The Elysian

Tucked away down a narrow driveway that's lined with bamboo, The Elysian feels secluded and intimate despite being just minutes from Seminyak’s main shopping, dining, and nightlife area. That relaxed and exclusive vibe is a huge draw for many of the visitor's here, and the atmosphere has an undeniable romance. The lobby is housed in an open pavilion with wooden slat ceilings, stone accents, and large wall openings that let in the lush outdoors. Twig lamps, wooden furniture with clean lines, and a variety of tropical plants give the reception area a rustic, contemporary look. The lobby lounge, located on a wooden deck above the restaurant and overlooking the pool, offers additional seating. Stone paths lined with dense vegetation lead to the hotel’s 26 stand-alone villas. High walls and lush gardens separate each unit, offering a high level of privacy that makes this a popular place for romance-seeking couples. 

The hotel is located on a narrow road an eight-minute walk from a long, sandy beach that's home to world-famous Ku De Ta restaurant and beach club. This is one of the more laid-back corners of Seminyak, and there's little in the immediate area. Jalan Kayu Ayan, an eight-minute walk north of the hotel, has several restaurants and cafes, and Seminyak Square Mall is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Seminyak's main drag is a quick, five-minute drive away and is lined with all manner of shops, restaurants, and services. The hotel offers free shuttle service (subject to availability) to nearby restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Famous Pura Petitenget temple can be reached in about five minutes, and Bali TrickArt 3D Gallery is just a 10-minute drive away. Echo Beach, known for its waves, is 30 minutes away by car, and the airport can be reached in about half an hour. Room rates include free airport transfer service in private vehicles.

The hotel has 25 One-Bedroom Villas and one Two-Bedroom Villa, all designed in natural colors and decorated in a contemporary style with clean lines and Balinese touches. The look is artful and understated at the same time, with an abundance of natural materials, like fine woods and stone, used in everything from sharp, modern wicker chairs to block-style coffee tables. Vibrant patterned prints adorn the white walls in the One-Bedroom Villa that we visited. 

Each unit has a living area with at least a small dining table, a sink, a flat-screen TV, and window seats, plus a spacious deck with a private pool and double padded loungers. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, king-size beds, minibars, electric kettles, safes, HD LCD TVs and sound systems, as well as Apple TVs pre-loaded with movies and iPods with several playlists. DVD players, iPads, and laptops are available free of charge on request. Open bathrooms have one or two sinks, sunken tubs with rainfall showerheads, and hotel-brand toiletries, but some may find the frosted-glass toilet walls lacking in privacy. 

The Two-Bedroom Villa is even more stylish, with lots of local ornaments decorating the walls, and chic furniture in earth tones. In this unit, each bedroom has its own bathroom with a jetted tub, in addition to the outdoor shower and a glass-enclosed shower cabin in one of the bedrooms. Additionally, there's a small, basic cooking area in the living room, complete with a double cooktop, a larger fridge stocked with drinks and snacks, a toaster, a microwave, and a sink. The deck is larger than in One-Bedroom Villas, with enough space for a dining table for six, double loungers, and a small wooden cabana with pillows.

Although each villa has its own private pool, the hotel has a common pool with cabanas for those looking to mingle or enjoy a drink from the adjacent bar. The skinny lap pool is lined by lush tropical vegetation, and is lit by a number of candles at sunset, adding a romantic touch to the already intimate atmosphere. Across the pool from the cabanas is Rush Bamboo, a small, stylish restaurant with a handful of tables along the edge of the pool, and a quiet lounge for evening drinks. 

The spa is small but relaxing, with treatment cabins for couples, and yoga and meditation sessions that can be taken in the guest’s villa or on the beach. The hotel lacks a fitness center, but it offers loaner bikes for those looking to explore the area on their own or cycle to the beach, located just a few minutes away. The Elysian offers a wide array of upscale services, including private cars with Wi-Fi, in-room massages, concierges, private chefs for in-villa barbecue nights, and valet parking. Additionally, room rates include freebies such as breakfast, shuttle service to local stores and restaurants, Wi-Fi throughout the property, airport transfers, daily afternoon tea service, bottled water, and a welcome drink.