From the cliffs of Tasmania’s North-east Coast we
now travel to another secluded cliff-top location that’s a little warmer.
It may seem an odd move for a company concerned
mainly with the design of jewellery and watches, but iconic Italian brand
Bulgari has seen success with their 3 hotels and resorts in Milan, London and
Bali.
The Bali resort, perched 160 metres above the Indian
Ocean, on the Bukit Peninsula opened in 2006. Designed by architects Antonio
Citterio and Partners, the resort fuses classic Italian refinement with
traditional local Balinese craftsmanship and materials.
Offering 59 villas – each with a plunge pool and
expansive views – the facilities also include Italian and Indonesian restaurants, a spa, lounge bar,
cliff-edge pool as well as its own Hindu Temple at the highest point of the
property (in accordance with Balinese tradition).
It was Citterio’s vision that the resort would use
materials and local craftsmen, combined with his distinctly Italian
style, to deliver a unique understated (rather than clichéd) aesthetic –
employing a limited palate derived from local timbers, thatching and stone.
“The challenge with the Bali resort was to create a unique experience
by forging a location which had to be true to the place and not a picturesque
representation of it,” Citterio explains.
Throughout the Bulgari Resort Bali unique artworks and Balinese antiques are
combined with furniture and accessories designed and produced in Bali by local
designers and artists.
On approach, this tropical hideaway resembles a ‘medieval hilltop fortress’,
but its lush surroundings and luxury facilities make for a relaxing modern
escape.
Bulgari Hotels and Resorts
bulgarihotels.com