FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON BALI, KUTA

Posted in Projects on 12 June, 2017

In the brand’s first venture into the popular Indonesian island Bali, Four Points have gone for an organic, young and fresh design that speaks to the increasing luxury back-packer audience the island attracts. SPACE’s Tonje Odegard writes…

Situated in Kuta in the south of the island, a busy area for young families and back-packers exploring Bali, Four Points by Sheraton offers a luxury sanctuary with funky and laid-back design. The hotel offers a resort-style island holiday experience through its architecture and interior, but the urban location simultaneously allows for discovering the buzzing streets and exciting beaches of Bali.    

The striking interior of the resort is a result of award-winning Moroccan interior designer and decorator Zohra Boukhari’s work. Drawing inspiration from her native country, Morocco, and her experience throughout Asia, she has created a timeless ambience that pays homage to her roots as well as the Balinese culture.

The property has been designed by architect Nalendra Wijaya, who has drawn huge inspiration from the traditional Balinese architectural style. Bringing the strong culture of Bali to the building, Wijaya has used natural materials for his sophisticated wooden carving motifs, teak root sculptures, natural solid rocks and vintage ‘Tegel Koentji’ tiles. Greenery also plays a huge part in the hotel with plants integrated in all areas, creating a fresh, tropical and modern feel.

The hotel’s exterior looks truly impressive with a pointed stone roof resting on gigantic pillars, creating a distinctive geometric look. With lush plants hanging off the different levels, the place looks inviting and stylish.

Public areas

The three swimming pools hold centre-stage in the resort’s design, ensuring a genuine island holiday feel. Wijaya has taken inspiration from the organic shape of the island of Bali and the hot water springs in the middle of the tropical landscape to form the Lagoon Pool, which is found right at the centre of the hotel. Working almost as the heart of the hotel, the lush and turquoise-coloured water is one of the most stand-out features of the property. In the middle of the pool is an elevated hot-tub, giving association to the numerous natural hot springs found all over Bali. The small ‘islands’ in the pool, connected by small, romantic bridges, create an adventurous feel with lovely trees, sunbeds and a small drinks bar. The ‘islands’ are based on the shapes of the small islands surrounding Bali. Bathed in sunlight during the day and beautifully lit up at night, the space is very attractive indeed.

Another wow-area of the hotel is the high-ceilinged lobby with a wonderful lighting feature. Giving an immediate spacious feeling and a grand sense of arrival, you are met by a large selection of wooden pendant lanterns hovering over prominent, wood-and stone-cladded pillars and tiled floors. The tiles are based on the look of traditional Balinese temples.     

The lanterns are seen throughout the hotel, for instance at the pool area, in guestrooms and the restaurant. Another revisited piece of furniture is the tree trunk tables made from teak root in various sizes. They’re organic, stylish and minimalist all at the same time.

The lobby also hosts the signature ‘Checked In Points’ feature wall that’s dedicated to a book-shelf stashed with items and curiosities gathered from around the world. The hotel itself collects some items whereas others originate from Marriott’s own collection. 

The spa has just opened and is designed in a more traditional Balinese design, which works really well for the area. An aromatic, tranquil and immersive space with dimmed lighting, calm colours and traditional patterns. 

Guestrooms

In a combination of contemporary, minimal design and strong Balinese influences, the 185 rooms all face the courtyard Lagoon Pool – the ground floor rooms even provide direct access to the pool from the balconies. Each room is a testament to the Four Points by Sheraton signature style of clean lines, warm tones and comfortable finishes. Each room is also equipped with the brand’s large, signature custom-designed bed.

The rooms are simply designed, but with style and sophistication. Light, breezy and inviting, there are nice touches such as wooden lanterns, comfortable wicker chairs and local artwork that help give the room character. The bathrooms are minimal in their design too with the wood-carved mirror frame as the striking element.

Restaurants

The hotel offers four drinking and dining venues including Four Points by Sheraton’s signature all-day dining restaurant The Eatery, the rooftop pool and swim-up bar Vertigo, the lobby bar Wrapped and the street-side grill and craft beer hot-spot The Best Brew. The design is based on a homey, inviting and warm theme, but yet offers a spacious feel.

The Best Brew is based on a beach grill look, with a sandy beach floor and wooden floor slabs, a traditional hut style and tropical gardens. After dark, atmospheric lighting and tiny lanterns hanging from the trees creates the perfect mood for the place. The quotes on the wall further make it a relaxed and inviting area.

The Eatery overlooks the Lagoon Pool and has visualised the ambience of a homey kitchen with an open kitchen showroom. Lots of natural lighting is allowed in from the open solution. The strong stone pillars seen in the upstairs lobby reappear in the restaurant and help break up the space.

Vertigo has a swim-up bar in the shallow area of the pool with wooden bar stools bolted to the pool floor. The dining area is roofed, whereas the majority of the space is open-air, which makes it perfect for checking out the view and soak up the sun. A tropical landscape has been created with the use of plants, wooden material and lush furniture. In the hallway next to it, with an open solution looking over the Lagoon Pool is a wicker hammock chair, perfect for nestling in.

Wrapped has a more playful concept. Seating, lighting and art is all in a splash of colour. Especially beautiful are the turquoise wicker baskets and multi-coloured teapots hanging on the wall.

Bali as a destination is becoming increasingly more popular, meaning that lots of new hotels are opening, making it harder to stand out from the range of different offerings. Four Points by Sheraton manages to distinguish itself due to its exciting concept of affordable luxury for young travellers, wrapped up in hip design with a strong heritage.