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Written by Carrie Hutchinson
Newly reimagined as Paradisus by Meliá Bali, this Nusa Dua resort brings a fresh, all-inclusive edge to Bali’s beachfront scene. Set right on the sand and wrapped in tropical gardens, it pairs lagoon-style pools and spacious suites with dining, drinks and experiences bundled in – so once you check in, everything’s taken care of.
1. Players, choose your room
With 485 luxurious suites and seven villas, plus a laundry list of room categories, it can be hard to know in which direction to turn. Here’s a tip: if you like to spend time in the pool, look for the words ‘lagoon access’. These serene rooms open onto a semi-private body of water – it’s more like a languid river than your typical pool – that is often deserted and has underwater seats where you can lounge and read while watching the birds.
2. Chill out at The Reserve
Hear that? No kids. That’s the scenario when you book The Reserve, a luxe enclave for adults. There’s an exclusive check-in area, separate pool and a special section on the beach. Then there’s Sante, the sort of restaurant you wish you had access to at home. From perfectly baked viennoiserie at breakfast to crab ravioli at dinner – in a daily rolling feast, afternoon tea and cocktail hour are also hosted here – this serene space overlooking pool and beach is hard to beat.
3. From burgers to boquerones, there’s global cuisine
If you’re indecisive, this isn’t going to help. Outside of Sante, Paradisus has seven other restaurants, and everything on the menu (bar some specialty cocktails and bottles of wine) is part of the all-inclusive package. Japanese eatery Tokimeku is perfect for sushi lovers, while Peseta serves Spanish cuisine and Arum is the resort’s Asian offering. Each has its own range of signature cocktails, and an extensive drinks list, but you can also head to one of the three bars for a tipple. In the morning, relax with an excellent iced coco pandan latte at Kopi Petani, the resort’s coffee shack.
4. A place for everyone, including the kids
While The Reserve is for those older than 16, there is also the Family Concierge, where children and their adults are doted upon by kind staffers who oversee the aqua park, playgrounds and the Kids Club, with its ball pit, games and activities. There’s even a Teens Club, complete with bean bags, games and three lanes of ten-pin bowling. The rooms are kid-friendly, too. Those that open to the lagoon have bunk beds in the shape of boats, while on higher floors, family rooms have themed bunks or teepees.
5. Good days, spa daze
While not part of the all-inclusive package, Reserve guests do get a discount at YHI Spa. Book one of the treatments and arrive early to take advantage of the sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and cold plunge. During the 140-minute Authentic Balinese Ritual, you’ll be slathered in ‘boreh’ – a blend of rice and spices that smells like a gingernut biscuit –then massaged into a state of complete oblivion.
6. Get in touch with Bali’s cultural side
Often, staying at an all-inclusive resort means cutting yourself off from the outside world, but Paradisus has a Destination Inclusive program. It includes daily activities led by staff members at the resort, everything from making canang sari (daily offerings) to learning batik. There are also activities outside the resort, including trips to local villages, the temple at Tanah Lot and a local theatre for a show featuring traditional music and dance from across the Indonesian archipelago.
