We have been to the Bulgari Bali several times now over the years and each time we ask ourselves “why go anywhere else?” It is truly that special. Even by Balinese standards, the warmth and hospitality shown by the staff and management are beyond compare, from the welcome at reception to the nightly gifts left in the room to the genuine smiles from everyone, eager to please and get you whatever you need.
This can’t always be easy. At their new higher price points, the Bulgari attracts much more of a “serve me NOW” crowd who treats the staff with less courtesy than other resorts we visited in Bali, but the staff are unshakeable.
The facilities are absolutely immaculate. Not a grain of sand remained in our villa though we tracked in plenty of sand from the gorgeous (how many times can I use that word) private beach, reached by a manned hillavator.
The villas are enormous and private, with plenty of space to spread out. A decadently large bathroom features two showers (one indoor, one outdoor) with a Toto automated toilet in a separate room. An enormous “walk through” closet provides plenty of storage and I am still dreaming of the ice cold bedroom with those gorgeous sheets and that perfect mattress. Very few air conditioners can get a villa down to 19 degrees in Bali, but these can, for those who like to sleep with it cold.
There have been a few tradeoffs after COVID. The beach staff no longer serves meals on the beach, but instead invites you to the beach restaurant a short walk away. We actually ended up preferring that as the food was hotter and it was a nice break from the equatorial sun to enjoy the open-air restaurant.
Dinner at IL RISTORANTE compared favorably to our extensive travels in Italy, and breakfast each morning was a delightful feast for the senses, overlooking the serenity of the glass sea.
The Bulgari is rather isolated (good!) so if you’re looking for a night club scene or a place to use as a base to go other places in Bali, I would not recommend it. Once you’re inside the walls, if you’re like us, you’ll never want to leave. And why would you?
