Seminyak (Photo by Jeda Villa Bali)
The Indonesian city of Seminyak on the western coast of Bali boasts some of the most indulgent resorts in the region. Not a destination for those on a budget, Seminyak holidays offer dozens of luxury hotels, luxurious spas, private villas and resorts, boutique shopping, and five star dining establishments. It is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, attracting an ever-growing crowd of wealthy and fashionable individuals looking to experience luxurious Bali holidays.
Designer stores and art galleries are scattered throughout the city for daytime entertainment, and high-end dining establishments fill up during the evening meal. Despite the rapid pace of recent development to cater to wealthy globe-trotting socialites, the city still maintains two markets where locals sell fresh produce, allowing visitors a glimpse of the traditional community grocery store in this region of the world.
The city’s two main beaches, Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach, are quieter during the day than those of the surrounding towns, as the majority of travellers spend the daylight hours getting spa treatments and buying designer clothing. The quiet atmosphere tempts many romantics to choose the location for beach wedding ceremonies. A local temple, which is more than 500 years old, is a popular destination for such services, as it provides both the tranquility of the ocean and the heft of cultural history.
As night falls, however, the crowds of tourists flock to Seminyak’s extremely fashionable dance clubs, which remind their patrons of the glamour of their vacation destination with beach-side dance floors, lit swimming pools for nighttime bikini lounging, and exotic tropical cocktails such as grilled pineapple martinis. Some of the most popular Seminyak attractions are amongst the best in Bali.
