Review of oceanfront resort W Bali Seminyak
Hidden in the heart of trendy Seminyak, W Bali occupies absolute ocean front with its own private beach sprinkled with volcanic sands.
The location
The resort is within easy strolling distance to some of the area's best shopping, dining and beach clubs, including the now-famous Potato Head, all while feeling a million miles from the chaos of the island's traffic and hubbub thanks to 11 hectares of perfectly manicured tropical gardens.
W Bali occupies absolute ocean front with its own private beach sprinkled with volcanic sands
Rooms
I'm staying in one of the 65 'Marvelous' one-bedroom pool villas - a gorgeous, garden-rimmed, individual compound secluded from neighbouring suites by high rendered walls guaranteeing ultimate privacy. If romance is on the itinerary, this should be your choice, with a plush king bed and two-person, free-standing tub the feature of the enviously large bathroom. The commodious room also includes a swivel TV, desk area, lounging space and well-equipped mini bar with everything from full bottles of spirits and local granola bites to sunglasses and a coffee pod machine.
I'm staying a one-bedroom pool villa
The villa pool is my favourite for an early morning swim, almost large enough to do laps in or just great for cooling off after reading a book on the surrounding umbrella-covered sun loungers or cushion-topped day bed. There are also myriad other guest accommodation options from standard hotel rooms to flashy suites and villas with two or three bedrooms that combine W's slick contemporary style with calming Balinese influences.
The villa pool is my favourite for an early morning swim
Wellness
Wellness is a key pillar of the W brand and here it means fitness options aplenty. As a workout junky, I'm more than satisfied with the small, but well-equipped, 24-hour, air-conditioned gym with cardio and weight machines, free weights and a Smith machine. While for those into classes, there are two free options each day led by personal trainers ranging from boxing sessions and HIIT training to yoga and pilates, plus elective paid sessions for the likes of aqua-aerobics.
The gym's changing rooms each feature a steam room and warm and cool plunge pools that are open 24 hours, while outside is an icebath for hot-cold therapy. There's even an oxygen room where guests can breathe in the pure stuff to supposedly help with the likes of immune function, inflammation, cognition and sleep.
Fitness options are aplenty at W Bali Seminyak
Just off the gym is the slick and minimalist Away Spa, offering treatments including body scrubs, wraps, facials, pedicures and massages. My partner and I enter one of the couple's rooms for a traditional Balinese massage, with our therapists treating us to an hour of firmly pressured bliss that relieves our aching muscles. While Bali is known for its super cheap spas on every corner, this is for those craving a more luxurious experience complete with fluffy slippers, bathrobes and delicious tea and cookies to finish.
Just off the gym is the slick and minimalist Away Spa
Food and drinks
Like a kid in a candy store, such is the joy of the breakfast buffet at W's Starfish Bloo. Perched on the edge of the ocean, the Asian-fusion seafood restaurant by night, delivers one of the best brekky smorgasbords anywhere in the world by day. Start with, say, salad starring leaves from the resort's very own garden, before moving onto waffles and pancakes made with sustainably sourced banana flour, or go head first into dim sum. There's also sushi, a made-to-order egg station, breads, fruit, cereal, cheeses, meats, and a plethora of traditional Indonesian hot dishes and desserts. In addition, there's roving food carts and a full menu of dietary-friendly meals with the coconut chia pudding a must.
Starfish Bloo is an Asian-fusion seafood restaurant by night and delivers brekky delights in the morning
A buffet breakfast is also available at the resort's upmarket grill restaurant, Fire, but this is perhaps best visited for dinner where guests can dine a la carte on everything from oysters two ways and octopus to a selection of premium steaks and whole roasted organic chicken. Or for something more casual, there's Woobar - a seaside lounge where you can enjoy a Sunday session-vibe every day of the week thanks to a DJ on the decks, easy eats like pizza, pasta, burgers and tacos, and a lengthy list of Balinese-inspired cocktails and classics.
DJ sets, cocktails and nibbles at Woobar
Something special
Foodies looking for something a little extra will want to book the In-Villa Barbecue experience. This involves a private chef and server turning out a pool-side feast in your villa, complete with a perfectly set table and enough food for two days presented buffet-style. Expect the likes of grilled prawns, bugs, steak, chicken, fish, a multitude of salads, rice and noodle dishes, charcuterie and dessert, with the staff taking care of the set up and clean up, while you retreat inside with a food coma.
The In-Villa BBQ includes a private chef and server turning out a pool-side feast in your villa
The service
They say a smile is contagious and that's certainly true at W Bali. This five-star resort delivers luxury touches with a laidback attitude thanks to staff who act as if they've won the employment lottery.
With their love for their workplace palpable and their eagerness to please endless, a stay here will have guests grinning from the moment they arrive.
Oceanfront views are on the cards
What's hot
The pool area at W Bali is travel magazine cover-worthy. Resembling tiered rice paddies, it's as relaxing to swim in as it is beautiful.
What's not
Staff had no record of our bookings for our spa treatment and dining. While an annoying hiccup each time, the staff was quick to fit us in.
The hotel is magazine cover-worthy
The verdict: 9/10
W Bali is the tranquil timeout overworked holiday makers need, delivering an abundance of amenities ensuring you never need nor want to leave.
Standard rooms start at $600 per night, with villas from $900 per night.
The writer was a guest of W Bali.
Originally published as W Bali Seminyak is the oceanfront resort of my dreams
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Review of oceanfront resort W Bali Seminyak
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Hidden in the heart of trendy Seminyak, W Bali occupies absolute ocean front with its own private beach sprinkled with volcanic sands. The location The resort is within easy strolling distance to some of the area's best shopping, dining and beach clubs, including the now-famous Potato Head, all while feeling a million miles from the chaos of the island's traffic and hubbub thanks to 11 hectares of perfectly manicured tropical gardens. W Bali occupies absolute ocean front with its own private beach sprinkled with volcanic sands Rooms I'm staying in one of the 65 'Marvelous' one-bedroom pool villas - a gorgeous, garden-rimmed, individual compound secluded from neighbouring suites by high rendered walls guaranteeing ultimate privacy. If romance is on the itinerary, this should be your choice, with a plush king bed and two-person, free-standing tub the feature of the enviously large bathroom. The commodious room also includes a swivel TV, desk area, lounging space and well-equipped mini bar with everything from full bottles of spirits and local granola bites to sunglasses and a coffee pod machine. I'm staying a one-bedroom pool villa The villa pool is my favourite for an early morning swim, almost large enough to do laps in or just great for cooling off after reading a book on the surrounding umbrella-covered sun loungers or cushion-topped day bed. There are also myriad other guest accommodation options from standard hotel rooms to flashy suites and villas with two or three bedrooms that combine W's slick contemporary style with calming Balinese influences. The villa pool is my favourite for an early morning swim Wellness Wellness is a key pillar of the W brand and here it means fitness options aplenty. As a workout junky, I'm more than satisfied with the small, but well-equipped, 24-hour, air-conditioned gym with cardio and weight machines, free weights and a Smith machine. While for those into classes, there are two free options each day led by personal trainers ranging from boxing sessions and HIIT training to yoga and pilates, plus elective paid sessions for the likes of aqua-aerobics. The gym's changing rooms each feature a steam room and warm and cool plunge pools that are open 24 hours, while outside is an icebath for hot-cold therapy. There's even an oxygen room where guests can breathe in the pure stuff to supposedly help with the likes of immune function, inflammation, cognition and sleep. Fitness options are aplenty at W Bali Seminyak Just off the gym is the slick and minimalist Away Spa, offering treatments including body scrubs, wraps, facials, pedicures and massages. My partner and I enter one of the couple's rooms for a traditional Balinese massage, with our therapists treating us to an hour of firmly pressured bliss that relieves our aching muscles. While Bali is known for its super cheap spas on every corner, this is for those craving a more luxurious experience complete with fluffy slippers, bathrobes and delicious tea and cookies to finish. Just off the gym is the slick and minimalist Away Spa Food and drinks Like a kid in a candy store, such is the joy of the breakfast buffet at W's Starfish Bloo. Perched on the edge of the ocean, the Asian-fusion seafood restaurant by night, delivers one of the best brekky smorgasbords anywhere in the world by day. Start with, say, salad starring leaves from the resort's very own garden, before moving onto waffles and pancakes made with sustainably sourced banana flour, or go head first into dim sum. There's also sushi, a made-to-order egg station, breads, fruit, cereal, cheeses, meats, and a plethora of traditional Indonesian hot dishes and desserts. In addition, there's roving food carts and a full menu of dietary-friendly meals with the coconut chia pudding a must. Starfish Bloo is an Asian-fusion seafood restaurant by night and delivers brekky delights in the morning A buffet breakfast is also available at the resort's upmarket grill restaurant, Fire, but this is perhaps best visited for dinner where guests can dine a la carte on everything from oysters two ways and octopus to a selection of premium steaks and whole roasted organic chicken. Or for something more casual, there's Woobar - a seaside lounge where you can enjoy a Sunday session-vibe every day of the week thanks to a DJ on the decks, easy eats like pizza, pasta, burgers and tacos, and a lengthy list of Balinese-inspired cocktails and classics. DJ sets, cocktails and nibbles at Woobar Something special Foodies looking for something a little extra will want to book the In-Villa Barbecue experience. This involves a private chef and server turning out a pool-side feast in your villa, complete with a perfectly set table and enough food for two days presented buffet-style. Expect the likes of grilled prawns, bugs, steak, chicken, fish, a multitude of salads, rice and noodle dishes, charcuterie and dessert, with the staff taking care of the set up and clean up, while you retreat inside with a food coma. The In-Villa BBQ includes a private chef and server turning out a pool-side feast in your villa The service They say a smile is contagious and that's certainly true at W Bali. This five-star resort delivers luxury touches with a laidback attitude thanks to staff who act as if they've won the employment lottery. 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