Peppers Seminyak – Hotel Review

On first impression, Peppers Seminyak isn’t your typical Balinese resort. The exterior may be brutalist – all linear timber textures and raw concrete – but the welcome at this villa-only hotel is warm. New arrivals mill about reception sipping drinks of lemongrass and ginger-infused pineapple and lychee juice, while others lounge around the 35-metre lagoon-style rock pool. Read on for the full review.

It’s buzzy yet relaxed – you can thank the mix of palms and manicured topiary for that. The collection of one- to five-bed villas are strewn among lush gardens and lotus ponds, designed to mimic a traditional Balinese village. Simply jump on a hotel buggy and disappear within the grounds.

Where is Peppers Seminyak?

In the heart of Seminyak’s lively Petitenget district, Peppers Seminyak is 35 minutes’ drive from the international airport and a mere stroll from the boutiques and eateries the area is renowned for.

What’s near Peppers Seminyak?

Start with the eight-minute stroll to relaxed Petitenget Beach, where you can watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean with a cocktail in hand. Jump in the car and within five minutes find yourself at sleek beach clubs like Ku De Ta and Potato Head (which you’ll find within the cultural village Desa Potato Head, also worth exploring). The cluster of shops, spas and cafes in Seminyak Village is a 10-minute walk, as is the beloved Bodyworks Spa. Neighbouring hotspot Canggu is 35 minutes’ drive by car.

Room types

The collection of 52 alang-alang thatched-roof villas are designed to resemble a Balinese village, set amid vibrant tropical gardens and with Singaraya slate stone used around the villas and garden walls. Each villa has varying decor and centres around its own private swimming pool and sundeck with reclining loungers and poolside bale. The three-bedroom villas start at 450 square metres of space while the five-bedroom Presidential Pool Villa is perfect for larger groups.

All villas include indoor marble bathrooms with baths and some feature an outdoor shower. The air-conditioned bedrooms feature extra-king beds, along with marble floors. Of course, villa living isn’t complete without a separate living and dining area, inclusive of a full-sized kitchen. 

Restaurants and bars

The Laneway is the sole restaurant and bar offering at Peppers Seminyak, whipping up international favourites and regional specialities from chicken karaage to pork ribs. The concept for breakfast is part-buffet, part-à la carte, with juices, pastries and local fruits such as dragon fruit, papaya and pineapple on hand. Heartier dishes like classic eggs benedict and the signature breakfast dish, bubur ayam (an Indonesian congee-style chicken dish), can be ordered off the menu. 

The bar’s cocktail offering - go there for happy hour between 4pm and 6pm – includes a tamarillo-infused martini or the ‘Knackered Knees’ – house-made mangosteen gin, Balinese honey and lemon with just a hint of fresh raspberry. One of the staff even took the time to demonstrate to guests how to properly open a mangosteen – known as the “queen of fruits” in Bali.

Pool, gym and spa

While each villa comes equipped with its own pool, there is a nymphic charm to the 35-metre shared rock pool, with trickling water features and natural rock walls that resemble a grotto. The proximity to The Laneway restaurant and its bar-snack menu makes this a popular spot for families and groups of friends who order bites like fresh prawn rice paper rolls and jalapeno poppers to their poolside loungers between dips. 

Overlooking the pool is a cleverly hidden 24-hour gym equipped with a range of machines and free weights. The Spa menu centres around wellness and includes a detox package with colonic hydrotherapy and lesser-known offerings such as the Tui Na facial massage – a Chinese technique using upward strokes, circular motion and pressure points, finished off with a face mask and arm massage.

Sustainability

At Peppers Seminyak, there are noticeable practices in place, such as the absence of single-use plastics. Full-size water dispensers are available in villa kitchens to eliminate the need for plastic bottles. Peppers Seminyak also prevents food waste by donating suitable leftover foods from the breakfast buffet to the local food rescue foundation and utilises a kitchen garden to grow herbs and vegetables to use in the restaurant. 

What you need to know

Lean into villa life by ordering an in-villa BBQ, where your very own chef creates a veritable feast straight from your courtyard. Go all out with fresh jumbo prawn starters, delicious grilled local Jimbaran bambu lobster, wagyu fillet mignon wrapped in pancetta and seven-herb marinated wagyu sirloin, cooked just the way you like it. Be sure to book the complimentary karaoke set-up a day in advance.

SEE ALSO: 18 of the Best Luxury Villas in Bali to Bookmark