ALILA SEMINYAK– ON THE BEACH AND MAKING WAVES!
Location! Location! Location!
So when someone mentioned the spanking new resort Alila in Seminyak, Bali to me and said it had a good location, I really didn’t realize what ‘good’meant till I got there. When you grab the last empty beach front location in the hippest part of town, share a common wall with none other than the ‘it’ place tobe in Bali – Potato Head beach club (just in case you were wondering) – and the iconic Ku De Ta is a(long) walk away, you’re location is more than good– its fantastic!
Seminyak’s famous boutiques, cafes, art galleries and restaurants are all at close proximity. And any place that can’t be accessed on foot can be easily reached by local taxis, all readily (and very cheaply)available. So there you have it – an address that can’t be beat.
Food for the Soul
Now that I’m done with the location, the most natural progression for me would be to move on to the breakfast here. Because, it is better than fantastic. It’s unbelievable!
Any hotel that gives me flax seed toast, almond butter, quinoa porridge, mashed avocado on grilled sour dough bread and raw zucchini pad Thai for breakfast has me hooked for life! Done with the overdone croissants, sausages and pan-cakes at other hotels, I just lovvved the breakfast here, which excelled in taste, quality ingredients and variety. The food at this resort, in general,was very good. The breakfast, however, had in it son-site restaurant on an al fresco terrace completely stole the show.
The Space
Staring right into the Indian Ocean, this airy 240-room resort features floor-to-ceiling glass,vertical gardens, clean lines, minimalist design and natural ventilation like you won’t believe it.The fact that renowned architect Gaurang Khemka and his team in Singapore have stuck to Alila’s long-standing commitment to the environment is evident all through this gorgeous property!
Tots in Tow
Like any beach front resort, Alila too, with its sprawling sandy beach, is bound to be a big hit with the family-friendly crowd. Multiple pools on the resort add to the charm. What is proving to be a runaway success, however, is the resort’s kids’club.
This cheery space is stocked with toys, games,puzzles, books and craft supplies to keep kids engaged. Elevated wooden platforms to run around in and a slide add to the fun. For the older lot, the room comes with televisions, computers and gaming consoles. This supervised space is over-seen by staff and the kids are happily looked after, while you pack in some quality ‘me’ time.The kids’ club hosts hourly kid-friendly activities that include treasure hunts, puppet making,bowling, food painting, story telling, kite making and more.
Alila is equally loyal to its adult guests. Hangout at the ‘adult-only pool’, partake in a complimentary yoga class or cruise the neighbourhood on the adult bicycles. Of course, there is always the good ol’ Spa Alila, always a sure fire way to iron out those kinks.
Parents have the option of indulging in destination dining around the resort after the kids hit the bed. A top of the line gym adds the perfect finishing touch. The resort has also crafted unique experiences for adults like cocktail making classes,shopping with personal assistants, temple visits,potion making, beach hopping and more.
In between laps in one of its three pools, don’t forget to check out Pura Dalem Segara, the Balinese temple that sits in the middle of the resort.And definitely don’t forget to find a place where their vintage 1980 Volkswagen Kombi can drive you to.
Those of you with he urge to splurge will love the 811 square meter three-bedroom penthouse,with its own infinity lap pool, right above the beach.
The Final Verdict
This latest addition to the Alila family, which lays claim to four other Bali properties including its flagship Alila Uluwatu, is 10 km to Ngurah Rai International Airport from its southern Seminyak location. The good thing is that once you’re here,choose to either be in the eye of the storm in one of Bali’s trendiest enclaves. Or quietly watch a flaming orange sun become one with the ocean,a cocktail in hand at the hotel’s beach bar. A tough call. Always!
You can read more from our columnist MandiraRai on her travel blog www.withmandy.com.
You might also like
Demystifying AI for the Travel Business
Words by Gaurav Chiripal Thanks to billions of dollars of investment in refining technical performance and commercialization, AI is now accessible and poised to have an ever-increasing impact on the
Amazing Thailand Loves Incredible India
Thailand as a destination has always impressed me. I have had the chance to visit the country on several occasions and at each and every one of them the plethora
Why data security matters
Words by Nishant Pitti EaseMyTrip’s Nishant Pitti on why and how companies should protect their data in the new normal. In the past six months, there has been a paradigm
