They boast about it. Seventy acres of land at the southern most tip of Bali on some of the islands finest coastline. Ritz uses seventy percent of their land to accommodate business conferences, spa junkies, wedding parties and hallmark romantics. In July and August, the pool fills up with Australian kiddies who come to frolick in the water park while their parents jockey for the best sun-loungers and drink umbrella spiked cocktails with the sounds of sea crashing on the cliffs below and a refreshing breeze lifting the balmy humidity. Over in the spa gaggles of Japanese girls take turns being beaten up by the thalasso jets in the therapy pool as they attempt to massage away the dimply skin at the tops of their thighs.
Sticking with the choice theme, The Ritz offers both hotel and villa accommodation in a resort package connected by buggy highways. Both the villas and rooms are spacious and romantic with mosquito nets and flower filled baths finished with plush overstuffed sofas and cushions. If you’re here for a conference, you’ll likely be in a hotel style room close to the facilities and with access to the Club lounge, where your meals can be taken away from the crowds of straw hatted holiday makers and doe-eyed honeymooners. The Club also provides access to business facilities, afternoon tea and evening aparatifs.
The Villas remain for families, spa goers and wedding parties, all of which are big events for the Ritz Carlton Bali. At the height of the wedding season in June and July, there can be as many as three weddings per day split between the two facilities. Popular with the Japanese is the air-conditioned and contemporary glass chapel overlooking the sea. The Westerners prefer the outdoor Balinese temple courtyard with the sea-breezes. All of them choose to stay in the ocean-view villas featured in an array of wedding packages. It’s so popular to get married here that the hotel has employed a full time wedding planner and her staff.
Continuing on their ‘Making Memories’ theme, romantic dinners are big with various private locations around the grounds. Most interesting is the opportunity for one couple to dine alone on the pier which extends out beyond the cliffs. If eating seafood under the stars with the sound of the waves gets you in the mood, book in advance as it’s a popular and exclusive option. Failing that, a floating meal served by your butler in the private plunge pool of your villa might just make an acceptable second best.
Accessable to all is 2003's ‘Best Spa in Asia’ (according to Conde Nast). With twenty two treatment rooms, the Thalasso therapy pool, aquafit pool, gym, putting range, tennis, cycling trips, jacuzzi and sauna it’s possible to put yourself into overdrive. The spa treatment menu is so extensive you need to study it carefully in your room before you head down there.
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"A full service luxury resort, spread over a massive seventy acres with one of Asia's best spas."
