What’s new and hip along Batubelig
Batubelig is a hip meandering street just outside Seminyak with an expanding and eclectic mix of cute cafes, funky homeware stores and a new beauty and anti-aging spa to check into, stay a while and leave looking like a beach goddess. What’s not to love?
Eat
More than a few people have mentioned the popular and awesome Watercress café to us lately, because it’s now open evenings. A regular hangout for ex-pats, hippies and business people alike, Watercress is inspired by its owners’ hometown Byron Bay which, they say, has much in common with Bali – good times, family, sun, sea and surf…and rocking all day breakfast!
When the original owners set up shop, the “warung” is what really got people talking: a smorgasbord of organic colour, fresh abundant salads, good real, raw food. Pair this with the Revolver coffee as well as a la carte lunch options, including the likes of mahi mahi burger with crispy capers, and you understand why people are still talking bout this fab estab.
Watercress has recently amped up its offering to include evenings with Watercress Malam, promising big plush cocktails and rustic style dining. Pair charred meat and grilled seafood with a glass of red and be sure to leave enough room for the divine sticky date pudding with hot butterscotch and vanilla ice-cream. Oh yeah.
Watercress, Jl Batubelig 21a, Kerobokan, Bali 80361, +62 361 (0)7808030 Open 7.30am-4pm and 6pm to 11.30pm
Glow
Batubelig’s latest addition is Bronz Beauty and Anti-Aging Spa. Host to some of our favourite skincare brands, SkinMedica and Dermalogica, Bronz is an Australian owned spa for those who want to maximize their bohemian beach look.
With a menu of revolutionary facials, microdermabrasion and cosmetic peels, Bronz is not your average Bali spa. If a sun kissed look for an outdoor party is what you seek, opt for the ‘Sun FX Rapid Gold Spray’ tanning treatment and ‘Extreme Lashes’ eyelash extensions. This will be personally sprayed with a sugar cane derivateive by a Sydney-trained therapist, and the whole experience is very futuristic and fun.
Bronz, Jl Batubelig 96, Kerobokan, Bali 80361.p. +62 (0)361 4733211 Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Stay
Like all the great villas in Bali, the humble entrance belies the full magnificence and sheer size of Villa Asta. Not new to the neighbourhood, the villa has had the happy coincidence of staying put while the groovy boutiques and cafes pop up around it.
It has the benefit of being a little bit away from the hub bub but still technically in Seminyak, making it a convenient yet peaceful five bedroom retreat that can accommodate 10 people under the daily tariff and up to 16 by special arrangement.
It’s big and it’s high end – perfect for groups of friends or families, with its massive games area including snooker table, table tennis, media room and even a badminton court out back! But the main game is really the central pool area featuring a lovely covered bale with a sofa to lounge around on and an observation deck fit to be climbed and jumped off into the 4 meter deep pool below – hours of fun for the kids, big and small.
Villa Asta is quite close to the Canggu Club and guests have full access to the club for the duration of their stay. Another tip to note is well-known Ubud ribs joint, Naughty Nuri’s, has opened a second restaurant only 5 minutes walk from Villa Asta.
Raj and staff will take great care of you here. And you will be woken in the morning by roosters cockadoodledoo-ing which, we think, is a suitably rural and relatively gentle way wake up when on holiday.
Book through www.goodlivingasia.com
Play
The great thing about this area is that you can pick up handmade items such as children’s dresses at Coco and Ginger and original Batik cushions at new home ware store Triette.
Then, if you fancy some fun after dark, you can wander down to the beach nearby and take in the vibes at famed Mozaic Beach Club.
Batubelig really does have it all under one tropical roof. Eat, stay, go and play!
Coco and Ginger (Top image) Jl. Batubelig 88, Kerobokan, Bali 80361.p. +62 (0) 361 4020841
Triette Jl. Batubelig 88, Kerobokan , Bali 80361