Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa [ PART 1]

the view that you have been dying for

Nusa dua area in Bali has been well known for many years to be the home of the 5 star resorts, in better terms for me personally, the place to stay and never to go anywhere else but the resort itself until you check yourself out. The best area to stay and wind down away from the hustle and bustle.

private beach

nice and large swimming pool

It has been years since I stayed at the Nusa Dua area, I had been more adventurous the past years looking for hole in the wall boutique hotels, villas, bed and breakfast and thought my latest visit would be going back to old school luxury that established resorts know best.

I checked myself in at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and spa; gorgeous private sandy beach miles long, nine hectare big with three swimming pools, outdoor cultural theatre that held traditional dances and plays and five themed restaurants that will satisfy any cravings. All that perks with infinite blue sky above, promising sunshine and gentle breeze to soothe any busy minds.

The resort is architecturally designed based on a traditional Balinese Palace that has Hindu influences throughout the design. I am quite sure it has many philosophies in designing the resort which I will not dwell into it much further, but what I had experienced staying at this resort is that it resonates serenity, calmness and invitation to step back and enjoy the moment.  

If you find yourself wandering the resort itching for some activities, fret not, the resort provides top notch fun activities; beauty class, fruit carving class, coconut leaf weaving class, Balinese dance class, Scuba diving, culinary classes and there are even tours that explore the vast garden.

I came at the right time staying at the resort as they had recently undergone major renovations especially the rooms which becomes several types of room to book:

Deluxe Guest Room – 34sqm room of wooden floor with sliding doors to the balcony that overlooks the pool or garden. It also comes with rain forest shower, which always makes me feel like having a shower, in the forest (if I ever do so).

Premium Room – Similar room to the Deluxe guest room with its interior but it comes in a bigger space of 40sqm and additional bathtub and extra sitting area at the balcony.

Family Room – A premium space with luxurious features such as fancy dining table, adjoining room that allows connecting room for big families. It is about 48sqm that has a king size bed for two adults and two-storey bunk bed for two children. Lastly, the room comes in a complimentary use of the Gecko’s kids club (allows down time for the parents!)

Palace Club Room – a 46sqm room with wooden slide door and flooring with the view of a manicured garden that enables you to see the ducks in the evening, marble en-suite bathroom and private privileges that comes with it (which I will elaborate further down the paragraph)

Suites Room – A 139sqm total of two-level floor of two bedrooms that overlooks the garden, the room is elegantly designed with a spiral staircase, spacious living area and pantry.

I booked the Palace Club Room (yes, I am indulging myself) and checked in separately from the ‘typical-room’ guests. I was escorted to a private lobby within the main lobby and greeted warmly.

They briefed me of the facilities the resort provides that comes in staying at the Palace Club room as follow; breakfast that are separate from the general guests, private check in and out, late check out which is until 3pm, welcome fruits and flowers presented at the room upon arrival, complimentary pressing service of four garments on day arrival, evening cocktails with assorted cheese and canopies at designated venue (from 5.30pm – 7pm) and a butler catering your every need (from 6.30am to 11am) and then I was escorted to my room feeling spectacularly pampered already.

The Palace Club Room itself has three more categories; Palace Club Room, Palace Club Suites and Palace Club Lagoon access where you have private access straight into the swimming pool. Due to the high demand of the Palace Club Lagoon access I was unable to book it, so do keep in mind to book in advance (way in advance).

my cozy palace club bed

Not feeling too bummed of not getting the Palace Club Lagoon access, I had no complain with the room I was given. The king size bed with huge sliding doors that overlooks the pretty garden and ample size room with nice bathroom and bath tub.

For breakfast, I was invited to a private breakfast area that serves in the same building as the private lobby where I checked in. The difference was minor with the general breakfast but it sure does pack a lot of pampering. There is a list of menu that allows you to order your heart contents and it will be cooked and serves catering only to you. The view is quite spectacular while I waited for the food and ducks started to show up and looking for food from guests (you can feed the ducks during lunch)

I ordered the grilled salmon with delicious hollandaise sauce and fillet mignon which I found fancy and exclusive being part of the Palace Club breakfast. And with the menu list so inviting I ordered more!

There are other five themed restaurants consists of: Raja’s Balinese Restaurant, The Beachfront Tamarind Kitchen and Lounge (the restaurant made entirely of bamboo), Maguro Asian Bistro, Sandro’s Pizzeria and Wedang Jahe Restaurant where the general breakfast usually served. I managed to try two of the five restaurants and it was amazing (second part of the review is coming up so stay tune!)

NUSA DUA BEACH HOTEL AND SPA

Kawasan BTDC Pariwisata Nusa Dua Lot North 4
Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan, Benoa, Kuta SEL
Kabupaten Badung
Bali, 80363

Ph :+0361 771210

IG  : @nusaduabeachhotelandspa

Expat. Roasters Bali Seminyak

Ending my Bali trip with a stroll along Seminyak Square and I stumbled upon this trendy coffee shop. Just right next to the ever so crowded brunch place, Sisterfield, Expat Roastery seemed to be doing fine on its own. Apparently as I get to know the place, it is somehow correlated with Sisterfield.

The coffee shop is modest in size with a very appealing industrial interior design; a concrete table jutted out which was seemed to be a continuation from the island bar inside. The outdoor seating area is perfect for people watching while sipping the enjoyable coffees.

According to one of the barista, Expat coffee roasts their own bean at Seniman Roaster in Ubud and the beans used are Sumatra Aceh Gayo. If you are not familiar with beans (which I am also still learning), the bean is bold and more acidic in taste.

I ordered the Cappuccino and Piccolo Latte and in comparison I prefer the Piccolo Latte. It has a bold taste and a nice aftertaste.

I would have to say with the growing coffee shops that are popping out across the Island and especially in Seminyak, it could compete well with the others; such as Titik Temu, Revolved and Kim Soo. Always good for me, the more the merrier!

Expat. Roasters

Jalan Kayu Cendana Blok C003
Seminyak Bali 80361

ph  : +62361 738 454
hrs : 7AM- 5PM
IG   : @expatroasters

GYPSY Bali - Canggu

Canggu is slowly growing on me; it is a quaint little village of surfer paradise and trendy boutiques and emerging lovely cafes and restaurants. Away from the crowd, the bustle and hustle of Seminyak, clandestine beach of Batu Bolong only the curious get to find.

Just as I arrived at Canggu, I found a cosy looking café called Gypsy Kitchen and Bar about 10 minutes walking away from the beach. Behind the café is a nice bed and breakfast place named Vassani Stay (@vassanistay), do check it out for your next stay. The café itself is owned by two Canadians who are actually the bar owner and the chef.

The open window that is also a bar area is so inviting and the place is gorgeously hip that it looks effortless. The ambience suits the name Gypsy, carefree, flighty and almost fun; the vintage colorful communal table, high tables and chairs and wanderlust hints scattered across the place. Not forgetting to mention that the staffs are friendly folks too.

Fruits on Fruits on Fruits – IDR 38k

The menu was highly recommended by the friendly staff for a hot and humid weather. It is made of sour sop, orange, strawberry and honey. Fresh fruits were used in the creation of the drink and it was refreshing and perfect for the sweaty me.

Avo on Toast – IDR 64k

The menu usually turns me off, mush avocado is a meh, nut and granolas with fruits gives me shudders and candied orange with cumin mayo as dressings confuses me. Yet I gave it a second look since it sounded fun on a plate and gave it a try and glad I did. Smashed avocado was fresh, poached egg made the plate creamy, the granola made it sweet and the mayo hit it to a higher note, I loved it!

Robin’s breakie – IDR 68k

This menu is actually the Chef’s favorite breakfast and it got me curious to order. The dish consisted of two eggs of any style (I ordered poached), roasted baby potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, toast and granolas with fruits.

 

The dish was harmoniously delicious, the poached egg burst out nicely, the right amount of seasoning of the salty bacon and the sautéed mushrooms smells tastily while not forgetting the crispy yet soft on the inside of the baby potatoes. The sweet granolas with fruits round up the dish perfectly.

As always, I ended the beautiful sonnet of a breakfast with coffee, the Piccolo and it was good almost like a signing off of a beautiful masterpiece. Until next time Gypsy, I will be coming back for more.

Gypsy Kitchen and Bar

Jalan Pura Batu Mejan

Gang Munduk Catu no 1

Canggu, Kuta Utara

Bali

Ph    : +62 812 3067 0056

Hrs   : Mon- Sun 8am – 10pm

IG     : @gyspy_bali

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