The International Awards That Just Crowned Viceroy Bali’s Ultimate Luxury Destination

Published by independent.co.uk

How a family-owned resort became one of the world’s most decorated luxury escapes.

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Dusk was about to settle over Ubud when a sleek helicopter descended onto a private helipad carved into the jungle canopy. Guests disembarked, blinking at glowworms flickering among ancient palm trees. They had traveled from Singapore, Moscow, and Melbourne, each seeking the apex of Balinese luxury. Viceroy Bali earned its reputation with a cascade of international awards: in 2018, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted it World’s #1 Resort, and in 2025 the hotel was announced as a Global Winner at the Global Recognition Awards. Apéritif Restaurant claimed Indonesia’s Best Restaurant at the 2020 World Culinary Awards. The awards thus form the very foundation of a resort that balances subtle opulence with authenticity that speaks to the soul.

It reflects what is happening worldwide: experiential, customized hospitality. Viceroy Bali is thus positioned at the forefront of that movement, a tightly knit enclave of 40 private pool villas with a staff-to-guest ratio nearing four to one.

Ahead lies a series of heated infinity pools, each perched on terraces that overlook the Petanu River gorge. Marble terraces, thatched alang-alang roofs, hand-carved doors, and seamless indoor-outdoor design evoke an organic harmony between polished luxury and Balinese tradition. Resort founder Margaret Syrowatka envisioned such a marriage of culture and comfort when she opened Viceroy in 2005. Today, her daughter Amanda Syrowatka carries forward that vision alongside General Manager Patrick Farrell, ensuring every guest encounter bears the indelible mark of genuine Balinese hospitality.

The Pillars of Unrivaled Luxury

Viceroy Bali’s villas set the standard for privacy and design. Private Pool Villas range from 1,000 to over 4,300 square feet, each equipped with a heated infinity pool, espresso machine, Bower & Wilkins sound system, and 49-inch flat-screen television. Deluxe Terrace Villas top the portfolio, offering expansive marble floors, outdoor balés, and uninterrupted views of rice paddies and Mount Agung’s silhouette.

Dining at Viceroy Bali transcends conventional resort fare. Apéritif Restaurant’s art deco dining room, adorned with checkered floors and peacock motifs, anchors the culinary program. Seven-course degustation menus by Executive Chef Nic Vanderbeeken draw on global influences with a borderless philosophy while spotlighting local produce and seasonal truffle-treaded fine-dining flourishes. Over 180 labels fill a curated wine cellar, orchestrated by Sommelier Jean-Benoit Issele. Guests travel hundreds of miles to sample the degustation menus and overall dining experience. Travel + Leisure’s Tastemakers Awards recognized Apéritif among Asia’s best in 2024–25.

CasCades Restaurant offers all-day dining, serving an authentic Balinese rijsttafel alongside international dishes flavored with ingredients from an on-site greenhouse. Pinstripe Bar evokes a 1920s speakeasy, where custom cocktails are served against a backdrop of jungle valley vistas. Culinary packages include floating breakfasts in private pools, hands-on cooking classes, and intimate wine-tasting journeys. Together, these elements form a gastronomic tapestry that elevates Viceroy’s status above most competitors on the island.

Wellness at Akoya Spa anchors another dimension of luxury. Three couples’ treatment rooms, each with full bath facilities, occupy a secluded ridge overlooking the gorge. Swiss-trained therapists marry traditional Balinese healing practices with modern wellness protocols. In-villa treatments ensure total privacy, transforming each villa into a personal sanctuary. Akoya leverages Ubud’s etymology, “obat,” or medicine, to deliver restorative experiences that guests remember long after departure.

Service quality thrives on personal connection. Viceroy employs over 200 staff members from surrounding villages, many of whom have remained since day one. Continuous professional training and intimate guest interactions ensure staff recognize repeat visitors and recall their names and preferences. Reviews frequently cite moments when a dedicated staff member anticipated needs before they were voiced, a hallmark of hospitality refinement.

Sustainability underpins operational excellence. A dedicated champion leads initiatives that include advanced water treatment and the installation of solar panels. The resort’s on-site greenhouse supplies fresh produce to kitchens while teaching guests and team members sustainable farming methods, whilst water from the taps is drinkable, following an eighteen-step advanced filtration system. A goal to reduce resource usage by 20 percent by 2026 underscores Viceroy’s commitment to preserving Bali’s natural heritage. Cultural authenticity extends through regular temple ceremonies, traditional dance performances, and artisan workshops, connecting guests to indigenous practices.

Properties that combine genuine cultural immersion, personalized service, world-class amenities, and effective sustainability strategies will lead this growth. Viceroy Bali’s track record positions it as the blueprint for future luxury developments across the region.

According to an opposing view, real luxury is understood only in terms of intangible moments: an exquisite sunrise over rice terraces, fireflies glowing beneath the private pool, carefully selected wine served with a carefully crafted dish. It is the Viceroy Bali that provides such moments daily in situating luxury in place, people, and purpose. That synthesis explains why international hotel awards constantly honor it as the very summit of Balinese hospitality.

Tour operators and high-net-worth individuals seeking the most luxurious place in Bali will inevitably point to Viceroy Bali. International awards validate it; the lived experience confirms it. For those willing to invest in an intimate, transformational escape, there may be no finer address on the Island of the Gods.

Discover more at viceroybali.com.