I’m no stranger to jumping on a plane and fleeing to Bali to taste the sun, but I prefer to escape the masses and find my own slice of paradise.
My favourite secluded hideaway is the east coast peninsula of Nusa Dua, which starts just a 22-minute (13.8 km) drive from the airport on Bali’s northeast coast, far away from the crowded beaches of Seminyak and Kuta.
The beach is lined with luxury resorts, but I head for Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua. This luxury hotel boasts a prime beachfront location and is set within a lush tropical garden filled with the luxuriant greenery that is so typically Balinese.
My tip is to choose a pool access room with a king-size bed and Club Millesime access. This puts the lagoon pool just a few steps from your bed. A wall of plants protects this private enclave from passers-by. I could have sat there for hours.
The pool access room makes it easy to enjoy a real treat, a floating breakfast. Breakfast arrives on a tray and is placed into the pool outside the room and you eat it while sitting or standing in the water. It’s the ultimate in room service! Feels a bit weird but strangely relaxing!
Shopping on the beach is part of the holiday entertainment, and at Sofitel Nusa Dua, the beach sellers are all registered with the hotel to increase shopping confidence.
I bought four dresses to share with my girlfriends, paying between $10 and $15 AU each. I might have overpaid in local terms, but it’s not a lot of money for me, and it makes a real difference to the sellers.
The seven-kilometre beachside pathway is the perfect spot for morning walks.
It takes you right up to the Garden of Hope on Peninsular Island. Be sure to head to the island’s edge to see the waterblow and reef.
Resort dining options include a beachside bar and grill, fine-dining restaurant serving international cuisine, and a lounge serving light snacks and cocktails. ISunday brunch at Cucina is a must-do.
It’s the best buffet I have seen, with a wide selection of international and local dishes, live cooking stations, fresh seafood, and a dessert bar. Go very hungry and try at least three new things.
