Travel: Do Not Disturb

W Retreat and Spa, Bali

Sea views and spa days

Details

Rooms start from £210 per night excluding taxes. For more information visit: www.wretreatbali.com

About

This 229-room, oceanfront hotel – consisting of retreats, suites, and villas – has everything you need for an oceanfront vaycay, all under one roof.

The Vibe

As with all Ws, there’s a definite morning to night buzz. Music is considered and there’s a lot going on: Mad Hatter tea parties, lobster beach dinners, crab specials, Bordeaux dinners, DJ nights, pool parties: you won’t be short of things to do here.

The room

Always content with the sound of waves crashing, we knew we’d be happy in our oceanfront suite, and we were. Walk-in rain showers with retractable sunroof shade, tubs with rubber duckies, king beds, and the views… Ask to be up high and make sure that if you have a room that’s oceanfront, you can see the ocean. Room service is top tier, and the ‘whatever, whenever’ concierges deliver. If we were with a larger party, we’d definitely have opted for a suite with private pool.

Restaurants and bars

There are two restaurants here. For breakfast, you definitely want to be at Fire. It might not have a view, but there’s a six-page menu that accompanies the ‘buffet’ and divided into east, west, healthy, and sweet. This was worth getting out of bed for. Starfish Bloo, their other restaurant, is where to head for sushi and sea views.

The grounds

The pool is large, the day beds are well serviced (and free), and the beach is close, should you want a dip. There’s a shop with We Are Handsome x W Bali exclusive swimsuits and hotel cars, for more reliable rides.

The spa

UJ loved the fact that the spa is open 24 hours – a nod to the international clientele coming in and out of here. Massages were great and the plunge pools definitely wake you up! There’s also yoga and PTs at the gym, if you’re feeling energetic.

Highlights

The new Sound Suites, which is where DJs can come to record by the ocean. The kit is top tier – Pioneer, electric guitars, keyboards – and a Smeg fridge makes you feel right at home. UJ also liked the in-room music. We may already know that album from front to back, but it’s a good one. The entrance tunnel made out of plants was also pretty great.

Anything else

The Woo Bar here is a sunset spot, so make sure you catch one. There are also often DJ nights that start here, then move downstairs, with talent by the likes of Pete Tong, so be sure to check what’s on.

Originally published on
22nd July 2016

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