Occupying a gorgeous, secluded ridge above Bali’s lush Valley of the Kings and ideally situated mere minutes from the cultural hub of Ubud, the Viceroy Bali is an intimate resort of just 40 pool villas and four suites, ensuring you receive the most personalised and heartfelt of welcome (the Balinese are famed far and wide for their warm hospitality).
Their villas come in six categories, all cosy yet spacious, and beautifully blend traditional Balinese design with modern facilities, from espresso machines to Bose sound systems. These villas are among the many reasons this resort was rated among the top ten resorts in Indonesia in the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2024.
A crowning jewel among the villas is the Viceroy Family Villa featuring two master bedrooms with marble en-suites, a semi-outdoor living and dining area with a double-tiered thatched roof, and a 15-metre heated pool and awned garden, with the emerald-green valley as a luscious green backdrop.
The dining here is just as impressive (and award-winning), beginning with Apéritif Restaurant’s old-world refinement. Its dishes by Belgian executive chef Nic Vanderbeeken combine flavours from the Spice Islands with modern European cuisine, plus it has a curated wine cellar and notable cigar collection.
Another must-visit is CasCades Restaurant & Bar: a window on the Valley of the Kings with all-day gourmet dining, including the Royal Balinese Rijsttafel tasting menu inviting you to sample the finest Indonesian cuisine over nine courses prepared using traditional local methods. Several evenings a month, it also hosts Balinese dance performances. Where you’re feeling sociable, there are cocktail hours to mingle with fellow guests, and when you’re not, there’s the indulgence of 24-hour room service.
There’s also the glamorous Pinstripe Bar with its speakeasy-like setting of marble, dark wood, and bronze transporting guests to a bygone era of the racy 1920s. Its new cocktail anthology, Clairvoyant, was inspired by Miguel ‘El Chamaco” Covarrubias, who documented the Harlem Renaissance and the 1930s Bali craze. Pick from Harlem Renaissance drinks inspired by 1920s New York, ‘Bali Sojourn’ showcasing local ingredients, ‘Pinstripe Signature’ for unique twists on classics, and ‘The Sober Guide’ for non-alcoholic treats.
If you book with a Travel Counsellor, you’ll get a $70 credit to use in the spa, Akaya, where treatments mix the best of Western techniques with Balinese traditions. Pick from massages, body scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures, and more. Couples will love the two-hour joint treatments, as well as other special touches such as roses on arrival, candlelit dégustation dinners, and traditional activities, such as a Balinese cooking class or a picnic followed by a wander through the rice fields.
There’s adventure and culture aplenty on offer for everyone, from lessons in making traditional Balinese kites to local dance lessons, yoga sessions (group and private), cycling, and guided sunset rice-field walks, while the resort also has a sparkling infinity-edge main pool, a squash court, and a well-equipped gym.
To book your luxury Bali holiday at the Viceroy, contact your Travel Counsellor today.
Grenada offers far more than beautiful beaches, with opportunities to connect with the island through its food, landscapes, and local communities. From cocoa farms and rainforest trails to underwater conservation projects, a holiday here can support the people and places that make Grenada so special, while giving you a more personal way to experience the island.
A short break to Malta can look very different depending on how you like to travel. You could check into a five-star hotel and build your days around art, architecture, and Michelin-starred dining. You could slow everything down, wandering through neighbourhoods, stopping for pastizz, and exploring historic towns. Or you could use Valletta as a base for hiking, kayaking, diving, and days spent discovering Malta’s coastline. Here are three ways to make a short break in Malta completely your own.
For a city break with plenty to see, eat, and experience, Valletta makes a wonderful choice. Malta’s compact capital is easy to explore on foot, with honey-coloured streets leading to grand palaces, historic churches, and harbour viewpoints. From its impressive fortifications to its lively restaurant scene, Valletta brings together centuries of history and a distinctly Mediterranean way of life, making it ideal for visitors who want more from a short break than simply sightseeing.
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