PUBLISHED September 6th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED July 2nd, 2020 02:11 am
There are different schools of thoughts when it comes to choice of accommodation in Bali – there are the luxury villas, waterfront resorts, traditional ‘joglos’, boutique hotels – it all depends on the kind of getaway experience you seek.
Bali regulars can attest to the fact that the Bali scene changes as constantly as the tides turn. The number of restaurants and new properties that have sprung up in recent times is innumerable. Tourists have become more discerning in their tastes and Bali has adapted itself to cater to the different demographics that flood the island on an almost daily basis.
Our latest visit to Bali found us in the hip, upmarket and stylish district of Seminyak. We had been very kindly invited by our kind and generous friends from Hu’u Villas Seminyak-Bali, who made us an offer we could not refuse: a two-day stay in their 2-Bedroom Private Pool Villa and a feast at the House of Hu’u, personally hosted by their resident Chef, Jason Suwantika.
True to the Hu’u hospitality, Jason waited patiently to welcome us at Ngurah Rai airport as we arrived after two-hour flight delay. He weaved his way expertly through the Bali traffic (which is way slower than you would expect) and we were at the Hu’u lobby within half an hour of our arrival in Bali. Hu’u is excellently located at the junction of Jl. Petitenget and Jl. Kayu Aya, making it a short distance away from the best restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, shopping areas and beaches in Seminyak.
Upon our arrival, check-in was breezy and efficient, with refreshing welcome drinks and cold towels to melt away post-flight fatigue. We were told that Hu’u provides airport transfers and assistance for all its guests. We were then graciously escorted to the Two Bedroom Villas, 225-square meters of tropical island living and understated elegance in a dual-storey space. With its earthy color scheme and casual luxe furnishings, the interior looks like a BritishIndia lifestyle catalogue. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow natural light to stream in, perfectly complementing the idyllic setting of the villa. The villa is surrounded by manicured outdoor gardens and opens up to a spacious poolside deck, complete with patio furniture and lounging areas. We headed up the stairs and found the two bedrooms impeccably designed. The folks at Hu’u seemed to have anticipated every common need. Toiletries, hairdryer, bathrobe, adequate towels, these were standard but essential items. However, if like me, en-suites rank high on your holiday destination must-have list, then the king-size bathroom is the stuff dreams are made of. I certainly indulged in me-time pampering made possible by the terrazzo bathtub, rainforest shower, skylight feature and customised Hu’u amenities.
The Hu’u takes its name from a magical surf spot in Sumbawa and true to its namesake, offers serene tranquility with just the right blend of quiet and accessibility. As part of its multi-concept theme, Hu’u has several packages and has 10 exclusive private villas to suit your fancy, whether it’s a retreat or a resort party. Every villa is fitted with free Wi-Fi, state-of-the-art Bose sound systems, LCD televisions, iPods with pre-arranged playlists and iPod docks.
For smaller or larger groups, there are other options available: The Penthouse is a three-bedroom villa that comes with a fully furnished kitchen, living and dining areas, a master bedroom, a studio bedroom and a poolside bedroom. The tropical roof garden and 32 square-meter pool is perfect for lounging during sunrise, sunset or stargazing. The One Bedroom Lofts offer privacy and a cosy ambience for couples and smaller groups. For party planners, the Two Bedroom Villas are adjacent to each other and are cleverly designed to enable them to be connected for a huge pool party. So whether you want privacy or a party or both, Hu’u will help make it happen. Guests are also entitled to preferred partnership for fitness, wellness, spa treatments and access to its club. The Hu’u club is an institution in itself; having had numerous international acts such as Diplo and Hideo Kobayashi spin at its decks since it opened in 2001. In our case, our stay coincided with DJ Aldrin’s (for the uninitiated, he is a Zouk legend) set for the weekend.
We also had an amazing dinner, courtesy of Chef Jason and you can check out our review of the food here. During our stay, we got our daily fix of caffeine and massages at Sea Circus and BodyWorks, both of which are a five-minute walk from the Hu’u. We left feeling pampered and pleasantly partied out; just the way we like it.
Hu’u’s the boss when it comes to showing you a good time. We certainly did. If you plan to be in Seminyak during your Bali trip, we recommend that you check out the House of Hu’u.