Why should Andaz Bali be your go-to hotel in Sanur
Experience Sanur’s sights, sounds, and its way of life at Andaz Bali.
“Sanur is like the Mont Kiara of Bali,” my Malaysian friend who resides in Bali told me. Indeed, Sanur was one of the first seaside villages in Bali to have an expat community and international schools, and now known as a quiet neighbourhood for retirees and families with young kids. Even the ocean here is somewhat calmer, and the sandy beach is relatively untouched. It might come as a surprise for a brand like Andaz, often known for its big city energy, to build its first resort in Indonesia on the less touristy part of Island.
According to Yasuhiro Koichi of SPIN Studio, which co- designed the resort, the concept is to create something that rooted in the local area while at the same time adhere the Andaz brand motto of “Sense of Place” and channel the beauty and character that speak true to the meaning of its name: personal style.
Together with Bangkok-based Tierra Design, they have crafted a resort modelled after a contemporary version of a traditional Balinese village, with the influences of artists from various places who have made Sanur their home for years. You can almost immediately feel the “old versus new” vibe once you step into the hotel, where the fusion of the Balinese spirit is embodied in every detail, yet the interior generates a rejuvenated energy.
The designers have also kept most of as much of the original greenery as possible with some of the trees that have stood on the grounds for decades or more. Set in clusters of low-rise brick buildings, the accommodations are spread across lush greenery following the cardinal directions — a significant role in the Balinese Hindu religion — and are connected by quiet walkways and lagoons that make this resort a near Edenlike sanctuary.
All 149 guestrooms, 18 Garden Villas and four Beach Villas are built using locally sourced materials such as bamboo, andesite stone, marble and teakwood. Even at the lowest tier, my room is incredibly spacious, and comes with either a private balcony or veranda depending on the layout. My favourite spot is the cushy lounger in the balcony where I sip my pea and lemongrass tea in the morning, listening to the birds’ chirp while overlooking the luscious foliage. It’s as though I was waking up in a jungle albeit in the comfort of modernity.
The heart of the hotel though is the Village Square, where the open, barrier-free design and stimulating programming invites guests and local residents to come together. A grassy courtyard is framed by a lounge serving complementary drinks and snacks and four dining options: elevated Indonesian classics at buzzy Wok Wok, grilled fare at Fire Fox, Mediterranean roasts from Blue Oven, and fresh-from-the-oven café goodies from Deli & Bakery. Daily cultural activities such as batik making, Balinese dance lessons to lantar writing are often carried out in the village.
The village is especially lively during breakfast when it is flocked by hotel guests and local alike. Although busy, the service is always prompt in true Balinese genuine hospitality. It’s worthy to note that Andaz eschews buffet in favour of unlimited ala carte menu for a more service-oriented experience. And with Chef Benjamin Haselbeck’s previous helms in Tokyo and Seoul, the eclectic breakfast menu comes with options like kimchi jjigae and Japanese-style onsen egg with tobiko caviar and avocado appearing alongside European classics and Indonesian specialties.
Another hub of activity is on the beachfront, where the main pool overlooks Sanur Beach. Anytime of the day, you’ll spot a steady stream of joggers and bikers pass by, enjoying the six-kilometer path that stretches the length of Sanur. You can join them on the complementary Andaz Bali bikes or just people- watch from Fisherman’s Club, the resort’s signature seafood restaurant slash beach club. Sip on a glass of cocktail, dip your toes in the sand and watch the day goes by. For the early risers, one of the best things you could do by starting your day right is to catch the spectacular sunrise (which my partner did at 5.30am), which said to resemble a huge, overflowing yolk with a prestigious backdrop of Mount Agung.
While many hotels claim the lofty goal of “living like a local”, they often fall a little flat. At Andaz Bali, the efforts are more genuine, which makes the “living” amazingly easy. The only hard part? When it is time to check out and leave the hotel.
