Alila Seminyak

If you’re occasionally struck by the thought that Bali’s already got enough hotels and resorts, you’re not alone. But there’s always room for another good one — and if past experience is any guide, when you see the Alila name, you can generally assume that that’s what you’re going to get. They’ve got a knack for combining stylish modern architecture and clever, immersive landscaping to create the sort of sequestered seclusion that’s absolutely essential in a place as busy as Seminyak.

Here it’s owing to the work of Singaporean architects URBNarc, which is on display inside and out, and it’s not just visually striking but extremely sustainable as well. Alila Seminyak scores a near-absurd 44 points on the EarthCheck sustainability scale — for reference, the average hotel scores 5.

What does this mean for the guest? Simply that the lavish luxury and dazzling design need not induce feelings of guilt. Much as we grumble about the island’s overdevelopment, if they were all like this, we’d have no complaints. Here the rooms are spacious, thoughtfully laid out, tastefully designed, and equipped with all the must-haves, and many add bathtubs, sofa beds, and private balconies or terraces. Yet they stop just short of the sort of portentous ostentation that can often make other luxury resorts feel perversely unwelcoming.

The accommodations are only half the story. The Spa Alila is first-rate, and the associated fitness and yoga programs — not to mention the pools, some of which are adults-only — are on hand for a more active form of wellness. Dining options range from the central all-day indoor-outdoor restaurant to room service, a beach bar, and even “destination dining” — honeymooners with a hankering for dinner for two on the beach, this one’s for you.