On my way to Amankila from Nusa Dua I stopped by the Bulgari last week to take a tour of the resort's facilities. I was welcomed by a young Italian manager at the lobby who used to work at Bulgari's Milan property and who explained to me the resort's layout. Then I was driven around the resort in a golf cart by a nice assistant. I was told that the resort was fully booked so no villa tour this time. These were my observations from the tour and information I received from several sources:
- Bulgari is located near Uluwatu in Southern Bali high up on a cliff (150 metres above the ocean), very remote and calm location
- Design is "Giorgio Armani meets Bali" style: clear lines, modern black and white interiors but villa exterior with great emphasis on Balinese style; I liked it immediately. The same architect as for the Milan property.
- Although in its early stages of running, the gardening is pretty nice already.
- Two restaurants (an Italian and an Asian one) and the bar are located close to the cliff's ridge and are looking really cute, kept mostly in black/dark grey colours (for the fashionista type guests). Food quality unknown.
- Right next to the restaurants is the location of the main pool which is somewhat small but boasts a stunning view of the ocean (it looks like melting with the ocean). A number of sun loungers and modern-styled balés are situated around. In addition, there is one cold and one hot water jacuzzi placed at the ridge. Again, a stunning view from there!
- Workers were still doing some preps at a few villas, gardening water was brought in by a tanker.
- Although I really loved what I saw design wise, the limit of privacy at the villa's pool and the villas very close vicinity to each other was pretty disappointing to me. For example, from the service roads one can peek into almost every villa's pool area (this may change when gardening is fully established in two to three years but may block the ocean view as a consequence). The whole resort felt pretty cramped due to each villa sitting too close to the villa next door. A major letdown for me...
- Heard that they still have to fight with some kinks in this stage (no running water at times, funicular to the beach is not working yet, etc.). With no soft opening rates on offer I don't know how this is swallowed by the early guests though...When major kinks occur people are said to be transported to FS Jimbaran and not to the RC property as FS is said to be the properties' owner although RC is managing it. Very wierd combination...
- Hotel staff I met was very friendly and happy to show me around and openly discuss pro and cons of the resort, but hey, this is Bali...
- At the entrance they perform the most thorough security check of all hotels I visited in Bali with four guards checking the car from front to end. They look pretty martial with their formal attire but were very friendly and apologetic while performing their duties pretty thoroughly. It feels very reassuring.
- With all the talk around this property at the moment they expect quite a number of celebs for the christmas season...
- I was told that Bulgari will soon be opening a city property in Paris (Place Vendome area) and a resort somewhere along the Tuscany coast south of Florence.
Pictures to follow...