Jumeirah Bali

AN ARCHITECTURAL TRIBUTE TO THE LOST MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE

At the Jumeirah Resort Bali ancient Hindu-Javanese culture is remixed with tropical modernism and contemporary touches amid exquisite India Ocean vistas in an opulent royal water palace in Bali’s Uluwatu.

Jumeirah Resort Bali, is a visual and sensory celebration of Bali’s romantic allure. Blending spectacular nature and references to Hindu-Javanese history, the resort’s striking architecture reinterprets Bali’s legends for the modern-day luxury traveller.

Sitting above the Dreamland beach area of Uluwatu, one of the most coveted locations on the island, the stunning Cliffside resort is a collaboration between Martin Grounds from Grounds Kent Architect, who developed the architectural concept, and Jean-Michel Gathy from Denniston International, a design consultancy. Wrapped around the property are the sprawling gardens designed by Late Made Wijaya.

The vision for the all-villa luxury resort was to connect Bali’s past and present in a verdant water-based sactuary of luxury. In response, GKAI created an overall design centered on the golden era of The Majapahit empire and its role as a sanctuary for Bali’s ruling elite in the year 1343. The last Indianised kingdom in Indonesia, it reached its apogee in the mid-14th century, becoming a significant power in the region while maintaining regular relations with China, Champa, Cambodia, Annam, and Siam.

Architecturally, the maritime empire was characterized by its imposing walled cities that concealed clusters of pavilions, including those used for bathing and socializing, terraced royal gardens, and exquisite water features. Throughout Jumeirah Bali, these traditional spatial elements are used to reveal a sumptuous water palace that celebrates the magic of life and romance of Bali.