Review / Raffles Bali, nestled in Jimbaran Bay, is the ultimate luxury family getawayBespoke experiences, including a personal butler, combined with Balinese wellness, luxury dining and stunning ocean views, await discerning travellersThere are three of us, and quite frankly, we are all on different Bali holidays. One friend is partying at a beach club, another is seeking her higher self in Ubud, and I have found bliss – and supreme understated luxury – at Raffles Bali. Later on, we will all meet for a wedding and share our entirely varied but uniquely Bali experiences.Loloan Coastal Peruvian restaurant at sunset. Photo: HandoutThat said, on this trip I am also travelling solo with my two children, aged five and eight. So if our stay was not entirely relaxing, it was calm. Which, as any parent of small children will attest, is more than enough. Also, it must be noted that my children became rather alarmingly accustomed to having a personal Raffles butler. But when your butler is as kind as ours, Bella – a gentle and attentive soul who built an immediate rapport with both children by listening to them prattle and asking questions as she drove them in the buggy or set up our in-villa dining experience – it’s easy to understand why.Raffles Bali is surrounded by a dense jungle. Photo: HandoutRaffles Bali is indeed a truly unique Balinese experience. Opened mid-pandemic in 2021, it is nestled into a rugged cliff face and the lush greenery of the former fishing village of Jimbaran Bay – known for its calm waters and white-sand beaches. Surrounded by dense jungle, with a riverbed running through the 23-hectare property, the 32-villa hotel embodies a Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (to respect God, humans and the environment). This is readily understood from the design of the hotel, which takes great care to preserve its natural environment – including a giant rock incorporated into the spa area, with a secret cave on site – to the welcome blessing for guests arriving in the hilltop lobby.The hotelThe beachfront infinity pool at Raffles Bali. Photo: HandoutRaffles Bali is only a 30-minute drive from the airport, but the feeling of seclusion and escape is immediate upon arrival. There are expansive views of the Indian Ocean everywhere you turn (there is also a secluded beach to be found by following the jasmine-scented paths of the hotel).The hotel feels as though it has been seamlessly incorporated into the environment, following its contours in an organic way. The sheer vastness of the property means privacy is practically a given – we do encounter other families and couples, but mostly it feels as if we have the space to ourselves.The Writers Bar at Raffles Bali. Photo: HandoutThe open terrace lobby is situated at the highest point of the property, offering incredible views of the area’s magnificent sunsets. These views are best paired with a zippy Bali Sling, made with the local Arak spirit, Sipsmith gin, jackfruit purée, bitters and grenadine, from the excellent Writers Bar – a local take on the famous Raffles Singapore creation.