Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

The south coast of Bali is anything but a well-kept secret. It’s one of the world’s most storied holiday destinations, and is home to no end of hotels and resorts. You’d be hard pressed to take notice of any of this, though, from the grounds of the sublime Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay. Decades old, this luxurious escape predates much of the fuss, and the immersive seclusion of the place, out on a rocky peninsula, precludes any reminders of the outside world — this may as well be some undiscovered Eden, as far as the guests are concerned.

The traditional bale-style villas are tucked away into the foliage, and separated by weathered stone walls, ensuring a discreet low profile and untouchable privacy. Each one comes with all the luxury flourishes you expect in Bali: courtyard gardens, deep soaking tubs and indoor/outdoor showers, and a private plunge pool in every villa.

An infinity pool facing the bay is present as a matter of course, as is a spa with an exhaustive menu of traditional treatments. A fitness center and two tennis courts cater to the athletes among us, while would-be gourmands can study at the cooking school, open five days a week, or just hope to passively absorb some expertise from the hotel’s award-winning chef while dining in one of the three spectacular open-air restaurants.

How to get there: The Resort is a 15-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.