The Mulia & Mulia Villas
"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? More is more at The Mulia. Arriving here is nothing short of cinematic, with unfathomably vast grounds stretching out over rolling hills that fall into a dazzlingly blue Indian Ocean. Located on Bali's southern tourist zone of Nusa Dua, this is the kind of place where you can step foot onto the property and not leave for days at a time. What's the backstory? Owned by Mulia Group, Indonesia's leading property developer, The Mulia represents one of the only Indonesian-owned mega-resorts in the Nusa Dua area of Bali. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? These suites and villas are stunning, but lack a real sense of place. The furniture, the bedding, the color palettes are all almost European in their swankiness. That's not to say the rooms aren't luxurious and comfortable—they definitely are. Over at Mulia Villas, the villas range from one bedroom up to an opulent six-bedroom Mulia Mansion. Each villa comes with its own garden and private plunge pool, and every door can slide open in order to bring the outdoors in. And whether you're out exploring Bali all day or just catching some sleep on the resort's expansive beachfront, your villa's indoor and outdoor shower options, plus Jacuzzi tub, are a great way to unwind in the privacy of your quarters. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? No charge for Wi-Fi. It's good! Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? We hope you like buffets. At The Cafe, the main dining spot, there's something almost reminiscent of Las Vegas in terms of the scope of what's on offer. The resort reportedly keeps over 100 chefs on the payroll, and each meal offers options to cater to American, European, Chinese, and Japanese clientele. For a more sophisticated dinner experience, head over to Edogin, a Japanese restaurant, for sushi and teppanyaki. Table 8, the Chinese restaurant, has a truly encyclopedic menu offering dishes from all over China. And the service? The staff is very good at explaining how to navigate the enormous property. Make sure to ask the concierge to arrange a trip to nearby Uluwatu Temple for sunset—it's one of the most magical things you'll witness on Bali. What type of travelers will you find here? The Mulia's core client base leans toward Asian markets, so expect lots of Chinese families and elegant Hong Kong couples on honeymoon. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? On the drive in, you'll see that Nusa Dua isn't much of a neighborhood beyond the cluster of enormous beach resorts that take up most of this part of Bali. That being said, the front desk staff is more than happy to order taxis and drivers to show you around the more authentic parts of the island. Is there anything you'd change? It's not that I would change anything, but the most important thing to understand about The Mulia is that you aren't coming here for an authentic slice of Balinese culture. You're coming here for pampering, for the food, and for spectacular beach time. Any other hotel features worth noting? The excellent spa is well-equipped to help treat any jet lag, sunburnt skin, or achy muscles. It has a Finnish wood sauna, steam room, and an ice fountain cryotherapy room. It's also worth mentioning that each stay comes with one complimentary high tea to be enjoyed at your leisure. You can order it with English-style finger sandwiches, but we recommend opting for the Indonesian style, with such delights as tape goreng (cassava pyramids wrapped in banana leaf), lemper ayam (sticky rice with chicken), and kue lapis (layered rice flour pudding cake). Bottom line: Worth it? Why? It's not quite the same as staying in Ubud or any of the surf communities along the shore, but a couple of nights at The Mulia is an indulgent experience that will make anyone feel like a total rockstar." - Todd Plummer
