48 Hours at the Jumeirah Bali
When it comes to my expectations toward hotel stays, I genuinely love being surprised. The only issue is: the more I travel, the harder it becomes to truly surprise me. So, when I first arrived in Bali, I was already quite impressed by the first three properties I had visited and was genuinely happy with the level of service provided. Yet I had no idea that the biggest surprise was still awaiting me. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure what to expect from an Arabian-based hotel group operating a luxury resort in Southeast Asia. Even my good Indonesian friend, who runs a travel agency himself, didn’t know much about Jumeirah Bali and confirmed my initial hesitations. Locals, it seemed, would rather recommend the more established grand hotels or local luxury brands.
As we made our way to Jumeirah Bali, I began to understand where these impressions might come from. The resort is located within a vast gated area known as New Kuta, a development once initiated by an Indonesian businessman. Due to the Asian financial crisis, many of the construction projects were never completed, and on the way to Jumeirah, one passes several abandoned buildings and half-finished hotels. It’s a rather surreal drive through this deserted landscape — only to arrive at a stately, guarded gate with a serene and elegant entrance that feels worlds apart. Our vehicle was checked by security personnel, and just a minute later, we were greeted by four Jumeirah staff members in front of the temple-like lobby pavilion. From the very first moment, it felt as if we had stepped into an entirely different world, far removed from daily life, almost like entering a Balinese fairytale. Every detail was immaculate: marble floors, elegant furniture, and the panoramic ocean views created a picture-perfect setting.
As two local musicians softly played traditional melodies, a gracious lady offered us cool towels and a refreshing welcome drink while we sat front row overlooking the Indian Ocean. Once the check-in was completed, our personal butler introduced herself and guided us via golf cart through the property. Only while driving through the resort does one begin to realize the impressive scale of Jumeirah Bali. Spanning over 11 hectares, the resort features 123 villas — from one-bedroom Garden Villas to the majestic four-bedroom Royal Water Palace. Designed by none other than Jean-Michel Gathy to mirror a traditional Javanese-Hindu water palace, the property is a tribute to the rich history of central Java. As we cruised past the manicured gardens and detailed architecture, it became increasingly clear how much attention, effort, and artistry had gone into this resort. Every corner radiated a sense of care. Gardeners were tending to the lush greenery, and every pathway felt meticulously maintained.
Without exaggeration, our drive from the front desk to our villa took a good five minutes. Thankfully, as the resort wasn’t fully booked during our visit, we were allocated a villa in an ideal location — just above the main facilities like the pool area, the beach, the Maja Sunset Lounge, and the Segaran Dining Terrace, which also serves as the main restaurant. Interestingly, all rooms at Jumeirah Bali are villas, and each comes with its own private pool — an incredible feature. We stayed in a Garden View Villa (number 2269 – highly recommended due to its proximity to everything), and we were absolutely blown away by its sheer size. Though this is considered the entry-level category, the villa already offers 210 square meters of space.
The moment I opened the door, I was met by three smiling staff members singing Happy Birthday — an incredibly thoughtful touch that immediately made me feel warmly welcomed. The villa itself was absolutely spotless, and its design resonated perfectly with my personal aesthetic preferences: Flexform sofas and armchairs, handcrafted dark wood furniture, polished beige marble floors, hand-painted details, and soaring six-meter-high ceilings. The expansive terrace with its private infinity pool was a dream — and even offered a glimpse of the ocean on the horizon. On the coffee table in the living room, an array of welcome amenities awaited: a handwritten note, a generous fruit basket, and a mouthwatering birthday cake that looked almost too pretty to eat. The soft, light-toned palette of the villa harmonized beautifully with the furnishings, lending the space a refined, residential feel.
The bedroom, just beyond, featured a supremely comfortable double bed and a cozy daybed by the window. Each one-bedroom villa is equipped with two televisions and a discreet pantry with a Nespresso machine and tea-making facilities. Two villas can even be connected via this small kitchen — a clever feature for families or friends traveling together. While many Balinese resorts include a complimentary minibar, Jumeirah Bali offers an extensive selection of high-end minibar items — all of which are charged. Bottled water, however, is provided in unlimited quantities, and coffee capsules and tea are replenished daily.
Besides the impeccably heated private pool, the other major highlight of the villa is the grand, open-plan bathroom. A magnificent freestanding bathtub takes center stage, dividing the space into his and hers wardrobe areas. There was more than enough storage space, and I appreciated the thoughtful touches — such as the elegant leather slippers and the branded Jumeirah beach bag, both of which appeared to be complimentary (at least I hope so). A large double vanity, a separate Japanese-style spa toilet to the left, and a spacious walk-in shower to the right completed the interior space. From the indoor shower, a small path led to an additional outdoor shower, though I personally preferred the open-air shower located next to the pool — it was simply more convenient. Like many upscale Balinese properties, Jumeirah has switched to refillable dispensers for bathroom amenities. Despite being unbranded, the toiletries were some of the most fragrant and high-quality we encountered on our trip. The shower gel, in particular, reminded me strongly of Terre d’Hermès — and if they do, in fact, use Hermès products, they should absolutely make that known somewhere.
Now, turning our attention to the culinary side of things: the resort features two dining venues. First, there’s the chic and stylish Akasa Restaurant & Bar, perched on a hill with panoramic sunset views. Then there’s the more laid-back Segaran Dining Terrace, located next to the three main pools. While Segaran is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Akasa operates only for lunch and dinner. Akasa, with its breathtaking cliffside setting, specializes in flame-grilled dishes with a creative Asian twist. One evening, we enjoyed excellent tuna tataki and beef tartare, followed by a perfectly grilled rib-eye steak served with extra-thin, crispy French fries. The music and ambience added to the sense that this place has the potential to become one of Bali’s most sought-after dining addresses, though on both evenings we shared the space with only a handful of other guests.
In contrast, Segaran Dining Terrace was the more popular spot — especially in the morning. The breakfast service there was among the best I’ve experienced at any resort. Though primarily à la carte, a well-curated buffet complemented the offering. We were served Eggs Benedict with crab meat and a lobster foam, followed by one of the best salmon croissants I’ve had in years. I loved the range: from elevated Western dishes to Japanese, Middle Eastern, and classic Indonesian fare. We also dined at Segaran one evening, and while it felt more casual than Akasa, it was no less enjoyable. The only drawback was the limited half-board selection. Still, the quality of what we did have was so impressive — the braised beef in particular — that I was glad to have tried something I might not have otherwise ordered. For those staying on a bed & breakfast basis, you’ll enjoy full access to both restaurants’ offerings, which I highly recommend.
If you’ve researched Jumeirah Bali, you may have stumbled upon a video review online — just like I did. And honestly, my expectations for the beach were therefore somewhat low. But I was genuinely blown away. Over the past few months, the hotel team has done a fantastic job restoring Dreamland Beach to a pristine condition, and it now ranks among the best public beaches I’ve seen anywhere. The turquoise water and nearly white sand were absolutely inviting, and the waves added a fun sense of adventure. Our experience was made even more special thanks to the Jumeirah, who manages a private area with eight sets of sun beds and cabanas directly accessible from the pool area right on Dreamland Beach. Staff members and security personnel are always present — not only to watch over your belongings but also to offer food and drinks, complimentary snacks and sorbets, sunscreen, water and even Evian facial mist. There’s really nothing quite like sipping an ice-cold Bintang beer while watching the most magical sunset in Bali from your own private sun bed.
If you feel like changing things up, you can climb a few steps back up to the resort and dive into one of the three stunning infinity pools — two large ones and a smaller, more intimate option. Attentive staff are always nearby to assist with towels and sun beds, and once again, complimentary sunscreen, water, and face mist are readily available. Jumeirah Bali knows exactly how to make you feel pampered — without being overbearing.
With so much to do and such little time — two nights are definitely not enough — we didn’t even get to experience the famed afternoon tea. Still, we did make time for a casual beachside lunch. Feeling like some comforting classics, Sebastian opted for a Pizza Diavola while I went for the house burger. As expected, based on our earlier culinary experiences, both dishes were absolutely delicious. Given the slightly secluded location of the resort and the absence of a shuttle service, the high standard of food and beverage is a real advantage. I genuinely recommend enjoying your meals within the resort — you certainly won’t feel the need to go anywhere else. Especially in the evenings, I loved how guests dressed up — the entire setting, at both restaurants, felt effortlessly elegant.
Having seen many outstanding places and stayed in numerous extraordinary resorts, I have to say the sunsets at Jumeirah Bali etched themselves into my memory. It was fascinating to explore five entirely different resorts across Bali, yet in terms of service excellence and culinary offering, Jumeirah Bali stood out above the rest. In summary, it’s a thoroughly luxurious resort — large enough to provide variety and space, yet intimate enough for the staff to know your name and make every interaction feel personal.
I love being surprised — and Jumeirah Bali truly surprised me. The resort surpassed my expectations in every way. From the grand interiors and immaculate villas to the outstanding food and genuinely warm service, this place has absolutely earned a spot on my TOP 20 list of the best hotels worldwide. Yes, it comes with a price tag, but the value is undeniable. There are places where you pay double for villas that don’t even come with a private pool — not to mention the incredible beach access here. In terms of F&B quality and privacy, I don’t think it gets much better. You could easily spend days here without seeing another soul, making it ideal for A-listers or anyone seeking true seclusion. Honestly, the only downside was my own planning: I should have booked more nights. Needless to say, I’ll be staying at Jumeirah Bali again on my next visit — hopefully sooner than expected.
