Sprawled across Bali’s southwestern coast, the Alila Seminyak is known for its gorgeous views of the Indian Ocean. Situated on Seminyak Beach, right by the sea, the Alila pampers guests by allowing them to soak in the beachfront experience while gorging on some delectable seafood at its fine dining restaurant, lounging in one of its glorious swimming pools, or de-stressing at Spa Alila. And when you yearn to escape the grasp of creature comforts, hop outside and take a stroll down Seminyak’s sparkling black sand beach.

Seminyak lies at the quieter end of Bali’s southwestern coastline in the immediate vicinity of Petitenget. Besides surfing, tourists can also shop-till-they-drop at any of the several boutique fashion outlets, indulge at one the town’s chic restaurants, or enjoy the neighborhood’s thumping nightlife. All this in addition to being able to sit on what are some of Bali’s finest beaches, and gawp as the sun melts into the ocean; Seminyak’s ideal vantage point really does make for a cracking sunset!

The Alila Seminyak is a relatively modern structure that intertwines elements of contemporary design with fresh and plentiful foliage. The property is populated by lush greens, from ground level, all the way to the very top. It’s abundantly clear that great care has been taken to ensure that a healthy dose of green be visible at any level of the building as even the ocean-facing terraces are landscaped. The resort was designed to be eco-friendly and uses only paraben free cosmetics and they also have a no plastic policy, which is made evident by the fact that the property surpasses the expectations of even the most rigorous sustainable tourism standards. Ventilated by the fresh ocean breeze, the resort is tastefully set up to offer calming vistas of green and blue, which gives visitors a sense of being at one with nature without compromising on elements of modern day comfort.

The Alila Seminyak also houses Seasalt, a seascape fine dining restaurant that specializes in Asian cuisine and seafood. In addition to its scrumptious brunches, visitors can also pre-book the chef’s table where Chef Vivian Vitalis conjures up a specially crafted 5-course meal for an even more personalized dining experience. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, both of which provide untainted views of the ocean. And if you’re not feeling up to digging into a full meal, take a seat at the Seasalt Bar and choose from a list of pre-dinner canapés and signature margaritas. I was very impressed with the attention to detail and the precision as I had informed the staff about my dietary requirements and allergies and the chef plated the most exquisite grilled fish with sauteed vegetables for me.

The resort is also home to Spa Alila, a bespoke wellness facility that tailor-makes spa experiences according to your preferences. Sitting in tune with their appeal of being environmentally friendly, only fresh organic produce grown locally is used at the spa. Visitors can even opt for a Half Day Escape, a health and wellness experience designed to rejuvenate your body and senses. The escape includes a massage, age-old beauty therapies, and healthy living by way of providing a holistic meal crafted to tantalize your taste buds. Choose between Balinese, Warm Stone, Yoga, Seminyak, and Shirodara massages and jump into the party pool for a relaxing post-massage swim. Other treatment choices include hair treatment, silk bath, Vichy showers, body polish, body scrubs and wraps to name a few.

The rooms are well appointed and spacious and don’t leave much room for improvement whereas if it’s A-list luxury you’re after, look no further than the Alila’s fabulous penthouse. All of the rooms and suites in the facility are well appointed with spectacular views of the sea and offer all the modern amenities including Alila living products that support the sustainable living. The bed is delightfully comfortable and you can sink right in after 10 hours of walking. They have tea, coffee makers with a bowl of fruit that is replenished on a daily basis.

The experience that I will never forget was the divine healing experience offered to me with compliments from the Alila staff. Divine Healing is one of the bespoke experiences that Alila hotels organise for its guests to allow them to interact with locals, scour the markets for produce and take in the sights and sounds of the island. Anyway, I digress, the divine healing takes place in the morning where you take a walk along the beach with the yoga master allowing yourself to feel more connected to the earth below you, the wind in your face and hair. Allow yourself to relax and be mindful of your breathing and any sensation including when your feet get wet with the waves. Once you finish, your yoga session starts which is a combination of breathwork, asanas and restorative poses that will open and stretch your body. Post this, you are introduced to a temple priest who then performs a purification ritual that will balance your chakras, rid your body off any negative energy and leave you feeling invigorated. I slept like a baby that night and could not recommend it more if you are bone weary, tired and need a little de-stressing.

Bali has a lot to offer and its beaches attract droves of visitors each year to come laze by the ocean, year after year. But for those that lust after an idyllic beachside vacation whilst sitting in the lap of luxury, the Alila Seminyak does tick all the right boxes!

Verdict- after having spent adequate time at Alila Soori, Alila Uluwatu, Alila Goa and now Alila Seminyak; it’s safe to say that I am a convert and I am not going anywhere. I love the unobtrusive hospitality, the attention to detail, impeccable service and the Alila experiences that are customised for you and your family. Many thanks to Christine Evans for organising such a memorable stay for me. I cannot wait to be back in the #islandofthegods and spend more time on the beach meditating and doing yoga.

P.S- I was walking down the beach to catch the sunset when this puppy came running towards me and gave me a lot of slobbery licks and kisses. I met the owners and we played fetch and then we said goodbye. I miss you Bentley, and I miss you Bali.

Quick Notes:
Alila Seminyak
Address: Jalan Taman Ganesha No.9 Petitenget,, Kerobokan Kelod, North Kuta, Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 3021888
website

Photo credits – Rommy Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rkw_/
Mua- Lisa Bonita Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lisabnt/
Location- Alila Seminyak Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alilaseminyak/
Clothes- HM Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hm/