In July 2022, I checked into the One Bedroom Garden Villa at Andaz Bali. Launched in April 2021 during the pandemic, the 149-room property is modelled after a traditional Balinese village. The resort is situated in the heart of Sanur, a quaint seaside village along Bali’s south-eastern coastline about 30 minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Other Hyatt properties in Bali include Alila Seminyak, Alila Ubud, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Manggis, Grand Hyatt Bali and Hyatt Regency Bali.
The UTW (“Under Ten Words”): Idyllic forest retreat in sleepy Sanur.
The must-dos (if any): Have breakfast at Village Square, explore the labyrinthine resort grounds, relax along the beachfront area.
ANDAZ BALI
Set within a lush forest landscape, the resort is modelled after a modern Balinese village, not just in its traditional Balinese design and architectural features but also the communal, sharing-based stylings of its dining concepts. Designed in a contemporary Balinese style using locally-sourced materials such as bamboo, andesite stone and teakwood, the resort’s look and feel comes courtesy of Bangkok-based Tierra (behind The Sukhothai, The Metropolitan Hotel Bangkok and Anantara Chiang Mai Resort) and Spin Design Studio in Tokyo (who also designed The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, various Four Seasons properties in Asia as well as parts of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore). The rooms, suites and villas are spread around different clusters of verdant courtyards in labyrinthine fashion, with an exploratory stroll around the sprawling, foliage-heavy premises being itself an essential experience. Some rooms have their own private lagoons, while others directly overlook the Sanur beach. The barrier-free and open-design Village Square in front of the reception area is the resort’s unifying social hub, connecting guests to the resort’s restaurants and being a launchpad to the various zones of accommodation.
In keeping with Sanur’s old-world charms, the resort is steeped in Balinese tradition. Every evenings, guests (who often turn out to be mainly boisterous children) are invited to partake in the Sandikala Ritual, which involves walking around the resort playing the kul kul (a hand drum made from bamboo) to scare away evil spirits before lighting a
bonfire at the resort entrance. Bespoke cultural experiences are also available upon request, such taking a boat out to fish with local fishermen.
In terms of wellness, the resort offers three different swimming pools, including a decidedly private pool set within a lush, quiet courtyard as well as an infinity beachfront pool with an assortment of sun-beds for your sun worship pleasure. The property shares gym facilities as well as the 10-spa villa Shankha Spa with sister hotel Hyatt Regency Bali, which is a short walk away from the Village Square area.
ONE BEDROOM GARDEN VILLA
Tucked away within the tranquil “village within a village” Dukuh area a distance from the main resort area, the 234sqm One Bedroom Garden Villa stuns with towering cathedral-esque ceilings, luxurious residential stylings and direct access to the villa’s private plunge pool. The villa has a walk-in wardrobe as well as a full kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven as well as pantry with local snacks along with Nespresso coffee and tea-making facilities. The terrace is furnished with a sun-bed and sofa seating for potential outdoor tête-à-têtes while snacking on complimentary “disco nuts” served in a cute animal-shaped bowl. (I don’t know why they are called that, either. Maybe they are really fun?)
Aside from the pampering bathroom amenities courtesy of Balinese beauty brand Republic of Soap, the villa also boasts a beautiful industrial-style bathroom with double backlit vanities as well as one of the most breathtaking bathtub set-ups I have seen in a while – the cavernous white bathtub is flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides with stone walls beyond giving the space a real minimalist and atmospheric mood. When rays of sunshine stream into the space, the bathtub area is simultaneously energising and calming all at once. Surreal.
DINING
Breakfast is served at the open-concept Village Square, with guests being able to be seated at any of the four intertwining restaurants (Asian restaurant Wok Wok, grill concept Fire Fox, roast restaurant Blue Oven and the Deli & Bakery). The extensive and rather international menu comprises various bake options (Falafel, Simit Bagel, Warmed Banana Bread, Souffle Pancakes) as well as local flavours (Soto Madura, Bubur Suro, Kway Teow Goreng, Nasi Gurih, Surabi), with flashes of Korean cuisine (Gimbap of the Day, Breakfast Bibimbap) courtesy of the chef’s experience in Hyatt properties in South Korea. The breakfast ala minute menu was quite impressive, with the Andaz Prawn Omelette, smoky Sate Ayam, spicy Kimchi Jjigae with Pork Belly and Fish of the Day by Fisherman’s Club (mine was a luscious Miso Gindara Cod) being must-try options.
The resort’s signature restaurant is the beachfront Fisherman’s Club, which takes reference from the quintessential Jimbaran seafood dining experience. Seafood dishes come in the form of bites (Fried Squid with Sambal Matah; Spicy Mud Crab; Seafood Pancake), raw (Lombok Oyster, Tuna Sashimi), soup (Fisherman’s Soup, Spicy Seafood Hotpot), and seafood specials (Grilled Squid, Grilled King Prawn, Deep Fried Whole Gourami), with the Fisherman’s Seafood Platter being quite the must-try. Aside from the oceanic catch, the cocktails from the Beach Bar were pretty delicious. I went off-menu for the evening, and my Negroni, Old Fashioned and Manhattan were very much on-point.
CONCLUSION
The luxurious villa experience was very enjoyable, while the breakfast was one of the most impressive spreads I’ve seen in a long time and idyllic, lush setting really quite charming and immersive. Of all the Hyatt properties I have visited in Bali, this is probably the one I may actually revisit in the future.
Andaz Bali
Jalan Danau Tamblingan 89a, Sanur
Bali, Indonesia 80228
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