Soori Bali

The Bali resort idiom may seem a bit crowded, but it’s hard to argue with its central tenets: the ethos and soul of the mythic East blended with the architectural elegance of modern Asia. Such is the case with Soori Bali, a panoramic beachy gem on the island’s west-central coast, offering another option to guests who prefer crisp contemporary design to traditional island kitsch.

They've set up shop in an environmentally delicate spot, a stretch of untainted beach that runs right into rice paddies still in use by local villages. The construction used native, ethically responsible materials, striving for as small of an ecological footprint as possible, demonstrating once again that going green does not require a sacrifice in luxury or form.

The 48 villas are pure sophistication, aesthetically simple, with a strong tendency towards large, open, undefined spaces, seamlessly blending the indoor with the outdoor and back again. Choose between pool, terrace, or beachfront spaces, at ground level or overlooking the property, and revel in the charms: infinity pool, rejuvenating spa, and several restaurants offering deft interpretations of Balinese cuisine. And with serene views of the coast to the southwest and the lush and rolling hills everywhere else, the tranquility is as tangible as the black sand on the beach.

How to get there: Soori Bali is located approximately 90 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport).