Picture perfect beaches, romantic sunsets and delicious Asian food: Discover Bali

Panoramic views of the rice paddy fields, hidden waterfalls in the rainforest, kaleidoscopic sunsets behind palm-fringed beaches – it’s impossible to count the list of unforgettable experiences in Bali on one hand. 

My first glimpse of the island’s breathtaking beauty came on the first stop of our tour, in Seminyak – the grown-up neighbour to Bali’s party centre of Kuta, at the southern end of the island.

All hip hotels, cool cafés, slick bars and sandy beaches, it’s a place that’s steeped in luxury. My partner and I had checked into one of the hippest hotels in the region – Katamama – which has been built with over 1.5 million hand-pressed Balinese bricks, the same bricks used to build the island’s holy temples. It looked like something straight out of a James Bond film.

Everything in the hotel is sourced from Balinese artisans: from the hand-woven textiles used to decorate the suites to the traditionally crafted, indigo-dye table runners and wall art. Everywhere you look, there is a nod to the island.

Similarly, the hotel’s intimate lobby bar, Akademi – decorated with stacks of cocktail books and vintage vinyl – celebrates local ingredients with a menu of cocktails created by award-winning mixologist, Dre Masso. The bar fits seamlessly with the hotel’s world-famous sibling, Potato Head Beach Club; known as the place to go in Seminyak. 

The open air, amphitheatre-like structure, covered with coloured, antique shutters salvaged from across Indonesia, is home to two restaurants, three bars and an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean with one of the best sunset views in Bali. It sees sun-worshippers book poolside daybeds and sip cocktails at the swim-up bar until long after the sun goes down.

When we were able to tear ourselves away from the beach club, we worked our way through the menus at some of the best restaurants in Seminyak. From Bambu – an open-air restaurant serving up traditional Indonesian food, with floors surrounded by fish-filled water – to Sarong, all glitzy chandeliers, drapes and the best of Asian cuisine. 

Our culinary discoveries continued in Ubud; the cultural heart of Bali, famous for its traditional crafts, dancing and terraced rice paddies.

It was visiting Bali Pulina, a coffee plantation with breathtaking views of the rice paddies, that we tried Kopi Luwak; the most expensive coffee in the world, made with beans that are digested by a civet cat, collected from the faeces and then processed into coffee. 

But some of the best things to do in Bali are very cheap. Ubud is dotted with Hindu temples and shrines: ancient holy sites include the intricately carved Goa Gajah (or Elephant Cave) and Gunung Kawi, with its rock-cut shrines. You can spend hours pottering around the markets, picking up silk scarves and handmade woven bags, too. 

The final stop on our tour took us off the beaten track – far away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud and Seminyak – to Singaraja, in the north of Bali. Despite being the second largest city on the island, the palm-tree-lined streets here are quiet and peaceful.

We followed the winding roads surrounded by lush rainforest, past the active volcano Mount Batur, and through quaint villages, before we arrived at Spa Village Resort Tembok.

A tranquil retreat dedicated to relaxation, we were encouraged to unwind upon arrival with a welcome massage and foot soak in the lobby, as hotel staff checked us in. We were told that Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby to help guests truly unplug – but switching off isn’t difficult here. 

The 31-room resort is peppered with palm trees and has an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Those who stay here have a calendar of free activities to sign up to – from Hatha yoga on the lawn and healthy cooking classes, to stargazing in the pool after dinner and sunset cruises in a jukong. 

Much like many of the restaurants on the island, The Wantilan at Spa Village Resort Tembok, with its rotating à la carte menu, serves up locally sourced, organic ingredients and mixes Indonesian with light, Western cuisine. 

Then, of course, there are the spa treatments. We tried the Penganten Melukat, inspired by the traditional Balinese cleansing ritual for brides and grooms before their wedding day. The ritual begins with a relaxing Balinese massage, followed by a body scrub (heated cloves, then fresh milk, is smothered on the skin) and ending with a floral bath.  

It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite moment on this trip, but swimming in the Spa Village infinity pool and enjoying the cool breeze, while the sun went down, was pretty spectacular. 

Way to go

Garuda Indonesia (garuda-indonesia.com) flies three times a week from London Heathrow to Denpasar, Bali, with the outbound journey via Jakarta and the return journey via Singapore. Flights cost from £698 return.

Rates for an Island Suite at Katamama (katamama.com) start at £292 per night (two sharing, including breakfast). Book a stay at Spa Village Resort Tembok with Small Luxury Hotels of the World from £187 per night (two sharing) on a full-board basis (slh.com/tembok, 0800 048 2314). For more on Bali, visit indonesia.travel/en.

Ten things you must do in Bali

1 Watch the sunset… as you sip cocktails at Potato Head Beach Club (ptthead.com/bali). It’s best to book daybeds in advance.

2 Book a massage. Prana Spa (pranaspabali.com) is one of the best spas in Bali. The Jet Lag Remedy package is definitely one to pre-book.

3 Eat at Kaum restaurant. It’s perfect for authentic Indonesian food after a day at Potato Head Beach Club (kaum.com).

4 Feed a monkey. Visit the Monkey Forest (monkeyforestubud.com) where you’ll be given bananas to feed long-tailed macaques.

5 Visit MoVida restaurant at Katamama’s (katamama.com) for contemporary Spanish cuisine (calling it tapas just doesn’t do it justice). 

6 Visit a coffee plantation. You can try a selection of teas and coffees, including Kopi Luwak at Bali Pulina, which overlooks the terraced rice paddies.

7 Walk through the rice paddies. And for lunch with a view, Boni restaurant serves up excellent Balinese food.

8 Explore the markets. Ubud’s markets are the place to buy arts and crafts handmade in neighbouring villages.

9 Swim under a waterfall. Spa Village Resort Tembok (slh.com/tembok) can organise a guided sunrise bike ride, complete with a picnic, to Les Waterfall in Tejakula.

10 Trek Mount Batur. For adventure-seekers, the resort can also organise a sunrise trek up Mount Batur; just be sure to book on a clear day.