STEPPING out of customs at Bali’s Denpasar Airport, I am greeted by a sea of smiling faces all holding up signs from a plethora of different resorts.
A friendly porter from The Mulia, Bali rushes over and greets me, grabbing my bags and whisking me into a waiting air-conditioned bus complete with complimentary bottle of water and cool refreshing face towel – two things that I would soon encounter everywhere I went at the Mulia.
After a short drive, we arrive at The Mulia, which means noble in Balinese, and on first impression, it certainly was.
Located on the coastline of Nusa Dua on a sprawling 30-hectare site, the opulent resort cuts a striking figure.
With its cutting-edge design, The Mulia, which has played host to Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o, Pretty Little Liars‘ Shay Mitchell, and Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown, looks incredibly luxe yet you still feel very relaxed and comfortable.
Check-in is a breeze and within minutes, I am in my room overlooking one of six spectacular pools surrounded by statues of tall women holding bowls of water symbolising purity. The statues frame my view of a private beach and winding pathway to a nearby pier.
In the distance, there is a temple where locals leave daily offerings – a truly magical sight.
My bathroom is state-of-the-art with each toilet at the resort costing a staggering $15,000. The lid of said toilet raises automatically when you open the door, the seat is heated and when you finish, it flushes automatically.
I head down for dinner at Edogin, a Japanese teppanyaki-style bar where there is an endless amount of fresh meats and seafood, which is expertly seared before your very eyes.
For dessert, there’s a teppanyaki ice cream station, which is like some sort of next-level Cold Rock.
I return to my room in time to catch the spectacular sunset from my private Jacuzzi on my balcony- not a bad way to end the night.
I start the next morning with a sunrise yoga and meditation class in the tropical gardens overlooking the ocean, followed by a breakfast of fresh tropical fruits and delicious pastries in the lounge.
Next, I was shown how to make a Canang Sari, or daily offering, that the Balinese Hindus give to the Gods every morning as a form of thanks for keeping balance and peace in the world. The process involves weaving leaves to make a small basket filled with colourful flowers.
Dinner that night is a seven-course indulgent feast on tables set up at the end of the beachfront pier. The full moon illuminates the night sky making for a truly magical experience.
The following day, I was moved to one of the Mulia Villas with my own private pool and outdoor shower. I didn’t think my experience could get any more luxurious however the level of luxury definitely went up a notch.
A personal butler is just a phone call away and offers to pick me up in a golf cart and take me wherever I want to go. I ask him to drop me at the Fitness Centre for a quick workout to try and burn off some calories to make room for my next sumptuous meal. The gym is an impressive facility with cardio and weight training equipment and variety of classes throughout the day.
Next was Sunday brunch at Soleil, French for sun, an opulent buffet with a Mediterranean touch and also dishes from Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. Do save room for my personal favourite, the chocolate fountain.
On my last day, I experience the Mulia Spa, a must while in Bali.
First, I relax in a pool complete with artificial waterfall and massage jets for every part of the body.
I spend 20 minutes in cool water followed by 20 minutes in warm water and then move into their Finnish wood sauna for another 15 minutes. I enjoy the Aroma steam room and finally Bali’s first and only Ice Fountain room set at minus one. I feel like Elsa from Frozen.
The sudden and extreme temperature changes are supposed to stimulate circulation, boost metabolism, help aching joints and detoxify the immune system but all I know is that I feel incredibly relaxed.
Just to really pamper me and send me into a blissful state, I finish up with a body wrap where I am covered in coconut oil and wrapped in plastic. I leave relaxed and glowing.
When I return to my villa to pack, I discover my butler has taken the liberty of running me a spa bath.
As I say goodbye to The Mulia and its 2000 staff, I am farewelled with the same friendly smiles I received when I arrived and wonder how I am going to survive without my beloved butler when I get back to reality.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
