Bali

24-Hour Room Service: St Regis Bali Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali

2008-12-27T04:39:00.000-08:00

The Independent, 20 December 2008.

It's hard to think of anywhere in the world that, mile for mile, has more luxury spas and resorts than Bali. Nor anywhere where they are more prolific than in Nusa Dua, a gated beach development on the southern tip of the island, built in the 1970s. So any new addition to such a glut would have to be pretty impressive to earn its keep.

The St Regis Bali Resort, which opened in September, is certainly impressive. As part of Starwood Hotels' most prestigious brand – which also comprises the Lanesborough in London – you wouldn't expect anything less. The colonnaded driveway and vast marble lobby are almost daunting.

The main pool isn't referred to simply as a pool but as a lagoon, which is apt given its size. Water pumped around a network of fountains provides a constant background tinkle throughout the grounds. Golf buggies weave around the complex, ferrying guests from one prone position in the spa to their next on the beach.

But gargantuan pools and elaborate water features aside, the resort is modest when compared to some of its sprawling neighbours, with 123 luxury rooms and two residences. The details are no less impressive in the sleeping quarters. Impressive touches include a traditional Balinese wedding crown hanging on the wall of each room, and many of the suites and villas have their own private landscaped gardens and pools. But if you don't have the luxury of your own pool, you can wallow back at the vast lagoon, stopping for shade under a thatched straw bale (Balinese pavilion).

The Remède spa is set in a quiet corner, surrounded by a Koi Carp pool. The range of treatments takes a Balinese theme, while other facilities include a yoga centre. After my soporific massage, I was revived with a pot of chocolate tea.

More culinary treats await at the hotel's signature restaurant, Kayuputi, which serves modern Asian fusion cuisine, overlooks the beach and is surrounded by a pool on two sides. White day beds with billowing white curtains are staggered on descending tiers down to the pool. The striking white and glass décor (Kayuputi means white wood) still looks pristine, but it is early days.

Breakfast, which is served in the main restaurant Boneka, is a buffet without end. A stream of staff approaches with offerings, from dim sum, pancakes and pistachio Danish pastries, to "Egg Nouvelle" (a lobster ragout-filled egg shell with parsley cream and salmon roe).

The only fault I could find is that the St Regis was clearly conceived and designed pre-credit crunch. The whole concept, with its extravagance and emphasis on luxury, now seems, well, just a little unfashionable. And when I visited, admittedly in the late November low-season, occupancy was far from full.

LOCATION

St Regis Bali Resort, Kawasan Pariwisata, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia (00 62 361 8478 111; stregis.com/bali). The resort is situated towards the southern end of Nusa Dua, next to the Bali Golf and Country Club. If you make one excursion from Nusa Dua, try to take the 20-minute cab ride across to Ulu Watu (100,000 Rupiah /£7) one of the world's most hallowed surfing spots and site of the 11th-century temple Pura Luhur Ulu Watu (although see Warning of the Week, page 9).

Time from international airport: The resort is a 20-minute ride from Denpasar airport; a taxi costs around 95,000 Rupiah (£6). There are few public transport links from the airport.

COMFORTABLE?

The style of the rooms is an Asian-Balinese hybrid, more "eclectic traveller" than minimalist. Dark wood furniture and floors contrast with a colour palette of lime green and burnt orange. Various artefacts and books are scattered throughout the rooms, including a Balinese-inspired carved wood piece which hangs above the bed. All rooms have a writing desk and spacious private balcony.

Freebies: Remède spa toiletries, daily newspaper, coffee and tea-making facilities and slippers.

Keeping in touch: Wi-Fi and high speed internet access is available for a fee in all the rooms and there is a business centre if needed. Each room has a 42-inch flat-screen TV with DVD player and a Bose iPod docking station. There's also a flat-screen TV in each of the marble bathrooms.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The standard St Regis suite is US $858 (£572) a night, including breakfast. Rates dip slightly during low season, to around $514 (£343).

I'm not paying that: Accommodation in Nusa Dua is more expensive than other parts of Bali, but many of the big resorts offer special packages. The Westin Resort, Nusa Dua (00 62 361 771908; starwoodhotels.com) is currently offering doubles from $194 (£129) a night.

Bali to expand seaweed cultivation to deeper sea

2008-12-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

The Jakarta Post December 27, 2008.
Bali administration will expand seaweed cultivation by constructing seaweed plantations in the deeper zones of the island's offshore areas, a senior official said recently.

Seaweed cultivation has became a primary source of income for thousands of Balinese living in the island's coastal region.

Traditionally, seaweed is cultivated in plantations that lie not far from the beach line.

"Its about time we develop seaweed plantations in offshore areas around one kilometers away from the beach line," said the head of Bali Fishery and Maritime Agency's cultivation section, I Ketut Rai.

He said Bali had a total of 9.6 square kilometers of offshore area that was suitable for seaweed cultivation. The area lies in Nusa Penida island, Nusa Lembongan island, Sawangan in Nusa Dua and Denpasar.

"All these years, seaweed cultivation has been mainly conducted at offshore areas near or next to beaches," he added.

The plantations mainly comprise of arrays of bamboo or iron stakes driven into the sand. The stakes were connected with ropes on which the farmers tied the seeds of seaweeds.

The plantation of seeds, the maintenance of the plantations and the harvests heavily depended on the tidal movements. Only when the water receded, Rai said, the farmers could plant, prune and harvest the seaweed.

Seaweed cultivation at deeper sea, Rai pointed out, had slightly different characteristics. The plantation would mainly made of an array of floating rafts, on which the ropes of seaweed seeds were fastened.

"The operations of this plantation are not determined by tidal movements. The farmers will be able to maintain the plantations even during high tide," he added.

The expansion was necessary to cope with the markets' increasing demand.

"So far, no matter how much seaweed our farmers harvested, the markets have always absorbed it," Rai said.

Japan, China and Taiwan are the major markets for Bali's seaweeds.

The head of Bali Fishery and Maritime Agency's statistics section, Ni Ketut Adiani, said Bali had an estimated maximum production capacity of more than 152 tons seaweed per year.

The actual production capacity, she admitted, was still far below the estimated one.

The current price of seaweed, she said, was relatively stable. Farmers could get Rp 23,000 for each kilogram of dried seaweed. Harvest took place once in every 40 days.

"By expanding the cultivation to deeper seas we hope to increase the production capacity, thus, boosting their revenues and mitigating the chronic problem of poverty that haunts our coastal regions," Rai said.

Melia Bali Beach

2008-12-19T10:48:00.000-08:00

Bali Villa

2008-12-18T13:34:00.001-08:00

Bali Hotels & Resorts

2008-12-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

Bali Hotels & Resorts: Bali is sure to have the right type of hotels, villas and accommodation for you. Whether you are looking for an international resort hotels or more modest accommodation there is a great selection from which to choose.

Geography

2008-12-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok.The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You'll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds.

Bali map

2008-12-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Bali is an Indonesian island between Java to the west and Lombok to the east.