APRIL 30, 2017 10:00 PMby KATHRYN ROMEYN
There are many reasons the Indonesian island of Bali draws millions of visitors from around the globe each year. There’s its natural beauty—impressive mountains and volcanos towering over verdant jungles, shocking green rice paddies and rippling terraces, and salt water in varying shades of azure and aquamarine lapping at sandy beaches. The people, some of the most genuinely friendly, joyous and open-hearted imaginable, play a role in its magic, as does the strong sense of spirituality represented by ornate Hindu temples, floral-filled offerings, and near-constant ceremonies. The shopping is world class, crafts painstakingly handmade and celebrated, and cuisine gloriously flavorful and fresh (not to mention the burgeoning collection of chic eateries serving healthy global fare). Balinese design and architecture defines tropical perfection.
In certain parts of the Island of Gods (as it’s nicknamed), it can be crowded, sure. Which makes it all the more important for visitors to discover their own slice of heaven where they can soak in the singular Bali spirit—and intense below-the-equator sun—with, say, a cold coconut or stimulating read. Yet another thing Bali does really, really well is create Edenic pool scenes. Whether hanging out in the top of the rainforest or perched over the Bali Sea, these bodies of water are seductive in their easy beauty and tranquility. In the case of the following, it’s not a bad idea to let the dreamy pool dictate your destination.
Photo: Courtesy of The Hanging Gardens of Bali
The Hanging Gardens of Bali
The pool at this intimate jungle-side resort overlooking the Ubud area’s Ayung River is no afterthought. It’s its own geographical epicenter. The undulating two-tiered stunner is seemingly suspended, with an infinity edge that allows you to peer into the lush river gorge below. Sleek loungers on the edge enable you to dip your toes in as you sunbathe. Of course, villas also have their own miniature versions.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Bali
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
At 187 feet, the bright blue feature in front of this resort’s popular Sundara restaurant is Bali’s longest beachfront pool. Its daybeds and prime perch before Jimbaran Bay’s rolling waves draw sun worshippers and swimmers alike. The sizable ocean-view private pools at each villa—especially the two-bedrooms—aren’t exactly eyesores, either.
Photo: Courtesy of Alila Villas Uluwatu
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Dramatic is one word to describe the scene at this resort on Bali’s southern coast. Its cliffside position means the edge of the vast 50-meter pool is over 300 feet above the whitecaps breaking below. Sunset is, naturally, a can’t-miss. And achieving sun-kissed perfection is a no-brainer here, thanks to pool butlers who keep you stocked with chilled Alila Living amenities—sunscreen, tanning oil, cooling gel, and face mist—and cold water in a picnic basket. For a thrilling challenge, book a sunrise Surf Yoga session with resident instructor Warta atop stand-up paddleboards floating in the sky-high pool.
Photo: Courtesy of Amankila
Amankila
The pool at Amankila is positioned in front of the Bali Sea and consists of not one or two but three infinity-edge tiers. The effect is like grand aquatic steps down to the pristine white sand beach below—a signature of Bali’s more untouched eastern coast. But really, the cascading pools are inspired by the area’s rice paddies. Along with a handful of private pools in rooms at the Beach Club, there’s also a 41-meter lap pool that reflects the emerald outlines of the palm trees surrounding it.
Photo: Courtesy of Ayana Resort & Spa
Ayana Resort & Spa
As the largest property on the whole island, Ayana has an appropriately enormous number of pools (12, not counting private plungers aside all villas), but a couple stand out in particular. Ocean Beach is an organically shaped saltwater infinity pool that moseys along the cliffside above the sand and water’s edge, and while it makes for a postcard-perfect setting, the River Pool is ideal for a photo shoot. Its top tier juts over the other, and has a sloping bottom that allows for half-submerged sunbathing—or posing.
Photo: Courtesy of Karma Kandara
Karma Kandara
Atop the southern cliffs of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, Karma Kandara’s half-moon infinity pool is a striking place to soak up the sun—or sunset. But it’s the full experience that’s really attractive: Bright bites and cocktails like When in Bali (dark rum with vanilla and lemongrass, among other tropical ingredients) are on the poolside menu, as are spa services including massages and nail art manicures and pedicures (and martinis) with a soundtrack of waves crashing below.
Photo: Courtesy of Katamama
Katamama
Any newbie to Bali will likely make a visit to Potato Head Beach Club and its iconic beachside pool with circular swim-up bar. But in lieu of—or in addition to—book a room at the attractive and artisanally outfitted Katamama boutique hotel next door, where only guests gain access to the paradisiacal Andra Matin–designed pool set in a tropical garden fringed by asam, coconut, and frangipani trees and comfy loungers with thatched umbrellas. Cocktails are mixed with indigenous ingredients that reflect the Indonesian archipelago, and sunrise mediation, yoga, and reiki are also offered on the ironwood deck.
Photo: Courtesy of The Mulia
The Mulia
Its massive square footage—almost 27,000—isn’t the most impressive part of the sprawling Nusa Dua resort’s Oasis pool, which overlooks temples on secluded Geger Beach. That honor would go to its 16 nearly 20-foot-tall stone statues of traditional Balinese women carrying wheat on their heads (signifying wealth and prosperity) that dramatically flank the pool. Prime time for photos here is sunrise, when the sky turns pink over the sea and fishermen return from their boats.
Photo: Courtesy of Banyan Tree Ungasan
Banyan Tree Ungasan
Two hundred and thirty feet above sea level, guests of the Banyan Tree Ungasan will find a bliss-inducing infinity pool surrounded by a plantation of tropical vegetation and sleek loungers. The 3,000-plus-square-foot beauty wraps around the coastline for a 180-degree Indian Ocean view. After sunset, a row of giant Palimanan stone pillars are lit on fire, creating the dreamiest atmosphere only seconded by the impeccable views from each villa’s private pool and jet pool.
Photo: Courtesy of Jungle Fish
Jungle Fish
The pool at Ubud’s tucked-away Jungle Fish fulfills every jungle fantasy. The star of the split-level Danish-design-meets-Bali restaurant is the lower-level pool deck, which was built into a ravine and features a recycled glass mosaic of the sea, located in the bar area. Vibrant, striped daybeds line the minimalist 2,600-square-foot infinity pool ensconced in the Osh River Valley’s lush green jungle.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lawn Canggu
The Lawn Canggu
Canggu is like the Brooklyn of Bali: full of creative ex-pats, hip eateries and cafes, and fantastic boutiques. The heart of this neighborhood is currently The Lawn: a van pop-up selling coconuts, beer, and popcorn alongside a pool that runs parallel to famed surf break Batu Bolong. It draws a chic crowd for chilling by day (on built-in bench seating in the pool and daybeds on the recycled ironwood deck), and a spectacular sunset scene at night, with cocktails from the thatched-roof swim-up bar. Watch for al fresco concerts, farmer’s market days, and open-air cinema nights.
Photo: Courtesy of Mick’s Place
Mick’s Place
Perched high above famous surf destination Bingin Beach is a sought-after honeymoon bungalow with one of the most jaw-dropping views around—and an equally idyllic pool. The panoramic view from the swimming hole is virtually made for sunset, but it came about when the owner, an Australian surfer, used the curvature of the ocean’s horizon, intersected three times, to create its gracefully arching shape, which includes a shallow end to stretch out in—either in full sun or shaded by an umbrella.
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