In Conversation: Manish Puri, GM, Regent Bali Canggu

Regent’s reemergence into the global luxury landscape has been nothing short of captivating. Poised at the edge of Canggu’s most coveted shoreline, Regent Bali Canggu is the brand’s newest expression of contemporary indulgence, where refined quietude meets an unmistakably modern allure. Since opening, the resort has quickly found its place among the world’s most talked-about escapes: spotlighted by Forbes as one of 25 most anticipated luxury debuts, featured on DestinAsian’s Luxe List, and crowned by Robb Report as “The Oceanfront Oasis in Bali.”

Beyond the accolades lies an assuring brand promise of discretion, service excellence, and a beachfront sanctuary for those who seek sophistication without spectacle. In this spirit, we sit down with Manish Puri, General Manager of Regent Bali Canggu, to explore how this ethos translates into a new icon – quietly yet confidently reshaping the meaning of luxury on Bali’s most dynamic coastal enclave.

Regent is known for its unique brand of luxury with soul. What is the overall vision for Regent Bali Canggu and how does it fit into and standout from the overall offering in Canggu?

Manish Puri: Regent Bali Canggu offers a fresh interpretation of the Balinese tropical island vacation, redefining modern luxury through artisanship and exceptional design. Within Canggu’s evolution from a quiet surfers’ enclave to a lifestyle destination, the resort positions itself as relaxed yet sophisticated island luxury, delivering an immersive, seamless experience that balances tradition and contemporary elegance.

How did you want guests to feel upon arrival, and how have the architectural design by WATG helped bring that feeling to life?

Manish Puri: Arrival is conceived as a serene “decompression moment.” A private, gently winding driveway leads to a shaded arrival pavilion with contemporary expressions of Balinese detail. Guests pass through a tunnel beneath an elevated road and emerge into a village-like cluster of amenities before the journey culminates at a viewing lounge set on a reflecting pond facing the ocean, an intentional sequence designed to instill calm, discovery, and anticipation.

Bali luxury is often tied to tradition, spirituality and culture. How has WATG helped to weave local Balinese architectural motifs, materials, spiritual/sacred geometry, and heritage into Regent Bali Canggu’s design?

Manish Puri: WATG blends traditional Balinese inspirations with contemporary language: low-slung guestroom blocks shape intimate courtyards and pools; timber columns, beams, and decorative screens echo local craftsmanship; and extensive use of andesite stone—referencing poleng patterns and the motion of waves—anchors the buildings in place. Visual corridors incorporate the nearby temple, extending the ocean vista and acknowledging the spiritual landscape.

Thinking of the full guest journey, what are some architecture and design moments by WATG that you believe surprise or delight guests?

Manish Puri: Key moments include the under-road passage that seamlessly unites two parcels of land; the village-like amenity cluster that gradually reveals restaurants, lounges and spa, and the axial composition from the main pool to the ocean, culminating at the reflecting-pond viewing lounge. Generous balconies, ocean-oriented room placements, and penthouse “elevated villas” with plunge pools add to the sense of discovery and delight.

How has the architecture and planning addressed both luxury and environmental responsibility?

Manish Puri: At Regent Bali Canggu, sustainability is woven into the language of luxury. The resort’s low-rise architecture embraces passive cooling and natural ventilation, with shaded courtyards, deep balconies, and timber screens that invite the coastal breeze while reducing energy use. Locally sourced stone and teak ground the design in Balinese tradition, while hand-carved details celebrate artisanal craftsmanship and ensure longevity. Water-saving fixtures, greywater recycling, and native planting further minimize the footprint. The result is a sanctuary where environmental responsibility enhances the guest experience, offering the true luxury of feeling connected to Bali’s landscape and spirit.

From your experience, how has WATG’s design facilitated smooth operations behind the scenes – supply flows, staff circulation, food & beverage logistics, maintenance?

Manish Puri: WATG’s design facilitates smooth operations by separating guest and service circulation, aligning kitchens and F&B venues with dedicated back-of house zones, and integrating efficient service lifts and delivery access. Staff routes, storage, and waste flows are logically placed to minimize travel time and guest disruption, while maintenance zones and building services are accessible yet concealed, ensuring operational efficiency behind the scenes.

What impact has WATG’s architectural design had on the property’s ability to be successful? 

Manish Puri: The architectural design by WATG enables the property to stand out visually and functionally, thereby improving guest satisfaction, repeat stays, and brand reputation. We can share that the hotel condition score shows a consistent positive trend throughout the year, ending with a strong YTD average score of 95.8%. From March 2025 onward, the property has maintained above 88% – in some months, like November, 100% even, indicating stable improvement and strong upkeep performance.