Two ways to rediscover Bali in style

International borders are open; aircraft lining up at the gate. And where are most Australians jetting off to first? Bali, of course. The ‘Island of the Gods’ is welcoming us back with open arms, and one of its most iconic resort brands has dialled up the luxe while we’ve been away.

It’s Four Seasons Resorts Bali – a long time favourite with two enchanting properties: the waterfront Bali at Jimbaran Bay, and jungle-clad Bali at Sayan. Each offers a distinct experience, united by the group’s trademark style, service and refinement. 

Whether it’s a relaxed beach escape or restorative wellness retreat you seek, the Four Seasons’ offer the perfect reintroduction to the magic of Bali, its people, and its renowned hospitality.

Here’s what to expect at check-in.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Inspired by a traditional Balinese village, with intricately carved timber and stonework, thatch roofed huts and open-air buildings designed in harmony with their surrounds, this all-villa resort offers the quintessential island getaway, with a signature Four Seasons twist.

Perched on a lush hillside overlooking the sea, location is a big part of its allure.

Far from Kuta and Seminyak, Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay is a destination, a place to reconnect, where local culture infuses the resort, and relaxation takes hold the moment you arrive.

With 156 gorgeous pool villas and four restaurants dotted amid 35 acres, there’s a luxurious and private sanctuary for every taste, from the Premier Ocean Villa where guests can toast the overwater sunset, to a Garden Residence that feels like a palace fit for royalty.

Over the last two years, Bali at Jimbaran Bay has undergone several enhancements, most notably to its ‘Healing Spa Village’ retreat and new-concept Sundara restaurant, where every dish now has an element of roasting, grilling or smoking, even cocktails and desserts.

Now featuring 10 all-suite spa rooms, including Bali’s first ‘surround sound spa suite’ with a bed of crushed quartz and rainbow shower that bathes you in light, the spa offers an innovative menu of treatments, together with classics every traveller loves.

For something a bit different, the resort has created The Longevity Garden, a ‘secret’ courtyard garden for individuals or couples to nourish each other with volcanic mud masks, enjoy a private steam room, or take an invigorating dip in a minus 10 degree ice bath.

Sound like paradise? It is, in every way – and its sister property in Ubud is just as special.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Where the Jimbaran Bay resort embraces the beach life, Four Seasons Bali at Sayan revels in the stillness and calm of the mountains, showcasing a different side of Bali’s appeal.

Entered via a dramatic ‘sky bridge’ high in the treetops, or a leisurely raft ride down the Ayung River, the unique rooftop lotus pond is your first hint this is no typical Bali five star resort.

The enchantment only continues as you take in the tiered, open-air design.

Bali at Sayan is an intimate experience with just 60 villas and suites, each a haven of serenity, and angled to view the jungle-like gardens or river that weaves around the resort.

Wellness is a key element of the Sayan experience, with The Sacred River Spa unveiling a revamped program that now includes Qigong and Crystal Reiki classes, in addition to 15 different yoga classes, massage, and a signature riverstone bathing ritual.

Multiple fine dining options are at hand to tantalise your tastebuds and feed your soul, including a seven-course Balinese degustation at Chef’s Table at Sokasi and floating in-villa breakfasts.

Or, you could take a new guided picnic, where the chef cooks up a feast in a secluded riverside location.

With a desire for authenticity and meaningful engagement with culture now high on most of our travel lists now, particularly after the last two years of separation, the locally-infused Four Seasons Resorts Bali are ready to give us everything we crave and more.