For me, Viceroy Bali, it was like love at first sight. It was pretty special the feeling when I arrived here. When I arrived and saw a gorgeous swimming pool next to a stunning valley of palm trees, I was promptly rendered speechless. This is a boutique hotel with 5 stars written all over it. But despite its name, Viceroy Bali isn’t affiliated with the famous luxury hotel brand.
The Viceroy Bali is a family-owned hotel. Owned and operated by a lovely Australian family, this luxury villa resort I think is one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in Bali. The privacy of the villas is second to none, magnificent villas with personal pools and a huge wow factor.
The resort is located on a hillside overlooking the lush Lembah Valley. With its 25 villas tucked away on a hillside, staring into the tops of palm trees in Ubud’s Valley of the Kings, Viceroy Bali hit the spot.
Entering the Viceroy’s lobby was like walking into a wormhole to some glamorous era in the past. I was welcomed in the open-plan lobby, which consists of the reception area located in a thatched-roof pavilion and a lower-level lounge area. Dominated by minimalist clean lines and light colors, the lobby also incorporates Balinese elements, such as a three-meter-wide depiction of Balinese dancers. After a quick check in, I was offered a frangipani flower necklace and handed fresh mint tea. Hmm it was refreshing..And from my smile, you will know that I’m super excited to be here.
Staying at Viceroy Bali makes it easy to forget that the hotel is situated just 10 minutes by car from the heart of Ubud. The resort boasts some of the finest scenery on the island. Then I stepped into the garden where you have the main infinitive pool featuring a swim up bar literally hanging on one side of the river valley. Gosh, I couldn’t get enough of the palm tree-covered hillside that faces the hotel. This is the Bali I’d been dreaming of.
Then I was shuttled in an insulated golf cart to my villa. I stayed in a Garden Villa. It offers a modern and unique design concept with a vast bedroom and sitting room opening onto an open garden bedroom, which blends with an indoor swimming pool and lush tropical garden with a day bed. I always get a little thrill opening the door to a hotel room for the first time. I can’t remember the little ritual ever making me want to cry, but that’s practically what happened here.
Can you see what I mean?
The villa style is pure contemporary-luxe Bali, clean lines and sleek surfaces with traditional furnishings and technological touches like LCD televisions (LCD TV!), an espresso machine (expresso machine!) and full mini bar (mini bar!). Gosh, the villa was unbelievable. There was also a desk (a desk!), a couch (a couch!), and a giant, king-sized bed with crisp white sheets (!!!!!).
Perhaps more remarkable is the fact that each Villa has a private terrace with a private pool – some with infinity edges – and a private terrace or garden overlooking the lush jungle. Next to the swimming pool you have a Balinese gazebo with a beautiful view. I can actually surround myself with the scents and sounds of the jungle, or watch the mist rise over the valley in the morning.
I followed my luxury afternoon with a sunset cocktail and a decadent dinner with at CasCades Restaurant. The restaurant is first class and run with extreme efficiency and an excellent Belgium chef, Chef Nic. He comes out of the kitchen and talks to all guests to find out what foods they like and if it isn’t on the menu he will go out of his way to make it happen. He even invited me to the kitchen. AHA!
CasCades Restaurant is housed in a large thatched-roof pavilion, with most of the tables boasting scenic vistas of the valley. Water features and timber finishing complete the serene picture.
Although it offers a few Indonesian options, the hotel’s CasCades fine-dining restaurant specializes in contemporary French cuisine with an Asian twist. The restaurant also offers al fresco dining, a six-course degustation menu, and an extensive wine cellar with some of the finest drops from around the world.
I had a six-course degustation menu and I don’t know what they put in this simple tomato salad, but this is crazy good.
And these were all the beautiful food I had that night:
The next morning, after a quick swim, I went to have breakfast at the restaurant. The breakfast is a la carte, I ordered a beautiful latte and fresh juice and indulging in a four-course gourmet breakfast. Try the pancake, it’s so delicious that I had to ask for another.
After breakfast, I’ve headed to Lembah Spa to have my great total of 2 hrs SPA Experience. My spa treatment was absolute bliss and was impeccable attention to detail. The frangipani massage oil was absolutely divine, and a bowl of artfully arranged floating flowers sat on the floor beneath the tables near my face for more fragrance and sensory pleasure. After an hour-long massage, body scrub and coated in cool yogurt, I was left to soak in a warm tub full of flower petals.
As an Avid Traveler, who have stayed in too many luxury resorts/hotels, indeed, Viceroy Bali, is one of the Luxury Resorts I’ve always wanted to come back. In this place, you’ll be treated with the same attention and friendliness amid total luxury. Go — you must! Because suffice it to say, Viceroy Bali stole my heart. And if you use your BackinBali Membership Card, you can access 20% off from their Best Available Rate.
