Seminyak Styling

August is here and the island springs into life for the annual month long rush hour of jet set types hitting the fair shores of Bali for a dose of tropical sun, surf and the scene that is Seminyak. Platinum cards at the ready for a VIP quick exit to fashionista central. Ray Bans optional…

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.

Worth checking out are Heliconia Villas (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 730 563) for their Balinese style villas with open living in a private tropical garden scene, funky swimming pools and only a five minute walk to the restaurant and bar scene on Seminyak's infamous 'Eat Street'. Slightly more up market is The Samaya (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 731 149). With twenty four idyllic villas all facing the ocean it is one of the coolest places to soak up the Seminyak sunset and soak in a wide variety of whiskies on the wooden decking. The Elysian (Jl Sari Dewi, T: 0361 730 999) is a boutique style villa resort tucked away behind The Oberoi Resort in the back streets that join Laksmana to Dhyana Pura. It has a cosy selection of twenty six small villas perfectly suited to the weekend party crowd, but is also a good option for couples seeking some privacy in an otherwise very busy part of Bali.

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.

Biasa (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 730 308) is a long established classy boutique stocking a beautiful range of soft cotton, Indian silks and top-quality linen and rayon clothing, for women and men, with the emphasis on cool comfort. The collections are ideally suited for Bali's hot climate, late night parties, or a walk on the beach. Magali Pascal (Jl. Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 732 132) designs a range of silk, chiffon, glamour and luxury for the new generation of sophisticated, fashionable, sexy women who love balmy Bali nights. French-born fashion designer Magali Pascal's clothing is beautifully embellished. Dresses, tops, skirts, trousers and jackets glitter with a youthful radiance. This season's collection moves into brighter colours with some very cool shades also available. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, so if a proposal is on the cards, Jemme's (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 733 508) diamond collection is guaranteed to delight. This sophisticated jewellery shop presents brilliantly crafted adornments for a discerning clientele. Clusters of crystals, diamonds, zircons and precious metals, including platinum and white gold, are combined in innovative contemporary designs.

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.

Predominantly women's wear, but a range of children's wear and men's shirts are available.

Dinda Rella (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 736 953 & Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 734 228) stocks a range of cool cocktail dresses, flowing frocks and glamorous gowns fashioned in richly coloured satin and crinkle silk, and finished with a whole host of highly decorative applications including Swarovski crystals, stones, diamante jewels, beads, sequins and embroidery. Beautifully integrated accessories include flirty fans and party bags embellished with feathers and beads.

Nilou (Jl Raya Kerobokan, T: 0361 744 6068) has been in the business of selling high quality, handmade high-heeled shoes, boots, sandals, bags and belts for some years now and has a well-established and loyal fan base including Uma Thurman and Gisele who shop here when in town. Nilou combines style with comfort; shoes are custom made to fit and come with a 100% guarantee, even if the sole is worn out after three years of wear. From chic and sexy camisoles, chemises, bustiers, bras, panties and thongs, fashioned from the finest Italian fabrics and lace, to classic, practical, combed cotton briefs, Niconico Intima (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 731 172) presents a powerful combination of romantic, sensual, glamorous and feminine designs. Niconico Blue for men offers a stylish collection of boxers and briefs.

Bridging the gap between shopping and a sundown cocktail spree the Seminyak spa scene is worth checking out. Guys head to Prana (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 730 840) for the Turkish Delight Hamman treatment or the recommended Prana Male Facial that shaves years off even the youngest of complexions. Ladies are also catered to at Prana but many opt for the male masseuse treatments next door at Chill (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 733 751). New on the menu is a therapy designed to combat the stresses of jet lag. Deeply therapeutic and healing, the therapists target the acupressure points in the whole body using signature lotions made from essential oils, paying particular attention to tension points in the head, ears and neck to balance the energies in the body, particularly those in the three chakras located above your shoulder girdle. The treatment relieves negative energy, aches and migraines, and boosts sluggish blood circulation – all common symptoms of travelling 30,000 feet above the Earth in a pressurized cabin, or more commonly after a serious night out on the town.

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.

Mannekepis (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 847 5784) is a new Belgian restaurant in Seminyak (right next door to Made's Warung) reminiscent of a European bistro with a beautifully-styled interior featuring a long bar. The menu presents some authentic Belgian specialties, along with a good choice of global eclectics. A friendly place to socialise and enjoy the sounds of live jazz and blues music on Thursday & Saturday nights from 8.30 pm. Gado Gado (Jl Dhyana Pura, T : 0361 736 966) is a beachfront favourite offering seriously fine dining in a stunning and very romantic location, overlooking the ocean. The spacious lounge bar area with soft comfortable sofas extends outside onto a wide, open-air terrace shaded by leafy trees. International cuisine with enticing lunch and dinner menus offering beautifully presented, exotic dishes and plenty of seafood and luscious desserts.

Just up the road from The Living Room, hu'u (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 736 443) remains extremely popular with the Jakarta crowd. Dinner here is always a treat as are the lychee martinis on the oversized garden cushions. The music policy tends to let the place down a bit (operatic house music anyone?) so the post midnight crowd tends to gravitate back towards the direction of The Living Room or up into Legian and F-Lounge (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 730 562) for some abstract beats. It's down to the rooftop floor of Anantara (Jl Abimanyu, T: 0361 737 773) to SOS for something a little funkier: currently the trendiest spot on the block this place is a lot of fun but also one of the most expensive places to knock back the drinks on the island.

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…