Sunrise & Serendipity: Bali’s Unexpected Magic for the Whole Family

Bali. The mere whisper of the name conjures images of emerald rice paddies, turquoise waters lapping against volcanic cliffs, and temples whispering ancient secrets. 

For our family, expats juggling the joys and challenges of foreign postings, it was a call to escape the urban humdrum and dive into tropical bliss. But, let me tell you, six days wouldn’t be enough to unravel the magic this fabled island held. 

Our Sun-Kissed Sanctuary

Our family needed a little rest and relaxation about midway through our diplomatic post and decided to cost construct a trip to Bali, Indonesia for a 6-day trip. 

Unlike many of our trips, we chose to find one hotel that we could call home for the entire trip. We wanted to find a place with an amazing pool, activities for our daughter, great food options, easy access to a beach, and cultural expeditions that we could do on our own. 

For our family, the Hilton Bali Resort met all of the requirements and exceeded our expectations. 

Considering this was our first big vacation in a while, we splurged a little and got the King Cliff Tower Ocean View room – overlooking the stunning pools with palm trees speckling the skyline as the sun turned the sky shades of pink and purple over the ocean each night. It was worth every penny. 

Your Accommodations

We decided to treat ourselves a bit and decided to invest in the King Cliff Tower Ocean View room, but there are options available for what best fits your family’s needs and budget.

Our room had a wonderfully comfortable king-sized bed, and a 50” TV with a lot of international options. There is an oversized lounge-style couchwhich, which we used as a bed for our daughter. 

A highlight of the room was the balcony. It had unobstructed views of the ocean and pool areas, especially magical at sunset, as well as during midday. The balcony gave us a place to escape when our daughter was ready for sleep and we weren’t. A nice place for a drink and conversation under the stars.

Fair warning, during the day the monkeys like to swing around and play with (steal/eat) items guest leave on their balcony. 

The bathroom had a separate shower and a deep soaking tub, with a TV set into the wall for easy watching – if that’s how you relax. 

All in all, the room was a lovely place to rest and relax. We were grateful to have such a spacious room that overlooked the ocean and that was so centrally located. It was worth the extra cost for our family. 

On-site Delicious Food Options

Let’s talk about all the options for delicious food. During our stay, we enjoyed every place to eat at the Hilton Bali Resort, and beyond. 

Each morning we started our day at the hotel’s extensive multi-cuisine buffet, called The Grain. All of the Western breakfast items you would hope for were there in excess – Fresh fruits, eggs/omelets, bacon, French toast, pancakes…

There were ample options for more diverse tastes as well, including local favorites – the Nasi Goreng Kampung, and Char Kuey Teow were our favorites. 

For lunches, we wanted to stay poolside and outside as much as possible. Both The Shore and The Breeze overlooked the beach and the sounds of crashing waves enhanced the experience. 

Pizza, fresh seafood, sandwiches, aged steaks, and a variety of starters and side dishes filled our bellies, washed down with fresh minty mojitos – with or without alcohol. 

On Fridays, The Paon Bali, the traditional restaurant at the hotel, offers a traditional Balinese BBQ buffet. Make a reservation for outside seating! The dinner included a variety of traditional dances and entertainment. 

It was well worth the cost and the staff helped us find options that our daughter would enjoy as well. 

While the BBQ has a lot of steak and seafood options, make sure to try the Bakwan Jagung (crispy fried corn fritters), charcoal-cooked prawn, short ribs, and chicken satay. The sambal options make it incredible. 

We also ate numerous dinners at the Breeze or away from the hotel. Our favorite place off-site was the Bali Bistro Bar & Restaurant, part of the Bali Collective.

Personal Recommendation:
My wife and I shared the Nasi Goreng Istimewa. It was like a culinary journey through Southeast Asia’s regional flavors – each bite more delicious than the last! Seriously, the chicken was some of the best I have ever had and the sambal added a great kick to the dish. 

The Bali Collective, is an extensive open-air shopping mall, and is a great place to do some clothes shopping, find gifts to take home, as well as to find local restaurants. The hotel has a shuttle and will help you get there. 

Please note, that the Bali Collective is geared toward tourists, so it is a bit more expensive than local markets. You pay for the convenience and options – like most malls. 

While not exactly an eatery, I want to mention the Delicatessen at the Hilton. The coffee and tea options were what you would expect. But, their pastries and chocolates were scrumptious and the staff made us feel welcome each day we visited or walked by. 

Hotel Amenities

5 Incredible Pools

Beyond delicious food, the hotel has a ton of great activities to do to help make your time there as a family fun, relaxing, and overall enjoyable. 

With the beach just beyond the pools, we couldn’t understand why anyone would choose the pools over the turquoise blue ocean – but days after a cyclone, the water was rough, cold, and washed up a lot of debris. The pools became our refuge. 

Let’s be honest, our daughter’s main reason for wanting to come to the Hilton Bali Resort was for their pools and the kids’ playroom. Neither disappointed. 

For toddlers or those who are still learning to swim, the shallow pool with the alligator slide is a wonderful place to splash around. 

The main pool area had a lot of room to accommodate all of the guests and rarely felt crowded. The 30’ water slide provided hours of fun and rarely had a line longer than 3 people. 

If you needed a little break from the main pool, a sitting tub and waterfall area sat just above the water slide area and was a much less crowded and quiet retreat. 

While those sound great, the parents were looking for a little R&R as well. 

Balinese Massage at the Mandara Spa

Massages are something that we enjoy doing – whether we’re at home or away. In the week we were at the Hilton Bali Resort, we had 5 massages between the two of us. 

We opted to just trade-off to maximize that relaxing feeling. 

Once you get through the check-in process, your masseuse will walk you to a private room just off the pool area. While you can still hear some of the pool noise, once the massage starts, you are instantly transported to a serene world for 90 minutes. 

On our last full day, and for our final massage, we decided to do a couples massage – we enrolled your kid in an event at the Kid’s Center, and ran to the spa!

The Mandara Massage Package includes two massage therapists for each person and includes a variety of massage styles. It was only an hour long, but a magical experience. You can do this as a single person as well and is worth it. 

* Price may vary, check the hotel website for up-to-date pricing

Activities For the Kids

I mentioned that the Hilton has great options for entertaining the younger members of your family, ages 4 – 12. 

The Kid’s Club is open every day, from 9 am to 5 pm, and offers a variety of activities to keep your kids entertained, and happy, and to help wear them out a bit. Most of which are at no additional cost. 

Our daughter loved the t-shirt painting activities, indoor rock climbing, shell hunting, camel experience, and the indoor playground area. With the ocean being a little rough, we didn’t opt for surfing. 

Some of the activities we didn’t get to take advantage of were the Balinese dance lessons and the guided walk to the temple in the wooded area next to the hotel. 

See what activities are being offered

Bali Beyond the Beach: Unleashing Your Inner Adventurer

As much as we adored our luxurious nest, the world beyond the resort beckoned. We had the hotel help us find a driver who was willing to take us around to various places. Here are our favorites:

Soaring with Garuda: A Monumental Encounter

Bali’s landscape is adorned with many wonders, but none quite compare to the awe-inspiring Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. Towering over the island, this modern marvel isn’t just a giant photo op; it’s a gateway to a cultural and historical treasure trove.

Built to embody the mythical bird-man revered in Hindu lore, Garuda’s golden wings stretch wide against the sky, a magnificent testament to human artistry and spiritual devotion. 

But the journey doesn’t end at the foot of this colossal titan. As you ascend the winding path, anticipation crackles in the air, and when you reach the top, the panorama explodes into view. 

We decided to take the tour to the top of the statue, and it was completely worth it. 

Cool Comfort & Epic Tales:

Need to escape the heat? Seek refuge in the air-conditioned haven of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Theatre. 

Here, an award-winning animated film brings the epic saga of Garuda to life, a visually stunning journey through ancient myths and timeless values. This movie sparked a desire and excitement for our daughter to engage with the rest of the day. 

So, step beyond the selfie and truly embrace the wonder of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Immerse yourself in captivating history, indulge in cultural gems, and let your imagination soar alongside the mythical bird-man. This colossal masterpiece is more than just a giant statue; it’s an invitation to discover the soul of Bali, one breathtaking experience at a time.

Beyond the Big Bird:

Sure, a selfie with Garuda’s imposing visage is a must, but this cultural behemoth offers so much more. Delve into the fascinating history of the statue’s construction, a 26-year odyssey fueled by passion and dedication. 

I won’t share the whole story, but it was a feat to turn this idea into a towering statue – the 5th tallest in the world. 

Explore the exhibition halls tucked within the base, where intricate displays and interactive exhibits paint a vivid picture of Balinese mythology and Garuda’s legendary role.

Speaking of, when hunger strikes, the Garuda complex isn’t short on culinary delights. Sample traditional Balinese fare at one of the on-site restaurants, where fragrant rendang, succulent babi guling, and spicy sambal awaken your taste buds. 

Devdan’s Dazzling Dance: Cirque du Soleil with an Island Twist

Next, we set off for an evening unlike any other – Devdan, an acrobatic and cultural kaleidoscope telling the story of Bali from each of the main indigenous cultures through dance and mind-bending gymnastics. 

Similar to Cirque du Soleil, the electrifying atmosphere had us buzzing as we settled into our seats. 

Traditional dances from across Indonesia unfolded like living tapestries, each movement steeped in rich cultural storytelling. The rhythmic clang of the gamelan echoed through the air, weaving its magic spell around us. 

Acrobats defied gravity, their bodies twisting and contorting in seemingly impossible ways. Fire dancers painted the night with flames, their fiery routines weaving tales of passion and danger. 

Devdan wasn’t just a performance; it was a portal to the soul of Bali, leaving us mesmerized and yearning for more.

After the show, make sure you head outside for a picture with some of the cast. 

Penida Island: Nature’s Playground Awaits

No Bali adventure is complete without venturing beyond the mainland. So, we hopped on a boat to Penida Island, a rugged jewel carved from emerald cliffs and turquoise waters. 

The waves tossed us about, a little like dice, but the moment we stepped onto Penida, the sea-sickness was replaced by pure awe. 

Angel’s Billabong beckoned first, a natural infinity pool nestled between towering cliffs. Its emerald waters glistened like a hidden treasure. It was hard to resist a refreshing dip, but we had places to go. 

Then came Broken Beach, a dramatic archway carved by the ocean, a testament to nature’s raw power. 

Kelingking Beach stole the show with its postcard-perfect panorama. White sand kissed turquoise waters, framed by dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. 

Getting past the throngs of selfie-taking tourists, the hike down the steep path took some effort, but the reward was worth every bead of sweat. The view from the bottom was a sight etched in my memory forever. 

Underwater Adventures

Our Penida adventure wouldn’t be complete without exploring the underwater world. 

Snorkeling off Manta Point was like diving into a liquid Van Gogh painting. Vibrant fish, shimmering like underwater jewels, darted between our fins. Moray eels peeked from their coral castles, and schools of neon-colored fish danced in sunbeams. 

The highlight, however, was a breathtaking encounter with a majestic manta ray, its graceful wings gliding through the water, leaving us speechless and humbled. 

These are just a few of the countless adventures waiting to be discovered in Bali. From cultural immersion to adrenaline-pumping escapades, this island has something for every explorer. So, pack your sense of wonder and get ready to unleash your inner adventurer in the paradise that is Bali!

Farewell, Bali: Until We Meet Again

Six days flew by like grains of sand through our fingers. We left Bali with bittersweet hearts, knowing we’d barely scratched the surface of its magic. But we carried with us memories etched in the sunshine: our daughter’s infectious laughter echoing through the pools, the taste of sombol dancing on our tongues, and the silent awe of watching a sea turtle lay hundreds of eggs in the quiet of the night.

And we learned a valuable lesson: Bali is not a destination, it’s an experience. It’s about losing yourself in the rhythm of the gamelan, finding wonder in the smallest gecko, and embracing the unexpected, from seasickness to serendipity.

So, fellow travelers, expats, and adventurers alike, take this as your invitation to Bali. It’s an island that whispers to your soul, promising serenity in secluded beaches, adventure in its rugged beauty, and a cultural tapestry richer than any sunset.