The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali — Photo by Marriott

This July, The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali will complete its transformational journey, following over a year of renovations to its rooms, restaurants and other facilities.

Last summer saw enhancements made to the resort's 287 rooms, villas and suites, and the addition of de Balé Lounge & Bar and Banyubiru Restaurant, followed by the opening of a new beachfront Kulkul Beach House this April. The final piece of the makeover will be added in July 2023 with the opening of Arwana Restaurant. This is the first renovation of the property in over thirty years, gracefully blending past, present, and future to create a destination that is timeless and authentic.

Set on the white shores of Nusa Dua beach in the south of the island, The Laguna takes its name from its seven swimmable lagoons. The resort's new design and ambiance ties in with its surroundings of water, nature and indigenous culture.

Arwana was already known for its unrivalled premium coastal cuisine, showcasing fresh seafood and signature dishes. Situated by the beachfront, this newly designed restaurant is now set to reopen in July as an Asian grill restaurant. Its design is inspired by a modern boathouse with nautical components and will include an open kitchen with Basque grills, offering a unique beachfront experience.

As of spring 2023, Nusa Dua beach is now also home to the Kulkul Beach House which has returned with thoughtfully reimagined interiors and updated food and cocktail menus. Its name is a reference to the traditional Balinese wooden bells that invite locals to gather for special moments and ceremonies, Kulkul is an idyllic social setting tailor-made for languid days by the beach - where lazy days are best spent lounging outdoors in pillowy cabanas by the 12- metre adults-only swimming pool. The Kulkul kitchen returns with a greater emphasis on zero-waste drinking and dining. Still spotlighting as much produce as possible from local partners, the all-day menu features a range of vegetarian and vegan options alongside traditional foods and superb seafood specialities.

With these additions, there are now five F&B destinations within the resort to explore, including de Balé Lounge & Bar and Banyubiru which were completed in the first phase of renovations last year. De Balé Lounge & Bar is the perfect place for sundowners while watching Balinese performances and exploring cocktails inspired by the oceanic spice trade. Meanwhile Banyubiru Restaurant's redesign includes a show kitchen, as well as the buffet counter, inspired by Bali's traditional 'warung' stalls to recreate authentic a Balinese food culinary experience. The restaurant showcases elements and materials of the surrounding fishing villages such as Balinese batik patterns, such as 'kawung' and 'ceplok', which are an integrated feature of the buffet and communal area floor tiles, while bamboo and rattan are used as detailing for the furniture, lighting and decorative items.

The new resort lobby is a majestic space celebrating the past and future of The Laguna experience. Local craftsmanship is embedded in all elements of the lobby design: The Balinese white stone carving above the check-in desk is elegantly lit to form the centrepiece of The Laguna lobby experience. This masterpiece carving evokes the story of the legendary Goddess Danu, the Water Goddess and the wife of God Vishnu, who maintains peace and harmony over each element in the universe.

The new design of the bedrooms has been inspired by the collective stories and traditions of Bali, as well as nautical elements influenced by the resort's seven lagoons and the travel-based DNA of the Luxury Collection brand. Rooms feature headboards inspired by Balinese 'sulaman' embroidery seen in kebaya fabric, meanwhile 'Saput poleng', the woven black-and-white chequered textile draped over statues and worn by people in ceremonies within Bali, is interpreted in the colour tone and materials in the room, such as the cushions. References to the lagoons and nautical experiences are found in details such as the bespoke selection of lamps and shiplap walls and leather suitcase detailing in the furniture.

Hotel website