Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali

Built on a clifftop with stunning ocean views, with beautifully decorated villas and private pools, Alila Villas Uluwatu is a sensory feast of a sophisticated atmosphere and style.

Architects responsible for this resort, from the Singaporean WOHA studio, created one of the smartest pieces of architectural design we’ve seen.

Minimalism of architecture

The architecture of Alila Uluwatu understands space, treating it intelligently and dynamically. Seductive and dramatic at the same time, it sets abstract patterns of wooden verandas against tracts of monumental walls.

Water is important in the architectural experience of Alila: pools of water surround buildings, pathways and stairs paved with white stone, enhancing the cooling effect of the ever-present sea breeze.

Panoramic views over the Indian Ocean are complemented by visually striking pool villas, each with serene, minimalist interiors, seductive outdoor living spaces and personal butlers. The minimalism of architecture and interiors makes no apologies for not appealing to the mass-market. Alila is nothing if not self-confident.

In the luxury of your villa it’s easy to forget the hotel offers more: an excellent spa, the iconic cliff-hanging bar, and a fifty-meter infinity pool, offering a spectacular view over the Indian Ocean and a rugged beach, hundreds of meters below.

Two restaurants flank the pool: informal Warung, with a healthy Indonesian/Balinese cuisine and elegant Cire with an international menu.

Contemporary luxury

Alila Uluwatu luxury goes beyond the usual five-star standards. The experience begins even before arriving in Bali when the hotel gets in touch with guests before the travel with an electronic questionnaire used for personalization of the stay.

The personalization includes everything from food preferences to the kind of experiences guests would like to have included, and from the type of pillows to the preferred genre of ambient music in the bedroom. Even the butler service that can be fine-tuned to personal taste: from minimal interference to total indulgence.

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in our opinion

Alila Villas Uluwatu is one of the most innovative, exciting seaside resorts we stayed at in Bali in the last few years.

We fell in love with the sophisticated atmosphere of Alila Villas Uluwatu, its bold architecture and dramatic views from the vertiginous limestone cliff, which drops hundreds of meters to a scenic beach.

What we love

• Alila is great for romantic breaks, honeymoons and weddings, and other special occasions
• Fantastic location on top of steep limestone cliffs. The views across the Indian Ocean are simply breathtaking, and the Sunset Clifftop cabaña bar, suspended over a cliff, is the best place from which to admire them
• High level of service throughout the hotel, with discreet and efficient personal butlers. We felt pampered from the beginning to the end of our stay
• Spacious, chic villas with private swimming pool, and with charming details inside: fans, cooling water spray on the face, fresh orchids, sarongs, and beach bag, range of Alila Spa cosmetics (with a separate line “for her” and “for him”)— and even leather luggage tags
• Delicious food, especially the simple local meals (excellent Mie Goreng!) in the Warung restaurant
• Evening tea in the villa served with fine delicacies for good sleep
• The Uluwatu Temple is just fifteen minutes by car — worth visiting for the famed sunset views and the magnificent Kecak dance performance. Just beware of the thieving, and mean monkeys!

What you should know

• Due to strong waves and rocky shores, the sea is not suitable for swimming, though the private beach at the bottom of the cliff makes for a beautiful place to picnic. To reach it one must face 600 steps down and the same on the way up
• The hotel is in a remote location, which can be a downside for those who like to be close to local entertainment and attractions. That said, we had to look for reasons to leave the resort!
• All One Bed Villas are located at least 500 meters from the cliff edge, so the views from them are somewhat disappointing
• The One Bedroom Villas are built very close to each other, and their cabañas are less private
• Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.