The St. Regis Bali Resort

Situated right on the sea, The St. Regis Bali Resort has a private beach with calm water and soft sand -- but there's plenty else to like here, which is to be expected given that this is one of the world's most recognized luxury brands. Guests enter the resort through a high-ceilinged and airy lobby with artsy chandeliers, beige marble floors, and fine furnishings and rugs in natural colors and traditional-inspired patterns. Rich interiors feature ample dark wood and Balinese wood carvings and art, setting the tone for design that seamlessly blends Old-World luxury with contemporary accents. 

The resort is nestled on lushly landscaped grounds with palms and other indigenous trees and flowers, elegant koi ponds, and soothing fountains. It's a nice mix of wild and manicured landscaping that creates a naturally opulent feel. Many guests can be found lounging around the huge saltwater lagoon pool, set within tropical gardens and palm trees and bordered by two Bale Bengong gazebos. Petered-out parents flock to the luxury day spa, which is situated on a koi pond and has a sophisticated yet whimsical moon- and butterfly-themed decor. Expectedly, well-heeled travelers make up the bulk of guests, who often include families, older couples, and small groups that love the private and quiet atmosphere. After all, this is the sort of place with a high staff-to-guest ratio and private butlers -- and the prices to match. 

The St. Regis Bali Resort is on the sea in southern Bali's exclusive Nusa Dua area. The Bali National Golf Club is next door to the resort, and numerous other resorts are found in the area. The Bali Collection -- a high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment center -- is a five-minute drive away. Both the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center and Museum Pasifika, a collection of Pacific Island art, are within seven minutes by car. For even more artsy goings on, the Nusa Dua Theatre puts on Devdan dancing and acrobatic shows, and is 10 minutes away by car. Those looking for more natural sights can find the Water Blow, a striking seafront rock formation known for its crashing waves, a 10-minute drive from the hotel. It's about 20 minutes by car to get to Tanjung Benoa beach, which features water skiing, water jets, wakeboarding, scuba diving, and sea turtle watching. Guests coming from Ngurah Rai International Airport will drive about 20 minutes to reach the St. Regis Bali Resort.

All rooms at the St. Regis are suites and villas, and there is also a three-bedroom residence located on the beach. Rooms are sumptuously decorated with dark woods, fine fabrics, and local elements like mahogany wood floors, Balinese carved wood and art, and fresh flowers. Some rooms have features like Ukir carved headboards, antique wood coffee tables, and hand-embroidered throw pillows that all blend together in the hotel's signature old-meets-new aesthetic. Colors skew dark -- in part because of the abundance of wood -- but plenty of windows plus bright silks and patterned area rugs keep things bright.

Decor aside, rooms in all categories offer an excellent selection of features. Beds are topped with 300-thread-count Egyptian linens, and marble bathrooms feature standalone tubs, walk-in rainfall showers, and Remede products. Each suite also has a private marble balcony with a daybed. In-suite technology includes 42-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players, Bose iPod docks, and 14-inch TVs in the bathrooms. Walk-in closets are stocked with robes and slippers, as well as safes. Tucked inside roll-down cabinets are hot water kettles and French press coffeemakers, bottles of mineral water, and wine and Champagne glasses along with corkscrews and ice buckets. 

One- and two-bedroom Villas have private pools surrounded by tropical gardens. They include all of the same amenities as the hotel's suites, and some have kitchenettes with two-burner stovetops. Some have private paths to the beach or direct access to the resort's lagoon pool. All rooms feature St. Regis' butler service, with morning tea, coffee, and newspaper delivery, plus packing and unpacking services and free, limited light pressing.

Unsurprisingly, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers an outstanding array of activities and features. The expansive stretch of private beach has clean, soft sand and smooth, calm waters shallow enough for children to splash around in. The water-sports center can arrange snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, kite surfing, parasailing, deep-sea diving, fishing, and Jet Skiing, on-site or nearby. Fees may apply for some activities. Other water-based features include the saltwater lagoon swimming pool in the tropical garden, poolside gazebos with hot tubs, and a poolside bar. The second pool is next to the beach, with Bale Bengong gazebos along one side, a poolside bar, and a kids' pool. 

Set in the middle of a koi pond, the full-service spa has 12 treatment rooms and measures more than 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters). The spa takes a traditional Balinese philosophy with its wide array of massages, facials, scrubs, and reflexology services. It also offers a sea salt therapy bath, sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy pool. The excellent fitness center includes a wide selection of cardio and weight equipment, with personal training and a room for yoga, fitness, and aerobic classes. 

Dining is on par with the resort's reputation as a luxury destination. Its signature restaurant serves fresh and seasonal Asian and Western cuisine. The beachfront Kayuputi restaurant serves Asian-influenced haute cuisine with ingredients like Australian Wagyu beef, local seafood, caviar, and oysters. The restaurant also has a sofa deck with daybeds, an extensive wine list, and humidor with cigars. The Indonesian restaurant, Dulang, serves authentic fare with ingredients sourced from the on-site garden. Boneka, the hotel's buffet restaurant, serves a high-quality breakfast spread with items like smoked fish, strawberries, and lobster egg omelets. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included in most standard room rates. The lunch and dinner buffets offer a wide variety of Indonesian and international items. The resort also has a gourmet deli, beach and poolside bar, and an elegant cocktail lounge with Champagnes, martinis, island-inspired cocktails, signature Bloody Marys, and nightly live jazz. Twenty-four-hour room service is available as well. 

The St. Regis also offers a concierge desk, guided excursions, a business center, four meeting rooms, and free parking. Wedding services can be arranged, and there's a stunning private dining terrace on the ocean. The children's learning center features Balinese art, music, dance, literature, and cuisine. Wi-Fi and parking are both free at the resort, and some features -- like limited light ironing -- are included in room rates.