The island of Bali is teeming with development — from the new international airport under construction to new hotels and restaurants. Here are the latest unique additions to hit bustling south Bali:
S.U.P Yoga at Karma Kandara
The stunning Karma Kandara resort in the Pecatu area offers breathtaking cliffside Indian Ocean views and 46 private villas connected by stone walkways and tropical gardens. If you’re lucky enough to stay at this luxurious getaway, be sure to ride the gondola to Nammos beach to take part in the resort’s new Stand Up Paddling Yoga program. Your instructor will guide you out to a calm part of the sea where you’ll move from the Mountain pose to the Warrior I position right on your paddleboard. It’s a serious core workout and you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment at the end. Tip: Be sure to book a spot in the class in advance and remember that class times depend on the tides.
Brunch at The Mulia
The Mulia, which opened recently in the Nusa Dua area, is so massive (more than 500 rooms) that it practically constitutes as its own city. And its lavish Sunday Lunch Buffet at The Café also is appropriately over the top. The marble dining room adorned with chandeliers and lovely Chinese baskets features numerous food stations with everything from sashimi and make-your-own tom yum soup to fresh naan. Plus, there’s an entire room dedicated to desserts — expect Indonesian sweets, chocolate fountains and a giant sorbet wheel.
Think Pink Nails
Ever get a manicure and then think how nice it would be if you had a driver to take you home afterward? That way, you wouldn’t have to bother with searching for car keys and messing up your freshly painted nails. Here’s where Think Pink Nails, located on quiet Batu Belig Road, does the thinking for you. The salon arranges pick-up and drop-off service, has a concierge who can book post-nail-treatment restaurant reservations, and provides iPads for guests to use during their services. In addition, Think Pink Nails offers an impressive selection of nail polish brands — Butter London, NARS, Chanel and Dior, among others — and is the first nail parlor on the island to feature 72 shades of GelColor by O.P.I.
Beachwalk
This new shopping mall situated just across the street from Kuta Beach continues to gain popularity. Designed to fit in with its waterfront surroundings, Beachwalk is open-air (though stores keep doors closed to seal in air-conditioning) and adorned with lush hanging vines. It boasts international brands like Topshop and an area called “SATU” dedicated to Bali’s top designers, and has a movie theater with premier recliner seats and blankets.
Sundara
This buzzed-about elegant and sophisticated new restaurant occupies two stories within the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. Grill-focused dinner plates include jumbo prawns and rib eye steaks, and sides include delights like baby beets with goat cheese and thyme. On top of that, the restaurant’s cocktails, such as the Smoked Red Berries libation, Ginger Mojito beverage and Thousand Nights cocktail (with Grand Marnier, star anise, cardamoms, lime juice, passion fruit juice, passion fruit seeds, sugar cane syrup, rum and decorated with saffron) are flavorful and created by mixologist Javier de las Muelas of Dry Martini in Barcelona.
Photos Courtesy of Four Seasons, Mulia, Beachwalk Bali and Mutia Adisoma
