Karma Jimbaran

The Karma Jimbaran feels like a remote private hideaway, but it has all the benefits of a tropical resort, minus the crowds, buffet lines, and loud entertainment staff. The resort consists of large private villas, each with its own pool and yard, where guests may be tempted to linger all day. The architecture and decor is Balinese, with lots of wood and thatch, stone walls and pathways, and Buddhist statuary, all surrounded by lush trees and flowers that add to the secluded feel of the place. 

The level of luxury and attention to detail is top-notch. There is an air-conditioned library stocked with DVDs and magazines. The huge kids' club, which is free, has ample space and activities for younger guests. The central pool is long and shallow, suited for wading or sitting with a cocktail from the poolside Karma Lounge. Elsewhere in Veritas Duo, the wine and champagne bar that's becoming an island destination, the vibe is sophisticated but not uptight; guests hang out on comfortable couches or banquettes in an open air space. Like the rest of the Karma property, there is plenty of local artwork and bright textiles, but the gorgeous gardens outside are an integral part of the design and add to the peaceful, romantic feeling that pervades the resort.

The Karma Jimbaran is located on a picturesque, secluded street in the heart of Jimbaran, on the main road to Jimbaran Beach. The hotel is surrounded by high-end resorts and beachside seafood restaurants, but for fancy shopping or an active bar scene, guests will have to take the 30-minute drive to the resort district of Seminyak. The Jenggala Factory and showroom are five minutes away by car. Benoa Square, with its fast food outlets, shops, and businesses, is an 11-minute drive. Uluwatu Temple can be reached in 30 minutes by car. Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the resort; the hotel will arrange airport transfers for a fee.

The Karma Jimbaran offers one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas, all with air-conditioning, second-floor balconies, and private pools. The villas are huge and spotless, with sophisticated decor reminiscent of island plantations. Local artwork hangs on the walls, and the furniture, doors, and ceilings are all dark Balinese wood. Each villa has a private backyard with a pool, a deck with sunbeds and beach umbrellas, and lots of stone, trees, and flowers to add to the rich, secluded feeling. Bedrooms have big canopy beds with Sleep Number mattresses, while beautiful marble bathrooms have walk-in showers, spacious vanities, and deep soaking tubs. Each villa also has a romantic (and private) outdoor shower. 

Full-size, fully stocked kitchens are equipped with microwaves, stoves, and dishwashers; staff will do guests' grocery shopping before their arrival, upon request. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable channels, DVD players, minibars, free Wi-Fi, free bottled water, safes, and a range of toiletries. Daily housekeeping is included. Note that ongoing construction next door might cause noise issues.

The Karma Jimbaran features a long, shallow wading pool with a sundeck and poolside bar/restaurant, the Karma Lounge. The Karma Lounge serves a free cooked-to-order breakfast, as well as brunch, dinner, happy hour, and snacks all day long. The menu is Mediterranean, and there is a fresh juice bar offering all sorts of bespoke blends, as well as a chakra-based craft cocktail menu. Kids have their own menu too, and family cooking classes can be booked (surcharge) for an insight into Balinese cuisine. The Three Monkeys Kids Club offers free childcare and babysitting, although in-room babysitting costs extra. The kids' club is large and fun, with lots of equipment and even cute spots for emergency naps, plus activities include Balinese dancing, kite making (and subsequent flying), and sandcastle-building contests. 

While the kids are flying kites, parents can visit the resort's spa, which has a vast treatment menu, including hot stone, Balinese, and aromatherapy massages, as well as hydrotherapy, reflexology, a variety of high-end facials, microdermabrasion, a series of men's treatments, Chinese medicine including acupuncture and cupping, and a teen menu. The spa uses only holistic, eco-friendly, GMO-free products, and treatments book fast, so guests are advised to reserve before arrival. 

Veritas Duos is the resort's destination wine and champagne bar, offering wine and tapas pairings in a lovely dining room, as well as the advice of a world-class sommelier. There is live music in the bar during the evenings. The 24-hour fitness center is small, with a few cardio machines and some weight equipment, but personal training is available, as are private yoga and pilates sessions, all for a surcharge. Before arrival at the resort, guests can have their villas stocked with groceries. There are barbecue facilities on the ground for grilling. The resort runs a free shuttle to the nearby beach, as well as an area shuttle, which costs extra, as do airport transfers. Wedding and event-planning services are available at the resort.