Bali Vacation Report - Helmer
Your Helmer guide to Bali!

As we have taken a three-week trip to Bali, discovering new vibrant colours and batik for the upcoming season. It is only fitting that this month we run through the best hotels, resorts and restaurants this enchanting island has to offer. We always feel reenergized when we return to the beautiful island of Bali and we are able to reflect on colours and designs for our new collection.

Como Shambhala

Como Shambhala is a wellness sanctuary offering lifestyle and curative programmes that help to mend the mind, body and spirit. They include therapeutically and holistic massages with a Ayurverdic doctor and yoga classes. The sanctuary is situated in a jungle gorge in Ubud, a place that is filled with traditional Balinese culture and spirituality. Together this combination is the perfect place to take stock and find your inner peace.

If you are feeling more active then there is plenty to choose from; cycling through rice fields, hiking the well-known Tjampuhan Ridge walk or rafting alone the Agung River!

Como Shambhala is taking their signature restaurant to this year’s Ubud food festival, which is on the 12th to 14th May. This is the perfect time to discover their exquisite energy boosting food and work with a Como Shambhala nutritionist to create your own dietary plan.

Photo Credit – Barefoot Luxe

 

Como Uma Ubud

We also love the Como Uma as is it a small boutique hotel, offering an intimate stay in Ubud. You are able to experience an authentic side to Ubud and Bali, as you are in the centre of town.

Como Uma’s restaurant Uma Cucina is Italian-inspired, yet offers a modern twist to traditional Indonesian dishes. Perfect for an intimate dinner and easy transition to the Uma bar, where you enjoy the delicious cocktails!

The Kermiri restaurant on the other hand, is where you start the day with a nutritional breakfast. The Kermiri offers a private cooking class, which allows to have an insight to Balinese life and culture!

Photo credit – https://www.comohotels.com/umaubud

Amankila Hotel

The Amankila Hotel is a truly stunning place! Located in luscious jungle on the coast. You can completely unwind in the infinity overlooking the Lombok Strait. Then in the evening take time to see the sunset over Indrakila.

The hotel is celebrating their 25th Anniversary and have organised a whole range of celebratory activities and events, including learning textile traditions of the area’s artisan villages! This allows guests to truly unique experience and immerse themselves in local traditions!

Photo credit – https://www.extravaganzi.com/

Bulgari Hotel

The Bulgari hotel is a sophisticated hotel yet has traditional Balinese elements. The hotel offers guests an intimate stay in private thatched roofed villas, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean! Take advantage of the different spa treatments, which include exotic oil and warm volcanic stone massages, allowing for total relaxation and relives of stress.

Photo credit- https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/bali


The Oberoi Hotel

This hotel is located in trendy Seminyak, yet authentic to Balinese culture. There are ancient Balinese temples dotted around the hotel, where daily offerings are made. This gives the hotel family feel and understanding into traditional Balinese life. 
 

To truly experience what Bali has to offer, we have created our own special recommendation of activities whilst on your adventure:

 

Sunrise hike to Mt Batur

Taking the sunrise hike up Mt Batur is very special and a life experience you must do! The view is spectacular as sun goes through the opposite mountain and able to interact with friendly monkeys that live on top of the Volcano!


Photo credit – https://vinjabond.com/trekking-mount-batur/

The Uluwatu Temple


The Uluwatu temple is said to be one of the six temples believed to be Bali’s spiritual pillars. The temple is of traditional Balinese design which is covered with ancient sculptures. The temple offers ‘Kecak Dance’ performances, allowing guests to gain a great insight to Balinese culture. The temple has a beautiful back drop of the Indian ocean. The perfect time to come is a sunset, where the rich orange colours reflect off the temple.

Photo credit – https://www.ourglobaltrek.com/bali-island-of-the-gods/

Indrakila Coastline

Soak up breath taking views of the Indrakila coastline on a delightful little boat. Have fun snorkelling and encounter the colourful creatures of the sea in their natural habitat.

Taking in the views among the rice fields

Experience Bali in its most natural form, by walking through the country’s rice fields. See farmers cultivating the rice in the luscious fields, while taking in the views of the Agung Volcano.

Searching for beautiful batik in the markets of Seminyak

Our favourite part of our trip is always finding batik material for the lining of our handbags in the market around Seminyak with one of our producers, Komang. This experience rekindles are creative spirts and gets us excited design more bags.

Surfing in Uluwatu

For a more thrill-seeking experience, head to the Uluwatu region. KIMA offers surfing lessons, where they to Balangan Beach, Bingin and Padang Padang beach and all guarantee some amazing surfs. Yet the best beach by far is Canguu, after a day of surfing relax on the beach and marvel over the beautiful sunset!

Yoga at Desa Seni

 A dedicated team of highly trained yoga instructors, guide guests through meditational yoga sessions. There is a focus of health and healing which helps restore the mind and body. Desa Seni is primarily a hotel with a community feel. They offer yoga retreats, where guests are able to gain a deeper experience into yoga and concentrate on their individual needs and objectives.

Motion Fitness

We love Motion fitness for their amazing and driven gym sessions. You are able to choose from a range of classes and fit them your own fitness level. Classes include pilates, yoga and cardio workouts.
For those you are more serious about improving their health, Motion Fitness provides personal trainers and nutrition consultations, encouraging healthier lifestyle.

Photo credit – https://www.motionfitnessbali.com/nutrition-consultation/

Shopping in Seminyak

Venture to Seminyak high street where you can find sophisticated beach attire.

Feathers and Finds is our favourite store, as we have become very good friends with the owner. If you a thinking of adding vibrancy and bold prints to your wardrobe Feathers and Finds is perfect. The designs are cut well and flatter any body shape!

Namu is classic, simple yet has bold geometric prints that make an outfit. The materials used are to a high quality, primarily made from cotton, which is breathable and ideal for the Bali climate.

Biasa conveys sophistication with their contemporary designs. The collections are made using natural dying methods and hand crafted finishings by local artisans.

Mamasan

Mamasan has been inspired by the food of Asia and has put a modern twist to their food. Mamasan has created a warm ambiance by adding rich tones to the décor, which works well with Asian Fusion menu. There is a vintage feel to the restaurant, with colourful painting depicting Asian culture. This is the perfect place to have an evening meal with friends and family.

Photo credit – https://www.chope.co/bali-restaurants/restaurant/mama-san

BIKU

For an easy relaxed atmosphere visit BIKU. They have an impeccable variety of over 50 teas from China, India and Indonesia. BIKU offers cade-style breakfasts to nutritional lunches and dinners, it is the perfect place to soak up the sun and enjoy each other company.


Photo credit – https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/516365913514726934/


Cafe Bali

Café Bali is traditionally Balinese and has a friendly feel. They serve traditional Indonesian dishes and use fresh produce from the area. Enjoy people watching on their terrace and enjoy being in the heart of Seminyak.

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