The Balé Nusa Dua by LifestyleRetreats brings to mind the phrase "live like a king". Walk up its vast sweeping steps, past endless polished limestone and a central cascading waterfall and you're in a modern, minimalist palace. Architect Antony Liu has applied his clean cut palette on an impressive scale.
Set on a hillside in the upmarket enclave of Nusa Dua, its individual pool villas are cutting-edge contemporary design. Each villa has its own small garden, with a daybed the size of a small house. Walk into the bathroom and you could find yourself drifting down into your own infinity swimming pool. What's clever is how they've combined the seclusion of private walled enclosures without losing a sense of open space. You can look out, nobody looks in. Your own butler checks you in and will sort out any trips you need. With armies of staff, ultra style, funky restaurants and a fabulous spa, they don't come more luxurious than this.
Highs
- High-style, ultra-private villas, all with own infinity pools – some of the most seductive rooms on the island that make you think twice about bothering to leave
- Soothing atmosphere and total luxury, including highly personalised service
- Excellent spa with inspired treatments and plenty of couples options
- Striking minimalist design, a complete contrast to the usual Balinese decor
- Just a 30-minute drive from the airport, perfect for relaxing at the beginning or end of your trip
Lows
- Cut off from the outside world and not for those seeking a traditional Balinese experience. Ideal for those wanting to cocoon themselves but not if you want shops, restaurants and culture
- No direct access to Geger Beach – though the beach club is a short walk or drive away
- Some minor signs of wear and tear, the limestone isn't as gleaming as it once was
- A romantic retreat, no children under 16
Best time to go
Any time of year, though the drier months are April-September. Bali's wet season runs from November to March. The busiest periods are June and July, Christmas and New Year.
Our top tips
This is honeymooner paradise: sleep late, order room service, enjoy the spa and swim in your private infinity pool. The real world will soon feel a million miles away.
- Boutique Hotel
- 29 villas
- Restaurant and bar
- Not suitable
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Each hillside villa is set within its own walled garden with a private swimming pool. Whether a One Bedroom, a Deluxe One Bedroom or a Two Bedroom Private Pool Villa, the style and layout is consistent, with ultra-minimalist clean lines that please the eye.
Sliding glass doors open into the large bedroom where there's wardrobe space for a diva and enough gadgetry to keep tech-fiends happy.
Chic bathrooms with fine terrazzo flooring have twin basins and delicious aromatic hand-made products. Each has an indoor and outdoor shower as well as a bathtub, but the highlight is stepping directly into the pool from your bathroom.
Outside, the kingsize daybed is set under a pillared veranda. Here you overlook your pool, listen to the built-in music system and snack on the fresh cookies provided.
The Deluxe One Bedroom Private Pool Villa enjoy more floor space and a larger pool amid manicured gardens, with softer sand coloured interiors.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / tea making
- Daybed
- DVD player
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Iron
- Minibar
- Plunge pool
- Radio
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
If you venture out of your room, you'll find the Faces restaurant set in a bright and airy pavilion with an open kitchen, next to the main pool. Here meals are served throughout the day.
Expect modern European and Asian cuisine using mainly organic produce. Dishes are light, full of flavour and beautifully presented - perhaps perfectly cooked cumin-seared scallops with potato mash and spicy harissa.
We were also seriously impressed with the imaginative breakfasts, which included the best selection of eggs we’d seen in some time. Try the Bale Benedict or bacon and egg burger – both superb.
Come evening, you can also relax with signature cocktails and global tapas in Tapa, a stunning raised bistro where DJs and acoustic musicians often add to the chilled-out ambience.
If you want to break out, take a taxi to Seminyak (or use the hotel's free transfer service within Nusa Dua).
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Some guests never venture out of their villas and just totally chill out for their whole stay. After all, your butler can bring everything to you
- The Balé's own small private Geger Beach Club is just 5 minutes drive away (transport is free). There's a long stretch of white-grey sand and the water is calm. You'll find more staff there to offer drinks and snorkelling equipment for hire
- Totally de-stress The Balé's Spa with its wide selection of treatments like the couple's Balinese massage or Zen ritual with its hot stone and green tea massage
- Yoga sessions that suit your pursuit - they have sessions for surfing, diving, energising or even just relaxing
- Try your hand at being a Sous Chef for the day with the Balinese cooking class – start at the local market and end with a feast of your own making
- Nusa Dua on the Bukit Peninsula is a quiet enclave of upmarket hotels, but the nearby Bali Collective offers shopping and the hotel can recommend local restaurants. If you want more action and local colour, take a taxi to bustling Seminyak
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Nightlife
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Well being
- Yoga
Kids
Not suitable for children, this is a grown-up retreat.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Balé Nusa Dua is perched on the hillside of Bali's Nusa Dua area close to the white sandy beach of Geger.
By Air:
Denpasar Ngurah Rai (12km / 30-minute drive) is served by many international airlines. You can also fly to Jakarta, then travel overland or on a connecting flight to Denpasar.
From the Airport
The hotel offers a complimentary transfer to and from the airport. If you'd prefer to get a taxi, go to the Airport Taxi Desk in arrivals, where fares are fixed.
By Ferry:
There are frequent boats between Bali and the major islands in Indonesia, including Java, Lombok and Komodo. You can then catch a taxi from the port to Nusa Dua, where someone from the hotel will meet you.
Getting around:
The hotel offers free transport within the Nusa Dua area and can arrange transfers and excursions across Bali. Scooters are also a popular way to get around locally.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Bali and getting around
Airports:
- Denpasar Ngurah Rai Airport 12.0 km DPS
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km