lastminute lovely Sasha checks out iconic Seminyak and gives her top 5 things to do during a whirlwind visit, including a stay at the Seminyak Icon Villas.
What’s a girl to do on a two-day, one-night stay in Seminyak? Apart from the obvious (cancel all plans and extend trip), I’m faced with the dreaded realisation that someone as indecisive as I will need be selective for once in her life. Crap.
Before I even board the plane, I’m stressing trying to cull things from my huge friend-piled list of sights, bars, restaurants, shops, spots and things to see and do in such little time.
For anyone else who has suffered by having to make first-world decisions like this, here are my top five things to do on a short staycation in Iconic Seminyak:
1 – Book a Villa with a private pool
You’ve seen the photos rubbing it in all over your friend’s Facebook, so do as they do, and book yourself into a villa with your very own private pool. The Seminyak Icon is the perfect place to soak up the luxury of Bali without blowing the budget.
Located in Bali Deli, Seminyak Icon ticks all the boxes. It’s a short shuttle or taxi ride to Seminyak Square, it’s refreshingly modern, the rooms have a massive (and comfy) king size bed, there’s a kitchenette and fully stocked mini bar and last but most certainly not least, it has a private pool. I can’t resist the temptation of staying put, so I get comfy in the pool side bed, and soak up some rays for a good few hours before heading out to explore my surrounds.
When it comes to brekky, we have the option of dining in the resort’s restaurant or having it brought into our villa. It goes without saying and with a quick call to reception our brekky arrives to our room before I can finish my morning dip.
Another bonus of Seminyak Icon (which I’m kicking myself for not taking advantage of) is that they offer free bike hire to guests at the resort. As we’re only here for one night, we decide to save as much on time as we can, and get a free shuttle into Seminyak, but if time was our friend we’d be ridin’ durty around Seminyak on a pushy.
2 – Watch the sun set at Cocoon
This ultra mod bar located right on Seminyak’s main beach is the perfect place for sunset cocktails. Being the avid bargain-hunter I am, I take as advantage of the two-for-one cocktails while watching the sun disappear over the horizon – pure bliss.
Cocktail anyone?
Cocoon by day (Image credit: cocoon-beach.com)
3 – Grab a bite at Potato Head Beach Club
Get dropped of at the security gates and make your way down the never-ending driveway until you reach a Coliseum-like building covered in vintage timber windows and you’ll find yourself face-to-face with Potato Head.
This alone impressed me – and then I tried the food. Woah, ah-mazing! We choose to dine at Lilin inside Potato head and the clear standouts were the chilli prawns, Asianchilli crab, and Potato Head Bloody Mary. It was THAT good.
Image source: lilin-bali.com
4 – Bintang and a piney on the beach
Okay, so it’s totally cliché, but you can’t go to Bali without sipping down some of the local beer. Being a keen-beer drinker, I must admit this stuff isn’t that bad. It goes down like a treat when you’re battling 40 degree heats during the wet season, where humidity is at its peak. If you spot a lady walking around with a basket of fruit on her head, give her a little wave and she’ll carve you up a fresh stick of pineapple to devour under the sun. Nothing beats a refreshing Bintang and piney on a hot summer’s day in Bali.
5 – Snap up a bargain wardrobe
Bali is renowned for great shopping. Whether it be *ahem* knock-off goods, cheap jewellery, unique homewares, leather shoes and bags – if you want it for a good price, come to Bali. For your quick market fix, Seminyak Square is where it’s at. Here you’ll need to bring your barter game and prepare to throw some ‘mahal’ (meaning too expensive) around to make sure you get a fair price. Don’t be too greedy though, market staff still need to make a living and are happy to let a sale go if you’re not being reasonable.
For the best Bali shopping (in my opinion) head to the boutiques that line Jalan Oberoi in Seminyak. A lot of big brand names have their goods manufactured in Bali and have shopfronts that you can get really good prices. Some of my faves include Shakuhachi, C Boutique (go here for the best togs – Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc and Missoni to name a few), Magali Pascal, and Zuttion.
So there you go – my top five tips for exploring iconic Seminyak in a short stay.