I still remember my first trip to Bali with my parents at the impressionable age of seven. I was in awe of its untouched, raw and natural beauty—and I still am today. When I moved to Singapore in 2013, I found myself visiting the Island of the Gods almost every other month. And though I don’t travel there as frequently nowadays, the rapid rate of its development never ceases to amaze me.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many of my friends relocated to Bali and have since acquired distressed assets up and down the coast. A handful have built their own villas—a lot of them in Canggu—and so I have come to know this area well.
Formerly a quiet, unassuming village, Canggu has become a mecca for digital nomads all over the world transforming it to an incredibly busy, vibrant area. There is always something new and trendy that opens up in this cool district, so I’ve rounded up the best villas, restaurants, bars and hotspots worth a visit.
Home To Call Your Own
First and foremost, the accommodation. There aren’t many decent hotel options in Canggu, so villas are definitely the way to go when staying in this part of Bali. The Luxe Nomad is my go-to when it comes to booking a villa in Bali (they also have villas in Phuket, Samui and properties in ski destinations like Niseko). The thing I value most is that they have access to the best and newest properties—the selection is immaculately curated—and there are simply so many great options to choose from!
As we were travelling in a group for a friend’s 40th birthday, we needed four ensuite bedrooms with all the luxuries, so we stayed at the beautiful newly built Villa Belladonna. With our pantry stocked up with snacks and a chef on standby to prepare meals, it was easy to slide to full-on holiday mode. Having posted up a storm on social media, unfortunately, this villa has already been snapped up for a year-long rental.
Good for them, but for those still in search of a true gem, I highly recommend the stunning Akashi Residence located in the same area. At 2,000 sqm, the modern open-air design by Alexis Dornier is visually impressive to say the least. It’s not your run-of-the-mill tropical villa: it’s circular in shape and features a silver spiral pool slide at its heart. It’s easy to see why BOSS just did a six-month pop-up here—the residence glamorously epitomises its classic yet edgy personality.
And PSA, if you’re looking to stock up on groceries for your home away from home, head to organic grocer Bokashi for some healthy eats. Another popular spot is Bali Direct, which carries everything from vegan dairy products to muesli and granola as well as cold cuts and dips.
Out and About
Once you’re ready to venture out and sample Canggu’s culinary offerings, you’re sure to be surprised by the sheer number (and variety) of restaurants to explore. I have a few trusted, go-to places including Kong, Riviera Bistro, Skool Kitchen and Shelter.
For casual dining, you can’t beat Kilo Kitchen (which has outlets in Seminyak and Pererenan) serving plates laced with Latin and Asian flavours. Likewise, the well-loved Woods Pererenan offers elevated comfort food with a Mediterranean slant.
Needless to say, Canggu has become quite the global eating destination so you’re virtually guaranteed to satisfy any craving here. Looking for Italian? Numero Quattro in Echo Beach has plenty of sumptuous dishes on the menu, but save space for authentic gelato at Ettore Gelato. If you’re in the mood for soulful Indian with a side of good cocktails, Rize or Red Gunpowder would hit the spot. Motel Mexicola has also opened a new location in Canggu, which operates as a restaurant by day and nightclub as dusk falls. This lively spot is a go-to for delicious tacos and uber popular margaritas.
Sunset Sessions
Even before all the bars and the beach clubs, locals always came to the beaches of Canggu to take in the epic sunsets. There’s an art to watching the remains of the day nowadays, and I highly suggest sundowners at local haunts like The Lawn and La Brisa, which have staying power for good reason.
One of the hottest venues in Bali right now is LUNA Beach Club. Trust me, the drive to Nuanu City is worth it. This sprawling estate consists of two restaurants, a Utopia Cave Club, Luna Beer Garden, Gardenia Tree Pods and other architectural masterpieces… there’s even a gelato jelly bean bar!
As I entered the main complex, I felt as though I had been transported to Tulum. The vortex-like structure is built entirely from bamboo and phrases like “holistic hedonism” and “Ibiza meets Las Vegas” comes to mind as the club also takes some design cues from the Burning Man Festival in the US. I can now see why our friend Jason Swamy hosted his first Bali festival, Suara, here over the summer.
Another hotspot to put on your list is Desa Kitsuné, a new establishment that opened earlier this year by the French-Japanese lifestyle brand Maison Kitsuné. It’s their first foray into luxury hospitality with a unique concept that marries Balinese culture and Kitsuné’s art de vivre. Named after the Indonesian word for “village”, the innovative day club concept is a feast for the senses and reflects an immersive journey where visitors will never want to leave. Look out for their iconic fox symbol, which has been transformed into village totems reminiscent of Indonesian temple art.
If you still have a slot to fill, another place I’d recommend for Friday night is Morabito Art Villa—they always have the best DJs and the hottest crowd in town.
Once you feel ready to sweat the toxins away, head to Sunday Mood Bali—a new infrared sauna shop with an ice cold plunge pool. For ladies who want to join a good fitness class, I highly suggest the “booty builder” at Wanderlust Fitness Village or a session at Wrong Gym. And of course for something that’s a bit more social, you can’t go amiss with a group game of padel at Bali Social Club.
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Antonia da CruzCredit
Lead Image: Antonia da Cruz
