From dramatic cliff-top vistas to impeccable service: exploring the newly crowned best resort in Indonesia and what makes it worthy of the prestigious accolade
Having spent countless nights in various properties across Southeast Asia, I’ve developed something of a sixth sense for distinguishing genuine luxury from mere pretenders. The hospitality landscape across this region has evolved dramatically over the past decade, with international brands and boutique properties engaged in an ever-escalating battle to capture the hearts (and wallets) of discerning travellers. Yet even amidst this fierce competition, certain properties manage to rise above the rest – and The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has just emphatically proven this point.
In a development that will surprise few who have experienced its charms firsthand, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has been crowned the Best Indonesia Resort for 2025 in the prestigious DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition – coming from the readers of one of Asia-Pacific’s most respected travel publications – carries particular weight in a country renowned for its extraordinary hospitality options.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali occupies a spectacular position where dramatic limestone cliffs meet pristine beachfront along Nusa Dua’s southern tip.
Where Dramatic Landscape Meets World-Class Luxury
What makes this particular Ritz-Carlton property so compelling begins with its remarkable setting. Unlike many luxury resorts that must choose between beachfront or elevated views, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali audaciously claims both. Sprawling across 12.7 hectares of meticulously landscaped grounds, the resort straddles both cliff-top and beachfront locations along Nusa Dua’s southern coast.
This unusual geographical positioning has been brilliantly exploited in the resort’s design, most notably through its signature 70-metre glass elevator that connects the cliff section to the beach level. During my most recent visit, this transparent capsule provided an unexpected highlight – a breathtaking descent offering 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean that transformed a simple transition between areas of the resort into a memorable experience in itself.
With 313 rooms including 34 cliff-top and ocean-view villas, the property manages to maintain an atmosphere of exclusivity despite its relatively large footprint. The rooms themselves reflect contemporary Balinese design sensibilities, combining traditional elements with modern luxury in a way that feels authentic rather than contrived.
The resort’s signature 70-metre glass elevator offers guests spectacular views as they transition between the cliff-top and beachfront areas.
Service That Defines the Luxury Experience
While physical attributes and design elements create the stage, it’s ultimately service that defines truly exceptional hospitality experiences. During conversations with General Manager Go Kondo following the award announcement, he emphasised this point: “This award is a testament to the dedication of our team in creating extraordinary moments for our guests.”
This philosophy manifests in countless subtle ways throughout the property – from the personalised check-in experience (conducted seated in the impressive open-air lobby rather than standing at a conventional reception desk) to the seemingly telepathic ability of staff to anticipate needs before they’re expressed.
The Ritz-Carlton brand refers to its employees as “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen” – a somewhat formal construction that nonetheless captures the essence of the service approach. Rather than the obsequious or overly familiar service sometimes encountered in luxury settings, staff here maintain a perfect balance of warmth and professionalism that feels genuinely Indonesian in its gracious execution.
Culinary Excellence with a View
While Bali’s dining scene has evolved dramatically in recent years, with world-class restaurants now scattered across the island, resort dining still often falls into the category of convenient rather than exceptional. The Ritz-Carlton, Bali defies this pattern with multiple distinctive dining venues that would merit visits even for non-guests.
The resort houses five restaurants and bars, each with its own identity but unified by a commitment to showcasing local ingredients and techniques alongside international standards. Particular standouts include the beachfront Bejana restaurant, which offers contemporary interpretations of Indonesian classics, and The Beach Grill, where supremely fresh seafood is prepared with minimal intervention to highlight its natural flavours.
What elevates these dining experiences beyond excellent food is, once again, the setting. Whether perched on the cliff-edge with panoramic ocean views or nestled directly on the beach with sand between your toes, the physical context of dining here creates memories that linger long after the flavours have faded.
The resort’s restaurants combine exceptional cuisine with dramatic settings, whether cliff-top or beachfront.
Beyond Rooms: Creating Complete Experiences
Understanding that modern luxury travellers seek experiences rather than merely accommodation, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali has developed a comprehensive ecosystem designed to keep guests engaged without needing to leave the property.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa deserves special mention, with its blend of traditional Balinese healing traditions and contemporary wellness approaches. Treatment suites offer complete privacy, while skilled therapists demonstrate an understanding of wellness that goes beyond superficial pampering to deliver genuinely restorative experiences.
For those planning celebrations, the property offers exceptional facilities including a dedicated wedding chapel with ocean views, extensive meeting spaces, and The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Having witnessed a wedding ceremony during my stay, I was impressed by the staff’s ability to create an atmosphere of intimate celebration despite the grand scale of the surroundings.
The Challenge of Authentic Cultural Integration
One of the greatest challenges for international luxury brands operating in culturally rich destinations like Bali is finding the right balance between global standards and local authenticity. Too often, properties end up feeling like they could be anywhere – international bubbles disconnected from their surroundings.
What impressed me about The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is how thoroughly Balinese cultural elements have been integrated throughout the guest experience. From the architectural details that reference traditional Balinese compounds to the daily cultural activities and ceremonies that connect guests with local traditions, there’s a genuine commitment to creating a sense of place.
This “Indo-Balinese hospitality” approach, as the resort describes it, feels neither forced nor superficial. Instead, it emerges organically through thoughtful design choices and, most importantly, through the natural warmth and spirituality that the predominantly local staff bring to their roles.
The resort’s 34 cliff-top and ocean-view villas combine contemporary luxury with traditional Balinese design elements.
The Significance of the DestinAsian Recognition
The DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards carry particular weight within the travel industry because they reflect the opinions of experienced, discerning travellers rather than industry panels. Now in its 18th year, this award program has established itself as one of the most reliable barometers of excellence in the Asia-Pacific hospitality sector.
For The Ritz-Carlton, Bali to secure the top position in the Indonesia Resort category – outranking legendary properties across Bali, Lombok, and beyond – represents a significant achievement. Indonesia boasts some of the world’s most impressive resort properties, making this particular competition extraordinarily fierce.
The timing of this recognition also feels significant, coming as Bali continues its post-pandemic renaissance. With international arrivals approaching and in some months exceeding pre-2020 numbers, the island’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Yet this recovery has also brought renewed scrutiny of which properties are truly delivering exceptional value and experiences in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
The Broader Ritz-Carlton Context
It’s worth noting that this achievement comes amid significant global expansion for The Ritz-Carlton brand. Currently operating more than 120 hotels across 35 countries and territories, the company has been strategically enhancing its portfolio while also expanding into new territories through Ritz-Carlton Reserve (focused on rare, immersive experiences in remote locations) and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
The Bali property exemplifies the brand’s ability to maintain its core identity – captured in the famous Gold Standards of service – while adapting to the specific context of each destination. This balance of global consistency with local relevance represents the holy grail for luxury hospitality brands, yet few achieve it as successfully as evidenced here.
As part of the broader Marriott International ecosystem and its Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali also offers practical benefits for frequent travellers, including the ability to earn and redeem points, access exclusive experiences, and receive recognition across the extensive Marriott portfolio.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Luxury comes at a price, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is unquestionably positioned at the premium end of Bali’s accommodation spectrum. Yet having experienced numerous properties across various price points throughout Indonesia, I find myself concluding that this particular resort delivers genuine value despite its significant cost.
The combination of dramatic physical setting, exceptional service delivery, and thoughtful cultural integration creates an experience that transcends ordinary luxury accommodation. For special occasions or travellers seeking a truly distinctive Bali experience without sacrificing international standards of comfort and service, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali justifies its newly reinforced reputation as Indonesia’s finest resort.
What ultimately distinguishes truly great hospitality experiences is their ability to create moments that remain vivid in memory long after details of thread counts and amenities have faded. By this measure – the creation of lasting, meaningful memories – The Ritz-Carlton, Bali excels in ways that explain why DestinAsian’s readers have crowned it Indonesia’s best.
