A perfect spot where you can simultaneously overlook the lush southwestern peninsula of Bali and the vast Indian Ocean at the edge of the world! The Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa is nestled in the Uluwatu area at the southwestern tip of Bali, a region famous for its spectacular cliffside coastlines. "Ulu" means land's end, and "watu" means rock—so right from its name, you can tell this place is defined by its dramatic rocks and rugged cliffs!

This highly distinctive roof, visible from afar and easily the resort's signature landmark, was inspired by the leatherback turtles that have nested in this part of Bali for centuries.

At night, the beautifully lit resort takes on a whole new charm. Without further ado, let's explore the Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort together!

🌴 Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Review Directory

🌴 Resort Lobby
🌴 Infinity Pool
🌴 Lower Pool
🌴 Resort Restaurants
🌴 Renaissance Navigator
🌴 Bali Travel Info

🌴 Resort Lobby

Having just opened its doors in the summer of 2018, everything at the Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa feels incredibly new. The resort seamlessly blends Uluwatu's famous cliffside coastline into its design—for example, the wall behind the front desk looks exactly like a rugged, layered cliff face. The stunningly high-pitched roof lobby, mixing natural elements like stone and wood, creates a vibe that's effortlessly laid-back yet breathtakingly grand!

Right when we arrived, we were treated to a welcome snack that perfectly matched the hot Bali weather 👉🏻 adorable mini watermelon popsicles!

Just beside the lobby is the resort's bar, R Bar, and you can already catch glimpses of the stunning view outside from the lobby! Unlike many Bali resorts that strictly focus on beach access, the Renaissance carefully highlights local beauty, offering a localized view that lets you take in both the emerald green peninsula and the sparkling Indian Ocean at the same time. While it might be different from the typical sun-and-sand Bali stereotype, it is absolutely gorgeous in its own right.

The lobby at night feels entirely different from the daytime, radiating a unique, romantic charm!
➡️ Renaissance Bali Chinese Website／English Website
➡️ Check Agoda for Live Rates

🌴 Infinity Pool

An infinity pool is basically a must-have for any resort these days. Even though this resort isn't situated right on the beach, it features an absolutely massive infinity pool!

There are plenty of lounge chairs around the pool for soaking up the sun.

The infinity pool is right at the heart of the resort, perfectly positioned next to the two main restaurants.

These woven, shaded cabanas are the perfect spot to just zone out and relax!

The view looking out from inside them has a special kind of charm too!

🌴 Lower Pool

Besides the main infinity pool, there's another pool located lower down in the resort.

Because it's a bit more tucked away, there are way fewer people here. If you're looking for a quiet swim, this lower pool is a fantastic hideaway! Right next to the pool is a distinctively shaped pavilion.

It looks like it's specially designed for hosting events and weddings.

The view from inside is fantastic!

There's also a large, beautiful reflection pool in front of the pavilion, and the scenery looking out over it is just gorgeous!

🌴 Resort Restaurants

🍴 Indonesian Restaurant: Double Ikat

The Indonesian restaurant is called Double Ikat. "Ikat" is a Malay word meaning to tie or bind, referring to the traditional "tie-dye" weaving technique. Double Ikat is a specific, complex style of this technique where both the warp and weft threads are tie-dyed 👉🏻 creating an intricate woven pattern.

Named after this traditional weaving method, it naturally serves up authentic Indonesian flavors. True to its name, the restaurant's entire decor revolves around the theme of a weaving loom! The seating areas are even designed to look like looms—isn't that incredibly unique?

Beyond the loom-shaped booths, there's actually a real weaving loom set right at the entrance!

There are also lovely little corners decorated with spools of colorful threads.

Dining beneath this massive loom structure feels truly special!

Every time we ordered, a staff member would come to our table to grind fresh Indonesian dipping sauces right in front of us. This was served with unlimited Indonesian crackers for dipping. One time, after we polished them off, they automatically brought over another huge bowl for us!

The food itself is traditional Indonesian cuisine, though the plating leans towards a more elegant, Western-style presentation.

Everything was generally delicious! We tried to order something different almost every day.

Price-wise, there are special discounts for Marriott Bonvoy members! (Information as of Nov 2019)

We happened to have Platinum status, giving us a 20% discount. After the discount, a dinner for the two of us came to around $35-40 USD, including tax and tip. Thinking back to our astronomically expensive meals in Bora Bora, Tahiti just a few months prior… what we spent on one meal there could easily cover three meals here, with change to spare! We instantly felt that for a five-star hotel restaurant, the discounted price here was incredibly reasonable! 😆 This Indonesian restaurant basically became our personal kitchen. Out of the 5 nights we stayed, we ate dinner here 4 times. By the end, the servers and chefs had all become our good friends!

On our last night before leaving, they surprised us with a dessert plate that had "till we meet again" written in chocolate syrup. It was so incredibly heartwarming!

Because Cherry loves to cook, she casually asked how they made their Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice). To our surprise, the head chef personally brought an adorable recipe-in-a-bottle right to our table!

He even explained the steps in meticulous detail. If we manage to successfully recreate it at home, I'll definitely share this chef-taught recipe with you all!

On the morning of our departure, the chef even gifted us a huge bag of Cherry's favorite Indonesian crackers to snack on during our journey. We were so touched!!

This restaurant was honestly the most amazing part of the resort for us. Not only is the design incredibly unique, but the service is simply beyond words. We thought the service at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc in Vietnam was unbeatable, but this Renaissance in Bali truly surpassed it! It currently holds our number one spot for the best hotel service we've ever experienced! 🏆

🍴 Resort Bar: R Bar

Located next to the lobby, R Bar easily boasts the best views in the entire resort.

Commanding the most breathtaking scenery on the property, it’s a must-visit. If you have time, definitely come here for a leisurely afternoon tea and soak in the priceless view.

Happy Hour at R Bar runs every day from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on selected drinks!

In addition to regular tables and chairs, R Bar features plenty of these plush, lazy lounge seats perfect for lying back and enjoying the scenery.

Exquisite high tea is often a signature (and highly profitable!) offering at many luxury hotels, and this resort is no exception. They’ve introduced an ultimate Balinese-style "temple" afternoon tea. Served on a three-tiered stand designed like an Indonesian temple, set against the unbeatable backdrop… let's just say it's an incredibly Instagram-worthy experience.

It seemed like most people who ordered the afternoon tea did it mainly for the photos—we noticed a lot of guests didn't even finish eating it!

🍴 Pottery-Themed Restaurant: Clay Craft

Clay Craft is the resort's pottery-themed all-day dining restaurant.

This is where the hotel breakfast is served, and it's easily the largest restaurant in the resort, offering plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating.

Besides standard dining tables, there's also bar seating. It's a great spot to grab a bite and take a break when you're tired from swimming.

Breakfast time at the resort is incredible. The spread is huge, the choices are endless, and everything is quite beautifully prepared. For Marriott Silver Elite members and above, there's an exclusive à la carte ordering service. If you're interested, you can check out our further reading.

Clay Craft's menu features an international array of dishes. Unlike the Indonesian crackers and dips at Double Ikat, Clay Craft starts your meal with bread and butter.

The menu is impressively diverse—they even have a Western take on Taiwanese "Gua Bao" (steamed buns)! Instead of the traditional Taiwanese pork belly and pickled mustard greens, these are stuffed with lettuce, fried goodies, and mayonnaise. Super cool!

Because we didn't want to order the usual pizza or pasta that we eat all the time back home in Canada, we ended up ordering an Indonesian set meal anyway! 😆

🍴 Lower Pool Bar

Finally, there's a pool bar situated right by the Lower Pool. Since this pool is quite a hike from the other restaurants, they thoughtfully set up a dining spot specifically for guests swimming down here.

Because this pool sees far less foot traffic, the pool bar focuses on serving simple, light meals and snacks.

🌴 Renaissance Navigator

The Navigators (similar to a Concierge service at other hotels) at this Renaissance really left a lasting impression. After checking in, a Navigator escorted us to our room, gave us a detailed tour of the amenities, and proactively offered to exchange WhatsApp numbers! They let us know we could reach out anytime during our trip with questions, especially regarding sightseeing or transport. Their reply times were blazing fast, and their service attitude was commendable. If you prefer face-to-face help, there's a dedicated Navigator desk in the lobby that is always staffed.

Transportation is quite convenient in most parts of Bali, and you can usually just book a ride via Grab. However, a quick warning if you're heading to the Uluwatu area: be mentally prepared! There is a group of "locals" who fiercely protest ride-hailing apps like Grab or Uber. Especially outside major tourist attractions or restaurants catering to foreigners, you simply cannot call a Grab! To be more precise, even if a Grab driver wanted to pick you up, they would be chased away by the local "taxi mafia" (a little nickname Cherry came up with 😆). The reason? Local unlicensed drivers band together to monopolize the tourist market, charging 2 to 3 times (or more) the Grab rate! We flat-out refused to be ripped off, and as a result, we almost couldn't make it back to our hotel… If you're interested in the full drama, check out our further reading: Can't get a Grab in Uluwatu? ☆ Must-Read Transport Info.

One day, after following an itinerary recommended by the Navigator, we ended up getting half-scared to death by the outside "taxi mafia." Later, when the hotel staff heard about our ordeal, they specially sent fresh coconuts to our table during dinner to help calm our nerves. We were so surprised and delighted when we received them!

Hardware-wise, having opened in 2018, the Renaissance Bali Uluwatu's architectural style is incredibly trendy, and the decor feels phenomenally fresh! The overall design strives to blend seamlessly with the local landscape and culture. This includes design elements representing the Uluwatu cliffs, a roof inspired by local leatherback turtles, and an Indonesian restaurant celebrating the traditional "tie-dye" weaving technique! Even inside the stylishly modern rooms, they haven't forgotten to subtly incorporate these weaving motifs into the wall art, bathroom tiles, and flooring. We have to say, it is a truly design-forward resort that brings Balinese and local cultural elements to life flawlessly!

For friends who hold Marriott Bonvoy status or are planning to join, we highly recommend booking the Renaissance Bali directly through the official Marriott website to guarantee all your member benefits and points accumulation. If you book through a third-party website, there's a high chance you won't be able to enjoy your elite perks during your stay!

➡️ Book on Marriott Chinese Website／Book on English Website
➡️ Check Agoda for Live Rates

Pics or it didn't happen! If you want to see the room interiors, what the resort breakfast looks like, and how we managed to stay in an Executive Suite for $0, all the links to our experiences are right here!

• 👉🏻 Ultra-Luxurious Resort Suite ☆ The Bathroom is Bigger than Our Bedroom!
• 👉🏻 Staying in a 5-Star Bali Renaissance Suite for $0!! ☆ Marriott Bonvoy Points + Suite Night Award Example
• 👉🏻 Incredible Buffet Breakfast ☆ VIP Breakfast for Marriott Silver Members and Above

Service-wise, as mentioned above, the warm restaurant staff, the brilliant Navigators, and every single employee we met on the grounds were incredibly friendly and made us feel entirely at home. If you don't feel like leaving the property, the resort also organizes several free activities to participate in. If we had to point out a downside, it would be that aside from Uluwatu attractions, the resort is quite far from other popular tourist hubs like Kuta or Seminyak. If you stay here, we highly recommend focusing your exploring on the Uluwatu area or simply chilling at the hotel to avoid the hassle of long drives. To sum it all up, our overall experience at the Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort was absolutely fantastic. Whether you're planning an independent Bali trip or a romantic honeymoon, this is a highly, highly recommended choice!

Staying at this Renaissance and exploring the Uluwatu area attractions is honestly a wonderful plan! Notably, Pandawa Beach features an exclusive Renaissance Beach Club, with free shuttle buses running back and forth every day! It is absolutely worth a visit! Links to Uluwatu area attractions below 👇🏻

• 👉🏻 Top 5 Attractions Around Uluwatu
• 👉🏻 Stunning Sunsets + Cliffside Temple + Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple
• 👉🏻 Bali's Tallest Statue ☆ Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
• 👉🏻 Bali's Secret Beach!? | The Hidden Gem of Pandawa Beach
• 👉🏻 Viral IG Photo Spot | OMNIA Dayclub

🌴 Bali Travel Info

★ 【Island Transport】Private Car Charter｜Private Transfers
★ 【Jungle Swings】Picheaven Swing｜Ubud Swing｜Waterfalls & Swings
★ 【Nusa Penida】Round Trip Ferry｜Car Charter｜Group Day Tour｜Private Day Tour
★ 【Ticket Deals】Uluwatu Temple Kecak Dance｜Garuda Wisnu Kencana
★ 【Where to Stay】Bali Accommodation Guide by Area

▼ For more info on Bali's best spots, check out 👉🏻 【Bali Travel Guide】Top Attractions by Area: A Complete Guide to Bali's Must-Visit Spots! (Map Included)

▼ For friends who love photography and raw natural landscapes, you absolutely cannot miss the "Nusa Penida Island Hopping Day Tour". Looking down from above at the T-Rex shaped cliff against the endless ocean backdrop is simply breathtaking.

🌴 Bali Travel Articles

★ 【Bali Travel Guide】Top Attractions by Area: A Complete Guide to Bali's Must-Visit Spots! (Map Included)
★ Top 5 Attractions Around Uluwatu Temple | How to explore South Bali?!
★ Let's Go! See the T-Rex at Nusa Penida~ | Bali Island Hopping Day Trip
★ Stunning Sunsets + Cliffside Temple + Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple
★ Bali's Tallest Statue ☆ Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
★ Bali's Secret Beach is Here! | The Hidden Gem of Pandawa Beach
★ Must-Visit Cliff Bar! Viral IG Photo Spot | OMNIA Dayclub
★ Bali Travel Guide ☆ Temple Taboos & Etiquette
★ Staying in a 5-Star Bali Renaissance Suite for $0!! ☆ Marriott Bonvoy Points + Suite Night Award Example
★ Ultra-Luxurious Executive Suite | The Bathroom is Bigger than Our Bedroom! | Renaissance Bali Uluwatu
★ Incredible Buffet & VIP Breakfast | Renaissance Bali Uluwatu

🌴 Other Travel Guides

★ Islands: Tahiti｜Maldives｜Fiji
★ Southeast Asia: Bali｜Phu Quoc｜Koh Samui
★ Middle East: Doha｜Dubai｜Abu Dhabi
★ Europe: Finland｜UK
★ USA: New York｜San Francisco｜Las Vegas