Summary
- Introduction to Jumeirah Bali: Discover the luxurious design and cultural significance of the Jumeirah Bali resort.
- Cultural Ties: Explore how the resort reflects Bali’s ancient Majapahit Empire through architecture and services.
- Accommodations and Amenities: Learn about the lavish villas and modern amenities that enhance the guest experience.
- Dining Experience: Enjoy gourmet dining experiences featuring local ingredients and culinary traditions.
- Wellness and Rituals: Indulge in unique wellness treatments and participate in traditional Balinese ceremonies.
Through spectacular design, mouthwatering cuisine, and blessing ceremonies, the ultra-luxe Jumeirah Bali tells authentic stories of Bali’s history and culture.
Before even exiting our car at Jumeirah Bali, the newest beach resort on Indonesia’s famed Island of Gods, I felt special. The welcome party waiting at the end of a promenade of endless arches, columns, and flowing water—along with the chilled passion fruits atop crushed ice in gilded bowls—seemed poised for the arrival of royalty. This feeling encapsulates the essence of the resort during my weekend visit.
The lavish Dubai-based hotel brand has created a thoroughly modern five-star, all-villa resort with robust ties to an opulent part of Bali’s ancient past. Through design, cuisine, ceremonies, and spa services, the resort brings to life the decadence and romance of the Majapahit Empire, whose power peaked in the mid-14th century.
We heard about this illustrious era from servers and our butler, all eager to share stories of the royal age. This frangipani-scented resort that opened in late April 2022 is full of Instagrammable moments and high design, but it is also rooted in authentic cultural connections that make it feel grounded.
In Bali, water is associated with purification. Sitting on the Indian Ocean, it functions as a grand water temple, featuring three infinity-edge, ocean-view swimming pools named for famous Majapahit reservoirs: Kolam Segaran, Balong Dowo, and Balong Bunder. These pools hover above a popular surf break I know as Dreamland, but, as noted by our villa attendants, its proper name is Cimongka.
The villas are palatial yet charming. There are 123 villas—each boasting a private pool—filled with a beautiful white and blue palette reminiscent of Dutch design, another nod to Indonesia’s history. Each interior is exquisite, showcasing intricate trim beneath lofty exposed ceilings and stone walls adorned with hand-carved wooden pillars created by Balinese craftsmen, complemented by artisanal ceramics.
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As an added touch, we could view the ocean from our private pool, showcasing a gargoyle-like Balinese statue spouting water and not one but two outdoor showers.
The resort is rich with historical elements, such as the jamu kunyit asam, a drink believed to date back to the 13th century in Java. The cuisine is both thoughtful and outrageously delicious, starting at Segaran Dining Terrace with a five-course chef’s table journey. The menu features richly spiced and aromatic dishes like velvety buntut oxtail soup and barramundi steamed in banana leaf, enjoyed as waves crashed just meters away.
Every dish has a story, and almost all the ingredients are sourced locally. The culinary creations celebrate Bali’s richness and creativity; for instance, the red-and-white Red Dragon cocktail, made with Bedugul strawberries, dragonfruit, Champagne emulsion, and Bali vodka from sugarcane, represents the colors of the Majapahit.
During our second evening, we experienced the ultimate romantic dinner, adorned with thousands of flowers and dozens of candles arranged poolside outside our villa. It was a wine-paired, around-the-world meal featuring king crab served with vibrant sauces, tender juicy duck, and flaky sea bass with lemon risotto. Our five-course extravaganza concluded with a bartender shaking espresso martinis poolside, utilizing Bali coffee and local seagrass jelly.
The following morning, we indulged in a floating breakfast, savoring coconuts, avocado toast, chia pudding, fruit-and-cheese platters, Indonesian breakfasts, and cappuccinos—all served from a giant basket while relaxing in our infinity pool.
However, the food isn’t the sole indulgence.
The resort’s Talise Spa features an authentic Turkish hammam, reflecting the royal ambiance of the Majapahit and Princess Campa. This spa introduced the local Balinese elite to Ottoman bathhouse culture in the 14th century.
Moreover, there are five treatment rooms offering customized treatments inspired by the ruling empire, incorporating Balinese, Arabic, and European wellness knowledge to attain balance and harmony. I experienced a Divine Therapy session, starting with an exploration of ancient Balinese numerology to identify my dominant chakra, which directed the focused massage on my lower back using essential oils.
Additionally, a sound healing meditation with metal singing bowls realigned my chakras before participating in a sunrise water purification ritual called melukat. Dressed in Balinese kebaya and kamen, we were enveloped by the rituals of two young women holding matching fringed umbrellas, enhancing our royal experience.
Amidst the soothing sounds of the aquamarine waves striking the sand below, I realized that while many resorts offer a diluted version of Balinese culture, Jumeirah’s commitment to authenticity is unwavering. This intricate and multi-sensory ceremony was the pinnacle of our experience.
