One of Bali’s pioneering cliff haunts since 2008, super-chic Karma Beach Bali doesn’t boast a pool per se, but makes-up for this minor inconvenience with a Colgate-white sand cove fringed by emerald-hued pristine waters and a Robinson-Crusoe-style, all-bamboo restaurant-bar. All easily accessed by private hill tram from Karma Kandara Resort, tottering high above on Uluwatu’s rugged clifftops.
This former Nammos Beach Club, inspired by its hedonistic Aegean counterparts, rebranded as Karma Group’s flagship beach club four years ago the embodiment of flip-flop island life meets Karma’s jet-setter luxe. Outside guests pay a day pass of IDR500,000, a small price to pay for paradise and with so many goodies thrown-in – including IDR300,000 F&B credit – excellent value for fun-filled days.
Inclusive pursuits cover sea kayaking, snorkeling in the reefs, volleyball, kid’s activities and sunbaking on cabanas, sun beds and double-sized pod daybeds. Karma Spa’s beachfront cabana (from Martini & Manicures to Ice-cream Foot Massages for “Young Travelers”) and SUP’s offer more frolics, albeit at extra cost.
Cuisine here is Mediterranean and Greek islands-inspired, highlighting freshest, locally sourced produce, fish and seafood – complete with a Raw Bar – and big plate, small bite servings for shared, family-style dining, either on the extensive bamboo dining platform, or come dusk, at romantic tables down on the sand. Signature dishes include Sea salt crusted whole Jimbaran fish, baked, like the scrumptious pizzas, in the wood-fired oven. Karma’s cocktails, curated by the Belvedere Hotel Mykonos’ mixologist, transforms natural ingredients into wonders like vodka-based Drunken Watermelon, served in ice-stacked jugs.
Additionally, get your groove on with daily DJ Sunset Sessions during the week (3pm to 7pm), or weekend Karma Days with split day and sunset sessions from international DJs and live musicians – Sunday ends-up a bigger party and dancing scene. Karma Beach regularly hosts a stellar line-up of top-ranking International DJ’s, music curators and live performers throughout the year and some of the island’s hottest parties (so good, it’s a challenge remembering what happened), like mega popular Glow Parties. More sedate daily themes cover Monday Movie Nights under the stars and Friday’s Karma Curries.
No wonder Karma Beach ranks as CNN Travel’s “World’s 50 Best Beach Bars,” but like all savvy legends, keeps abreast of the competition, with plans for a stylish circular floating bar, extra seating and more, and with a new Argentinean-born chef installed, menus promising succulent grilled fish and meats. Keep updated on Karma’s social media – or better still, come down for the day.
