The island of Bali has no shortage of luxury resorts, but few deliver the level of privacy, exclusivity, and effortless service that Raffles Bali offers. Perched on a secluded cliffside in Jimbaran with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, this all-villa sanctuary feels like a well-kept secret – one that offers the ultimate travel luxury: space.
Opened quietly in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Raffles Bali still feels immaculately fresh – a polished newcomer in an already crowded ultra-luxury scene. With just 32 villas, each with its own large infinity pool, expansive outdoor space, and uninterrupted views, it promises a truly private retreat less than half an hour from the airport – a game-changer in a destination where transfers can stretch for hours thanks to Bali’s infamous traffic.
We checked into a Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Villa to see if Raffles Bali lives up to its legendary name. From one of the most extravagant minibars we’ve ever seen to a level of service that sets a new standard in Bali, here’s what makes this resort truly special.
A Grand Arrival, Raffles Bali-Style.
Luxury begins the moment you leave the airport, with a BMW 7 Series from the resort’s fleet waiting to whisk you away. Inside, a flask of traditional jamu – a potent local tonic of turmeric and ginger – sits alongside chocolates and chilled water, a thoughtful touch that immediately signals Raffles’ signature blend of heritage and hospitality.
Check-in takes place at The Writers Bar, a nod to the literary legends who once graced Raffles Singapore – from Rudyard Kipling to Somerset Maugham. A choice of welcome drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is presented, while the ocean breeze drifts in through the open-air space.
Inside our villa, another thoughtful touch awaits – a freshly poured welcome drink, served alongside crudités with a spicy local green curry dip. Raffles Bali isn’t just about indulgence – it’s about thoughtful, almost intuitive hospitality.
The Two-Bedroom Oceanfront Villa: A Private Sanctuary.
The villa entrance is dramatic, marked by tall wooden gates that open into a private courtyard – a world unto itself (at 9687 sq. ft, ‘world’ really is an appropriate descriptor). Inside, the main living area immediately stuns with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the ocean. The villa’s design is Bali-luxe at its finest – dark wood, high ceilings, and elegant marble provides a sense of understated grandeur, while the layout ensures complete privacy and seclusion.
Each spacious bedroom flanks the central space, with a dining table large enough to seat ten, a fully equipped kitchen, and a lounge area that feels more like a private residence than a resort suite. There are plenty of international power outlets, which we were delighted to see, as well as USB charging points.
Outside, the private infinity pool stretches toward the ocean, inviting guests to lounge for hours in the sun. The sprawling terrace is where the villa truly shines – there’s so much space to lounge upon that you may struggle to use all of the areas during your stay. Each bedroom has a four seater table outside its doors (complete with ceiling fan and speaker that can broadcast what’s playing on the central TV), there’s a large lounge, four sun loungers and a pillow-laden bale from which to gaze out at the panoramic ocean views.
The views are some of the best in Bali, and our villa overlooked a private beach inlet where we spied a (rather large – crocodile sized!) monitor lizard from our pool deck. The pool is enormous, with room for all the family – and in typical Balinese style, the pool isn’t heated or chilled but maintains the perfect refreshing day time temperature. It’s truly a grand space – definitely one of the most impressive hotel pool villa layouts we’ve encountered. There is, of course, a main resort pool next to the beachside dining venue, Loloan – but when every villa boasts it’s own private pool, you’re unlikely to see any other guests actually using it.
The villa is equipped with luxury essentials that go beyond the usual five-star offerings – two types of robes and even two types of slippers (we love to see it), branded hats, a beach bag, and premium skincare products their own branded pouch – Raffles really excels when it comes to those luxury amenity touches. Sleep quality is exceptional, with cloud-like pillows and one of the most comfortable beds we’ve experienced in Bali.
The Raffles Bali bathrooms are spacious and beautiful, with full size bathtubs, and indoor and outdoor shower options – because, when in Bali…
A Minibar Unlike Any Other.
If there’s an element that truly surprised us at Raffles Bali, it’s the minibar(s) – there are three. Forget the usual miniature bottles and generic wine selections – here, you’ll find one of the most extravagant minibar offerings we’ve seen in any luxury resort, ever.
Each bedroom houses its own minibar set up, complete with complimentary snacks, teas, coffees, and soft drinks (including Red Bull, happily for us) which are replenished daily. A selection of spirits, including a locally crafted Pomelo Gin, are available for purchase, while thoughtful and convenient touches like a curated cocktail recipe menu book and a pre-made Negroni mix make in-villa mixology effortless.
But the true indulgence is in the main kitchen’s larger fridge, where a champagne selection that rivals a Michelin-starred restaurant awaits – Krug, Cristal 2015, and multiple vintages of Dom Pérignon sit perfectly chilled, with champagne glasses already in the fridge for immediate enjoyment. Self control is advised (of not, if you prefer – you’re on holiday, after all).
Service is just as refined – room service wines are poured in-villa rather than simply dropped off in glasses, adding to the sense of seamless five-star hospitality.
Dining.
Loloan, the oceanfront restaurant, serves casual European fare, from grilled meats and seafood to pizzas and sandwiches. While the setting is beautiful, we found ourselves missing Indonesian flavours at lunch – surprisingly, chicken satay wasn’t on the menu, though the staff happily obliged when requested. We opted to order one meal in-villa, as the room service menu offers a lot more Asian options to quench our thirst for local cuisine, and it was quite the enjoyable feast – and an opportunity to make use of the expansive dining table.
For a more refined experience, Rumari, helmed by Chef Gaetan Biesuz, offers a signature fine dining degustation menu in the evenings that introduces his unique take on local dishes, ingredients and traditions, unlike any you’ll find elsewhere on the island – it’s a must book for your stay. As a Krug ambassador, Chef Gaetan ensures Krug is available by the glass, a rare treat for Champagne lovers. Rumari regularly holds four-hands collaborations with top chefs from around the region, so be sure to check if there are any special dining events during your stay. We’re definitely going to try to get to one next time we’re in Bali!
Breakfast is also served at Rumari, offering an à la carte selection designed for variety – small portions encourage guests to sample multiple dishes. The Soto Ayam Kudus, a Javanese-style chicken soup with rice cakes and vegetables, is a must-try. Fresh pastries are excellent, and staff even surprised our son with donuts on the second morning after hearing him mention his love for them – another example of Raffles’ deeply personal service. The only drawback? We would have loved to have seen champagne or sparkling wine on offer at breakfast – a small but noticeable omission in a resort of this caliber.
Raffles Bali also has three special occasion dining locations that are perfect for a memorable meal – planning to pop the question? Look no further. The Farm Terrace, The Secret Cave and the Purnama Honeymoon Bale, which we experienced, all offer wonderfully unique settings with top notch food and beverages. In- villa and beachside barbecues are also an offered experience that seems perfect for the relaxed-luxury setting.
The Spa.
We also experienced the Raffles Bali Spa – the indoor version, which is rather dark and moody. Our advice would be to book their remote hillside treatment suite, The Sanctuary, for an open air experience that really brings those holiday vibes. There’s also a well equipped gym available, as well as tennis and pickleball courts.
The Extra Mile.
The Raffles Bali team was very thoughtful when it came to our son’s birthday – with a special birthday breakfast and round of ‘Happy Birthday’ from the Rumari staff, as well as a gorgeous present – a soft toy bunny, a raffles branded crochet turtle, and a Raffles Bali kids colouring book with pencils. A very appreciated touch.
The Verdict.
Raffles Bali is an ultra-luxury escape that prioritizes privacy, space, and thoughtful service over grand social spaces or a vibrant dining scene. While food options are somewhat limited, the villa experience itself is unparalleled, making this one of Bali’s most exclusive stays. Raffles Bali is perfect for a special celebration holiday, with its destination dining options and Rumari’s fine dining experience – it’s rare to see dining of this calibre in resorts in Bali. Raffles Bali truly know how to craft a luxurious stay experience from start to finish – and if you’re someone who delights in the details of your stay, you’re going to love the signature Raffles attention to detail.
Would we return to Raffles Bali? Absolutely. But next time, we’d make sure to book The Sanctuary spa suite – and perhaps, bring our own champagne for breakfast. 😉