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December 26, 2014
TRAVEL: An In-Depth Look at Bali's New Resort, Le Méridien Jimbaran
TRAVEL | New Resort "Le Méridien Jimbaran"
To an Unseen Bali! (1)
Bali, the eternal Asian resort that never ceases to captivate travelers worldwide. Every year, many visitors from Japan also flock to this island. Most seek the blue sea, white sandy beaches, the vibrant red sun of the tropics, and the exotic Balinese culture. But Bali's charm extends far beyond that.
With the aim of letting guests encounter the diverse, yet-to-be-discovered charms of Bali, a new resort, "Le Méridien Jimbaran," grandly opened on May 9th in Jimbaran, Bali. This hotel strives to stimulate guests' "Sense of Discovery." What wonders will Bali, with its vastly different faces in each region, reveal through a stay at Le Méridien Jimbaran?
Text by MAKIGUCHI June
A Place to Stimulate Your "Sense of Discovery"
What do you seek from a trip to Bali? Perhaps landscapes that evoke a sense of the extraordinary, or surprising cultural experiences? Or maybe the liberating openness unique to resorts, or a comforting familiarity that deepens with each visit? These desires likely vary depending on your travel companion and the circumstances. Indeed, for those already well-acquainted with Bali, their desires may shift with each trip. Yet, no matter the journey, one hopes for new encounters and discoveries that bring excitement.
If you believe that "discovery"—new encounters and findings—is one of the joys of travel, then Le Méridien Jimbaran will surely not disappoint. This resort, which grandly opened on May 9th in Jimbaran, Bali, is a place designed to stimulate your "Sense of Discovery."
Jimbaran, located about a 20-minute drive from Denpasar Airport, is a town spread along the white sandy beaches of Jimbaran Bay on the island's southwest coast. Unlike Sanur, Kuta, or Nusa Dua, this area experienced a pause in development, thus retaining a strong sense of its untouched, rustic atmosphere. While luxury resorts dot the landscape, its quiet seclusion, reminiscent of its past as a small fishing village, is also captivating. Le Méridien Jimbaran was born in such a town.
From the hotel, the Jimbaran Corner shopping center (※) and the ceramic shop Jenggala Ceramics (※) are within walking distance. The vibrant street of Jalan Uluwatu, where local craft shops, juice and food stalls, and modern boutiques blend to create a unique energy, is just a five-minute stroll away. It offers convenient access not only to Jimbaran Bay right next door but also to the rich mountain nature, thrilling attractions, and cultural heritage sites like Pura Uluwatu, one of Bali's most sacred temples. It is truly a place of many discoveries.
Jimbaran Bay, renowned for its beautiful sunsets, transforms into a romantic hub at night, offering a different ambiance than during the day. The scent of seafood dishes wafts daily from the Ikan Bakar, a restaurant area along the beach lined with cafes. Here, you can savor fresh seafood at tables set on the sand, watching the sun dip below the horizon over the Bali Strait, or enjoying the tranquil night view.
※ Jimbaran Corner http://www.balishoppingcenter.com
※ Jenggala Ceramics https://www.jenggala.com/home.php
TRAVEL | New Resort "Le Méridien Jimbaran"
To an Unseen Bali! (2)
A New Way to Spend Your Holiday in Bali
Le Méridien is a hotel brand with a strong European sensibility, originating in Paris. Matured in Europe, where modernity and classicism intertwine, it has grown by embracing not only design but also the unique culture of each city. This newly opened hotel also incorporates the cultural essence of Bali and Jimbaran in its design and services, proposing a new interpretation of how to spend a holiday in Bali.
The first impression of this philosophy comes with the design upon arrival. The lobby, adorned with art curated by the artist collective "LM100" led by photographer Ralph Gibson, is meticulously designed to stimulate guests' curiosity and senses, encouraging unique and interactive experiences. The reception seamlessly connects with the cafe "Latitude 8," creating an inspiring space reminiscent of European cafes where creative individuals gathered, debated, and exchanged knowledge. This thoughtful design aims to allow guests to enjoy coffee throughout the day, fostering encounters, conversations, and shared moments for a richer holiday. This is all based on the distinctive concept of the "Le Méridien Hub," which elevates the traditional hotel lobby into a dynamic gathering place for people to connect.

The building, with the ocean as its concept, reflects the allure of its location and the culture of a fishing village, featuring a design centered on curves that evoke waves. The 118 guest rooms, decorated with a refreshing ambiance themed around water, are adorned with modern batik motifs and beautiful water droplet artworks by German artist Markus Lüpertz. Many rooms in the four towers facing the main building overlook an exotic courtyard with a 1,300-square-meter freeform saltwater lagoon pool, offering a unique experience where guests on the first floor can step directly from their terrace into the pool.
Furthermore, the rooftop of the main building houses residential villas, and each tower features penthouses with rooftop terraces overlooking the sea, complete with private pools and the option for barbecue orders. It's perfect for a serene evening watching the sunset over the bay from the terrace, or for hosting a party with friends.
Of course, there are also rooms suitable for families, a kids' club (available for children aged 4 and above), the "Serenity" spa offering treatments centered on Balinese massage, and a 24-hour fitness center with daily yoga classes, ensuring a comfortable stay.
In fact, for members of SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest), Starwood's loyalty program with nine world-class hotel brands, it's possible to enjoy stays at six Starwood hotels across Bali at preferential rates. Exploring these unique hotels, each reflecting the character of its region, can deepen your journey of discovery in Bali.
Changing hotels according to your purpose or mood can lead to more new discoveries and encounters, even in familiar destinations. Why not begin such a "discovery"-rich journey at Le Méridien Jimbaran? Perhaps it's time to hone your "Sense of Discovery" here.
Le Méridien Jimbaran
Jalan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, Bali 80361, Indonesia
+62-361-8466888
www.lemeridien.com/balijimbaran
TRAVEL | New Resort "Le Méridien Jimbaran"
To an Unseen Bali! (3)
Farm Tour to Organic Ingredient Sources
Le Méridien Jimbaran embraces the concept of stimulating guests' "Sense of Discovery." From this base, a variety of Balinese charms can be uncovered. While marine sports and engaging with art are certainly appealing, how about embarking on a farm tour?
The hotel's main dining restaurant, "Bamboo Chic," offers authentic Balinese cuisine and creative Asian-Pacific dishes using organic ingredients from the local Bedugul highlands. The farm tour, originating from the hotel, allows guests to visit the very farms that partner with the hotel's restaurant.
Those who have visited Bali multiple times will know that the pastoral scenery with its rice paddies and terraced fields is one of the island's irresistible charms. For Japanese visitors, it evokes a sense of nostalgia, making it feel like more than just a foreign land. The destination, reached after gazing at these beautiful landscapes, is Bedugul, about a two-hour drive from Jimbaran. It is also famous as a source of organic ingredients sought after by Bali's high-end restaurants that prioritize quality.
Gede Santiarsa, who runs a farm here, has an unusual background, having started organic vegetable cultivation as a hobby five years ago after working in the bag manufacturing industry. His homemade organic ingredients, cultivated with great care using compost made from fermented waste and original insecticides made from tree sap, gained a reputation among food industry professionals. He transitioned to full-time farming three years ago. Today, his produce is used by many high-end restaurants in Bali that prioritize ingredients, including "W Hotel Seminyak" and "Ku De Ta," one of Bali's hottest clubs.
The free-range chickens boast meat that is both firm and flavorful. The eggs, savored daily at Bamboo Chic, have yolks that are firm, plump, and intensely sweet, retaining their deliciousness no matter how they are prepared. The pigs are a carefully bred hybrid of Japanese Kurobuta and large Australian breeds. Forty-nine types of vegetables, including herbs, are cultivated, among them Japanese varieties like mizuna, okra, eggplant, and wasabi. New vegetables, developed through meticulous research, are introduced directly to chefs without going through markets, serving as inspiration for menu development.
During the tour, not only can you observe, but you can also taste the vegetables freshly picked from the fields, and they are astonishingly delicious. The arugula has a pleasant, peppery bitterness, the tomatoes strike a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, and the mint fills the mouth with its refreshing aroma. In each case, the unique flavor of the produce is brought to the forefront, with a distinct and clear taste profile. It's a flavor that truly lets you feel the bounty of the earth.
After walking through the farm, you can indulge in traditional Balinese dishes prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Santiarsa using their prized organic ingredients—a truly blissful experience. Savor a mildly spiced chicken soup made with plump chicken raised for activity, stir-fried green beans with lemongrass and ginger, deep-fried pond loach caught fresh, coconut-based desserts, sweet fruits, and aromatic Balinese coffee. These are, in fact, a full course of home-style cooking that is rarely found in restaurants. The time spent savoring these delicacies while learning about Balinese food culture and family stories offers travelers a unique opportunity to glimpse the true face of Bali.
With your appetite satisfied, you return to the resort, gazing once more at the beautiful rural scenery. As you are driven back, you realize that despite having visited Bali several times, you had never encountered this side of the island before.
If this is the kind of journey you seek, be sure to consult the hotel desk at Le Méridien Jimbaran. The staff will be delighted to assist you in your "discovery."
Even places you thought you knew intimately can reveal new facets, as if shedding layers of veils, if you simply desire it. So, what new aspect of Bali will you encounter next?














