In Bali, anything’s possible. Discover the little gems of this exotic island, stay in absolute luxury, and experience the best romantic holiday of your life. Happiness is only a short plane trip away…
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The Royal Purnama‘s beachside location means you’ve got the epitome of Balinese playtime on your doorstep – it’s 16km from artsy Ubud, and pretty Sanur. On one side, there’s the lush jungle-esque plantations; the other, black sand beach. There’s an innate sense of luxury in the suites and villas on the property, featuring canopied king-size beds, monsoon showers and soaking tubs, with private pools or jacuzzi hot tubs outside. All this, paired with divine dining and therapeutic spa treatments, makes for an incredible Balinese adventure with your honey.
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Wander down into the best Bali has to offer, only moments away from your accommodation. Given how close The Royal Purnama is to the beach, it makes sense to centre your holiday shenanigans around the ocean, regardless of your stamina levels. (Beachside napping and tandem snorkelling are equally as acceptable on a romantic getaway. Trust us.) There’s an adventure for every couple type, and we’ve discovered them just for you.
The surfers
For adventure-loving couples, nearby Keramas Beach is the place to visit. It’s a surfer’s dream for pros, hosting some of the world’s most elite surf championships alongside your general lazy beach days. Thanks to a few new luxe developments on the shoreline straight from Aussie developers, you’re diving into the laid-back surf culture you’ll remember from the 70s, with far more chill factor and a whole lot more equality on the table. Keramas Beach is the sort of place you can venture with abs of steel or a bit of winter paunch, and still feel welcome; it lacks the overly plasticised vibe of the Gold Coast’s surfer culture, which we can say is only a good thing. Here, the surf is the star – those waves get big, the surf gets rough, and the shoreside drinks are well worth the rupiah. If you’re picking up your surfboard for the first time, Keramas might break your spirit (not the thing you want on a romantic holiday). Instead, trek about 500m down the beach to find a few other breaks with a more forgiving swell.
Related artcles: Find Your Couple Style in Bali: Travel Purists
The animal addicts
If the RSPCA is on your annual donation list and you’re contemplating persuading your partner that you need about twenty dogs, Bali Safari and Marine Park is the must-see location for you and that animal-loving sweetheart of yours, with a menagerie of fauna waiting to be discovered. It’s only a ten minute drive from The Royal Purnama, leaving you plenty of time to get up close with the animals. To satisfy your inner eco-warrior, the park has a heavy education and conservation focus – the animals here aren’t being kept in sub-par conditions for a quick dollar, in other words. You can sign up for one of the exciting Safari Journey activities at the park, where you’ll see some exotic creatures and learn all about them from an arm’s distance. There’s a new baby elephant (cuteness overload is unavoidable), and you can also indulge in a night amongst the wilds of Bali as the animals get their groove on in the dark. It’s an experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
Related article: Find Your Couple Style in Bali: Nature Lovers
The true romantics
Forget curling up with the latest Danielle Steel novel – horseback riding along a beach is where the romance is at. You’ll canter along the black sand, wind in your hair, just moments down from The Royal Purnama. It’s a great way to see the beach in a new and exciting way. The horses on these tours are well-versed in giving people a great time, so you can be an absolute novice and still get your trot on. Bali’s spectacular scenery is on show, the waves gently crashing on the shore as you and your horse take in the endless horizon and azure waves. In the distance, you’ll glimpse Nusa Penida Island before riding past the gorgeous Segara Wilis Temple. You’ll traverse the alang-alang and bamboo plantations. And the newbies might have sore legs the next day, but you’ll not regret them for a moment. (PS, a lush spa treatment at The Royal Purnama will ease those stiff muscles so you can get right back to enjoying your romantic escape.)
The foodies
We could tell you to leave the resort and hit up some of the beachside haunts serving delicious food, but there’s no point – not when your accommodation has some pretty scrumptious feasts waiting to be devoured. And you’ll devour these with reckless abandon (think kid in a candy shop, covered in chocolate, and you’ll understand what we mean). Standing Stones (The Royal Purnama‘s exclusive restaurant and beach lounge) is on the edge of Full Moon Beach, with a delectable contemporary Asian menu that’s designed to leave you very, very satisfied. There’s a focus on health and wellbeing here, much as it is in the Royal Purnama as a whole. Detox drinks are on the menu (opt for the orange, ginger and cucumber for sweetly glowing skin), and you can feast on contemporary faves like a breakfast burrito, or on traditional stalwarts like the famed Nasi Goreng Purnama. Hot days, in our opinion, call for fruit spring rolls with papaya sorbet. Eat it and feel all of the foodie things.
Related article: Aromatic Indonesian Spices at InterContinental Bali Resort
The shopaholics
Say goodbye to the department stores, and hello to stalls. Market shopping is how it’s done in Ubud, and the villagers are fiercely protective of their centuries-old crafting secrets. Celuk Village is full of artisans making incredible gold and silver artwork and jewellery, with such intricacy that you’ll wonder how it’s done. You probably won’t find out, but you can pick up a divine piece to compensate. Nearby villages also play host to carvers and artists, with stalls selling their bespoke wares at must-buy prices. Sukawati Art Market (also called ‘Pasar Seni Sukawati’ by the locals) has been a favourite stop for decades, with a distinctive Balinese feel and curios aplenty. Bonus points, it’s also inexpensive – who needs Selfridge’s knick knacks when you can get a real piece of Bali?
The luxe lovers
Think Bali, and you’re thinking of lazy days beachside, poolside… oh, and spa-side. The Royal Purnama‘s Black Sand Spa is the place to go, because it’s utterly convenient and has some divine treatments to take advantage of. It’s basically endless bliss with the panoramic views to match (Rooftop Spa Gazebos, anyone?), plus two designer couple suites for a bit of romance for two. Treatments are indulgent and traditional, drawing inspiration from the nearby beach and Balinese earth. You’ve also got world-class treatments from UK skincare specialists, Elemis. It’s a must for any romantic Balinese holiday for two.
Related articles: Find Your Couple Style in Bali: Glamorous, Why You’ll Love a Romantic Getaway in Ubud
