Just around the corner from Kuta, Seminyak is the epicenter of jet set cool for the urban tropical elite. With a concentration of some of the best restaurants, bars, spas and boutiques on Bali, not to mention a high percentage of some outrageously cool villas, Seminyak has developed into being leader of the island scene over the last few years. Some consider the place snobby, while others come to see and be seen. In the middle of the mix lives a thriving expatriate community of fashion designers, architects, restaurateurs and even the odd magazine editor. Bali suburbia it is, in all its chic glory.When it comes to accommodation the choice is as endless as the overdraft facility on your credit card. Visitors pay big bucks to setup shop in Seminyak: although there are still some good deals to be found, but you have to book well in advance and be prepared to bargain hard - at this time of year mark ups for villa dwellers are the norm. Unlike Kuta or Legian, Seminyak is actually rather easy to navigate on foot. Away from the traffic jams of Laksmana most of the boutique shops and galleries are central enough to be within walking distance of where you are staying. There's less 'hassle factor' evident in this part of town too, so ditch the taxi (save that for the ride home) and explore one of the funkiest parts of Bali for some very cool retail therapy. seminyak Sabbatha (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 734 877) continues to astound with his highly original and uber glamourous bags for him and her. His range of accessories is equally as desirable as the bags with some incredible gemstone studded bracelets that are hard to put back on the shelf. Prasada (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 735 805) is an exclusive boutique and a fashionable alternative for anyone seeking exquisite yet contemporary style. Prasada brings forth a style focusing on fashion, resort wear, jewellry and accessories. Specializing in luxury silks, and fine cottons incorporating hand beading and sequins to elaborate on the already prominent high quality merchandise offered in the store. Traditional materials or motifs are often incorporated in the form of printed batik style silks or natural woven baskets. The unique collection of quality, original jewellry available compliments the wide selection of exclusive accessories and clothing throughout the store.
seminyak If you're worried about getting too much sun on your skin (or haven't seen the sun owing to nocturnal tendencies) check out Glo (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 738 689) for a professional spray tan in a choice of three healthy glowing shades. What's more, it only takes a few minutes to achieve. Glo also delivers some of the best manicures and pedicures on the island. Gay friendly and essentially, but not exclusively, a spa for men, M Spa (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 736 715) boasts a staff of all male therapists. The menu presents a wide choice of massage including the Meng Massage administered by two boys using four hands. Also recommended are the body masks, scrubs, facials, and the traditional Balinese Boreh, a great treatment for sore muscles. Cocktails first, questions later…' uttered Vince Vaughan's immortal character in Swingers and not a truer word can be spoken about this Bali rite of passage into the Seminyak night. The sunsets over the beach in Seminyak can be truly astonishing and the crowds still flock like well lubricated lemmings to the one place on the coast that needs no real introduction. The suave and sexy can now level up at Ku De Ta (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 736 969) with the imminent opening of their VVIP upper decking area, affording those with squillions of disposable Rupiah an elevated vantage point over the setting sun. A super exclusive menu, private lounge area and service bordering on that of a five star resort are what paying punters can expect when ascending to the dizzying heights of the second floor. The rest of us can expect to slog it out over the sun loungers downstairs (get here around three in the afternoon to snag one of these, and guard it with military prowess), throw back the martinis and sample some truly atomic creations from the ambassadors of booze – Bar Solutions.If 'busy' isn't your scene then wander up the beach to either The Samaya or next door to La Lucciola (Jl Kayu Ayu, Petitenget, T: 0361 730 838) for a more relaxed sunset session. The chocolate martinis have to be ordered off the menu but are the best we've come across in Bali in two years of searching, and we've hunted high and low. Upstairs has the best views over the ocean but is non smoking, the downstairs bar is tucked away at the back of the dining area so take a table and consider staying for dinner as the New Australian cuisine is worth sampling.Dinner is an event in itself in Seminyak and, outside of Ubud, has some of the best restaurants on the island in her radius. Current pick of the bunch is Sarong (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 737 809) a restaurant, lounge and tapas bar oozing with visual texture and lush fabrics. At Sarong, street hawker food is raised to fine dining levels, and the result is divine. The menu features the great cuisines of Southeast Asia with dishes—and chefs—from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. The prices at Sarong don't reflect the quality of the cuisine or the setting, a resounding success after only a couple of months of being open. The Living Room (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 735 735) is a stalwart on the dining scene - a beautiful colonial style pavilion in a romantic garden setting encompassed by lacy white wrought iron railings. The extensive menu presents modern Asian fusion with a French twist. Dishes include frog legs with green papaya salad; Vietnamese spring rolls; honey wasabi beef; Thai seafood curry, and desserts such as dark and light chocolate mousse duo.Love the place or hate it, Seminyak cannot be ignored. It's a fun place to dive in and out of and the only part of the island to really party with the up market crowd. If Kuta is too kitsch (actually there's no 'if' in the equation) for your tastes then head uptown this August. Just don't expect to walk away from a big night out with much change left in your pocket.
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