Hotel review: Soori Bali (Indonesia)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a luxury hotel and/or flight review.

Today (June 18, 2014): Review of Soori Bali (Indonesia).

• Location: Google Maps
• Address: Banjar Dukuh, Desa Kelating, Kerambitan, Kec. Tabanan, Bali 82161, Indonesia
• Hotel website: Soori Bali

Soori Bali on the southwest coast of Indonesia’s most famous island might just be the very definition of paradise. Located near the island’s famed Tanah Lot Temple, this luxurious beachfront resort leads you to depths of relaxation you never knew existed. Nestled between lush rice fields and glistening volcanic black sands lapped by the Indian Ocean, these luxury villas in Bali fully integrate the beach experience in their vibrant mix of spaces. The perfectly calibrated balance of tranquillity and vitality, that is so Bali, does a fine job of soothing and stimulating the senses.

Soori Bali features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches, the most astonishing beach retreats in Asia, and the best luxury hotels in Bali.

In this review (more info below the slideshow):

• Pros & things I like
• Cons & things to know
• My verdict
• Tips for future guests & save money
• General info on Bali (how to get there, best time to visit, highlights, suggested itinerary)

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PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• Soori Bali enjoys a terrific location. The hotel is located between beautiful rice fields and one of the world’s most beautiful hotel beaches (a marvelous wild, black-sand beach). This is Bali at its best!

• The fresh green colour of the oceanfront grass, the black colour of the sand, and the blue colour of the ocean is a visual delight.

• The non-stop crashing of the very rough Indian Ocean waves sounds like music to your ears (but can also keep you awake at night, so bring ear plugs).

• The hotel feels uber-luxurious with grand yet intimate public spaces.

• Service is top-notch and among Asia’s finest; everybody will serve you with a smile.

• The spa is the best that I encountered in Bali. It displays a wonderful atmosphere, with beautiful treatment rooms. The therapists are also the best. And frankly, the treatments are not too expensive.

• The food is delicious and the presentation is beautifully executed.

• The spacious rooms are beautifully appointed. Each room comes with a private pool and has either a mountain or ocean views. Beds are very soft. Toiletries are among the best in the hotel industry.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The hotel is truly perfect and ultra-luxurious. It has no real cons, just some things to beware of:

• While the oceanfront setting is spectacular, the location is pretty isolated (45 minutes from Seminyak, and 90 minutes from Ubud). But I consider this to be an advantage rather than a disadvantage. It is the ideal hotel to chill for a day of 3 or 4, and do nothing (except for enjoying the beach and exploring the rice fields).

• Because of its isolated location, excursions always involves long transfer. But frankly, why bother with a day trip to Ubud (2 x 90 minutes transfer) while staying at this hotel: try to visit Ubud first (and stay at the Como Shambhala Estate; read my review here) before proceeding to my preferred hotel in Bali, Alila Villas Uluwatu.

• I missed a hot tub at the property (near the main pool).

• Most of the time, room rates are exclusive of breakfast.

MY VERDICT

• Location: 10/10
• Design: 9/10
• Rooms: 9/10
• Food: 9/10
• Service: 10/10
• Overall experience: exceptional: 9,4/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS

• Stay in an ocean room and not in a beach room (beach rooms lack sunlight on their terrace since they are located below the ocean rooms).

• Book a massage or other spa treatment. You will not regret is.

• Soori Bali sometimes features on Jetsetter, which offers the best deal (with lots of savings).

• Save money: read my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury resort like Soori Bali (and receive many free perks).

• Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

GENERAL INFO ON BALI

Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, takes a serious claim to be paradise on earth (although its popularity has taken its toll in certain areas). Varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all provide a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture.

# WHEN TO GO

The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season from April to September, when humidity is not as high and when a refreshing breeze cools everything a bit down. The hot and sticky rainy season lasts October to March with downpours that can obscure all visibility. The worst rains fall between December and February and this is certainly a time you do not want to be in Bali.

# HOW TO GET THERE

The following airlines have regularly scheduled flights to Bali:

• From/via Oceania: Qantas Airways, Jetstar Airways, Air New Zealand (seasonal), Virgin Australia
• From/via Asia : Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines
• From/via Middle East: Qatar Airways (via Singapore)
• From/via Europe: KLM (via Singapore), Transaero Airlines

# HIGHLIGHTS

• The city of Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali
• The magnificent ricefields of Jatiluwih
• Bali’s highest mountain, Guning Agung
• Lake Batur
• Tanah Lot Temple

# SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Do not stay in one hotel during your Bali holiday as there is so much to see and explore. I suggest the following 7 to 10 day itinerary:

• 2 to 3 days in Seminyak in South Bali to overcome the jetlag and enjoy the beach (recommended hotel: W Retreat & Spa; review coming soon).
• 2 to 3 few days in the legendary town of Ubud, located in the jungle of Central Bali (recommended hotel: Como Shambhala Estate; read my review here).
• 2 to 3 few days in the wonderful remote setting of the West coast (recommended hotel: Soori Bali).
• 3 days in Uluwatu as the grand finale to your holiday (recommended hotel: Alila Villas Uluwatu; read my review here).

All hotels are excellent (and over-the-top) and also well located to visit the different areas of interest in Bali.

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