The first time we went to Bali, we rushed things too much by cramming as many attractions in as possible. The challenge is deciding what not to do: there are so many temples, beach sites and markets to see that a lifetime is hardly enough.We learnt our lessons, so we took some time out in cafes, bars as well as shuffle round the Kuta/Seminyak town area during our second visit to Bali. However, I thought that that we could have stayed in a quieter part of Bali.
Third time’s a charm. Last month, we flew to Bali to celebrate KampungBoy’s birthday. The choice of places to stay in Bali is overwhelming, but we managed to pick the right hotel, located in the best location that one could ever asked for. Vacationing at a top-notch resort like Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua is the perfect way to unwind and pamper ourselves.
The Hotel
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua is a lavish 5-star beachfront resort that combines the best of French elegance and unique Balinese culture. Every day, we were greeted with a chorus of bonjours/bonsoirs – a clear sign that the Sofitel is a French hospitality brand that prides itself on melding its national culture with each property’s local identity.
We arrived to the resort late in the evening, The first thing that greeted us upon entering is a massive wood rotunda, meant to represent a banyan tree. As we looked up, wood panels carved by local artist depict a trimurti scene of the circle of life.
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua has a collection of swimming pools catering to all guest preferences. Each day, we will choose a different spot to laze around and relax.
The main centrepiece pool is a spacious body of water in between the resort’s two wings, with towering structures and mini tropical gardens, and is divided by pathways.
Luxury Room Pool Access guests enjoy direct-access to the resort’s immense lagoon which connects to the main swimming pool.
Near the beachfront and the onsite Nikki Beach Club is a unique circular pool that features various Jacuzzi nooks on its borders.
What could be better for your body and mind than to run off some steam in the fresh air? I wished I brought my running shoes along, as the beach front jogging track in the resort is an ideal spot to burn some calories.
The resort’s shores is a great retreat spot for utmost seclusion.
We often spent our day at the beach and work on our tan in the sun loungers or kick back in the shades with a cold glass of Bintang beer.
Life doesn’t get much better does it?
Complimentary buggies ride service is being offered to hotel guests as the resort is set within 8 hectares of tropical gardens and modern architecture.
The most photographed spot of Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is the lobby bar that offers a splendid view of the central layout that stretches out to the large lagoon pool, terraces and tropical gardens to the Indian Ocean.
It is a great spot for relaxing and elegant lounging.
Since the resort is located on the eastern side of Bali island, we got to see this beautiful sun rise view every morning (if we wakes up early).
The Room
We were staying in room 5012 which is a ground floor Luxury Room with pool access. We were so impressed with the huge and spacious room that looks more like a suite to us.
There’s a king-size bed with Sofitel’s signature MyBed bedding, four-seater lounge, club chair and dark timber coffee table. There is also a glass-topped workstation with chair, a bar area and walk-in robe. KampugBoy is contemplating getting the Sofitel’s divine MyBed for our new house after he slept like a baby throughout his three nights stay here.
Other amenities include coffee/ tea facilities, daily local newspaper, in room safe, internet up to 1MB per stay, mineral water and mini Bar (chargeable).
I fell in love with the spacious bathroom that comes with a stand-alone stone and timber bath with rain shower, separate bathtub, toilet, and distinctive French bathroom amenities.
The best part of our luxury room is the pool access feature. The lagoon pool is just a few steps away from our room’s terrace.
Our terrace featured a rocking chair, a hanging chair and a small table. The steps lead down into our private lagoon pool area which opens up to the resort’s main pool.
We even swam to Bobo’s room and knock on her balcony’s door.
I never knew how awesome or convenient it is to stay in a pool access room until we actually stayed in one ourselves. It was lovely to wake up and have our own personal pool for a swim every morning.
My neighbour Bobo and Jo can also dropped by to visit us (via the lagoon pool) during anytime of the day.
Thanks Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua for the complimentary surprise birthday cake. It really made our day!
Club Millesime Benefit
Guests staying at Luxury Room Pool Access, Suites and Villas could enjoy exclusive access to the resort Club Millésime. Located on the main building, the stylish lounge provides sophisticated travellers with exclusive lounge areas where guests could luxuriate in style and savour exquisite gastronomy and wine. All day refreshments are provided from 10 am to 10 pm while afternoon tea and evening Millésime wine tasting are provided based on schedule.
For breakfast, we got to choose between Club Millésime and KweZeen, the resort’s main restaurant for breakfast.
The buffet selection in Club Millésime is not as impressive as KweeZeen, but we got to order from the aka-carte menu. We really enjoyed having the minute steak, egg white omelet, pancakes, egg benedict and even nasi goreng freshly made to order.
Proper attire should be observed whilst in the Club Millésime’s indoor lounge, so when we got back from the pool or the beach, we dropped by the outdoor area for afternoon tea.
l
Complimentary daily afternoon tea is served from 3 pm to 5 pm daily. We often skipped lunch after a heavy brunch in the morning, so by the time we came back from our swim, we were famished.
Sometimes, we also lingered around for the complimentary daily evening cocktail/ Millésime wine tasting from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
Fine wines from the French wine regions and in house specialty cocktails were paired with tapas, small bites and cheese platter. Such an indulgence!
So Spa
So Spa at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua is five-star luxury spa. Opens daily from 9am to 10pm, So Spa is fully devoted to the well-being of body and mind.
We enjoyed some aromatic tea and cookies in the waiting room beside a soothing serenity pool ahead of our treatment.
Like the rest of the resort, the spa is a beautiful blend of French and Balinese style interior. There is a large serenity pool that flows under a glass wall and extends into the Millesime club lap pool. Simply gorgeous!
We were being ushered into a treatment room equipped with shower and toilet facilities. The treatment room is simple with ultra high ceilings that emits an air of luxurious.
We’ve opted for a one-hour Balinese massage. The unique relaxing ritual of long massage strokes, skin rolling and pressure point application is used to relieve stress, ease tension and soothe tired muscles. We felt like we were floating on a cloud with this full-body massage designed to ease away any aches and pains in our body.
Food
When it comes to wine and dine in Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua, choices are aplenty. There are 3 restaurants (Kwee Zeen, Cut Catch Cucina, Nikki Beach) and 2 bars/lounges (Loh Bar, Le Bar). This is why we hardly step our foot out from the resort!
Find out more about the high rated Magnifique Francais Brunch in Cut Catch Cucina here.
Find out more about our amazing brunch experience in Nikki Beach here.
Kwee Zeen is the main restaurant at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, located under the resort’s impressive round lobby, dubbed ‘the circle of life’.
Inspired by a “food market” concept, Kwee Zeen’s buffet breakfast is one of the best that we have experienced. The selection and varieties were so huge that it took us three days to sample almost everything.
Their mee goreng and nasi goreng is our favourite, as seen on or breakfast table for 3 days in a row.
We were also impressed by Kwee Zeen’s fresh fruit juice bar. One can just pick whatever they want from the fresh selection of fruits and vegetables, and the staffs are more than happy to juice it.
I am blaming my 2 kg weight gain to Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort!
This concludes our amazing 4D3N night stay in the resort. With unobstructed whitewater ocean front views, fabulous swimming pools, relaxing spa, delicious cuisines and great French +Balinese hospitality, we did not ever need to step out of the resort at all.
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort
Address: Kawasan Pariwisata BTDC, Lot N5, Nusa Dua, Bali 80363 Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 849 2888
Email: h9078-th1@sofitel.com
www.sofitel.com
