The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali – Review

The very name Laguna immediately conjures up a vision of cool blue crystal clear lakes and we were certainly not disappointed by the sheer beauty of the cascading waterfalls and the bright colours of the abundant flowering trees and shrubs that overwhelmed us as we set foot into the resort. Nestling on the very edge of the sea amidst the shimmering golden sands of one of Bali`s most beautiful beaches, The Laguna Resort & Spa simply oozes peace and tranquillity.

Our first impression of our room was that it had an air of elegant sophistication, with its top quality solid teakwood furnishings, large plasma TV, DVD player and desk. Maximum use is made of the space available to ensure you have every comfort you could possibly wish for. Artistically moulded carved stone inserts in the walls give it a typically Balinese ambience. Our Luxury Collection bed, designed exclusively for The Laguna Resort & Spa, was vast and with its crisp white linen sheets ensured we had one of the best night`s sleep ever. The very stylish modern grey marbled bathroom with its ample sized glass panelled bath/shower unit and the strategically placed large mirrors also contribute to the spacious, airy feel of the accommodation. We stayed in one of the Deluxe Lagoon Access Rooms, which provides private and direct access to the beautifully warm waters of the sapphire lagoon located just beneath our balcony. This was one of 7 pristinely kept swimming lagoons situated in The Laguna Resort & Spa . We were enchanted by the number of quite tame birds and squirrels we saw amongst the beautiful tropical islands and well manicured grass areas. Several strategically placed water features add to the aura of serenity. Children are welcome at the resort and the sandy edge of two of the pools provides an ideal safe place for them to paddle. At night the soft glow of light reflecting on the water makes this a truly romantic venue.

In addition we were able to view some of the other wide range of accommodation available in the resort. Each room had the same attention to detail and quality of finish that one would expect from a Luxury Collection Resort. We must particularly mention our visit to one of the spectacular pool villas located around the beautifully secluded and intriguingly named `Secret Garden.` The quality of this accommodation was more than outstanding and a perfect paradise for a honeymoon location or for anyone wishing to celebrate a very special occasion.
Guests of The Laguna Resort & Spa can enjoy a wide range of dining experiences, enjoying different cuisine from all around the world.
Arwana, a stylish and very romantic restaurant is situated right on the beachfront. In the heat of the day how wonderful it was to be able to sit in the cool air conditioning yet feel as if we were only steps away from the sea. Fresh seafood is a speciality of the Arwana and, featuring its own giant aquarium in the corner of the restaurant, how could it have got any fresher! Here guests can choose from a wide selection of fish including the finest lobster, Baramundi, Garupa and Crab. The executive chef and his team are meticulous in their artistry and presentation. We were completely overawed by the impressive lobster tempura with unagi; a lobster roll, decoratively encased in its shell and topped with crispy eel and shimmering salmon roe. The sushi is also not to be missed. My wife continued the fish theme with her main course of the most delectable escalope of barramundi served on roasted potatoes, green peas and apple with a delicately flavoured dill créme fraiche sauce. I decided to sample one of the non-seafood options and chose the succulent lamb cutlets grilled to perfection and served with glazed baby vegetables, herb gnocchi, olive tapenade, lamb jus and fresh tarragon. What a delicious combination of flavours this turned out to be! We have to admit to having been too full to order a dessert, of which there were many enticing alternatives, but must mention the varied choice of wines from all around the world. This was a truly unforgettable and outstanding example of fine dining.

Banyubiru offers a more informal all-day dining experience. Here we could choose to eat al fresco, overlooking the spectacularly blue lagoon or inside in the sunken part of the restaurant. We enjoyed the varied, very good quality international buffet dinner but an a la carte menu was also available. In addition to these two restaurants The Laguna Resort & Spa boasts 4 other places where food and beverages can be obtained. There are also many other facilities available within the complex including tennis courts, fitness centre, Spa, private banqueting room and a 24 hour butler service.

The Laguna Resort & Spa offers the opportunity to enjoy an outstanding vacation in one of Bali`s premier holiday locations. It is a Luxury Resort in every sense of the word and the quality of what is offered and the friendly service from all of its staff make it an exciting and charming holiday destination.