Bail, Indonesia
Several years ago, while attending an international writer’s conference in London, I met a lovely and beautiful young woman from Indonesia. She had been offered a poet-in-residence college in the States and so we talked about what it might be like living in the States for a year. Well, as these things go, we hit it off. A few years later my wife and I visited Bail, and at my friend’s recommendation stayed at the amazing Alila Villas Soori, which is only about one and half hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
We were looking for some good R&R, but what we didn’t expect is the lavish degree of luxury we found at this establishment. Not to suggest a stereotype, but if you know where to look, then Southeast Asia knows how to do luxury, Alila Villas Soori did not disappoint. The best time to visit this region is from July to September when the weather is absolutely perfect.
We had started our journey with a four day stay Ubud, to get our adrenaline-fix with some rafting and a biking tour. We only nominally visited Seminyak, which is where most of the shop and restaurants are. But, this was a little too much of a grown-up not yet quite grown up on spring-break. Although we did enjoy a nice meal at the Sarong restaurant.
But, then it was all relaxing Alila Villas Soori. We were told to have high expectations of this place, and they folks at Soori did not disappoint. After you book, they confirm everything for your stay, including what kind of experiences you want to have, what foods you want to eat and don’t, and even what kind of music you want to have in your room.
They will even pick you up and see you through express customs, after which you will be chauffeured to the resort with 48 villas which have the feel of well-catered beach homes. The resort itself combines harmonious designs integrating cool, grey and black volcanic stone and polished teak.
The villa offered picture perfect views, private pool and a fabulous outdoor deck. But that’s just the beginning. Remember the hallmark here is luxury. So every villa also offer an Apple TV, iPod and a Nespresso machine, dramatic bath for two, an indoor and outdoor shower and linen sheets. And before you even wonder about, yes it even come with an assigned butler or host who will look after everything.
The beach is covered in glittering black sand that looks as if fairy dust had been sprinkled on it. The waves are extremely strong which makes it virtually impossible to swim in the ocean, plus at night it can be quite loud so ear plugs are necessary if you are a light sleeper.
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