through the experience, including a blessing with holy and coconut water. Given how excessive the previous night’s dinner was, I left the experience feeling transformed and at least partially cleansed — and I still have the bracelet the priest tied onto my wrist after the ceremony.
If you don’t need cleansing, the property offers plenty of other activities, like Balinese cooking classes; a Banjar walk, which involves experiencing a day in the life at a typical Balinese village; and a Kamasan painting course. Kamasan is a painting style named after the village in which it was invented. It involves using natural ingredients like plants and minerals to create pigments and using bamboo sticks to apply the paints to a canvas.
If your private plunge pool isn’t enough, there’s a massive swimming pool near the resort’s edge and adjacent to the Bvlgari Bar, where you can sip on one of the resort’s signature cocktails while taking in the famous Indonesian sunsets.
Family-friendly Offerings
Bvlgari offers a children’s play area, the Little Gems Club, where children can engage in special activities with staff and be treated like resort VIPs. Specially designed Bvlgari toys and games are also available.
Accessibility and Sustainability
The resort follows the Balinese ‘Tri Hita Karana’ philosophy, which focuses on the spiritual and social well-being of its staff and guests and the human relationship with nature. The resort’s employees honor the Hindu rituals and religious rites practiced in Bali by making daily offerings and participating in ceremonies at the resort’s temple. Additionally, the resort recycles, plants mangroves, and supports local bee conservation efforts.
The Spa
Courtesy of Bvlgari Hotels
Given the blissful rest of the property, the spa is as serene as you would expect. It features an additional outdoor pool near the yoga pavilion, offering morning and afternoon yoga sessions for those who want to start the day with a good stretch. Further inside, you’ll find a salon, a small but well-equipped gym, and a collection of open-air treatment rooms that overlook the water. The spa offers a range of different treatments, from massages to facials.
Location
tommy picone/Courtesy of Bvlgari Hotels
Have I mentioned the ocean yet? Bvlgari Resort Bali is located right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, which provides plenty of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is about 45 minutes away from the international airport in Denpasar, though traffic can make this journey take longer, depending on your arrival time.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
Exclusive offers vary throughout the year but recently have included confirmed upgrades, daily breakfast, and included spa treatments and airport transfers.
