An adventure is never made complete without discovering a location’s best-kept secret. Many people expect to experience a slice of paradise as soon as they set foot on Bali. So when we stayed at The Pavilions on our recent visit to Bali, this was no exception. There was no shortage of feeling like we were in tropical paradise as soon as we entered the premises.The Pavilions Bali is located on the southeast side of the island. Conveniently situated in the prime location of Sanur, the resort itself is hidden within the hustle and bustle of the city. Make sure to pay close attention on the streets, because you may just miss the resort sign tucked behind all the bigger restaurant signage surrounding it. When you do find the front entrance, you are sure to be immediately transported into a different world- with an elegant shade of bamboo grove that leads you to your destination.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the lovely and very hospitable resort manager Simona, who made sure all our needs were met as soon as we arrived. We were then whisked to our private pool villa which already had a personalized signage on the door front with my name on it! (it’s not everyday you get a villa with your name on it, this personal gesture was very special to me) Shortly after, our welcome drinks and fresh fruit arrived for us to indulge on. This was undoubtedly the best welcome to any tropical destination.Our pool villa is set in the tropical gardens with variety of spacious lounging options indoors as well as outdoors, with a sundeck and lounging beds facing the intimate pool and lush green. All villas are uniquely furnished with original Balinese artwork and traditional woven artefacts. The boutique resort has a total of 25 villas, each distinctively designed and decorated to offer a unique experience to each of its guest.As you enter the villa, the airy living room leads to a full en-suite bathroom with a wooden bathtub and an outdoor rain shower. The rain shower is ultimately one of my favourite features of our villa, as it is designed to look as if it were part of the immaculate garden setting surrounding the property. This is by far the best way to beat the tropical heat, under a chilly shower on a hot sunny day. As evening falls, a dedicated staff comes to arrange the room for turn down service in preparation for a restful sleep. When it comes to dining, guests can choose to indulge at the authentic Jahe Restaurant, or enjoy a romantic in-villa candlelit dining prepared by your own butler service.

The next morning, breakfast is served fresh by the poolside with a variety of western or asian cuisines to choose from. Your Bali mornings are sure to be relaxing, thanks to the exclusivity and situation of the villas. You can take your time at the private pool with a refreshing dip, read a book or sip freshly brewed Balinese coffee on the deck.Having said that, there’s no short on things to do! After breakfast we were escorted by Mull, our local tour guide who took us on a little adventure off the beaten path. Mull has a very deep knowledge and great compassion for his island, it was a very special experience to discover Bali from his perspective and connect with the locals. We were able to witness a local village demonstrate their craftsmanship in intricate wooden carvings and sculptures. Afterwards, Mull took us to a secluded rice terrace that was nothing more than lush and beautiful. I truly felt a deeper connection with and it was an experience like no other.

Everything about the luxury boutique resort felt exclusive and personal. The whole experience was beyond fantastic, ranging from the personal butler service to the beautiful villas and great location. This is indeed Bali’s best kept secret. You can also check out more of my Bali posts here!My recent stay was courtesy to The Pavilions Bali.You can book your own stay with them here: https://www.pavilionshotels.com/bali/