It’s the end of the year and after all the deadlines, back-to-back projects and endless caffeine, we survived it. Our colleague Joey was especially wiped (as a Graphics Lead, one can only create so many visuals before your brain turns to mush).
So when we heard he was hopping over to Bali for a quick holiday, we collectively went: “Yes, please, go and heal.” In fact, we had just the spot in mind for his much-needed reset: the newly opened Lyvin Melasti Villas in Uluwatu.
Why Lyvin Melasti? Well, Uluwatu’s gone from a sleepy surfer’s hideout to the coveted destination famed for its barefoot luxury vibes, dramatic cliffs, and creative crowd sunsets. Sounded exactly like the kind of sun-sand-sea therapy our burnt-out teammate deserved.
Lyvin Melasti: Luxury By The Cliffside
From touching down at Denpasar airport, Joey and friends made a beeline for Uluwatu’s southern cliffs where Lyvin Melasti sits perched high above the iconic Melasti Beach. Rolling into the property, they were immediately struck by the “designed-to-disappear” architecture; think green rooftops doubling as terraces and villas built into the limestone terrain.
Check-in was a breeze; even while they rocked up around 1:30pm (well before the official 3pm check-in), the staff cheerfully got his villa ready without fuss. After a greeting with big smiles and bags promptly whisked away, the staff even set up a WhatsApp chat for any requests throughout the stay (modern hospitality, check!). A quick buggy ride later, and welcome to paradise.
The villa was spacious and spotless with a sparkling clean private pool, with an instant ocean view from the living room. Talk about a grand entrance, and that million-dollar ocean view you came for!
Stepping inside, they felt like they’d walked into a Pinterest board titled “modern tropical chic.” The interior design is sleek yet cosy, decked in various warm shades of brown and cream. From honed Sulawesi marble floors to custom teak furniture, every material adds a touch of natural elegance.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the front, blurring the line between indoors and the ocean outside, so daylight just pours in, carrying the sea breeze and Bali blue hues with it. In the evenings, soft ambient lighting made the space feel positively Zen. It’s the kind of villa that invites you to kick off your sandals, sink into the oversized sofa, and just be.
Tech amenities didn’t disappoint, either; There’s a gigantic 65-inch smart TV and speedy Wi-Fi, for the times when you need that little snap back to reality. Oh, and speaking of, and shout-out to the little office nook tucked away in the villa, perfect for taking a quick call without any cannonball splashes in the background. (Yes, our dedicated guy did squeeze in a brief call or two, legend.)
The villa’s design is all about bringing the outdoors in, with floor-to-ceiling windows inviting sunlight and 180° of ocean right into the space. The holiday goers immediately felt at ease lounging, enveloped by the natural textures and panoramic views.
Breakfasts, Balinese Culture and of course… Infinity Pools
Nothing beats waking up to the sound of waves crashing far below and roosters in the distance (rustic alarm clocks are the best). And what starts the holiday right better than breakfast? The resort provides a simple complimentary breakfast basket delivered to your villa, made up of some freshly baked bread with jam, with cheese and ham on the side. It was a humble start to the day, but it did the job.
Besides, the villa’s kitchen had other perks: plenty of bottled drinking water, and a fridge stocked with juices and sodas, on the house of course. Not exactly a minibar in the party sense, but ideal for grabbing a cold Bintang or Coke before an afternoon swim.
There’s something surreal about sipping coffee by your own private pool, perched at the cliff’s edge, with the Indian Ocean sprawling ahead. The stress just evaporates. Timing was on Joey’s side too: their stay coincided with preparations for Galungan, one of Bali’s most important religious festivals and the resort staff kindly invited them to join in creating a Penjor, a towering curved bamboo pole decorated with leaves and ribbons, made to celebrate Galungan. How cool is that?
The staff were super friendly and eager to share their culture, guiding them through each step of the Penjor-making ritual. It’s these kinds of little moments that turn a trip into a genuine cultural experience. Joey definitely returned with a newfound appreciation for Balinese traditions, and plenty of Instastory material of the gorgeous Penjors lining the village roads.
Even during their breaks within the villa, they ran into heartwarming experiences that made a mark on the trip. One afternoon, staff notified him via WhatsApp about a scheduled mosquito fogging, a much appreciated heads-up. And another time, when they craved some local mie goreng, he ordered delivery through Gojek and the staff promptly ferried the food straight to his villa door, still piping hot. Talk about service on the ball!
The Sun, Surf, & Spa Adventures of Uluwatu
As heavenly and enticing as Lyvin Melasti is, Bali’s siren call will inevitably lure you out to explore. The resort’s location in Pecatu, Uluwatu means nothing is too far away by car or scooter so armed with his trusty Gojek app and an itch for adventure, Joey ventured out on several escapades.
First up was Melasti Beach itself (just a quick 10-minute ride down the cliff); A gleaming stretch of white sand where they spent an afternoon swimming and lazing under a parasol. For a dose of pampering, they then headed to a nearby massage spot called Cocohut. It’s a pretty unassuming little parlour, but boy, did it deliver a good Balinese massage, all for about S$15 (talk about value!).
Of course, one does not leave Uluwatu without catching some waves. With a rented board and Dreamland Beach just 20 minutes away, soon you’re experiencing the gentle breaks and sandy bottom, with none of those scary corals or rocks underfoot to wipe you out.
For the not-so adventurous, he recommends Nyang Nyang Beach, one of those hidden-gem beaches that’s a bit of a hike down a cliffside path. The effort paid off with a nearly deserted shoreline and views for days – perfect for an impromptu picnic or just pondering life.
When the sun went down, Uluwatu’s food scene beckoned. One night Joey treated himself to dinner at YUKI, a Japanese restaurant that’s been making waves in Uluwatu as of late. It’s an elegant, atas (high-end) establishment perched on another Uluwatu cliff, and the food is as amazing as the views with inventive sushi rolls and smoky yakitori fresh off the grill. The ambience at YUKI is dark and moody in a sexy way, and the staff were attentive and on-the-ball, never missing a beat.
For a final cultural touch, they also snagged tickets to the famous Uluwatu Temple Kecak dance, witnessing a circle of bare-chested performers chanting to the winds, flames roaring against the sunset sky; The perfect capstone to his trip, adding a dash of mythic Bali magic to the whole experience.
By the time they returned to the villa each night, tired and satisfied, Joey was grateful to have Lyvin Melasti’s luxury to retreat into. And if you’re worried about getting around, don’t be.
While the property feels secluded (in a good way), keep in mind there isn’t much within walking distance, no convenience stores or cafes right next door, so you will be relying on wheels to get around. For us city kids, that’s a small trade-off for Uluwatu’s tranquility; just plan ahead for any midnight snack cravings (stock up that fridge!).
Found Your Next Getaway: How to Book (with Promotions!)
If your group chat is already buzzing about a Bali trip, take this as a sign to book that getaway. Lyvin Melasti Villas is located in Pecatu, Uluwatu (South Kuta), basically perched above Melasti Beach on the Bukit Peninsula’s cliffs, surrounded by other high-end resorts and beach clubs a short drive away.
The villas are all two-bedroom units (with a few four-bedroom options), each boasting a private pool and jaw-dropping ocean view and prices start at around IDR 6.3 million per night for a two-bedroom villa (approximately S$560).
And more good news: during the current soft-opening period, they’re offering about 35% off those rates, so it’s a brilliant time to snag a deal and treat yourself. Head directly to their official site to book, as booking direct usually gets the best offers from them!
If you’re dreaming of sun, surf, and stillness all in one place, this cliffside haven in Bali might just be your slice of heaven. Go on, give yourself that hard-earned year-end treat; As we’ve learned, a little Lyvin does a whole lot of good for the soul.
Safe travels and selamat berlibur (happy holidays)!
Visuals Courtesy of Lyvin Melasti Villas, Jared Schwitzke, Takashi Miyazaki, and Joey Daniel.
