Uluwatu Retreat

The estate is made up of 8 independent villas and rooms plus a large living and dining room, a bar, a large professional kitchen, a multi-media lounge, a gym and a spa. The total built up number is 1,800 sqm on 5,500 sqm of land. But the buildings are across the entire land so the 5,500 sqm pretty much constitutes the entire living space as the pool and landscape surroundings are configured within the 5,500 sqm.

The estate can be divided into two parts — the original four-bedroom residence and a new compound behind that was designed later. At the front of the property overlooking the ocean is the infinity pool and behind that the main living/dining area and bar. Two suites on either side mirror one another, with a well-equipped gym on one side and a multi-media room on the other.

A garden leads from the dining area and past a kitchen on your left before you arrive at the newer compound’s four suites. These are my favourites and all unique, with local stone used in their design and carefully selected pieces of decor. In addition to the spa, there’s also a self-contained apartment at the back of the property where my concierge or guests’ staff members can stay.

The accommodation is as follows:

4 Independent Villas (75 m2 to 135 m2): The villas each come with a king-size bed, indoor and outdoor bathrooms with a rain shower and bathtub and a private garden. The villas are located in the upper terraced gardens.

2 Master Suites (78 m2): The Master Suites come with a king-size bed and indoor and outdoor bathrooms with rain shower and bathtub. They are located in the main estate gardens, closest to the Indian Ocean.

2 Family Suites (45 m2): The Family Suites come with a twin or king-size bed and indoor and outdoor bathrooms with rain shower. They are located in the main estate gardens, next to the Master Suites.

A stay at Uluwatu Retreat includes all you need for an incredible stay — a private concierge, an estate manager, 20 staff and an exceptionally artistic chef. He is able to do everything from degustation menus to local cuisine and when we’re at full capacity, he has a team of six that he can call on. Our bartender is full of personality and also very creative, mixing unique drinks for guests based on their preferred tastes.

There’s a gym with high-tech equipment and a spa offering massages, manicures/pedicures, facials and acupuncture, as well as yoga classes, boxing and personal training. We can also organise Balinese cleansing rituals and authentic traditional performances featuring the personal dance troupe and orchestra of the “Denpasar King”. In the past, we’ve had rock bands, magicians, fireworks — almost anything is possible!

Laundry is included in the rates (and is all done on-site) and the estate is staffed 24/7 by a team of 20. They are at the heart of the operation and will go above and beyond to meet guests’ needs and requests.

Guests have exclusive use of:

• Swimming pool 21m x 7m
• Fitness room with an extensive Technogym kit and mats.
• Media room with LED screen, Apple TV, Netflix, FIFA, Play Station, games and a range of international TV channels
• Fully integrated Bose speaker system throughout the property with access to Spotify, Deezer and a wide range of music accessible through SoundTouch
• LED TVs in each bedroom, a safe in every room
• Fast WiFi throughout
• A variety of games including a ping pong table, billiards table, table football and board games for adults and children

There is also 24/7 service from our twenty staff. Our loyal and trusted staff have been with the family for many years. The drivers will dutifully look after teenagers who may be at clubs till the early morning hours. Our resident host/concierge can organise all VIP required services, police escorts to avoid traffic if called for, bookings of VIP tables at beach clubs and other venues. The family's local connections are second to none.

Of course, there is always the option of doing absolutely nothing and lazing by the pool with your book. And having a massage, overlooking the lapping waves ahead. But if you do want to venture out, there is so much to see and do:

We can arrange for you to visit colourful Hindu temples, go diving and spearfishing at Nusa Lembongan, discover secret beaches with crystal clear snorkeling, take to the waves and surf Bali’s famous beaches, jump into the blue with Mario’s colourful paragliding team, discover the hidden trails up and down the cliffs, explore the local markets or shop till you drop in the myriad of artisan, antique, boho crazy world of Bali shopping.

Bali is also Indonesia’s surfing mecca, with Uluwatu its most famous, and host to world-class surfing waves and World Tour surfing competitions. The steep cliffs of the Bukit also provide the perfect take-off point for Paragliding. You can go fishing with glass-bottom boats or for more serious spearfishing in the Nusa Lembongan area – a small island off the southeast coast.

There are various golf courses within a short drive, you can also play tennis or go horseback riding along Nyang Nyang Beach, directly below the Estate.

One of the oldest temples in Bali is just around the corner, dating from the 11th century. It is perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Every evening at sunset the temple stages a traditional Kecak fire dance overlooking the ocean. The ancient story of the Ramayana is recreated with hundreds of Balinese dancers in wonderful costumes and Hanoman, the white monkey joining the crowd for selfies.

Other places to visit include Ubud, the artistic and holistic centre of Bali, the Bali Safari Marine Park with more than 100 species of animals including the endangered Komodo dragon and Orang Utan, the Bali Elephant Park, a dedicated elephant rescue reserve set in 3.5 hectares with herds of more than 30 Sumatran elephants or the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

And if you just want to stay at the estate, if you must there is so much to keep you busy as well:

• Private yoga sessions with the amazing Naomi Thompson are quite the highlight, for all levels.
• Cooking classes (also special classes for children to learn how to make pizza, cookies or cupcakes).
• Balinese dancing lessons
• Massage and other spa treatments
• Personal training
• Lessons in Muay Thai or other types of martial art and discipline
• A private evening with the personal orchestra, dancers and entertainers of His Royal Highness Agung Ngurah Gde Wiralaga of the Puri Agung Kawan Tegeh Denpasar palace
• Private fireworks
• An evening with a classic Rock Band
• Cocktail mixing classes
• Balinese Blessing Ritual by high priest