Karma Kandara resort review, Uluwatu: Forget the Greek Islands, enjoy five-star Mediterranean vibes in Bali

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Karma Kandara resort review, Uluwatu: Forget the Greek Islands, enjoy five-star Mediterranean vibes in Bali

By Kylie McLaughlin
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Check-In

Despite booking a Gojek taxi relatively early in the afternoon, It's taken us almost two hours from Ubud to reach the Bukit Peninsula and our journey to Ungasan, the southernmost point of Uluwatu is not over yet. On the backstreets of the Bukit, we travel past tiny villages, graze the back end of the new Garuda statue, through empty fields and dusty backstreets, past the watchful eye of cows until we finally see a road leading to the sea along which you'll find this five-star resort. On arrival to the open-air reception, guests are escorted onto a golf buggy for the rest of the ride along stone pathways to their villa, where check-in is completed.

The Look

The white pillars of di Mare restaurant overlooking the sea.

The white pillars of di Mare restaurant overlooking the sea.Credit: DEWA YOGISUARA

These white stone pathways decorated with bougainvillea and frangipanni lead to different coloured doorways of private villas, each with killer views of the sea from their clifftop locales. The vibe is distinctly Mediterranean. The hillside the resort occupies is thick with trees which disguise most of the buildings. Aside from a few close-by pools twinkling in the sunlight and conical, thatched roofs that frame the cliffs opposite, the resort seems to blend in seamlessly with its wild surroundings. A bridge connects the restaurant and infinity pool to the Cliff Spa, opposite - a spectacular setting overlooking the ocean, where soundtracks soothe while treatments are conducted. The spa has a special private nook on the cliff's edge which houses an open-air jacuzzi and sauna, transporting you directly to the Greek isles.

The Room

This is no "room". The sky-blue doors and stepping-stone pathway through lush gardens and water features reveal a house. The master has a four-poster bed with views to an outdoor deck, and its own huge bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower. The two additional bedrooms - with twin beds and a queen - also have their own bathrooms. There's a huge kitchen, dining and lounge area which have views of the villa's best feature - a wooden deck with views of the coast and its own deep private pool - plus two sunbeds and a daybed. Up on the roof, there's another viewing area and underneath an accessible garden. This is an extremely comfortable and spacious way of appreciating Bali's most dramatic coastline - inside, appreciate the decorative south-east Asian artifacts and Balinese style furnishings. It's especially pretty at dawn and dusk, when troupes of monkeys stampede across the roofs and treetops in search of snacks.

Out and About

You'll need your own transport to explore more of Uluwatu, which is easy to procure with Grab and Gojek apps. It's a 15-20 minute drive to shopping and bar areas which include popular spots Single Fin, The Loft and Nourish - to name a few. However, the best thing to experience while you are in this neck of the woods is the beach - and within walking distance is Malasti Beach. Relax poolside at Palmilla Beach Club or grab a sunbed on the beach and eat at one of the local warungs. Of course, Karma has its own private beach which you can take advantage of (see below).

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Food & Drink

The open-air restaurant di Mare is framed by white pillars overlooking the infinity pool and Indian Ocean below, the perfect spot to watch the sun go down. Outside the restaurant may be Greece, but inside, it's Californication. Executive chef for the Karma group, Joseph Antonishek, spent time working in high-end hotel kitchens in the sunny US state and is not shy of advertising his fondness of the TV show starring David Duchovny, and has special nights themed around the series. The meals are some of the best we had in Bali, and given the location, it's easy to stay onsite for dinner. The best way to try his dishes that use local ingredients is through the chef's tasting menu, which can be matched with wines from everywhere including Chile, Australia and California.

Breakfast is also a la carte but includes a selection of bread and pastries, fruit and coffee plus your choice from the menu. I particularly enjoyed the house-made granola from the "wellness" section with dragonfruit yoghurt, but the selections are varied and include a section dedicated to Indonesian-inspired dishes and more typical Western fare.

Karma also has a private beach, which is accessible via a staircase (the inclinator was out of action during my stay). Given it was the only exercise I got I was more than happy to make the climb, but there is also a bus service that drops guests at Melasti Beach, one of Bali's best and a five-minute walk away. Hotel guests have access to sunbeds, plus the Komodo Kamada Grill and Tiki Bar which serves beachclub-style food - think, tacos, hamburgers and pizzas - plus some excellent rum-based cocktails in coconuts and ice-cream. There are events the resort runs regularly, including DJ sessions and barbecues, seccond restaurant Le Club 22 and third Phoenix Bar to open soon.

The Verdict

With great food and drink offerings, plenty of entertainment, this is a relaxing and luxurious way to spend time in southern Bali.

Rating Out Of Five

Five

The Essentials

Address: Jalan Villa Kandara, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80362, Indonesia; Ph: +62 361 8482200; karmagroup.com. Prices start from $1560 a night for a one-bedroom villa.

Highlight

You're sitting on the edge of the world with front-row seats from your villa to some of Bali's most spectacular scenery and sunsets.

Lowlight

As entertaining as they are, you must keep vigilant locking doors as the monkeys will get inside and steal your snacks - which are then on you.

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