Sunsets are something that Bali does particularly well. And Jimbaran Bay, a not-so-sleepy fishing village nestled on Bali’s sun kissed south-west coast, is one of the best places on the island from which to soak them up. Add an ultra-luxe villa perched on a gentle slope overlooking the deep-blue Indian Ocean, a private plunge pool and a ready-to-mix cocktail at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, and I can’t think of many places I’d rather be.
Only a 20-minute drive from the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, this extraordinary resort is a sanctuary for the soul, providing an idyllic retreat for both couples seeking romance and families seeking to relax and reconnect, without straying too far from Bali’s most popular attractions.
Four Seasons Resort Bali Accommodation
Inspired by traditional Balinese architecture, the Four Seasons Resort Bali’s 147 villas are set out like a traditional Balinese village. Each is housed in a pretty, stone-walled courtyard, with spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces. There’s also a gorgeous sun terrace with a private plunge pool and a separate thatched-roof bale.
My villa offers sweeping views over terracotta rooftops and along the curve of Jimbaran Bay, a view I would normally be unable to tear my eyes from, but the temptation of the ready to shake cocktail that’s waiting in my lounge proves irresistible, and I tear myself away to get the job done.
Tropical martini in hand, I’m ready to take a tour of my ravishing premier ocean villa. Inspired by a typical Balinese courtyard house, an elegant mix of contemporary Balinese décor, rich teak furnishings and floaty fabrics fills the whopping 300-square-metres of living space.
Floor to ceiling sliding French doors invite in sparkling views of the Jimbaran Bay; which guests can view from a divine canopied four poster bed that’s a thing of floaty perfection.
Then there’s an enormous dressing area that leads to an extraordinary bathroom with its deep soaking bathtub and separate indoor and outdoor garden shower.
Tropical martini in hand, I head back out to the deck and dangle my feet in the pool for a better look at that view. I could happily stay here forever.
As the sun sets, the beach is coming to life as smoking barbecues start to sizzle seafood at the dozens of warungs that line the beach, and locals and tourists alike congregate to dine with their sand in the toes. I’m almost tempted to join them.
Four Seasons Resort Bali Dining
But tonight, I’m dining in at one of the resort’s four unique culinary venues.
Winding my way down the terraced grounds as the sun sets, I pass the resort’s massive main swimming pool, stopping to explore private temples, shrines, and bougainvillea-filled nooks, until I reach the resort’s beachfront restaurant, Sundara.
A beach club by day, it transforms into an atmospheric fire lit restaurant by night, where cool cocktails meet mouth-watering Asian cuisine fusing fresh, locally sourced organic ingredients with modern cooking techniques.
One of the best things about this gorgeous property is that it offers direct access to Jimbaran Bay beach, one of my favourite places in all of Bali by day and by night.
So, after devouring far too may satay sticks and an assortment of five star delights, the lure of the beach proves irresistible and I stroll, shoes in hand, feet wet from the waves, as I soak up the sights, sounds and smoky scents of Jimbaran beach by night. The atmosphere is electric.
An incredible buffet breakfast is served daily at the gorgeous, open air Taman Wantilan, surrounded by pretty ponds and flower-strewn tropical gardens. I can’t get enough of the breakfast noodle bar with its dozens of choices of noodles, broths and seasonings.
Or if you prefer a little privacy, you can start your day with a gourmet three-course breakfast served on a floating tray in your villa plunge pool.
Four Seasons Resort Bali Activities
But I have a date with the spa and an immersive Sounds of Jimbaran treatment that’s all soothing gongs, glass stones and hydrating herbs. Muscles molten, I head back to Sundura and nab a daybed in front of the beach-front infinity pool.
Complimentary sun care products, towels and ice water are nice touches. If I could be bothered moving my lazy backside, and turning my back on the cocktail that’s on its way from the bar, there’s even complimentary non-motorised water sports including windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding as well as surf boards and snorkelling equipment on offer.
There are loads of other more serene activities throughout the resort including hands on Balinese cooking lessons at the Jala Cooking Academy, free cultural tours of the resort grounds, canang offering workshops, songket (fabric) weaving and traditional dance classes. There’s also an extremely special traditional blessing ceremony at the resort temple with the resident Pemangku (priest).
And, of course, the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay kids club is sure to keep littlies entertained.
While I’m no stranger to The Island of the Gods, my cocktail and satay-infused solo stay in this breezy beauty, though brief, reminds all over again what I love most about this paradise of golden sand, temples and sunshine.
Getting there
The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay is just a 20-minute drive from the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran, South Kuta,
Bali, Indonesia
T: +62 361 701010
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 