AHEAD Asia Outstanding Contribution Winner, Jean-Michel Gathy, has completed the design of Jumeirah Bali, an all-villa luxury resort that opened its doors in July 2022. The Principal Designer at Denniston has infused the resort with a union of tropical modernism and Balinese heritage.
Styled through tactile and natural materials, Jumeirah Bali’s design reflects the province’s adobe vernacular, creating a seamless flow between its architecture, interior and landscape.
A grand Balinese gate, flanked by two stone protectors known as Singa Ambara Raja, marks the entrance to the property. Overhead, two mythical winged creatures from the Majapahit tradition guard the passage. Local culture, full of symbolism, considers gates to be important portals that connect the physical world and the spiritual realm.
Bespoke carvings across walls and doors, courtesy of Balinese craftsmen, recreate traditional motifs and provide a window into Balinese culture. Carvings add new layers to the symbolism of the site’s design, telling the story of Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic from ancient India, while Majapahit-style swing doors create a timeless entryway to the resort’s understated elegance.
“Jumeirah Bali is designed as a palace celebrating the history of Central Java,” explains Jean-Michel Gathy. “The identity we have given to this project is a little bit different from most hotels in Bali. We have introduced an Indonesian-Dutch-inspired architectural interior, the European influences in the interior which relate to the colonial times of Central Java are very complementary to the architectural design.”
The resort’s 123 villas are a carefully choreographed composition of light and space. Starting from 210m², the one- and two-bedroom villas all offer views of the Indian Ocean, as well as a private pool, outdoor living area and a landscaped tropical garden. Taking advantage of the setting, outdoor showers and covered Pendopo pavilions overlook the landscape, making the space reminiscent of a royal Balinese summer home.
In the four-bedroom Royal Water Palace, Balinese, Javanese and Arabian designs are married across 4,900 m². Guests can take a glass elevator to beach level, where a natural cave has been converted to a wine cellar. Rising to the top of the property, Jumeirah Bali’s speciality restaurant, Akasa Gastro Grill, is situated on the topmost level and offers views across the island’s waters.
Finally, Jumeirah’s signature Talise Spa pays homage to Turkey’s world-famous bathhouse culture. The spa totals 1,705 m², and features Bali’s first royal Turkish hammam, steam and sauna facilities, including a Vichy shower and five private treatment rooms.
