If you’re looking for a Bali resort that turns a beach holiday into a full-scale experience, The Apurva Kempinski Bali delivers. Set on the Nusa Dua coast, this striking resort combines Balinese-inspired architecture with an aquarium restaurant, a 42-metre beachfront infinity pool, a 60-metre main pool and a rooftop bar covered in Cyril Kongo’s graffiti.
Here are seven reasons to stay, from the dining and design details that make the resort distinctive to its family facilities, sunrise setting and knowledgeable Lady in Red concierge.
1. Dine inside Koral, Bali’s first aquarium restaurant
At Koral, Bali’s first aquarium restaurant, you dine alongside colourful fish and coral as the aquarium becomes part of the setting. The menu showcases coastal flavours from across the Indonesian archipelago, creating a memorable dining experience that feels as distinctive as the resort itself.
2. Its beach club has a 42-metre infinity pool
Beach clubs are a Bali holiday staple, and The Apurva Kempinski has its very own, ready to welcome you with a cabana-lined infinity pool, prime sunbathing spots on the beachfront and a bonfire by night. Mixologist-designed cocktails and charcoal-grilled cuts and seafood invite you to linger longer. The dessert menu’s strawberry margarita (strawberry ice cream, tequila, black salt) is a cooling antidote to the sun.
3. Its sky-high, ocean-view bar is designed by a graffiti artist
On the resort’s 17th floor await the avant-garde good looks of L’Atelier by Cyril Kongo. As if this rooftop bar could get any cooler, everything from the grand piano to the walls is daubed in the graffiti of French artist Cyril Kongo. Every sense is indulged here: for the ears, the sounds of live music; for the eyes, kaleidoscopic artwork; and for taste, a lengthy list of champagne, whiskey and craft cocktails, complemented by Mediterranean-style tapas and mezze-like Greek feta cake.
4. The pools and family facilities keep everyone happy
Here, expect 60 metres of palm-fringed perfection. Whether you want to swim laps, chill on an underwater sunlounger or park up at the infinity edge overlooking the Indian Ocean, cocktail in hand, there’s a good time to be had for everyone in the pool.
Families have plenty of options beyond the water. Jalak Family Club takes a Montessori-inspired approach to play, with indoor and outdoor spaces designed for hands-on activities, creative sessions and Balinese games. Younger travellers can also make use of the children’s pool and slides beside the 60-metre main pool, while older children and teens can join age-appropriate activities around the resort. That gives you room to enjoy the spa, restaurants or a quieter stretch of the pool while everyone stays entertained close by.
5. Monkeys might join you for sunrise yoga
You’ve heard of a downward dog, but how about a downward macaque? Bali’s most curious residents have been known to wander down to the resort’s outdoor terrace to observe the sunrise yoga sessions (booking in advance is recommended as sessions are so popular).
6. You can tap into local knowledge from the ‘Lady in Red’
The Apurva Kempinski’s Lady in Red concierge can help you make the most of your stay, from sharing recommendations for Nusa Dua and Bali to arranging experiences beyond the resort. It’s a thoughtful touch when you want local insight without having to plan every detail yourself.
7. Its design draws inspiration from Balinese rice paddies
Best admired from the pool, the resort’s temple-like grandeur is a feat of architecture. Designed in the style of a Balinese rice paddy’s ancient subak irrigation system, it cascades downward in multiple, leafy tiers, centred around a monumental walkway. This incredible attention to detail is reflected throughout the resort and its pristine grounds, where Balinese tradition meets intuitive luxury.
