We Know Bali

Our first foray in Bali dates back to 1991 with the Grand Hyatt – the largest hotel in Bali at the time with 636 keys. Since then, our works have brought us from Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak, Tanah Lot, Ungasan to Canggu. Throughout our three decades of Bali hospitality design experience, we have consistently worked with clients who value originality, collaboration, and the art of hospitality who share our belief that the foundation of long-term success is built with considered vision, innovative yet timeless design, and an unrelenting respect for local cultures and their natural environments.

“To date, WATG had designed nearly all international-branded luxury large-scale hotels in Bali including Bali Nirwana Resort (later renamed to Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, now demolished), Hotel Nikko Bali (now Hilton Bali Resort), Conrad Bali, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, the new Ritz-Carlton Bali in Nusa Dua, the upcoming Regent Resort Canggu, and Rosewood Tanah Lot Bali.” (source: Medium.com)

Each WATG designed resort encompasses its own distinct character and flavor whilst also paying utmost respect to Balinese culture and context, engaging and enhancing the local community.

Bali’s rich culture stems from its unique historical influences, primarily from ancient kingdoms and Indian traders, which introduced Hinduism and Buddhism to the island. This blend of religions, along with indigenous beliefs, permeates daily life through intricate rituals, festivals, and ceremonies. The island’s artistic traditions in dance, music, and craftsmanship, renowned throughout the world, reflect its deep spiritual and communal values. Second to none, Bali’s stunning natural landscapes inspire and sustain its cultural practices, while tourism have further enriched its cultural heritage, enhancing its vibrancy.

Our creative instinct has always been to honor these intrinsic qualities, preserving and celebrating the unique cultures, landscapes, and communities of Bali. Through our ritualistic approach in honoring a place, we achieve a deep resonance by telling timeless tales that reflect its essence.

Our time-tested approach has consistently delivered innovative, culturally resonant designs that continuously appeal to newer generation of luxury travelers while ensuring functionality for operational precision. To date, WATG has commemorated many milestones in Bali:

• Grand Hyatt Bali in 1991 – the largest hotel in Bali at the time on more than 17 hectares land with 636 keys
• The first Ritz-Carlton in Southeast Asia in 1996, located in Jimbaran in Bali (now the AYANA Resort, another WATG design)
• Pan Pacific Nirwana in 1997 – one of the pioneering resorts with the incorporation of existing rice paddy fields as part of its golf course design. The strategy to work with the existing landscape not only ensures minimal impact on ecosystems and biodiversity but also heightens sense of place
• Ritz-Carlton in Nusa Dua in 2015 which marked the luxury brand’s return to Bali after six years
• Aloft Seminyak in 2019, designed with the clever use of upcycled surf elements and unexpected collaboration such as commissioning a local tattoo artist to conceive the resort’s murals
• The first LXR resort in Southeast Asia – the Umana Bali, in 2023

Below, we look at a select few resorts that exemplify the WATG way of design.

Situated harmoniously alongside the Indian Ocean, at the southern tip of Bali’s Nusa Dua, The Ritz-Carlton Bali blends unique, contemporary design elements with a lush and exotic natural environment. The hotel  marks the return of the Ritz-Carlton brand to the island after six years.

The architecture takes inspirations from Balinese concepts of indoor and outdoor spaces, and tastefully infuses these with contemporary interpretations of traditional architecture elements and local materials. It was imperative that the natural beauty of the cliff was preserved which led to some very interesting design solutions. The cliff that separates the resort in half is kept as an exuberant landscape background, punctuated by an iconic 70-meter high glass elevator tower that connects the two levels of the resort. The main lobby at the upper level is perched along the edge of the cliff, offering spectacular, panoramic views of the coastline. The spa at the lower level is nestled at the foot of the cliff while the guest wings, villas, restaurants and main pool are arranged towards the pristine beaches.

WATG’s collaboration with AYANA first started in 2009 with the AYANA Resort and Spa. Since then, we have commemorated our fifth collaboration with the launch of the AYANA Segara Resort in late 2022, a testament to an enduring and successful client relationship that delivers results.

Located in Jimbaran, the AYANA Estate is a sprawling expanse of nature with pristine shoreline. Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, the four story AYANA Resort & Spa was carefully designed to reflect Bali’s traditional architecture and natural beauty. Alang-alang thatched roofs were used for the villas, which offer private ocean-view plunge pools with infinity edges, and open-air lounging area. Sensitivity to Balinese design can be seen in the low-rise massing and in details such as thatched roofing, limestone carvings, Balinese doors, slate and marble floors, and limestone fences, bringing together an immersive Balinese experience.

The first Sofitel luxury hotel in Indonesia, the rice terraced hills of central Bali to the sandy beaches of the south were the idea behind the overall layout and scale of buildings to create the complete Bali experience within the resort. In the lobby, guests are welcomed by large timber columns that support the roof, symbolizing a banyan tree which in Balinese villages are the center of social life. The understanding and appreciation for Balinese heritage was integrated into the design and demonstrated by using local craftsmen, traditional carvings, panels and gates, doorways and local materials.

As the property’s mature vegetation increasingly obstructed sea views from the rooms, a strategic design intervention was implemented. A meandering pool, accessible directly from the rooms and linking to the main pool, was introduced to enhance guest experience. This feature has added value particularly to the rooms located at the far end of the property, which, due to their new direct access to the pool and existing privacy, now command higher room rates—even surpassing those with direct sea views.

Sofitel Nusa Dua has consistently ranked as one of the top-performing Sofitels in the region, more than a decade after its launch, and continues to deliver success with a long list of awards including Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award 2023, World Travel Awards 2023, and Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award 2022 for Best Resorts in the World. This success underscores the lasting impact of timeless design and innovation.

+ Green Globe^TM Eco Certification received in 2024
+ 20+ Awards and Accolades

Winner of Travel + Leisure’s It List 2024: The Best New Hotels of the Year, Umana Bali LXR has been making waves since its opening in November 2023.

Located on the southernmost tip of Bali, Umana Bali is rooted both in the unique landscape of the area and profound local philosophy Tri Hita Karana. WATG & Wimberly Interiors were entrusted with the renovations and repositioning of the existing property where the architecture, landscape and Wimberly Interiors design studios came together to transform this sprawling clifftop resort into Southeast Asia’s first LXR Hotels & Resorts property.

“At Umana Bali, you can have an unforgettable time without ever leaving your villa.” – Channel News Asia

In 2012, WATG was commissioned to design a luxury resort on a six-hectare site located in Canggu. It was not long ago when the Canggu area was an idyllic town, favored mostly by surfers enamored by the large waves crashing along Echo Beach as well as island trekkers in search of alternative places from the familiar and often crowded beaches in Bali.

Today, Canggu has evolved into a lifestyle destination with its array of quality beach clubs, restaurants, bars, cafes, fitness, yoga, and retail shops. The upcoming launch of Regent Bali Canggu in late 2024 will mark an exciting chapter for the region. Offering a quaint brand of relaxed and sophisticated island luxury, Regent Bali Canggu seamlessly weaves together the charms of traditional inspirations with fresh and uplifting contemporary design. The resort is poised to draw a new generation as well as affluent luxury travelers from near and far who are seeking new experiences, rejuvenation and cultural immersion on the island of Bali.