Known for their well-being movement, the Westin Hotels & Resorts further illustrates their philosophy in Indonesia with the opening of The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, Bali. Sporty and ever-so-family-friendly, the resort is cosy yet effortlessly sleek.
The town of Ubud boasts lush greenery, rich expanse of paddy fields, ancient temples and river valleys. Dubbed the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud attracts many artists, yogis as well as nature and culture enthusiasts.
By the same token, the Westin Hotels & Resorts known for their core pillars of “Move Well, Sleep Well, Eat Well, Play Well, Feel Well and Work Well” continues to share their philosophy with the opening of The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, Bali.
The resort opened its doors on 29 December 2019, just a month before the worldwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With their strong marketing endeavours, and the vaccination rollouts in many countries, the presence of The Westin Ubud adds to the optimistic restoration in the tourism sector on the Island of the Gods. It’s also worth noting, this second Westin property in Bali after the Nusa Dua establishment will enhance the brand’s proposition on the island.
After a lengthy construction process that saw the property changing ownership and design firm, successively Bali-based Miles Humphreys of Bali Anugrah Dewata architecture firm was commissioned to audit the design, hence bringing the project to completion. The result is a modern South East Asian resort crafted into the surrounding Balinese landscape while honouring the essence of local hospitality.
Upon arrival at the resort, you will not miss the spherical arrival piazza encircling a water fountain before being welcomed at an open floor-plan lobby. The arrival piazza also provides a flexible 160 sqm meetings space, a business centre and a gift shop. Given the lobby’s location on the fifth floor, there’s a cliff that allows you to soak in an unobstructed view of Ubud’s dense foliage.
The highlights of the lobby are the sleek curved wood reception desks and the wooden wall paneling that echoes throughout the mezzanine. As you explore more in the lobby, you will be mesmerised by the organic design on the ceiling that reminds you of the shapes that white sandy beaches take from waves. Juxtaposing the lobby is the lounge and lobby bar, featuring wooden furniture and a series of synthetic rattan sofas, allowing guests to wind down while enjoying the panoramic vista. The colours of light grey with pops of orange, yellow and Aegean enhance the comfort of the soft furnishings.
Home to 120 guestrooms, suites and villas, each room is designed in a contemporary style, with white nuance and earth tones intertwined with timber furniture. All the rooms are equipped with the brand’s signature The Heavenly® Bed and Heavenly® Bath that offers ultimate relaxation.
After an excursion around the ever-charming Ubud, guests can choose from various leisurely activities at the resort, whether you want to jump into the infinity swimming pool or have a drink whilst enjoying a visual spectacle of the lush tropical forest and blue skies.
“The aim is to harmoniously combine various points of interests and activities that are fun and entertaining for guests and convenient for the staff to operate. The unique component to this design is the 67-metre-long swimming pool that seems like it cantilevers over the river valley. It has proven to be a great attraction for guests during the day and evening,” Humphreys said.
For family vacationers, Westin Family Kids Club with Kids Pool is just around the bend with plenty of activities to choose from. The landscaping within the pool area is immaculate and each plant carries a significant meaning to Balinese culture and traditions, such as the Maja tree or Indian Bael. Besides its health benefits, it is planted to repel bad omen.
Tucked away from the pool is the Heavenly Spa by Westin™, which is designed similarly to the mezzanine lobby but with more warm tones and ambience. And there are artworks by local artists that adorn the walls of the spa. The therapy rooms adopt the names of the local flowers in Bali, such as Mawe, which happens to be the biggest therapy room for couples. The room is equipped with a freestanding bathtub and a patio overlooking the verdant landscape. The spa also features outdoor spa pavilions, as well as Jacuzzi and steam room.
Those who like to stay active can take advantage of Westin WORKOUT® Fitness Studio which is complete with TRX and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, among other outdoor activities, by the Concierge team. An open-air Wellness Pavilion with a stunning view is also available for early-risers to partake in the morning yoga and meditation classes.
Meanwhile, foodies will enjoy the resort’s all-day dining venue, Tabia, which offers authentic Indonesian Cuisine served indoor and outdoor. The outdoor space features hand-painted murals by local artists and is designed in a contemporary setting where earth tones take centre stage with pops of blue.
You can also spoil your palate for lunch and dinner at Tall Trees; a family restaurant with Mediterranean inspired cuisines. The venue offers an unparalleled view of the verging Wos River, dense forest and swimming pool.
With the core pillars of eating and living healthy, it is even more suited for the Westin brand to further flourish in the cultural heart of Bali. Offering a serene wellness escape and mellow ambience, The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud, Bali is a superb location to unwind, leaving yo u reenergised and revitalised than when you arrived.
Read our interview with Miles Humphreys here.