Conrad Bali has rolled out new signature guest experiences and stepped up community engagement and sustainability following its renovation.
The new programmes include The Art of Sound Healing held at the Infinity Chapel, which is a form of meditation using a series of sounds and vibrations as the medium; Forest Bathing and Speakeasy Foraging expedition; cooking classes or perfume creation at L’Atelier; and the Purnama Celebration, highlighting the Balinese full-moon ritual.
The Purnama Celebration is available once a month during full moon, where guests prepare the canangsari offering before the Purnama Ritual at the hotel’s Sari Sedana temple. After that, they can enjoy a three-course dinner at the Eight Degrees South restaurant and the Melukat purification ceremony by the beach.
These sensory experiences are inspired by resort staff who sought to heighten their own spirit of togetherness and moral support during the difficult pandemic.
Conrad Bali’s general manager Kevin Girard shared that guests had requested to join the team on these rituals, which led him to realise that these activities were “something that allows us to get connected with the guests and people around us”.
As the team evolved the Infinity Chapel to cater to the growing demand for wellness activities, they found an opportunity to take a deeper look at sustainable options for guests. As a result, they begun to source for local produce, such as salt, coffee, herbs and seafood harvested from around Jimbaran.
The hotel’s sustainability efforts include its partnership with NGOs like Bye Bye Plastic Bags, cleaning up mangrove areas in collaboration with Sungai Watch, and helping women in villages earn an income with proceeds from repurposing unused hotel linens.
All these initiatives are in line with Conrad Hotels & Resorts’ programmes in response to post-lockdown luxury travel trends.
Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president, luxury and lifestyle, APAC and global brand head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, noted that luxury travellers are craving reconnections through travel and to use travel as a medium to recharge after the lockdown.
He also noted that travellers want to make a positive impact on the community and the environment through their trips, and “more than half of travellers in Asia-Pacific are willing to pay a premium to get all those experiences that supports sustainability”.
When asked about Bali’s appeal among well-heeled travellers, Schroeder said the Indonesian province has been voted as a “beloved luxury destination of the world by Tripadvisor”.
“Bali is not a new destination for luxury travellers. Luxury hotels and villas have (increased in numbers) in the last couple of years – that means there is strong demand for luxury travel (among families and multi-generation travel groups) to Bali,” he said.
“In my view, Bali is one of the top five luxury destinations for consumers,” he added.
Hilton will bring an LXR-branded property to Bali next year.
