Bali-Intercontinental.com

 

Secluded within the boundaries of the exclusive neighbourhood of Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s southern coastline, InterContinental Bali Resort embraces 14 hectares (35 acres) of tropical landscape. Blessed with an endless stretch of white sandy beachfront as its stunning backdrop, the resort integrates ornamental ponds, a winding lagoon and aesthetic stonework. Suspended between heaven and earth, this 418 luxury room resort was designed to blend modern convenience with elements of traditional Balinese architecture. Complementary Wifi ServiceWifi service is available throughout the Resort covering all room, suites , meeting facilities, public areas and even the beach. bandwidth coverage of 12MB is one of the largest on the island of Bali with over 150 wireless internet point spread across the propertyThere is an obvious sensitivity towards the surrounding environment, whilst respecting the rich culture of the island, its fine artistry and Hindu heritage. InterContinental Bali Resort has an alluring appeal with just enough versatility to cater to the needs of couples, families and business travelers alike.

Jimbaran is just south of the airport and Kuta. This was formerly a real backwater of south Bali, just a tiny fishing village with a daily market. That all started to change in the 1980s and Jimbaran is now home to several world class 5 star beach resorts, plus a few more moderate mid-market hotels. There is however little in the way of budget accommodation and there are also many high-end villas in this area, particularly on the ridges of high ground above Jimbaran Bay. This has resulted in monikers such as the “Beverly Hills of Bali” or “Millionaire’s Row”.
The bay itself has a pleasant white sand beach and is very safe for swimming. The three clusters of grilled seafood restaurants on the beach are a major tourist draw in the evenings, as is the truly stunning sunset.Jimbaran is also home to a Norwegian University, Gateway College, with around 500 students studying athletics, philosphy, culture, economics and journalism. The school is located in Kedonganan close to Sari Segara Resort and in Jl, Bantas Kau where it also has a small cafe.Jimbaran has an increasing number of rather chic shops but there is little or no nightlife here. It has the advantage of being a little closer to Kuta and Seminyak and the cultural highlights of Central Bali.

Get in

Jimbaran is between Kuta and the Bukit Peninsula, with Nusa Dua to the southeast and Uluwatu to the southwest.

By car

Jimbaran is only 10-15 min south of the airport A pre-paid airport taxi costs Rp 60,000-80,000 depending on exactly where in Jimbaran you are heading. Virtually all Jimbaranhotels offer a free airport pick-up service, however make sure that you request this when making a booking.

Jimbaran is around a 20 min drive from Legian and Seminya, and 30 min from Sanur, via the Jl Ngurah Rai bypass.

By bus

Bemos serving Jimbaran are almost non-existent but there is a sporadic service from Tegal terminal in Denpasar (via Kuta). This service continues on to Nusa Dua.

Get around

As elsewhere in Bali, motorbikes are readily available for rental and taxis are everywhere.

This is one of the better areas of South Bali for walking.

See

• The beach, Jimbaran Bay is fringed by one of the best beaches in Bali. The sand is fine and white, and the calm waters make it very suitable for swimming, children and adults alike. The southern end of the beach close to the Four Seasons Resort is the quietest but the whole stretch is very pleasant indeed.

• The sunset, Arrive at around 5PM, take a seat in one of the restaurants located on the beach, order food drink, and enjoy the romantic sunset while waiting for your orders. The sunsets in Jimbaran are very beautiful.

• Jimbaran fish market, A traditional fish market is located at the northern end of the bay right by the beach at the junction with Jalan Tukad Ayung. The catch comes in every morning here and customers include most of Bali’s fine dining restaurants. All manner of fish and shellfish are on available. Best to visit between 6AM-9AM.

• Jimbaran Town. Jimbaran is a typical little Balineese society with lots of small streets and gangs (alleys) that makes a perfect backdrop for a stroll. Just walking around in Jimbaran is an adventure and the locals are smiling and welcoming. The road along the beach and Jalan Uluwatu makes good orientation points. Follow these and take the different small roads that connect them back and forth.  
  

• Jimbaran Town Jimbaran is a typical little Balineese society with lots of small streets and gangs (alleys) that makes a perfect backdrop for a stroll. Just walking around in Jimbaran is an adventure and the locals are smiling and welcoming. The road along the beach and Jalan Uluwatu makes good orientation points. Follow theese and take the different small roads that connect them back and forth

Do

• Transport – Checkin – Checkout (Trasport check in and check out services), Perum GTT Jalan Cendana III No 13, ☎ 081999248536. We handle pick up services from airport to villa and departure to airport. We also provide shuttle services from hotel/villa to nearby places, finally, we can bring you to any destination in Bali. Airport – Seminyak: IDR 150.000 and also return Airport – Canggu : IDR 200.000 and also return Airport – Seseh – Tanah Lot: IDR 350.000 and return Airport – Ubud: IDR 250.000 Airport – Southwest: IDR 200.000 IDR 200.000.  
  

Water activities

• Surfing, There are a couple of good surf breaks off the airport which are easiest accessed from Jimbaran Bay. It is too far to paddle out, but boats are easily chartered from the beach in the middle areas of the bay or close to the fish market. When the surf is rolling here it is very good but it can be a bit unreliable.

• Swimming, This is a great bay for swimming with perhaps the safest waters in the whole of Bali. You will find lots of local children come to beach to swim in the evenings – a sure sign that the waters are safe.

Spas

Jimbaran has a number of high-end spas, both within the luxury hotels and independent establishments.

• Alam Jimbaran Spa (Alam Jimbaran Spa Bali), JL Kampus Udayana No.9 (Infront of tennis court), ☎ +62 361 703826. 9AM-9PM daily. Alam Jimbaran Spa ( formerly Aroma Talk Alam Jimbaran ) is a day spa that offers traditional Balinese massage, Indian ayurvedic spa, hot stone therapy and hammam herbal therapy.  
  

• Bamboo Spa, By L’Occitane, Jl. Uluwatu Jimbaran (Inside Jimbaran Corner, at the intersection between Jalan Uluwatu and Jalan Four Seasons), ☎+62 361 703342. 10AM-22PM daily. Bamboo Spa offers 5 single treatment rooms, 9 double treatment suites for couples, a private steam room, a relaxation lounge, reflexology area and the L’Occitane retail boutique. All therapists in Bamboo Spa have received a dedicated training by L’Occitane en Provence from France. Around US$90 for 75 minutes.  
  

• The Body Spa, Jl Uluwatu 99x, Kelan, ☎ +62 361 764737. 2PM-10PM daily. A top class spa with two venues in Bali. Full range of beauty and body treaments. Not the cheapest by any means but the standard is top notch. Booking at least 24 hr in advance is recommended  
  

• Bliss Massage, Jl Uluwatu II (just east of the Four Seasons roundabout on the north side of Jl UluwatuII), ☎ +62 361 7925698. 10AM-10PM daily. Not a spa as such, but a traditional massage parlour. Excellent, traditional Balinese-style therapeutic treatments at very good prices: Balinese massage is Rp 77,000 at their place or Rp 120,000 if they come to your hotel.  
  

• Henna Spa, Jalan Uluwatu 18x (At Villa Balquisse, opposite the Intercontinental hotel), ☎ +62 361 701695, [5]. 11AM-9PM daily. 5 star standard spa providing Javanese and Balinese style treatments.  
  

Buy

Shopping in Jimbaran has improved greatly in recent years. There are a number of nice boutiques and antique shops in the stretch of Jalan Uluwatu between The Intercontinental and the junction with Jalan Uluwatu II.

• Jimbaran Market, Jl. Uluwatu. Slightly further north of the boutique and antique area is Jimbaran Market. This is a hive of activity every morning as the local community goes about its business and is a notably good place to purchase fresh produce.  
  

• Jenggala Gallery, Jalan Uluwatu II, Jimbaran, ☎ +62 361 703 311. Daily 9AM-6PM. A large gallery and retail showroom for ceramics produced in Bali. Also hosts regular exhibitions of paintings and other art by up and coming local artists. Very much worth a visit. Hard to miss the enormous pink limestone clad building. Also an excellent cafe here.  
  

Eat

Seafood Restaurants on Jimbaran Beach

Eating seafood on the beach in Jimbaran is a quintessential part of many a visitor’s itinerary when coming to Bali.

Jimbaran Bay is home to about fifty grilled seafood restaurants in three different groupings, all set along the beach. The three sections are Muaya (in the very south), Kedonganan (in the middle) and Kelan (north of the fish market). Each of the restaurants is much of a muchness and of the groupings, the most southerly closest to the Four Seasons is the most popular these days.

Tables are set up right on the sand and if you sit at the lowest tables at high tide, you can even get your feet wet. The sea breeze is cool, the sunsets are beautiful and the whole area is lit by oil torches after dark.

The restaurants serve essentially the same menu with one basic dining format:

• fire-grilled (bakar) seafood with your own choice of various fish, crab, squid, shrimp, lobster and other shellfish
• local green vegetables steamed with garlic
• rice or french fried potatoes
• local spicy sauces

Simply go up to the seafood tanks and choose the number and type of seafood you want to eat, pay by weight and the produce is grilled there and then. You also have the option of ordering from the menu but that is nothing like choosing your own seafood. It is also advisable to choose your own to avoid having the less healthy fish and crustaceans chosen for you. Prices at the restaurant for two with local Bintang beer or soft drinks are in the range of Rp 200,000-600,000 plus 15% tax and service, depending on quantity and type of seafood selected. Typically, 1 kg of fish costs about Rp 160,000.

All the restaurants also offer set menus for couples, ranging from Rp 400,000 to as much as 900,000 for different types of seafood combination. All the prices are negotiable, so make sure you shop around. Ask for a discount at the door. A 10% discount is usually granted to attract customers away from the competition.

Everything is freshly caught as Jimbaran is still a functioning fishing village. If you want to drink wine, bring it with you and pay a nominal corkage charge.

The combination of atmosphere and good food make this a memorable and delightful place to spend an evening.

Other dining options in Jimbaran

There are number of good, cheap local warungs on Jalan Uluwatu between the four road junction (Four Seasons roundabout) and McDonalds.

Jimbaran is very well served by high end resort hotels, and the dining options at the Four Seasons and the Ayana Resort for example are truly exceptional.

• Cuca Restaurant, Jl Yoga Perkhanthi (just beside the Kayumanis Private Estate and Spa), ☎ +62 361 708066. Cuca, just about 150 metres from Jimbaran beach, is a casual dining destination that tempts you with three reasons to come: tapas, cocktails, and desserts, and three spaces to experience: an interactive and exciting food bar, a relaxed and intimate dining room, and a chilled out garden lounge. Chef Kevin Cherkas serves western cooking made only from the best and freshest local ingredients.  
  

• Depot Joko, Jl Raya Uluwatu (just north of junction with Jl Melasti). A very popular, no frills local restaurant serving all manner of Indonesian food. Recommended if you want a real taste of Indonesia.  
  

• Grocer & Grind, Jimbaran Corner, Jl. Uluwatu (at the new shopping centre at the exit towards Four Seasons). Contemporary bistro & delicatessen. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. During the day the cafe serves up panini, sandwiches and salads made with fresh local organic produce and imported products. Comfortable with good service. There is also a sister-restaurant in Seminyak. Mid-range.  
  

• Pepe Nero, Jl Wanagiri 18 (on the small road that leads through the quarry from the Four Seasons roundabout), ☎ +62 361 704672, [9]. 11AM-10PM. An Italian restaurant in an unlikely location with nice views of Jimbaran Bay. Pastas and pizzas. Mains from Rp 30,000.  
  

• Jimbaran Beach Club – JBC, Jl Bukit Permai, Pantai Jimbaran (at the beach right before you get to the Four Seasons Resort), [10]. Fresh seafood, prepared with a mediterranean influence and served on the sandy beach. Well stocked bar, good wine list, tropical cocktails and seasonal fruit juices. 
  

Drink

Nightlife is limited in Jimbaran, and most venues close after 11pm. If you want to avoid going to a more busy area, you can try going to Chocolate Café, in Jimbaran Corner, where they have live music and DJ occasionally.

To enjoy a sunset on the beach, there are few better places in Bali. For a cheap beer sitting on plastic chairs, go near the fish café. For something more elegant, try PJ’s Bar at the Four Seasons, or JBC (Jimbaran Beach Club), just next to it.

The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort is a bit of tourist trap but it is nonetheless spectacular. The Rock Bar is perched on natural rock 14 m above the waves of Jimbaran Bay, at the base of a low cliff. The design is very chic indeed, but beware of problems when it rains – you will get soaked as there is no shelter at all, and it is a long walk back up the cliff to the main part of the hotel.

• Scruffy Murphy’s Pub, Jl. Raya Uluwatu 2 No. 279 Desa Ungasan (South of GWK on the main Uluwati road), [11]. 17:00 01:00. Irish pub bringing the “Craic” to Bali, live music and sporting events shown on 4 screens $.