If you’re a Styling Curvy regular, you would know that I’ve recently been to Bali with two gals who help me behind the scenes with both Styling Curvy & Neon Cherry , Karin & Shannon. All three of us live in different states so I decided we needed the ultimate face to face Staff Meeting – in Bali! In fact I loved it so much I think we should make this a yealy thing!
I’ve been to Bali quite a few times, and as much as I love the tried & true favourites, it’s always cool to try new places & experiences. Many of you asked me questions while I was away about my accommodation, shopping advice & where to eat so I’m going to give you the lowdown on what we did & where we went. I’m even going to get Karin & Shannon to help me out with this one!
Accommodation
We stayed at the gorgeous Villa Soleh. This Villa was a recommendation by the lovely Melinda from Pineapple Villa & it did not disappoint. It’s located in Seminyak just back from the hustle & bustle of Eat Street.
An easy stroll to be in the midst of all Seminyak has to offer but whisper quiet. You would never know you were so close to all the action.
Villa Soleh is a 2 bedroom villa. I wanted all of us to have our own room though so they converted the Media room into another bedroom. All three of these rooms had their own gorgeous ensuite.
The décor of this Villa was next level. It was like living instore at Kim Soo! The girls & I took loads of photos for Neon Cherry here – it was just like stepping into the pages of a magazine! & every little thing you could want was available, including a full kitchen, swimming pool, airconiditoning, fans, drinking water & Bose sound system. You could also ask the villa to cook meals for you, shop for groceries, the Villa manager was just a phone call away.
We always felt safe in this Villa. Each bedroom could be locked. There were safes to keep your passports & other important stuff locked away, as well as a lock on the front entrance.
We had a very happy stay here!
Bali Eats
We stayed in Seminyak so most of these recommendations are from this area. If there is a restaurant you really want to eat in Bali I’d suggest making a booking prior. Most places have the ability to do this online (Shannon booked a few places for us before we’d even left) or your accommodation will be happy to help you once you are in Bali. Bali restaurants are usually great at handling walk ins when they are full though & with a small wait will generally find you a table.
So close to our Villa, the Italian food is always good & familiar. Frozen dacquiris are a must – although you’ll have to drink them fast!
Traditional Indonesian food with a modern twist. Shannon & I shared some mixed plates here – dumplings & half-moon steamed buns& other amazing bits! Karin ate a Nasi Goreng all to herself – you will see a pattern forming here soon! The cocktails here are also really good. (Wine is pricey in Bali, so cocktails end up being the norm!)
A favourite on mine. Dark & moody, I’d recommend booking in a dinner here. Sophisticated dining, so leave your thongs at home & pull on a pretty frock. Get there early & sit upstairs at the bar to enjoy the amazing drinks list before your meal. I had the best cocktail of my life here – the Bubblegum Sour! The food is always sensational & we totally overindulged!
This was my first time to this Bali favourite. Located right on the beach, ask for a table upstairs so you can soak in the view & catch the breeze. This is an open air traditional wooden Bali hut serving upmarket Italian style food. The service is amazing – the waitstaff dressed in gorgeous traditional Bali style uniforms & catering to your every need. We went for breakfast to enjoy the scenery, but I’m told any meal here is sensational. Try the hash browns if you go for brekky!
One of my Seminyak favourites! We set up for a staff meeting for breakfast one morning in the Kim Soo café attached to the homewares store. We got loads done in this cruisy setting, as well as eating a yummy brekky & people watching! Did we do some shopping? Not this time, but the location is great for some post brekky strolling & shopping! Although I’m still not drinking coffee, Shannon assures me the coffee here was ace!
My go to! Absolutely stunning décor, service & food. I love the calm vibe of this place. I took Karin here for her first ever Bali meal (another Nasi Goreng I believe!) & the girls & I also sat outside & people watched with a pre dinner drink another balmy evening. Bliss.
Just a short stroll from our accommodation we might’ve loved it so much here we visited multiple times! Australian owned, the food is spot on & the service better than anything you’ll get here in Oz! We had breakfast here & a lunch. Karin & I both ordered the Dirty Burger for lunch which we didn’t stop raving about for the entire trip! It also led us to dinner at Sisterfields “sister” venue Boss Burgers. I was desperate to try the breakfast pancakes and on my last morning I gave them a crack…they did not dissapoint!
Located right next door to Sisterfields & also by the same owner is Boss Burgers. And they deliver! We ordered 3 giant, fresh, deliscious burgers & chips which were delivered right to our Villa door where we sat on the comfort of our very own couch & devoured them! Delicious & decadent!
A warung is a local Bali café. They serve local food at budget prices. We ate at a great one located not far from our Villa, but you’ll find them everywhere. If you’re wary, look for one attached to a hotel or villa complex or one that’s full of tourists. Don’t be afraid to try them – we had a brilliant meal & drinks for far less money than any of our other meals on this trip!
We took a day trip out to Ubud & had lunch here. This place is huge, but you don’t feel it. Overlooking rice paddy fields & sitting in traditional Bali style huts this restaurant is old school Bali. If you pre-book ask to sit in one of the private huts over the water. We had a great Indonesian meal here & the service was really good.
One of my most favourite places to eat, drink & be merry! I usually go at night when there’s dancing on tables & the party level is high! This time I took the girls for lunch. Mexican food at it’s best, a live mariachi band & tequila shots – makes for a top afternoon out. Don’t forget to take a photo on the totally Insta-worthy steps inside!
We had on our list of things to do, go to the beach & watch the sun set for dinner. Well, we forgot how lousy Bali traffic can be & we sat in traffic & missed the sunset! But we did manage to find a couple of bean bags in the sand once we got there, had some cheap & cheery Nasi Goreng & a couple of Bintangs while listening to the band right on the beach. This is a Bali must do & it was a great way to finish our Bali trip away.
Shopping
A hat, water, a bag to carry your purchases & sensible shoes are my must haves for Bali shopping! It’s hot, the traffic can be crazy & the footpaths dangerous! But if you take your time, keep a smile on your dial & embrace your surroundings, I think you’ll find something you like!
This was a hidden gem! On Eat Street in Seminyak this boutique sells womens, mens & children’s clothing. Not cheap but gorgeous! I bought 3 dresses here & could’ve bought more!
Not as much stock in store as I’ve seen on previous visits, but still a wide range of dresses, skirts, pants & tops in larger sizes.
We came across this store in a couple of locations. If you’re after a Spell type skirt or dress in cute Boho patterns & styles, this is a great non-market option. Still not super cheap, but some great options with elastic waists & longer lengths to get that Bali vibe in larger sizes.
I didn’t buy anything at Kim Soo this trip. But this homewares store is worth a visit even if it’s just to browse the amazing range. Satunama next door is a another homewares store stocking slightly cheaper but still Bali chic, homewares. I did quite a bit of shopping here and will be back again.
Bungalow Living & Jungle Trader
We did a day trip to Canggu (only a short drive from Seminyak) & visited these two stores. Bungalow Living is a firm favourite, choc a block with amazing homewares, cushions, ornaments, cutlery, all gorgeous! Might have had to stop & top up my credit card limit here! Jungle Trader is a smaller store, still loads of cute Bali inspired homewares, plus some clothing & jewellery. Both worth the trip.
There’s plenty of choice for silver in Bali but this is one I go back to again and again. It has a good mix of traditional and contemporary styles and the prices won’t break the bank. Located at Jalan Raya Seminyak no.49 (2,343.92 mi) Badung, the shopping strip close to Bintang Supermarket.
I have been to this store several times and made it a part of the tours I hosted, it was always very popular. There’s plenty of shoes, bags and accessories and they will custom make. I had a leather jacket made and have been very happy with it, my tip is to take any custom work to them on your first day in Bali and pick it up a day or two before you leave. This will ensure you have time for any last minute alterations. Located Jl. Padma Utara No.34, Kel, legian kaja, Legian, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung (in front of the Camakila Hotel)
Be sure to do some reseach before you get to Bali. The people here are lovely & it’s so nice to have some ideas of their customs & cultures before you get there. I’ve done loads of Bali posts in the past. Type in Bali in the search bar on the Styling Curvy home page & you’ll find loads of Bali info – including this one – Packing Tips for Bali. Have you been to Bali? Tell me all the things you love about it!
Til next time
Jen x
Karin’s Best Nasi Goreng
- Ginger Moon
- Batik
- Capil Beach
- Warung Mina
- Bebek Tebasari Resto
Shannon’s Best Seminyak Villas
Hi
Just returned from my first Bali visit I loved it ( I’m 61 ). We stayed at Legian beach hotel which was amazing . Loved the shopping went to divine diva ( bought 2 dresses) . Best cheap meal I had was at Uncle Norms had both Asian & western food & music great
Thanks Jen it’s only been a couple of months since my first trip to Bali and I want to go back miss it so much xx
Love you style can I you advise where u bought your dresses u are wearing
We got married in Bali so holds a special place in my heart. Cannot wait to go back next year so will try out a couple of your recommendations.
Thanks Jen!
Hi Jen, thanks so much for your insight and helpful tips in Bali. I have only been to Bali twice but am definitely planning my next one based on your information especially that villa 😘🥰🏖
Thanks for all that great info jen ! We are in Bali now for a month and always stay in the Lodtunduh village would you believe and have been coming for 12 years ! And never knew about Bebek tebasari Resto so thank you it was awesome . Loved reading about all the shops in Seminyak have to plan a day trip or two ! Cheers !