Looks Like A Paradise Indeed

Tell me that it pisses you off receiving so many promotions email of where to stay in Bali. So many hotels, so many choices, so many options, so many recommendations. Pop-up ads every where, google ads on the youtube video that you are playing, friends experiencing their stay and share. And when you're brain faces that too much informations, it freeze. You'll be like making the "I don't care gesture", and at the end of the day, you just don't know where to stay. 

Four or five years ago, I might still love staying at the Kuta or Legian are when I go to Bali. It's the party area, who doesn't want to stay there? But when you reach a certain age, you will definitely need a place where you can just lay low, have that breezy ocean air for yourself only, no loudspeakers banging your ears at night, a certain comfort. 

Last week I stayed in one of the luxury hotel in Nusa Dua, Melia Bali. Set in 10.7 hectares land, the property doesn't seem pretty huge. Maybe because its warm and lovely staff. I believe that must be because of the Balinese ambience. Upon arrival we are guided to The Level to enjoy a personal check in, while you can choose your own welcome drink. Wait, what? Yes, the waiter would hand you the menu and you can pick your own welcome drink, it means no more the "fake-face-oh-yeah-i-love-the-welcome-drink-so-much". I choose a rose wine that day. A local wine, which was lovely. 

The Level itself has an average size of lounge, can fit to 20-30 people if they check in at the same time. A touch of Balinese is  here and there with some paintings and small statues. It gives you a complete satisfying experience during your check in. Full of air-conditioning, delivering a little bit of escape from the humidity of Bali. 

After being explained all the details of our stay during that 3 days 2 nights, we are walked to our room. The room is an explosions of marble, a ridiculously beautiful room with private patio and direct access to the pool, it's The Level Lagoon Access Suite. 

Our room was spacious and had a comfortable king size bed with 4 pillows that will bring you to the highest level of luxury. There was a nice lounge area with a big couch and table as well as a desk for me to be able to work. The bathroom had a see-through glass that you can close with curtain at anytime, a large shower and bathtub, shower gel, lotion, shampoo from Salvatore Ferragamo. The decoration is modern but still has the feel of Bali. Did I mention the free WiFi too? A reliable one. 

After checking in, actually the pool is very tempting, but I think I'd rather choose the free cocktail as the advantage of the room from 5-8pm before dinner. It suits you with variety choice of alcoholic drinks and canapés. For the first day dinner, we tried out Lotus Asian Garden Restaurant which serve Asian cuisine. The place is perfect for dinner with Balinese architecture and along alang roof. I had the Steamed Barramundi fish Thai style and coriander and mango pudding for dessert which was excellent. It was keeping me to sleep with a good dream that night. 

Day 2: The Day of Luxurious Experience

The next morning, I skipped breakfast to enjoy a quite day by the pool and read my book. A cup of coffee get me enough energy. 

But a resort with a direct access to the beach is also something that hard to resist and a suntan would not hurt. I walked along the quite path to the beach, got my towel by showing my room key to the pool counter and hit the sun bed on the beach. It was a calm sunny day and I believe it will earn me a good tan. 

The Day 2 is becoming more popular by a massage treat. My appointment at the Yhi Spa is at 3pm. Totally a relaxing moment after pool and beach time. A 60 minutes worth of solitude. I swear to God I caught myself snoring because how wonderful the Balinese massage was. 

After spending time at the spa, we were heading to the Level to enjoy our cocktail time, until it was time for our Japanese Dinner. That night was a buffet which you are served with variety of sushi options. Such a delight if you happen to be a sushi fan. 

And when you came back to the room, you will get a nice touch of frangipani on your bed. Catching some movies before bed can be your options. You got almost every TV channel on the list and a dvd player.  

Day 3: 

Check Out Day

During breakfast, I opted a scrambled egg with cheese, and I never thought the egg can came out as elegant as this: 

and the taste, delicious beyond belief! 

Adding to the perfection, was lunch with a view before check out at the Sateria Beachside Restaurant and tried the nice steak. 

Naturally, when it came to check out, I did my usual whip round, collecting notepaper and envelopes, one of the notepads and pens, and most of the toiletries. That’s par for the course, right? It keeps your cupboards fully stocked and helps keep fond memories of the hotel going. Everyone wins.

The final verdict

A truly beautiful hotel and calming oasis away from the chaos of Bali.  If you’re wanting to be in the heart of Bali, this is not the hotel for you. If on the other hand, you want to get away from it all, enjoy some peace and quiet and yet still be able to visit the hustle and bustle of the city from time to time, then this could be just what you’re looking for.