Bali has emerged as a global party mecca – greater Seminyak its nerve centre – and the party season is imminent, darlink. Time to find yourself a fabulous party pad … By Katie Truman.
LUNA2 STUDIOTEL
THE moment you “dock” at Luna2 Studios, a futuristic white building, sharply contrasting with its traditional gang in downtown Seminyak, and checked in – by staff kitted out in Pan Am 1960s-style, flight attendant uniform and “Cosmic Crew” – it’s lift-off for fun!
A short totter from Seminyak Beach, this “cosmic pad for globe-trotting gastronauts” launched 2013 and, next door to acclaimed Luna2 Private Hotel, presents a new boutique studiotel concept for Bali – more South Beach or London. Luna2’s 14 studios emanate inimitable style, exclusivity and mindset, joining other like-minded guests or Luna2 Club private members: discerning, culturally savvy and well-travelled, singles, couples or groups – “jet-setting lunatics” – expecting sky-high service levels and fun.
Luna2’s entire building is seriously playful – even the facilities – but especially, the studios; space-ious from 66sqm, far from somewhere to “sleep” (boring!), the party pad concept is all about fun and entertaining.
Named after, and inspired by, the first (unmanned) spacecraft landing on the moon, late 1950s, British owner-interior designer Melanie Hall reveals a nostalgic devotion with 1950s and 1960s era; this throwback retro and cosmic-licious space travel theme permeates throughout, from architectural references – retro-modernist – to interior design, style, service, music and cuisine. Melanie’s design ethos is: “Luna2 respects the past, welcomes the future and has fun in the process,” and design style, “FUNked up modernism.”
Fab interiors feature dazzling white walls with bursts of primary blues, reds, yellows and greens – accent colours solo themed in each studio. A signature geometric black and white pattern features throughout, from outer walls to printed curtains, while iconic Monopoly counter symbols (iron, hat, etc), Lego pieces and Rubik’s Cube are reborn as giant-sized corridor objets. Ten Studios, three Grand Studios and a Sunset Studio are even named after Monopoly streets (Strand, Bond Street, Mayfair and Piccadilly) and scream contemporary retro with an Austin Powers “Yeah Baby!” groovy vibe.
All studios feature stone balconies overlooking the Mondrian-esque colour-block pool, open-plan lounge-dining space, work station and kitchenette, three TVs (including one cube-shaped Brionvega) and pre-loaded iPod and Nespresso machine. All are individually designed, with retro furniture and furnishings utilising diverse textures, by Melanie with additional design classics by well-known designers, such as Jasper Morrison, and iconic 1960s motifs. Natty colour co-ordination runs throughout, from bathroom Italian Bisazza mosaics and Perspex lightshades, to ultra-cool SMEG refrigerators (Luna2 MAXI bar) and circular sofas. Some studios conveniently interconnect; Grand Studio links-up with Luna2’s largest space (77sqm), Sunset Studio, AKA Mayfair On Three, providing two corner balconies for third-floor ocean views, bar with bartender on request, space capsule bed and customised Union Jack SMEG refrigerator. A lounge-dining area accommodates four.
This cosmic studiotel also offers some far out public spaces, backed with gourmet “lunafood” and Wine Spectator’s Awarded-wine cellar, with 18 champagne labels and sommelier.
Off we go into Orbit – Luna2’s restaurant/bar beside the lobby; ultra-retro and minimalist style in sunflower yellow and white, sunny-side-up for breakfasts, lunch, espresso coffees, designer cocktails and dinners. Through futuristic bubble windows, Poolside is visible – the place for pool parties with 25-metre lap pool (and underwater lunatunes), cabanas and Fuel Station, headed by a cosmonaut-inclined graffiti wall.
“Space”, the final frontier? Actually, Luna2’s rooftop bar, on the stratospheric fourth floor, breezy and open-sided surveying the Indian Ocean with fully-stocked bar, kitchen and DJ booth. Space makes a cool spot for in-house sunset canapés, yoga and massage sessions, or fashion shows and themed parties; get spaced-out on a Cosmic Cocktail.
Lounge-bar is Luna2’s glitzy nightclub, inspired by New York’s Studio 54 and girly pink and sexy with flashing lights dance floor, full bar and resident DJs. Intimate for trysts, yet big enough to host birthday bashes (for around 60). Next door, ultra-cool Lunaplex 16-seat movie theatre screens complimentary films daily – decadently plush with multi-coloured suede rockers, press hand-held controls for Foie gras Bling Dogs and popcorn-infused cocktails.
Just steps away from Seminyak’s beach clubs and the adjoining Luna2 Private Hotel; a mega-luxe five-bedroom property with 20-plus staff including three international chefs, two gastronomic kitchens, fully-stocked bar and beachfront pool and deck, hugely popular for personalised events and parties – and available for joint-hire with Luna2 Studios.
Houston, we certainly don’t have a problem!
HU’U KNEW?
IF your private villa is neighbours with one of Greater Seminyak’s most beloved bar-restaurants and HQ of a refined party mindset, you’ll be in the mood to party in no time. Now part of a multi-concept, 4,300-square-metre ‘resort,’ the new exclusive hu’u Villas Seminyak are directly positioned behind Petitenget’s revamped hu’u Bar and adjoining Baba’s at hu’u restaurant.
Since opening 2001, hu’u has been the epitome of mega-cool Bali, attracting thousands of global revelers and hosting countless party nights led by international DJs. Recent celebrity guests include Paris Hilton and Quincy Delight Jones Jr. Hu’u’s highly regarded restaurant has undergone recent renovations, resulting in Baba’s at hu’u restaurant; still a culinary haven and gorgeous outdoor ambience, but with an extended ‘Garden of Eden’ Lounge and showcasing dishes from South-east Asia’s major ethnicities. And, launching their ten hu’u Villas Seminyak – one-bedroom lofts, two-bedroom Villas and deluxe Penthouse Villa – hu’u raises the bar again, a mini-sanctuary and luxury island getaway home in the heart of happening Seminyak-Petitenget. No beach views, but with all this, who cares??
“Guests will have unique access to the acclaimed services and amenities of this multi-functional complex designed to provide a getaway, fusing together choice luxury villa accommodation, epicurean journeys and vibrant beats, where guests from across the world come to mingle,” hu’u tour de force, Sean Lee, says.
Just beyond Baba’s, hu’u’s semi-detached private villas, strung along a narrow path fringed with lusciously tropical plants, are headed-up by the Penthouse Villa, detached for extra privacy.
Each villa comes designed in contemporary Balinese and understated Asian modern luxury, with a private pool (20sqm) and iron -wood sun deck within a secluded landscaped garden (a main pool is also available at Baba’s). Flawless geometric proportions and stylish open-plan interiors come courtesy of hotshot Singaporean designer, Alex Tan. Beautifully appointed, tasteful indigenous elements and traditions utilizing natural island resources, from stone outer walls and polished teak wood floorings to “tetaring” sky-lighted roofs, sit comfortably with uber contemporary amenities and state-of-the-art appliances. The feel is sophisticated yet low-key and almost homely. Even better, all villas are retrofitted with sound-proof elements, such as floor-to-ceiling, insulated 12-millimetre tempered glass doors and windows – that lead out to the garden – preventing any unwanted noise affecting other villa patrons.
Villas are suitable for young (ish) independent, discerning travellers, with good taste and love of luxurious comforts, yet want to be based in the thick of it. Villas as are also all interconnecting – via garden gates – just the job for groups of friends booked together (hire the whole lot!).
At 175sqm, One-Bedroom Lofts are a divine couple’s hideaway, with a living-dining area with pantry, bathroom and vanity, and up sleek teak wood stairs, a cute mezzanine level with loft bedroom. Dual level, two-bedroom Villas (225sqm), offer a larger living-dining and pantry area with powder room, plus upstairs master bedroom with contemporary twist four-poster bed and ensuite bathroom with giant egg-shaped bathtub.
Separate from the villas, the three-bedroom Penthouse Villa with 298sqm of pampering space comes designed with “serious mingling and lounging in mind;” accessed via private steps and elevated sundeck with pavilion and 32sqm private pool. Indoors, an expansive living-dining area features a fully-equipped kitchen and bar, pantry and powder room, and options of ensuite master, poolside or studio bedrooms.
Exclusive Villa benefits cover 24-hour bespoke butler and guest assistance, including concierge services, 24-hour in-villa dining and spa treatment (inclusive complimentary 15 minutes shoulder or foot massage), daily breakfast at Baba’s or in-villa, and “at home” complimentary Happy hu’u signature cocktails accompanied by canapés.
Throw an intimate dinner party, cocktail pool party, or whatever, whenever celebration, assisted by your butler and hu’u events manager, and exclusive customised or a la carte event services. Additionally, each villa comes equipped with 50-inch LCD home entertainment centre and hi-tech sound system – further sound equipment and DJs can be organized.
Obviously, F&B is a major feature at hu’u, with in-villa dining taken from hu’u Bar and Baba’s (room service menus displayed on the in-villa tablet) with the services of an in-house private chef. A full mini-bar selection includes personalised hu’u wines and liqueurs. Partying may well spill over (or start) at the Club and Lounge at hu’u – guests get exclusive access to events – and Baba’s; check events listings on the tablet. And handily, all just a short totter to bed.