Walking into the lobby of InterContinental Bali Resort, I couldn’t help but be stopped in my tracks by the room’s striking centerpiece: Dedari, a roughly 30-foot golden sculpture of a dancing woman. The work of Indonesian artist Bambang Winaryo, the piece is a depiction of “the Balinese angelic dance” — and a perfect introduction to the Balinese spirit captured all around the property.
In fact, the more I wandered around the lobby, and then the wider grounds, the more I was struck by the details I found. With countless Balinese touches on display both indoors and out — from stone carvings of mythical creatures and goddesses to local musicians playing traditional tunes on the lawn one morning — the resort’s focus on sharing local culture, heritage and spirituality is clear.
“Guests don’t have to leave the hotel to find a sense of place and experience Bali,” Andry Kurnyawan, director of public relations and marketing for InterContinental Bali, shared with me during my visit. For me, this proved not only true, but also one of the property’s top selling points.
A 30-foot golden sculpture by an Indonesian artist is the centerpiece of the InterContinental Bali Resort’s lobby.
Credit: 2024 InterContinental Bali ResortRecently Refreshed
Originally opened in 1993, InterContinental Bali was one of the first luxury properties built on the coastline of Jimbaran Bay (in southern Bali), a stunning stretch of clean, white-sand beach that hotel guests have direct access to from the resort grounds. Today, it shares that privileged location with neighboring hotels, including a Four Seasons resort, as well as a number of beach restaurants with tables right on the sand that guests can easily walk to. (Further exploration is conveniently accessed from the main entrance, which leads to busting streets lined with markets, shops, temples and more restaurants.)
Though the property has been a staple of the area for many years, it’s not letting itself go. A guestroom renovation project took place from 2017 to 2019 and was followed by a second phase that updated public areas, including its multiple pools, restaurants, the lobby and the ballroom, which was transformed into meeting space in 2022. During my stay, the main Nirvana pool was also undergoing a since-completed refresh to be in tip-top shape for the coming high season.
The resort enjoys a prime location on Jimbaran Bay.
Credit: 2024 InterContinental Bali ResortOne thing the renovation didn’t touch is the original gardens and grounds — and that’s a good thing. Lush, tropical vegetation abounds around the property, from tall, mature trees that provide ample shade to ponds chock-full of colorful water lilies.
Another well-preserved feature is a traditional Balinese Hindu temple, a small stone structure just off the beach that has been on the property since before the resort was built. For clients interested in exploring Bali’s deep, iconic culture and spirituality, the InterContinental offers a purification ritual that takes place at the temple and is meant to release negative energy while cleansing the mind and spirit.
Participating in this quiet ceremony was a highlight of my visit. Under the guidance of a Balinese Hindu priest (who also happens to be a staff member), my fiance and I were asked to give thanks to the sea and earth, leaving me with a deep sense of peace and connection to the natural elements around us.
Accommodations and Club Benefits
The hotel’s 425 guestrooms, suites and villas offer accommodation options for a variety of travelers, most of which feature balconies and some type of living space. Options run the gamut from entry-level Classic Rooms to larger suites, duplexes and two massive villas (these super-luxe options feature living and dining areas, a private elevator, a private pool and additional amenities).
Our Premium Mezzanine Club Lounge Access duplex suite featured a spacious, split-level design with teak floors throughout. The first floor offered a bar area, a living room large enough for an L-shaped sofa, a dining table, a balcony and a full bathroom with a shower. A staircase to the upper level led to a bedroom and another huge bathroom with a walk-in shower and a soaking tub.
The sleek bathrooms are where the renovation project feels most evident: The counters, floors and walls feature gleaming gray marble, and the modern showers turn on and off with the push of a button.
Guests in Club InterContinental-level accommodations have access to an exclusive lounge that serves complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and more.
Credit: 2024 InterContinental Bali ResortBeing booked in a Club InterContinental-level room came with some other great perks as well, including use of the Club Pool, a dedicated concierge and 24-hour on-call butler service. Guests in this category also have access to the exclusive Club InterContinental Lounge, where we enjoyed private check-in and check-out, included breakfast (both freshly made a la carte items and a buffet with fruit, pastries, yogurt and other cold items) and complimentary evening cocktails and canapes. But my favorite lounge benefit was the afternoon tea service, an included daily perk featuring a selection of teas served in individual pots and a towering tray stacked with sweet and savory bites — all served on delicate, gold and white china.
Restaurants
There are five dining venues on the property that serve up a diverse array of cuisine. The signature restaurant, Bella Cucina, was revamped in 2022 as part of the renovation, pivoting from Italian-specific to a more broadly Mediterranean in concept. The restaurant’s design felt to me like an opulent European villa with a lively open kitchen in the center. We dined on menu items such as zucchini flowers with prawns, asparagus with truffle, beef tenderloin with potato mille-feuille and cacio y pepe (cheese and pepper) ravioli while enjoying the warmest, most hospitable service from the waitstaff.
Bella Cucina is the property’s signature restaurant.
Credit: 2024 InterContinental Bali ResortBut the outlet that most impressed me was Ko Restaurant, a sprawling Japanese venue tucked in its own corner of the resort where both the indoor rooms and outdoor gardens perfectly capture Japanese design and aesthetics. Diners can choose from the teppanyaki area or the sushi bar and lounge; on the teppanyaki side, we enjoyed a plate of delicately fried tempura vegetables, crispy karaage chicken and classic teriyaki.
I would also highly recommend at least one meal at Jimbaran Gardens, a poolside eatery where diners can try delicious Indonesian dishes, such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (stir-fried noodles), nasi campur (a kind of tasting plate with an assortment of items) and the Balinese specialty babi guling (roasted pork marinated in local spices). Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, overlooking the ocean, and Taman Gita, the all-day venue, round out the offerings.
Spa Uluwatu
Drawing from the resort’s oceanfront location, Spa Uluwatu is inspired by a philosophy of “health by the water.” The facilities are divided into male and female areas, each with a steam room, a sauna, a semi-open jetted tub and a plunge pool, plus lockers and showers.
I enjoyed an excellent massage at the facility, which started and ended with a cup of tea on the spa’s patio overlooking the peaceful grounds. Clients who want to tap into a deep sense of local wellness can also choose from options including an Ayurvedic massage combined with guided breathing exercises and meditation; a unique “lava shell” massage; a facial that uses white water lily essence and green tea; and longer treatments such as the Uluwatu Healing Journey, with a foot ritual, singing bowls, a massage and an herbal bath.
At the spa and elsewhere around the InterContinental, my main advice to clients would be to take advantage of any and all opportunities to engage with the Balinese culture and environment. Jimbaran is a special place where travelers can not only enjoy the stunning beaches that Bali is renowned for, but also get a true taste of local life with just a few steps off the property.
