After a prolonged lock-down Bali is open for business and what better place to stay on your next sojourn than this ubercool beachfront resort owned by a famous Swiss ice-cream brand.
The Location
Celebrated for its thumping surf and fine sand beach Jimbaran Bay is no longer Bali’s best-kept secret. There are now several luxury properties dotted along its picturesque foreshore. The 297-room Mövenpick Resort & Spa, which opened its doors in 2017, is perched high up at the southern end of the bay. The property is just 30 minutes by car from Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) Airport.
The Space
Anyone expecting the tinkle of gamelan music and traditional Balinese carvings will be surprised by the resort’s cathedral-like lobby. The hotel’s Swiss owners have been lavish in their use of white marble and local hardwood but have avoided too much folksy Balinese decoration, preferring a more international look. For a mid-size property the Mövenpick Resort & Spa offers an impressive range of facilities, including an artificial beach, kids’ club, spa, 24-hour gym and roof top bar. Samasta Village, which contains a selection of wine bars, coffee shops and specialist retail outlets, is next door.
The Room
While the public spaces here are monumental, the hotel’s rooms and suites are pleasantly intimate. My Classic Pool View room was well proportioned and decorated with vibrant Balinese textiles, carved wooden panels and flamboyant light fittings. The king-size bed was superbly comfortable and I also liked the luxurious bathroom and its full-size bathtub. The Classic Rooms are fairly compact, so I’d suggest a Junior Suite for longer stays – or a Family Room if you are travelling with kids. All rooms feature mini-bars, coffee and tea making facilities, flat screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, reading lights and writing desks.
The Food
Around the world Mövenpick is synonymous with ice cream, but no one expects you to survive entirely on Swiss gelato. Balinese cuisine is available at Anarasa, on the ground floor, throughout the day but for something a little more sophisticated venture up to the rooftop bar and restaurant. Above Eleven Sky Lounge has taken a bold leap into Peruvian-Japanese cuisine. The menu features a quixotic mix of ceviche, churrasco, sushi, empanadas and sashimi. For me the marinated beef heart, cooked on a skewer, was the stand out dish, although the grilled octopus, served with chimichurri and anticucho sauce was also delicious. Parents will find plenty of enjoy at this resort. Children four years and up can eat at their own kid-friendly dining space in Anarasa, while the pool bar serves healthy snacks, juices and cocktails – handy if your offspring want to spend all day playing on the water slide. For something a little more indulgent the Mövenpick Café has a selection of delicate European cakes and pastries, plus, a dazzling array of artisanal ice-creams.
Stepping Out
While the Mövenpick is clearly designed to be a self-contained experience it would be a crime not to walk along Jimbaran Beach at least once. Apart from hiring a surfboard or paddleboard, you can relax at one of the many beachfront cafes. Tuck into amazingly fresh seafood while the ocean laps at your feet. From here it’s an easy walk to Jl. Raya Uluwatu with its ceaseless traffic and mishmash of modern shopping malls, wooden huts, massage parlours and up-market homewares outlets.
The Verdict
Perfect for couples and families alike, this resort is friendly, well-equipped and offers great value for money.
Essentials
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali, JL. Wanagiri No.1, 80362, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. Phone: +62 361 472 5777. From A$133 a night, including buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi. See movenpick.com
Picture credit: Mark Chipperfield and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali.
Mark Chipperfield stayed as a guest of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali.