Bali, Indonesia: 5 best new hotels of 2020

Desa Potato Head

Under the umbrella of the prestigious Potato Head Family brand is their latest brainchild, Desa Potato Head. Dubbed as Bali’s first “creative village,” the integrated compound includes 168 rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, a music recording studio, an amphitheatre, and even a subterranean discothèque inside The Creative Centre. 

Located in the hip Seminyak area, the accommodation, named Potato Head Studios, was designed by illustrious Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’s OMA, with interiors by British designers Max Lamb and Faye Toogood. Desa Potato Head’s ethos balances being eco-friendly and community-conscious, enlisting the talents of Balinese artisans who provided its distinctive décor and furnishing made from recycled plastics and other sustainable materials. Desa Potato Head is part of the Potato Head Family’s expansion of its multidimensional experiences and is only a few feet away from the celebrated Potato Head Beach Club and Katamama hotel.

Desa Potato Head, Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia | (+62361) 473 7979

The Apurva Kempinski Bali

Launched last year and since been the subject of rave reviews, a stay at the magnificent Apurva Kempinski Bali is a must for leisure-seekers in Bali. Perched on top of the Nusa Dua’s cliff, the five-star hotel’s grand design is breathtaking, thanks to architects Budiman Hendropurnomo and Rudy Dodo who built an open-concept property with expansive waterfalls and azure pools placed in between the hotel’s buildings that overlook the majestic Indian Ocean.

Paying homage to Indonesian culture, each of its 475 rooms, suites, and villas are outfitted with traditional interiors crafted by local artisans. While over 60 percent of its rooms come with its own plunging pools and generous space, its prized Ocean Front Prestige Suite is the icing on top—a 200-square-metre one-bedroom affair that comes with pools, balcony, and access to the mighty Cliff Lounge. Don’t forget to indulge your cravings in one of its six signature restaurants, which include Koral (Bali’s first aquarium restaurant) and the prestigious Izakaya by OKU. Meanwhile, the Apurva Spa is a sanctuary for the weary that offers a myriad of Javanese and Balinese treatments as well as gorgeous views of the shimmering blue ocean.

The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Lot 4, Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia | (+62361) 209 2288

Nirjhara

Only a stone’s throw away from Bali’s iconic temple, Tanah Lot in Kedungu area, Nirjhara aims to be the island’s latest hub for environmentally-conscious travellers by offering 25 secluded villas enclaved in gorgeous rice terraces, a lush tropical forest, and a private waterfall. Whether it’s the two-bedroom pool villas or the contemporary one-bedroom treehouse, all accommodation options feature nature-loving designs and relaxing interiors that showcase an amalgamation of earthy tones and furnishing made from sustainable materials.

For dining options, the resort’s Ambu Restaurant sources 95 percent of its farm-to-table ingredients locally, with menus that reinterpret popular Balinese dishes and Western fare. Don’t miss out on their meditation and yoga classes that are held in the Yoga Shala by the serene riverbank. Nirjhara is also committed to offering sustainable luxury, be it in its architecture or its operation. They've introduced measures such as implementing innovative water and waste management systems, utilising eco-friendly fixtures, and excluding single-use plastics in all guests’ areas.

Nirjhara, Jl. Nirjhara, Banjar Kedungu, Belalang, Kec. Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82121, Indonesia | (+62361) 209 5333

Raffles Bali

Marking its first property in Bali, Raffles Hotels & Resorts launched Raffles Bali last July. Situated in the tourist-favourite area of Jimbaran Bay, the new resort offers 32 villas—ocean pool villa, hilltop pool villa, oceanfront two-bedroom villa, and Raffles presidential villa. The last option is a lavish 900-square-metre, two-bedroom villa complete with its own pool, terrace, and gazebos, surrounded by tropical greenery and views of the shining bay down below. Raffles Bali’s new property also includes a wellbeing butler that is said to “take care of your every need,” along with a beach bar, grill restaurant, and its iconic Writers Bar where you can taste the resort’s signature cocktail, the Bali Sling, an interpretation of the Singapore Sling.

Raffles Bali, Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera 1A, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia | (+62361) 201 5800

Titik Dua Ubud

If you’re looking to stay away from the hustle and bustle, look no further than Titik Dua Ubud. The new boutique hotel is designed by the famed Indonesian architect, Andra Matin, and features 22 custom-designed rooms, a restaurant, a speakeasy, and six multipurpose spaces. The visually pleasing terracotta interior can be found across the property meshed with monochrome hallways and extraordinary architectures, cocooned by warm and serene surroundings of rice paddies and landscaped gardens.

Each room is decorated with the finest Indonesian craftsmanship, be it the furniture, king-sized bed, artisanal rugs, or the private balcony. Meanwhile, the hotel’s eatery comes with dramatic vaulted-ceilings and a jungle view, serving modern Asian cuisines with dishes such as gochujang pork belly, and jackfruit rendang with quinoa for plant-based lovers.

Titik Dua Ubud, Jl. Cok Rai Pudak No.48, Peliatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia | (+62361) 975 139