Alila Villas Uluwatu

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Alila Villas Uluwatu offers a luxurious vacation dripping in serenity and stunning views. Gorgeous grounds are lush with greenery, with paths meandering through the property flanked by tropical plants and trees, vines crawling over stone walls, and beautiful water features that complement the minimal, modern, and sustainable architecture designed by the renowned Woha firm. The interiors are luxurious in a stark and pared-down way, a sleek and simple aesthetic that allows the nature and the splendid views outdoors to take center stage. The lobby area -- a large space minimally furnished with sleek chairs, couches, and coffee tables in neutral hues -- offers a stunning view of the infinity pool, which melts into a horizon of ocean vistas, flanked by palm trees and verdant plants. The library is similarly encased in floor-to-ceiling windows onto lush, leafy views paired with a hefty wooden table laden with books and simple chairs, while the restaurants offers a mix of inside and alfresco dining and maintain the simple, modern aesthetic with a mix of organic wood textures and sleek furnishings. Perhaps the best views of all are to be had from the wood-slatted Sunset Cabana, which teeters on the cliff edge, encased in spectacular views, and furnished with comfortable seating.

The hotel is located on the south coast of the Bukit Peninsula, situated on a clifftop in a fairly secluded location. Uluwatu is known for its beaches, and there are several a short drive away, including Padang Padang Beach (15-minute drive), Balangan Beach (30 minutes), and Dreamland Beach (20 minutes). There are some golf courses nearby as well, such as New Kuta Golf (about a 20-minute drive) and Bali National Golf Club (30 minutes). The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park and the ancient Uluwatu Temple can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, while the Ngurah Rai International Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes.

The 64 pool villas are beautiful, modern spaces with a pared down aesthetic, minimal furnishings, and an open-plan design that fuses the indoors with the outdoors. Large, comfortable beds are topped with plush linens, while bathrooms are partially outdoors, with luxurious rainfall showers and soaking tubs, plus the brand's signature bath products. All units have private pools (two- and three-bedroom units have infinity pools) and cabanas, outdoor dining areas and indoor living spaces, as well as amenities that include large flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, tea/coffee facilities, minibars, and free Wi-Fi.

There are two restaurants on-site: CIRE serves East Asian cuisine from an a la carte menu as well as a daily changing four-course menu (and has a wine room), while the Warung offers traditional Indonesian and Balinese fare. For a romantic experience, guests can dine in the gorgeous Sunset Cabana, which offers stunning views of the coast and ocean. The infinity pool is exceptionally beautiful and vast, and the hotel’s luxurious Spa Alila offers a wide list of pampering treatments. There’s also a modern fitness center, plus morning yoga is offered daily. The library is a serene space stocked with books as well as an iMac computer available for guests’ use. Wi-Fi is free throughout and there’s a 24-hour clinic on-site.