While a lot of tourist attractions in Bali only came to existence serendipitously, Nusa Dua is one of the rare ones that were deliberately designed as a holiday destination. With astute planning, Nusa Dua is emerging into an opulent ground for 5-star resorts in the island of Bali. Excellent infrastructures and strong support from the local government through Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) —currently known as Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC)— has turned the area into an even more prestigious and glamorous address in the island. To cater to its upper-class market, Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas & Spa has recently opened its doors in what is considered as the safest location in Bali. It offers a unique approach with a romantic-historical ambience, a quality that shines through from all corners of the hotel, its design and service.
PHOTO BY Bagus Tri Laksono & Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas & Spa Doc.
The story behind the conception of Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas & Spa was derived from a tale originating in the 12th century.
It tells the story of a King of Singaraja, Sri Jaya Pangus who fell in love with, and eventually married, a Chinese princess called Kang Ching Wie. The romantic love story that linked the two worlds presented a new type of ethnic collaboration called the Indonesia-Chinese Peranakan. The idea brings forward an eclectic Chinese-inspired design and a traditional Balinese architecture with a touch of modernity that became the foundation of all the design aesthetic throughout Awarta.
Driving through the main gate, guests will reach the main building where the lobby and main entrance are located, complete with a porte-cochère at the front. Although styled in the modern fashion, the roof of the building still portrays the Peranakan architecture. Starting from the lobby area, guests are immediately immersed in a strong Peranakan style, evident in the large tree bark decoration that serves as the focal point of the room.
Room-to-room circulation is made convenient with an L-shaped pool placed at the front door just after the lobby area, prompting guests to walk along the meandering corridor to reach the dining area from the right hand side or take the long pathway from the left that merges seamlessly with the main courtyard at the heart of Awarta.
A straight pathway connects the private areas where the villas are located. A two-storey structure in the south also serves as an imaginary borderline between the ‘main house’ and the ‘courtyard,’ echoing the concept of Awarta that aims to evoke the feeling of home. In addition to the clear zoning, the designer also applied significant elevation differences throughout the site, allowing guests to enjoy an unobstructed view of the courtyard that is encircled with lush greeneries.
The landscape designer created an impressive ornament in the garden in the form of two frangipani trees positioned to emulate a beautiful and sentimental natural frame by the vast pond. The vast and green landscape is one of the crowning points of Awarta. The resort is all the more alluring and unique because of its flora, particularly the rows of award-winning bonsai trees worth millions. It doesn’t come as a surprise to know there is a large number of staff assigned to maintain the landscape throughout the 20,000 sqm resort.
Awarta boasts a total of 14 villas, comprising eight one-bedroom Private Pool villas each measuring 350 sqm, a larger one-bedroom Royal Private Pool villa, two two-bedroom Private Pool villas each measuring 475 sqm, a 750 sqm two-bedroom Royal Private Pool villa, a three-bedroom Royal Private Pool villa with a dimension of 680 sqm, and the Awarta Villa, which is a sprawling 850 sqm villa compound.
The standardized luxury in each villa is another winning point of Awarta, especially in villas that have separate living room areas. These villas are luxuriously spacious and are equipped with large bathtubs in addition to indoor and outdoor shower areas. A gazebo, complete with a daybed and a private dining area with a mini-lounge concept, stands near the pool that is located in the middle of each villa unit.
Awarta is ready to spoil its patrons with three dining spots and a bar. The Long Table Restaurant is visible as soon as guests enter the property from the lobby area. Boasting modern and traditional concepts under one roof, the restaurant’s trademark is a long wooden table placed right in front of the kitchen, adorned with various Peranakan-style ornaments. Next door, the 8 Degree Bar charms with a vintage British spirit paired with some Peranakan accents seen in the colour palette and decorative elements throughout the bar. About 25 metres away from the 8 Degree Bar is Ru Yi, a stylish and exotic Chinese restaurant that offers authentic dishes from China and Hong Kong.
Another supporting element of Awarta is a 24-hour, well-equipped fitness centre and the Thevana Spa. Featuring a romantic and serene design, the spa is equipped with seven exclusive treatment rooms, Kneipp Therapy to remedy tired legs and feet, a separate manicure and pedicure room, a sauna, a luxurious changing room, a relaxation room and a vast spa lobby.
Awarta aims to stand out from other luxury villas in the area by offering unparalleled quality, design and service. These three key features are immediately and profoundly felt amidst the idyllic romantic ambience of the compound. The eclectic architecture style is shrewdly implemented into a Peranakan-style design with a modern touch, making Awarta a sacred treasure that appeals to those in search of luxury and the tranquility of home.
Awarta Nusa Dua Luxury Villas & Spa
BTDC Complex Lot NW 2 & 3 Nusa Dua
Bali 80363
+62 361 773 300
info@awartaresorts.com
www.awartaresorts.com/
This article was originally featured in Indonesia Design’s 71st edition themed “New Hotels” that was published in 2015.