Romantic Bali Getaway at Royal Beach Seminyak
Text by Angelique Hidayat
We arrived at the lobby of the Royal Beach Seminyak, Bali and were overwhelmed by the sensations of privacy, tranquillity and comfort. It was a relief to leave behind the commotion of Seminyak, one of Bali’s most popular tourist areas.
It is rare these days to find this kind of calming, spacious oasis in the heart of Seminyak. I was amazed by the beauty of the 4.5 hectares of lush Balinese-style gardens and the breathtaking stretch of powdery soft beach. Being an admirer of classic architecture, I appreciated the Art Deco styling of the building and ballroom area, especially the way it blended perfectly with traditional Balinese features at every turn. For a moment I experienced that surge I felt visiting Bali 20 years ago, when I was a child and enchanted by Balinese architecture and art. I was glad to be able to share this childhood Bali experience with my husband on our little getaway.
The architectural features of the Royal Beach Seminyak are not the only aspects that exude Balinese influence; the main restaurant also radiates the best elements of the island through its wooden pillars and thatched roof, not to mention the amazing view of the main pool, lush garden and the beach. As we looked over the lunch menu, we were pleased to find so many authentic Balinese and Indonesian dishes on offer, including Rijsttafel, the famous array of Indonesian dishes that originated in the 19th century as a dining service for royal families. Knowing that this is a rare find in Bali these days, my husband and I agreed to give it a try and booked it for a romantic dinner together.
We were staying in a spacious one-bedroom villa with private outdoor pool (a real pool where you can actually swim, not just plunge), a beautiful small garden and a Balinese gazebo with direct access to the beach. The villa radiated the island’s cultural heritage in every sense; it was exactly the kind of villa we were hoping for, charming with plenty of privacy. I eagerly inspected the villa including the fancy coffee machine, which is very important for my morning humour.
The only suitable activity after the trip from Jakarta and the traffic was a spa treatment in the privacy of our villa. Accompanied by a gentle breeze and the sound of the waves, we had the most relaxing 90-minute couple’s massages in our villa’s gazebo. I remember thinking during the massage, “No wonder Balinese palm massage is one of the most sought-after massages in the world. When the masseuse knows what she is doing, it is really good.”
Feeling very relaxed after the massage, we took a sunset stroll on the beach, which was alive with activity in a classic holiday scene, as children played in the sand and surf, people walked their dogs and a few people trotted by on horses.
Accompanied by the waves, the scent of the sea and the sky alight with colours, we walked for over an hour without even realizing it, hand in hand, just absorbing the moment.
Finally we were ready for our dinner experience at The Husk, the main restaurant of Royal Beach Seminyak. The restaurant takes a romantic turn in the evening, with dim lighting and live piano tunes. It is the perfect setting for an evening date.
We started with a light appetizer of fruit skewers with tamarind and palm sugar sauce and then a very tasty spicy clear soup. Soon after, a parade of nine elegantly Balinese women in traditional outfits entered the restaurant, each carrying a plate. It was quite the spectacle and I noticed that people at other tables turned their heads to admire the procession. The women then took turns serving us. This truly was service fit for royalty.
As we are both food lovers, we were eager to see if the food matched the impressive service. To our pleasant surprise, all nine dishes were perfectly spiced and delicious, especially the steamed fish in banana leaf (pepes ikan) and the minced satay (sate lilit). Unfortunately, by the time dessert arrived there was no room in our bellies for the selection of Balinese sweets.
After the sumptuous dinner, we decided to walk around the resort before heading back to our villa. During our walk, we stumbled onto a charming swimming pool, hidden by trees for guests who prefer a more private experience. Then we found a large boutique area just below the lobby with several shops, a gym and a Ping-Pong table. On the second floor just above the lobby, we found the spacious bar and lounge area with a cosy PlayStation corner with giant pillows as the seating area.
The resort has much to offer and I was excited to spend the next few days of our romantic getaway here. Not only is the Royal Beach Seminyak perfectly located, but the resort conveys local heritage and a sense of serenity. I knew that we had discovered the perfect destination for a true Balinese holiday experience.
The Royal Beach Seminyak, Bali
Jl. Camplung Tanduk, Seminyak Beach
Bali – Indonesia
Phone. +62 361 730 730
www.theroyalbeachseminyakbali.com
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