These clifftop villas have the best views in Bali

The Ungasan Clifftop Resort is a heavenly setting for any family escape.

From its prime perch along a sweeping coastline of emerald and deep turquoise, The Ungasan is a stunning setting for any family escape.  Set along the magical Indian Ocean on Bali’s southern tip, this luxury accommodation is home to seven five-bedroom clifftop villas of 2500 square metres each. Each villa also boasts a private pool with breathtaking sunset views. There’s butler service, sprawling in-villa feasts, and hours spent lazing around a private pool.

Cara Wagstaff checks into Santai Sorga

Jaws drop as our car pulls up to our ultra-luxury five-bedroom private villa, Santai Sorga, perched on a cliff overlooking the Bukit Peninsula at the southernmost tip of Bali. I thought it was the resort’s reception before realising the huge space was all ours. Alet, one of our two personal butlers for the duration of our stay greets us, offering sweet young coconuts for us to sip on as we he takes us on a tour of our sprawling hacienda-inspired abode.

The Ungasan villas

Santai Sorga is one of five exclusive-use villas at The Ungasan. The luxury resort also offers a handful of suites with shared common garden areas, a pool, lounge, media and dining room for guests travelling in smaller groups. In our party we have five adults and a baby, so we spread out in our private Balinese villa and enjoy our own space.

And space there is. Santai Sorga has four king-size bedrooms with ensuites on the ground floor and a master suite with an expansive deck  that encompasses the entire second floor. Multiple dining areas, a private cinema and a butler’s kitchen, and a private infinity pool surrounded with loungers, umbrellas and fluffy towels, complete the picture.

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Dining at The Ungasan Bali

Once we’ve settled in, I order a margarita from the in-villa dining menu and relax, watching the sunset. I can see why celebrities including former Miss Universe Australia, Jen Hawkins, and singer, Tones and I, chose this property for their weddings. It is so picturesque.

For dinner, we head to the pool deck, one of three outdoor deck dining options, where Alet serves us a traditional Indonesian rijsttafel, a meal of multiple delicious dishes. We delve happily into the spicy sambals, satay skewers, chargrilled pork ribs, whole snapper, chicken curry, and barbecued vegetables served with steaming jasmine rice.

I’m a big fan of in-villa dining now that we have a baby in tow. I love that we can finish up and head straight to our room and fall asleep instantly with full stomachs, looking forward to exploring more of the resort tomorrow.

Activities at the Ungasan Clifftop Resort

Morning brings tough decisions. Do we play a round of tennis, hit the gym, venture to the restaurant, people-watch guests arriving for Sundays Beach Club or enjoy breakfast poolside in our villa? We choose the latter, feasting on a buffet of fresh, seasonal tropical fruits, pastries, yogurt, muesli, sourdough with dripping honeycomb, and cooked a la carte dishes.  There is a coffee machine in our kitchen, however we’re craving barista-style coffee and order from the restaurant. It arrives via a buggy cart and we’re all impressed with the waiters driving skills while holding a tray full of coffees.

The Ungasan Spa

Finally ready to peel myself off the sun lounger and while my daughter enjoys some time with dad, I head to the onsite spa, Vela, for a pampering. The spa has one of the best views I’ve ever seen with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the Indian Ocean. My therapist uses local Sensatia Botanicals products for a deep cleansing facial. I walk out glowing.

Sundays Beach Club

Bliss out at Sundays Beach Club, where crystalline lagoons meet shady parasols and soft sand. The beach club is located directly on the beach and offers a VIP area for couples and families, along with the private Beach Cabanas & Beach House that accommodates up to 20. Dance the afternoon away with daily live music, make use of complimentary water sports equipment or cosy up on beanbags at the open-air beach cinema. You can also take an ice bath, join daily sunset bonfires and enjoy a delicious menu curated by award-winning Chef James Viles. A perk of staying at The Ungasan is that guests receive priority access and reserved daybeds at Sundays Beach Club.

Lifeguards are on duty and there’s complimentary snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Dad looks after the baby and I take a SUP out at low tide, marveling at all of the marine life darting through the coral.

After exploring, we settle into a VIP cabana and enjoy a late lunch and cocktails. As the sun starts to set we move down to the beach. Staff start to light small bonfires and bring around sticks and marshmallows for us to roast.

Exploring Uluwatu

Uluwatu is about a 15-minute taxi ride away, depending on traffic so it is a bit harder to get out and about than more tourist-centric locations like Seminyak. Car seats are also rare so we end up travelling with our daughter on our lap.

Uluwatu is renowned for its beaches, however access is somewhat difficult with steep cliffs and winding paths through caves. We head to Padang Padang Beach and conveniently at the ticket booth we are able to leave our travel pram so we don’t have to carry it down. If you’re heading to the Uluwatu beaches make sure you pack light.

A trip to the Uluwatu Temple is also a great option for parents with older kids. Keep a close eye on your belongings though as the monkeys are very sneaky and may try to steal any loose objects like camera cases or sunglasses. At sunset, you can watch a traditional Balinese Kecak dance.

You can also soar over Bali’s dramatic coastline via helicopter, dive into an underwater wonderland and raft along adrenaline-pumping rapids. For any Tiger Woods fans, the Pandawa Golf Course is also a must, set on a limestone cliff overlooking Bukit Peninsula’s world-famous surf. When the day draws to a close, you can return to The Ungasan knowing you’ll be well looked after.

Where is The Ungasan?

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.

Images supplied by The Ungasan unless specified otherwise.

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