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The Five-Star Portal into Balinese Tradition
As an average traveler, I have three basic requirements in finding a beach resort: a room to sleep in, a place to eat at, and a beach to get a fabulous tan on. After all, the beach is one of the recurrent apparitions that haunt me in the most unfortunate of places (i.e. at work) when I just feel like kicking off my shoes and lounging by the shore all day. Add to this is the fact that most beaches literally and metaphorically take me far away from certain things I appear hesitant to leave, but will happily get rid of in a heartbeat, deep down. It used to be as simple as this. But it can get old after a while—this whole kicking-off-your-shoes-and-lounging-by-the-shore-all-day business. The truth of the matter is, there is more to beach resorts than the beach. Luckily, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa in Bali has been quick to realize that the beach is just a part of what has since turned out to be a pretty complex equation. Like many beach lovers, I have always had a yearning to visit Bali, which used to be unchartered territory for tourists. Bali has been shrouded with mystery and an air of mysticism for a number of reasons, among which is its apparent inaccessibility. But over the years, it has developed a reputation for housing some of the best resorts in Asia, and with this came several airlines bearing their wanderlust-y passengers to the shores of Bali, Indonesia. Nusa Dua (which is also the name of the area where the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa is located) is actually the official residence of most of the top resort and hotel facilities in Bali. Nestled comfortably in the southern peninsula of Bali, and roughly 20 minutes away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Nusa Dua could very well be considered as a neighborhood of elite hotels—like the resort counterpart of Beverly Hills, or if you want to be more poetic but nonetheless accurate, like jewels on a string. Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa undoubtedly gleams brightly in this company, having endeared itself to the multitude of readers of one of the serious traveler's bibles, Conde Nast Traveler. It landed on the 2005 Gold List Readers' Choice Awards by Conde Nast Traveler USA, and it was voted into the 6th spot in the Top 10 Asia Resorts in 2004 by Conde Nast Traveler UK. Such recognition only serves as proof that even after 26 years, the first five-star hotel in Nusa Dua still hasn't lost its touch. The first thing I noticed about Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa is its unabashed exhibition of Balinese culture and tradition. It starts when you get acquainted with the hotel through its two entrances (one serves as entrance for the vicinity, while the second serves as a landmark by the main lobby). The towering, elaborately carved split gate, guarded on both sides by sculptures of temple guards, is known as the Candi Bentar, and it figures prominently in Balinese architecture, commonly as the entrance to temples. I marvel at such painstaking effort to give such intricate details to a gate, and yet manage to leave the actual hotel façade so simple. This, I suppose, says something about the Balinese culture—these gates obviously serve a symbolic purpose, as opposed to an elaborate façade which would only serve as a symbol of ostentation. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the culture of Bali is palpable everywhere, in everything in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa. It is in the fragrant mixture of incense and fragrant oils in the air, the traditional architecture and design of the sprawling 23-acre property, the flavors of the food. In this day and age where everyone is geared towards "going global," this almost stubborn cling to what is traditional may appear to be quite a risky move (or lack thereof) for a business.
But an ancient spark of wisdom prevails: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." The people at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa believe that guests do not come to Bali to feel as if they were in Hawaii or in any other tropical beach. They come to Bali to experience Bali. And this is exactly what they are treated to for the entire duration of their stay at Nusa Dua. This is a remarkable philosophy which would serve other resorts and hotels well to recognize. Among many things, what is there to expect in a 23-acre property but space—lots of it. And Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa was able to maximize this space without making the place seem congested. I have had it with beach hotels that have condominium-sized rooms in high-rise buildings, which end up making me feel as though I never left the city at all. At Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa, the rooms and the other hotel facilities are housed in three-storey structures, facilitating an airy ambiance as opposed to the feeling of being walled in by towering buildings. The entire land area of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa has also been masterfully cultivated by the famous landscape artist, Made Wijaya, who has created over three hundred famous and well-loved gardens around the world. Luscious overhangs of bougainvillea, sprays of hibiscus, clusters of bamboo, and canopies of palm trees arranged around serene ponds, as well as the sunlit streams and fountains, create the quintessential tropical atmosphere. I could while off the hours just listening to the subtle sounds of nature while watching the squirrels chase each other up and down the coconut trees and the ducks fall into a neat line as they head into the pond. Of course, the traditional Balinese mark in this whole arrangement cannot be missed either—these well-manicured gardens surround the hotel's sacred mother temple, Puri Girinatha. Apart from its breathtaking gardens, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa is adorned with its various facilities which offer guests a wide array of activities to choose from. The most basic of which, perhaps, is the beach—a 150-meter stretch of sand and inviting blue waters where one can snorkel, scuba dive, canoe, and paddle board. Beach volleyball on the shore is also a popular option for guests who love playing in the sun while getting that prized tan. But considering all the other facilities available at the hotel, the beach may appear to be but a great bonus. The huge geometric pool (there were too many sides for me to count) is a favorite hang-out spot for many guests. Even during peak season, the pool doesn't get choked with swimmers because of its size and its unusual shape, which entitles guests to have at least a corner of their own. I took a dip at night and felt that it was my own private pool, even with a few other guests around. Aside from their own pools, another treat that is in store for children at the hotel is the Gecko Club. Located by the pool area, the Gecko Club is an air-conditioned area where children can watch videos or engage in activities like face painting, bubble making, and the cycling garden tour. They can also learn Balinese dancing and Bahasa Indonesia. The great thing about the Gecko Club is that all activities are facilitated by a professional staff, so there is absolutely no need for parents to worry. The Gecko Club is just like a mini-summer camp with five-star facilities. A must-visit for all adult guests is the Nusa Dua Spa. With hundreds of spas all over the world offering "authentic Balinese treatment" or its hybrids, you absolutely cannot miss getting a spa treatment at the first spa in Bali—which happens to be, yes, the Nusa Dua Spa. The all-time favorite treatment of the guests which also comes highly recommended by the spa staff is the Balinese massage, which is what I tried. The smell of native essential oils, the feel of relaxation all over my body, as well as the lingering taste of ginger tea on my tongue definitely do wonders for the well-being, not to mention the pride it brings me when I say: "I treated myself to the authentic Balinese massage at the first spa in Bali." Of course a visit to Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa cannot possibly be complete without the ultimate gourmet experience. The hotel has five different restaurants you can choose from, depending on your craving for the moment. There is Sandro's pizzeria when you feel like getting Italian; Wedang Jahe Restaurant for international cuisine and theme buffets; Chess Restaurant and Bar at the beachfront, which offers theme dining; Maguro Asian Bistro for everything from Indian lamb pastries to Japanese sushi; and of course, Raja's Balinese Cuisine which offers authentic Balinese cuisine. I personally suggest that you try Raja's. Chef Darren Lauder (who heads all five restaurants) and his staff do not believe in altering the preparation, ingredients and flavors of Balinese food so that it would be more flexible and popular to guests from different cultures. With what is known as "fusion cuisine" (loosely defined as the infusion or mixture of different elements and techniques from different cuisines to come up with a new version of a popular traditional dish) taking most restaurants by storm all over the globe, Chef Darren and his staff choose to hold their ground by strictly sticking to traditional Balinese cuisine. Again, it's about doing as the Romans do—or in this case, eating as the Balinese eat. After all, says Chef Darren, guests do not come to a Balinese restaurant expecting Westernized or Europeanized food. They come to a Balinese restaurant to get a taste of authentic Balinese cuisine. Personally, I believe that there is not a more direct way of getting acquainted with a culture than through your taste buds and your stomach. The kind of ingredients used, the preparations undertaken, and the techniques applied in cooking a dish say much about a place and its people. Altering any of these elements would result in a displaced dish—not anchored on any cultural nuance or tradition. Among the many dishes to choose from, the seafood is always a must-try in coastal areas like Nusa Dua because it guarantees freshness. A couple of good choices would be Palem Sari Ulam, which is steamed seafood in coconut curry, and Udang Pantung Mebase Kunyit, which is Balinese lobster in coconut turmeric curry sauce. Oddly enough, the absolute must-try dish doesn't come from the sea, but from land—the lowly duck. These ducks aren't the ones you see waddling into the hotel's lagoons, so there is no need to worry or feel guilty for ordering the Bebek Betutu. It is a whole duck marinated in a secret blend of 16 Balinese spices, wrapped in palm leaves and slow cooked. And when they say "slow cooked" they mean it—each duck takes around four hours to cook, so it is suggested that you place your order for this luscious duck early. But believe me when I say that it is definitely worth the wait. Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa is a wonderful portal to the Balinese tradition. And the best part is, you get to soak in the rich Bali culture while enjoying a five-star accommodation. |
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