Nusa Dua New Life at Nusa Dua, home of luxury hotels and a newly opened championship golf course, now has direct toll access from a new international terminal for even greater ease of travel. By Patricea Chow-Capodieci OPENING PICTURE: Bali National Golf Club - Green#6 THIS PAGE - CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Nusa Dua map; The Remede Spa, relaxation gazebo at St Regis Resort Bali; Fine dining at St Regis Resort Bali; Swimming pool at Grand Hyatt Bali; Grand Hyatt Bali aerial view. The Indonesian island of Bali is internationally regarded as a tourist destination. Its verdant rice fields, rich local culture, and indulgent spa retreats are an invitation to relax, get closer to nature, and forget about the hustle and bustle of life. Among its many sprawling districts that range from pristine beaches to lush mountains, Nusa Dua has long been known as a secluded paradise for travellers wanting a slice of heaven on their own. Located on the south peninsula some 40 kilometres from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali as well as the location of its international airport, Nusa Dua is sidled along the east side of the peninsula, and the Kawasan Pariwisata, a purposebuilt tourist enclave known for posh accommodations, long stretches of white sand beaches, and scenic views. Five-star resorts including the Grand Hyatt Bali, the St. Regis Resort Bali, and the Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa are but a few of the international and boutique names that pepper this stretch, which are also built to host small meetings of 12 attendees, up to large events for 1,500 persons. 92 Golf Vacations JUN - AUG 2014 JUN - AUG 2014 Golf Vacations 93
September 2013. Built over the Gulf of Benoa, a stretch of the toll road now connects the island s Ngurah Rai International Airport directly to Nusa Dua. As there is no congestion, the journey takes only around 5 minutes, and offers a scenic view of the gulf. From the airport to Nusa Dua now, the total journey varies between 15 to 20 minutes each way. Also taking into consideration the new international terminal of the airport that opened last November, faster processing times for Visas on Arrival, improved baggage handling, and smoother immigration and customs clearance, the time spent on the visitor arrival process is now halved from almost an hour that it took at the old terminal. Old Location, New Tees This unique situation ensures that the arrival of the island s latest golf offering, the Bali National Golf Club (BNGC), is certain to pick up visitor interest very quickly. Located right in the thick of things is one of Nusa Dua s most notable attractions for golf enthusiasts. The former Bali Golf & Country Club that opened in 1991, it has recently gone through an ownership change, along with structural renovation that looks to propel what had already been named one of Asia s 5 Best Golf Courses by Fortune magazine, to even greater heights. Beginning from early 2012, Nelson, Haworth Golf Course Associates began planting the seeds, literally and figuratively, to this exciting new tract. When it BELOW CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Expansive Lagoons at The Laguna Resort; Arwana - Bar at The Laguna Resort & Spa; The Laguna Pool Villa; Bale Bengong at Laguna Bali Resort & Spa. getting there Nusa Dua is an approximate 20-minute drive from Bali s Ngurah Rai International Airport. This tourist enclave comprises luxury hotel accommodation, the Bali National Golf Club, Bali s main convention centre, another Bali International Convention Centre, and private white sand beaches. All the luxury hotels in the area provide private transfers to and from the airport. For a more scenic arrival sans road traffic, Air Bali provides charter helicopter transfers to your hotel upon request. Bali experiences tropical weather throughout the year. Although there are frequent showers in the months of December to February, they last only for a couple of hours and will not pose a huge inconvenience for visits to the island. The best times to visit are in the months of May to August, when humidity levels are low, days are clear, and there are cool breezes in the day and night. Self-driving is usually not encouraged due to unpredictable traffic behaviour of other motorists. Should you wish to drive in Bali, a car rental can easily be arranged through either the hotel concierge or the tours and travel desk. Note that the driving is on the left hand side. www.baliconvention.com www.airbali.com 96 Golf Vacations JUN - AUG 2014 2011 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Westin and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms & conditions visit westinnusaduabali.com
When it reopened as the Bali National Golf Club this January, the new landscaping provides golfers with two distinct scenic experiences with lush tropical foliage on the front nine, while the back holes feature coconut groves and sand bunkers. A scenic backdrop comprising Bali s Gunung Agung volcano, and the Indian Ocean frames this sprawling tract wherever one goes. TOP PICTURE: Bali National Golf Club - Hole #17 (island green). reopened as the Bali National Golf Club this January, the new landscaping provides golfers with two distinct scenic experiences with lush tropical foliage on the front nine, while the back holes feature coconut groves and sand bunkers. A scenic backdrop comprising Bali s Gunung Agung volcano, and the Indian Ocean frames this sprawling tract wherever one goes. At 7,166 yards (almost 300 yards longer than before), it is a lock for a true championship test with new greens on all 18-holes, a new driving range, and a new clubhouse with an elegant meeting room and lounge facilities. At first, the course looks difficult, but is actually manageable once one gets around the many beautifully carved bunkers and water features. Starting from the hole one, mature trees are set between fairways and rough and share the stage with a backdrop of spectacular ocean views, which then transform to that of the magnificent Gunung Agung by the time one arrives at the 4th green. While mostly flat, the course does elevate from there and at the 7th tee, the high ocean view makes driving this long par 5 (620 yards from the championship tees) an experience to regale. 98 Golf Vacations JUN - AUG 2014
life at jimbaran For those who prefer something more active and yet not too far away from the golf, staying at Jimbaran Bay, some 10 minutes away from Nusa Dua may be the answer. The Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran offers contemporary living that inspires a relaxed, understated style. With 118 rooms, suites, penthouses and villas, the resort also features the newly developed Le Méridien Hub experience, which sees the hotel lobby designed into a social gathering place. A main focal point of the resort is its large (1,300 sqm) and uniquely shaped lagoon pool that winds its way throughout the entire premise so there are loads of opportunities for fun in the sun. Come night, the lively Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar turns out chic cocktails and a resident DJ spinning tracks to watch the sun set, and then deep into the night till 11pm. Of course, there is also that famous stretch of seafood restaurants along the beach a short walk away that is arguably Bali s best, so for an alternative to staying in Nusa Dua, the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran isn t that far off, literally and figuratively. www.lemeridienbalijimbaran.com Jalan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, IDB 80361, Indonesia Tel: +62 361 8466 888 In Singapore, call: 1800 232 5288 FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Sunset view of the hotel's exterior; Hotel lobby; Bale Banjar Ballroom at The Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran. TOP PICTURES: Bali National Golf Club. At Hole 8, a gargantuan drive is needed to traverse a jungle ravine before arriving at the left sloping fairway of this challenging par 4. Finally, the halfway finish beckons with a generous fairway but with a babbling brook on the right side all the way to an elevated green, club and shot selection plays a premium here. Thereafter, driving the buggy towards the back nine unveils a totally different landscape of rolling coconut groves with strategically located lakes to test the nerve and skill of golfers, starting on holes 11 and 12. A plethora of well-placed bunkers are to be navigated on the par 5, 13th before arriving at the nestled down green. Following two gentle par 4 s, the finishing holes consists of both length and accuracy tests. Hole 16, a par 5 carved from amongst high dunes, with the wind billowing against is set to make all 534 yards of it longer than it is. A dogleg left layout also means that better players need to accurately draw their second shot for a good chance to approach with a short wedge. Among the many interesting holes that the Bali National churns out, the biggest test of nerve comes at the signature par 3, 17th hole, which, with its island green, requires a precise tee shot to safely navigate. And finally, the 18th, a 400-yard dogleg left hole that is draped by a lake all the way down the left side of the fairway, brings one to a greensite directly in front of an elevated clubhouse 100 Golf Vacations JUN - AUG 2014
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K TOP PICTURES - CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lobby, Lagoon Pool & Beach Dinner at Courtyard Marriott. BELOW PICTURES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Swimming pool & luxury room with plunge pool at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. terrace, where many others who have completed their round will be watching those that come after them. Apart from a world-class golf course, Bali National also boasts of a golf academy operated by Ancora Golf Institute, one of three golf academies owned by Ancora Sports and managed by the Professional Golfers Association of Australia, where visitors can engage the services of its professionals for game saving tips or simply to enjoy a round of golf with. Headed by Australian PGA instructor Robert Wayne Turvey who had been with the site since 2009, he had successfully led the DKI Jakarta provincial golf team as head coach to a seven gold medal haul at Pekan Olahraga Nasional or PON National Games 2012, held in Riau. With earned accolades and experience, Turvey has set about a junior golf program as well as training program for adults in this unique driving range featuring multiple greensites and pin positions that vary from week to week. Players can really test and practice their ability to fire at tricky pins or to monitor their ability to land on the green, says Turvey, adding, This driving range is definitely set up as one of the best iron play practice facilities in the country. 102 Golf Vacations JUN - AUG 2014