W Retreat and Spa Bali - Seminyak

Seminyak is the center of Bali’s high-end resort scene, a jet-setter’s playground that’s known for a certain laid-back sophistication and a beachfront environment that’s slightly more conducive to restful pampering than wild partying. In other words, it’s a setting that seems practically custom-designed for exactly this sort of hotel: the W Resort & Spa Bali is decidedly high-end, in spite of its informal atmosphere and youthful aesthetic. Some hotels put a new spin on a destination, but this one, more than anything else, is something of a summation.

The accommodations are divided into 158 ocean- or garden-facing “retreat” rooms and 79 freestanding villas, fully equipped residential units with private entrances. The expected modern amenities are available throughout, often in enhanced form; iPod docks come complete with Bose surround sound, and the W hotels are known for a supremely indulgent 24-hour concierge service that’s willing to bring you a snack, orchestrate a party, or find you a helicopter on short notice.

Outdoor spaces offer private cabanas and plunge pools, while the Away Spa and Sweat fitness center are practically bursting with high-end wellness options and meditative therapies. Head chef Jack Yoss oversees two restaurants, Fire and Starfish Bloo, and if the Pan-Asian options (or the restaurants’ eye-popping interiors by Poole Associates) don’t tempt you, Seminyak offers plenty of alternatives. The same goes for nightlife, but guests seeking a rousing night in won’t have to venture beyond Woobar, an indoor/outdoor lounge with big round day beds perfect for tropical canoodling.