Alila Villas Uluwatu was the first stop I made after leaving the airport. I had heard great things about the Alila Villas, they were sleek and modern, without sacrificing Balinese culture. The first thing I noticed about Alila Uluwatu was how open-aired it was, it brought a sense of calm and well-being to my frazzled and jet lagged emotional state. The lobby was very clean and very white, with hints of dark recycled wood furnishings on the walls and ceilings.

One thing I have come to realize about the Alila villas Uluwatu is how different it is from all the other hotels in Bali. Most of the hotels use traditional dark wood paneling and Balinese stone to outline their hotels, Alila did the opposite. The hotel is clean and fresh white, with green from nature and blue from the sky and water. You feel revitalized just by looking at it. It is also, arguably, the most Eco-friendly hotel in Bali, without sacrificing luxury or service. They use recycled water for their fountains, locally source their food & ingredients, and hire people from the local village to support the economy.

The hotel boasts a huge infinity pool over looking their private beach (walkable but not swim able) and 9 “nests”. These nests are large wooden structures planted on the side of the building with a drop-down view of the cliff side and beach, along with some of the best sunset views imaginable. Alila Villas Uluwatu truly wanted to put an emphasis on structure, design, and most importantly, food. Their two restaurants showcase the best seafood and Balinese cuisine around. One of the best activities at the hotel is actually an all-day cooking and culture class. First you head to the local fish market to pick out your fish and tour the local village. Then, you head back to the hotel for a picnic lunch followed by the cooking class with the head chef.

With only 56 One Bedroom villas and 9 Three Bedroom villas, they wanted to keep the resort small and intimate. Each villa comes with a private butler service who is there for you 24/7. The villas are very open and flow nicely, any feng shui master would approve. They also come with private garden pavilions and private plunge pools in case you would like an intimate dinner from the privacy of your home.

The villas also come equipped with a gym, which offers daily sunrise yoga, and a fantastic spa perfect for any couple in need of some TLC after a long flight. What’s really standout about this hotel is the intimacy it provides. Alila wants to respect the privacy of it’s guests by maintaining it’s distance, but also wants to keep the hotel small enough so you’re never far away. Which vastly contradicts the humongous resorts that have planted themselves along the more populated beaches of Bali. This hotel is perfect for those who want a more modern hotel without sacrificing culture.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.