Keliki Luxury Resort - Where The Love of Nature meets Exquisite Taste
Photo by Daniel D.
This past week I was invited to spend three days at the Keliki Luxury Lodge in Bali - a truly memorable experience, which I was pleased to share with my partner Daniel. Keliki Luxury Lodge, a scenic sanctuary nestled between the lush Indonesian jungle and Bali’s famous rice fields - a brain child of five French friends with a shared dream: to build a space of exotic tranquil elegance and impeccable service. The lodge opened its doors to guests in April of this year, putting the beautiful village of Keliki on the map as a world class luxury travel destination.
The Luxury Lodge offers a variety of villas - each named after Hindu Gods and Goddesses (Sarasvati, Ganesha, Brahma …) which feature ensuite pools and unforgettable views out on to the jungle. On site at the lodge is La Gastronome, a bespoke dining experience where one can taste a delectable menu of Indonesian and French cuisine. The lodge houses a private spa, a gym, and a breakfast dining area overlooking an infinity pool with signature jungle vistas.
On offer are also personal car service, steward service and ‘round the clock housekeeping, Keliki experiences which include cooking classes, painting classes and various tours around the island and Shuttle to the centre of Ubud.
Day I
Daniel and I arrived in Keliki in the early afternoon from Berawa - one of Bali’s well known beach districts. It is about an hour drive to Keliki. We were greeted by the French Director of the lodge, Marie Francoise de Saint Priest d'Urgel and friendly and welcoming Balinese staff who showed us to the Brahma Villa - our home for the next three days. As we entered the pool area, a large hand carved relief panel above the entrance to the lodge depicted the likeness of the God Brahma - a beautiful artistic touch found at all the suites. The reliefs have been custom made to represent the Gods and Goddesses the suits are named after and serve as stunning centrepieces. Our lodge featured two storeys: a master bedroom with a beautiful ensuite indoor and outdoor showers and bathroom on ground level and two single beds on the top level with an outdoor veranda featuring a large hammock and a cozy breakfast table setup.
After taking a tour of our beautiful lodge we were joined by two friends who came down for a visit from La Gastronome upstairs and we spent a few hours chatting on our private patio overlooking the pool. Before long it was time to get ready for dinner at La Gastronome, where we were invited to enjoy a 3 course Indonesian taste menu prepared by the lodge’s team of culinary masters. I cannot say enough about how impressed I was with the dining experience, the service, and of course the legendary menu and presentation of our meal. Nestled inside one of La Gastronome’s bespoke cocoon pods, it truly was a private and luxurious experience.
La Gastronome offers Indonesian, French and Vegan menus with the freshest locally sourced ingredients grown by Balinese farmers and is available for outside reservations. For the set course menu a reservation has to be made 24hrs in advance, however a la carte and breakfast are available every day upon request. I highly recommend it.
Day II
Waking up to the sounds of the jungle was a treat. We lazily left our luxurious bed chamber and enjoyed a delicious breakfast upstairs by the infinity pool. The freshly baked mini croissants and the French crepes stole the show. The lodge takes its cuisine very seriously, both the presentation and the quality of our meal was top notch just as the night before. Following breakfast we were invited to the lodge’s Ressource Spa for an hour long Balinese Massage. The tranquil in-house spa offers the range of treatments from Balinese traditional massage to yoga and meditation. It was just what I needed after a long week of errands and work. The hour flew by and we were treated to hot Balinese herbal tea in a bubbly outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the jungle.
In the afternoon Daniel retired to the upstairs hammock to read and I started working on this blog, wondering how I could do written justice to such a great place. Time flew by as it does when you’re having a good time. Before sunset we rode out on the town to explore the village of Keliki and try some local food. Upon our return our lodge was once again turned up to perfection by the housekeeping staff and freshly baked cookies were left for us to enjoy on our freshly made up bed. Like I said, details are what sets this place apart. Impeccable attention to detail. As a perfectionist by nature, I can get a bit obsessive about my environment, paying attention to the littlest things. I can say that my experience at the lodge made me want to run upstairs and hug the staff on more than one occasion. The service was seamless, genuinely friendly and lightning fast. Oh and the cookies that were left on our pillows? They are baked in house fresh every day and as you may guess, they’re absolutely delicious. The French way.
Day III
I woke up early to enjoy the rising sun and squeeze in some meditation time. Daniel and I enjoyed breakfast upstairs and did a photoshoot on the grounds of the lodge, taking advantage of the beautiful sunny blue skies. Before we knew it, it was time to check out and I took a few moments to reflect on our wonderful stay
What makes Keliki Luxury Lodge stand out is its founders’ respect for the Balinese culture and environment, incorporating the values of sustainability and luxury into every fine detail of the establishment’s fibres. The majority of the lodge is built using natural stone, wood and bamboo materials and have been used in accordance with Balinese traditions and customs. Blending lush Indonesian flavour with French finesse, luxury is in the details, and the lodge delivered nothing less.
The Lodge’s French Director, Marie - Francoise de Saint Priest d’Urgel and the professional staff of Keliki Luxury Lodge are happy to welcome guests from all over the world, share the story of Keliki Luxury Lodge and make your stay as unforgettable as they have with us.
A truly beautiful experience. Thank you.
In Partnership with Tropical Nomad Coworking Space