On this first night at Capella Ubud, we got to try Api Jiwa, which turned out to be by far the most impressive resort restaurant I’ve eaten at.
Day 2 in paradise: morning TRX and yoga, a delicious local breakfast at Mads Lange, and a rijsttafel feast.
We arrived at Capella Ubud around 3:30pm in the afternoon, when the sunlight was just turning soft, casting a beautiful glow on everything it reaches…
![[Bali] Mandara Spa](https://www.sugarednspiced.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/61942_662235752094_1310603_37543622_6984711_n.jpg)
Mandara Spa
Add: Nikko Bali Resort & Spa, JI. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Nusa Dua, Bali 80363
Tel: +62 361-773-377
Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Website: www.mandaraspa.com/spa/Nusa-Dua-Nikko-Bali-Resort-and-Spa.aspx
Visited: Nov 2010
A trip to Bali wouldn’t be complete without spa. The wide range of choices might seem overwhelming as each hotel has their own spa specialties, and countless independent spa salons also offer a myriad of treatments. The Mandara Spa at Nikko Resort would be a safe and affordable choice if you don’t know where to go. We went for their signature Balinese massage (reserved in advance through email), which is around 1 hour and 20 minutes of gentle and attentive pampering within the hushed havens of private villas, for 80USD. Highly recommended.
After ice-cold towels and chilled ginger tea at the reception, we were presented with four different blends of essential oils – Mandara, Island Spice, Harmony, and Tranquility – each having its specific aroma-therapeutic function. I settled on the Mandara.
There is a total of eight private villas, all designed with lush tropical foliage and water fountains. Though the villa is open-air, the treatment area is covered and set behind high stone walls so there is no worry about privacy. Once inside the villa, we changed into robes (more like a thin sheet of cloth) and paper underwear provided by Mandara Spa.
The Balinese massage package includes a foot massage, a floral bath, and a full body massage. The foot massage began with a warm floral foot bath, followed by a gentle scrubbing using sea salt. The massage is then completed with your choice of essential oil – lavender, peppermint, or lemon grass.
![[Bali] Bvlgari Resorts Bali](https://www.sugarednspiced.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/59826_662054620084_1310603_37538810_6886480_n1.jpg)
Bvlgari Resort Bali
Address: Jalan Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Uluwatu, Bali
Tel: +62 361847 1000
Website: www.bulgarihotels.com
Visited: Nov 2010
Unfortunately my camera went out of battery (after excessive photographing at the stunning Alila Villas Uluwatu) so there are limited pictures in the post, but they should give you an idea of how enchanting the Bulgari Resort is. Like Alila, Bulgari is situated at a clifftop site at Bali’s far southwestern tip, with endless view across the Indian Ocean. The design is a blend of traditional Balinese style with contemporary Italian design, and yes, it’s beautiful.
As the resort is 150 meters above sea shore, the 1.5 km long beach is accessible only through the resort’s inclined elevator. Also reachable only by private access is the 1,300-sq meter Bulgari Villa, which includes three bedrooms, a large living area with built-in bar, an oversized dining room, a home theater, full service quarters with a state-of-the-art kitchen, and a 20m lap pool surrounded by an extensive terrace and an outdoor meditation pavilion. Mmhmm.
We arrived at Bulgari right when the sun is setting, and the beautiful view blew me away even after spending an afternoon at Alila. We sat a good 20 minutes at the entrance lobby, which is completely open-air and decorated with a lavish amount of fresh plumeria, to enjoy the sunset view. Then we boarded one of the ‘buggies’ and headed down the stony path for the bar.
![[Bali] Alila Villas Uluwatu](https://www.sugarednspiced.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/63020_662049260824_1310603_37538732_6207868_n1.jpg)
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Add: Jl Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Desa Pecatu 80364, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 848 2166
Website: www.alilahotels.com/uluwatu/
Visited: Nov 2010
On our second day in Bali, we came to this breathtakingly beautiful resort that sits atop the cliffs of the Southernmost Uluwatu. The location might not be the most convenient as it’s one hour from Seminyak and forty minutes from Nusa Dua, but its exclusive setting makes it a perfect hideout from the world.
Alila was designed with contemporary aesthetics while meeting environmental requirements to reduce long-term ecological footprint of the resort. Everything is in white and gray, which further brings out the mesmerizing shades of blue from the sky, the pool, and the ocean. The view here is truly picture-perfect.
The most distinguishing feature of Alila are the sunset cabanas, which are lattice style aged timber screens wrapped around couches and day beds. Afternoon tea is served in the largest cabana which stretches out to the Indian Ocean, but it was too windy that day so we opted for seats outside the CIRE restaurant instead.
