The ocean has sacred significance in Balinese culture. For centuries, the people of Bali have revered the sea as a source of life, and a medium for spiritual renewal. In keeping with these time-honoured beliefs, the sea takes centre-stage at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali.

Set amidst the dramatic cliffs and pristine white beaches of southern Bali, the resort is a hymn to the Transformative beauty of the Indian Ocean. The sea is there from the moment you arrive at the cliff-top lobby, with its panoramic coastline vista. It’s in the glorious views from the 70-metre glass elevator that provides access to the beach, or the resort’s ocean facing villas and suites. From the sound of gentle waves that lull you to sleep, to the refreshing breezes that drift through our restaurant terraces and lounges, the ocean is a constant presence that awakens the imagination and enlivens the senses.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali blends unique, contemporary design elements with a lush and exotic natural environment. The hotel, which marks the return of the Ritz-Carlton brand to the island, opened in early February of this year.

The architecture takes inspirations from Balinese concepts of indoor and outdoor spaces, and tastefully infuses these with contemporary interpretations of traditional architecture elements and local materials. The cliff that separates the resort in half is kept as an exuberant landscape background, punctuated by an iconic 70-meter high glass elevator tower that connects the two levels of the resort. The main lobby at the upper level is perched along the edge of the cliff, offering spectacular, panoramic views of the coastline. The spa at the lower level is nestled at the foot of the cliff while the guest wings, villas, restaurants and main pool are arranged towards the pristine beaches.

Designed by award-winning architecture and design firm WATG, the new tourist destination is situated on 12.7 hectares of manicured land that includes both beach-front and cliff-top property. The hotel offers 313 guest rooms, including 34 cliff-top and ocean view villas. In designing the structure, WATG Associate Vice President, Roger Gaspar, attempted to define luxury beyond the norm, hoping to achieve a more experiential and unique environment for resort guests.

”How ‘luxury’ is defined seems to be always in flux,” says Gaspar. “It is driven by people’s ever-changing and ever-increasing expectations. To me, luxury is when utmost care, and the best comfort and personalized service, above and beyond the norm, go hand-in-hand with the experience of the place. Whether it is the architecture, the interior design, or the outdoor spaces.”

Echoing the design architect’s sentiments are the unspoiled and idyllic tropical surroundings, paired with the resort’s structure, which features authentic and indigenous design elements. Says Gaspar, “it was imperative that, as much as possible, we save the natural beauty of the cliff. This led us to some very interesting design solutions. People seek authenticity, something that captures the spirit of the place and manifests in the way it tingles and excites the senses. It is these delightful, unexpected, joyful, unique experiences-perhaps sometimes quirky-that always leave the most long-lasting impressions to guests that, more than anything, can never be measured in tangible terms.”

This reference to “joyful” and “unique” is perhaps best exemplified by the stunning glass elevator tower, mentioned previously. Regardless of how one would interpret the “unexpected, joyful, and unique,” it is certain those who visit the new Ritz-Carlton, Bali will be captivated by a thoughtful and inspired design approach that combines Balinese influences with spectacular landscapes and ocean views.