Ashes in the Light

My husband and I recently took a short trip to Bali to attend a close friend’s wedding. While the celebration was held in Uluwatu, we decided to stay at The Apurva Kempinski Bali in Nusa Dua—partly for convenience, but mostly because we wanted somewhere peaceful, nice, and not too far from the wedding venue. And honestly, we couldn’t have made a better choice.

From the moment our Grab car arrived at the hotel entrance, we were already in awe. The grand drop-off area features an elegant water feature and a striking statue in the middle—an entrance that immediately sets the tone for what’s to come.

As we stepped into the lobby, it took our breath away. Set on the 15th floor, it’s incredibly airy, with high ceilings and a design that blends wooden elements with marble finishes. It feels both majestic and grounded, with every detail thoughtfully curated to reflect Balinese elegance.

The property itself is expansive, yet so well-designed that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. From the lobby, you can look out over the massive main pool below—calm, inviting, and lined with tropical greenery. Just by the pool, there’s a wedding chapel, perfectly positioned for those picture-perfect moments.

We also explored the Reef Beach Club, which offers another pool area closer to the shoreline. It’s the kind of place where you could spend an entire afternoon lounging, cocktail in hand, with the ocean breeze on your face.

One highlight of our stay? Breakfast. The hotel offers two different breakfast venues, and of course, we tried both. The spread is impressive—everything from local dishes to international favourites, with fresh juices, pastries, made-to-order eggs, and plenty of sweet and savoury options. It was honestly one of the most indulgent breakfast experiences we’ve had in a while.

On the first day, we had our breakfast at Pala Restaurant on the first morning. The spread was great, it was also crowded that morning. Breakfast at Reef Beach Club on our 2nd day was equally great on the selection. But it’s quieter and I enjoyed it more.

Though we were in Bali for a wedding, staying at Apurva Kempinski felt like a mini vacation on its own. We didn’t get to explore every part of the property this time around, but it gave us the perfect mix of comfort, luxury, and tranquility—exactly what we needed between the travel and celebrations.

I’ll save stories about the wedding for another post. But if you’re planning a trip to Bali and looking for a hotel that offers both grand design and warm hospitality, The Apurva Kempinski Bali is well worth considering.