Badung Part 1: Seminyak Beach, O Beach Bali and Lloyd’s Inn

One of the Bali destinations I looked forward to the most is Seminyak Beach. Together with Canggu, it embodies the island’s vibrant party life vibe. This area is a unique blend of luxury, culture, and lively energy along a stunning beach. With its array of hotels, beach clubs, resorts, and restaurants, Seminyak exudes a bustling vibrancy, even appealing to an introvert like me.

Seminyak stands apart from its neighboring areas like Canggu, Kuta, and Legian. While Canggu offers a more laid-back, surfer-centric atmosphere, Kuta is all about affordability and chaotic nightlife. Legian acts as a transitional zone with balanced energy. Seminyak, however, strikes a refined balance with its upscale vibe while still buzzing with life.

I’m not much of a party girlie, but I was eager to soak in the beach’s ambiance. So, this blog leans more toward exploring food and restaurants than nightlife.

I decided on visiting Seminyak on our third day after exploring Ubud. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enjoy the best of Seminyak due to the time constraints and gloomy weather. During our third day, we weren’t able to arrive at Seminyak on time because my parents still wanted to visit some temples in Ubud in the morning. A leisurely snack at Kynd Community and check-in process at Lloyd’s Inn left us at Seminyak Beach by six in the afternoon only to find an overcast sky that dimmed the beach. On the next day, I have to leave early as well so I can grant my husband’s request on going to Deus Ex Machina – Temple of Enthusiasm. It’s really sad that I only had a little time to savor Seminyak’s full charm but I must still enjoy the remaining time I have here.

Seminyak Beach is a kaleidoscope of colors with its iconic rows of vibrant bean bags and umbrellas. The driftwood-style restaurants and bars along the shore embrace this colorful theme, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. It makes a perfect stop to unwind and watch the live band while enjoying a cold Bintang.

Seminyak Beach is also known as a surfing hotspot in Bali, third to Kuta and Legian. Numerous surf camps dot the area, making it a haven for wave riders.

The downside of being a surf-friendly beach is the strong waves, which discourage swimming during certain seasons. During our visit, we saw more surfers than swimmers. But I guess this wasn’t the case during summer season. The sea is calmer so tourists can enjoy dipping into the water. In the meantime, we just opted for a stroll along the water, enjoying its cool touch.

As a Filipino accustomed to pristine white sand beaches, I found Seminyak Beach’s sand dark and golden, whch is a stark contrast to the powdery white shores I’m used to. Though it’s considered beautiful in Bali, it didn’t quite meet my high standards.

The colorful bean bags of the beachside bars may be attractive but I’m looking for a beach club. We stumbled upon O Beach Bali.

Although there was a live DJ, it wasn’t lively as I expected it to be. I can count the guests in the vicinity. Maybe, it was just off-season. Maybe, it was just new. The access is also free so I’m guessing they are still in the phase of introducing themselves to the public. We were lucky that there was no entrance fee. But I still didn’t get the vibe I’m looking for. Perhaps, God wanted us to celebrate my mom’s birthday in a more peaceful manner.

We ordered the Vegetarian Favorite Pizza, Satay, and Crispy Prawn. The pizza’s Italian-inspired flavors shone through its fresh tomato base and perfectly chosen cheese. The satay, served with peanut sauce and rice cakes, was the best I’d had in Bali. It was flavorful with a hint of spice. The crispy prawn, akin to tempura with a creamy filling, highlighted the shrimp’s natural briny taste. It was complemented by a yummy dill sauce.

I was with my mother and mother-in-law so we just had mocktails and they made them really good. For the Apple Mint Squash, the mint was so strong that the apple and squash was unrecognizable. I didn’t know that they can add squash to drinks though. On the other hand, the Passionista added an unexpected twist of something leafy or herby in its flavors but it went well with the drink. The orange and apple juices gave Passionista a nice gradient.

Midway through our meal, the staff of O Beach Bali surprised my mom with a heartwarming greeting. It was so sweet of them to sing the birthday song and give a small cake to my mom. And, of course, as her child, I got a free sampler of the dayclub’s cheesecake. It was delightful! It was soft, mildly sweet, and cheesy without being overpowering.

While dining, I couldn’t help but admire O Beach Bali’s chic design. It is embellished with beautifully tiled patio, cozy yellow daybeds, and softly lit hanging lamps under lush trees created a magical nighttime ambiance.

What’s a beach club without a pool? Overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean, O Beach Bali’s main resort pool is majestically set amidst a verdant lawn. Whether you’re in the mood for invigorating laps or sipping a cocktail by the water’s edge, this is the perfect haven.

We discovered that O Beach Bali also accepts overnight guests as it also doubles as a hotel. You could see its building acting as a backdrop of the dayclub. I can’t tell what’s inside though as I didn’t bother visiting the lobby.

When in Seminyak, tourists also shouldn’t miss trying the island-themed cafes and restobars. While waiting for our check in time, our Balinese friend drove us to Kynd Community, a plant-based cafe in a stunning pink tropical modern aesthetic.

We had smoothie bowls, of course, which were delectable and refreshing. I thought the Acai Bowl will be sour because of acai but it was balanced by semi-sweet granola. The Berry Tropical was sweeter and rich in dragon fruit. I just wished the two smoothie bowls were designed differently so there’s a distuinguising factor between the two. The Matcha Strawberry drink looked very lovely but it lacked earthy depth of matcha.

When traveling out of the country, we usually splurge on one luxurious hotel night while sticking to budget-friendly options for the rest of the trip. This allows us to indulge in an extravagant staycation without breaking the bank. In Bali, I selected Lloyd’s Inn as our upgraded accommodation for the trip.

Although classified as a boutique hotel, Lloyd’s Inn boasts modern and attractive architecture. The hotel captures the sleek, contemporary design for its outdoor spaces. With gray stone facades, minimalist landscaping, and innovative use of black steel frames and natural textures, the inn exudes an elegant charm. The open courtyard, adorned with black pebbles and wooden swings, creates a serene and stylish ambiance.

Our unit reflected the same modern aesthetic from furnitures and fixtures to equipments and devices. With its clean lines and warm wood accents, the interior felt both cozy and chic. I wished we stayed longer. I’m willing to tuck myself in these sheets all day.

A seamless glass panel separates the bedroom from the private bath. My husband and I felt like we were reliving our honeymoon stage as we enjoyed the bathtub and shower area, which exuded polished modern design. The bathroom was thoughtfully equipped with complete toiletries, adding to the luxurious feel.

Lloyd’s Inn also houses The Canopy Spa, a serene sky spa offering a variety of massages and detox treatments. If only I had known about the flower bath here beforehand, I wouldn’t have booked a massage at Green Tara Spa the day before.

After celebrating my mom’s birthday with dinner and mocktails at O Beach Bali, my husband invited me for cocktails at Opeum Bistro, Lloyd’s Inn’s in-house dining and beverage brand.

I ordered the Opeumcolada, their take on a piña colada, while he had the Blue Lagoon. The Opeumcolada had a unique twist. They added coconut milk, which, I think, reflects Bali’s love for coconuts. The coconut flavor was dominant, though the tanginess of the pineapple and the strength of the alcohol still came through. The serving was large, but I found myself craving a bit more ice. It was an ice-blended drink, so perhaps that’s why it lacked the chill of the Blue Lagoon, which had plenty of ice. As for the aftermath of the Opeumcolada—let’s just say one glass of this white rum mix was enough to get me tipsy! Surprisingly, my husband, who expected the Blue Lagoon, a vodka-based drink, to hit harder, remained completely fine. I must admit, I found the Blue Lagoon better. Its zesty lemony flavor, enhanced by Curaçao, was refreshing and perfectly balanced.

For breakfast, I ordered Opeum Bistro’s Floating Breakfast, which was served at Lloyd’s Inn’s lap pool. I was expecting an Instagram-worthy setup similar to the picture I saw online. It was a towering stack of pastries resembling a tea party. However, I realized that stacking dishes wouldn’t be practical in a pool, so they arranged everything on a flat rectangular basket instead. While it didn’t quite match my aesthetic expectations, the sheer abundance and quality of the breakfast made up for it. I wish they placed it in a smaller floating tray though so it would look better.

Anyway, I can’t deny that every dish is phenomenal. The Chicken Ham & Cheese Burrito was packed with flavor, featuring tender, smoky meat with a slight kick of spice. Although I didn’t get to try the Char Kway Teow, it looked incredible, rich and loaded with toppings. The feast of pastries was a dream come true. There were so many variants. All are soft, fresh, and delicious. The breakfast also included cereals, fruits, coffee, tea, and bottled juice. It was truly an indulgent and abundant meal.

The pool at Lloyd’s Inn is nothing short of spectacular. Its architecture seamlessly blends modern design with a touch of nature, creating a tranquil and inviting space. The long lap pool is perfect for a relaxing swim or a peaceful moment to float and soak in the serene atmosphere. The water is warm and soothing, ideal for an evening dip when the air gets cooler. One of the standout features is the jacuzzi area by the edge.

Despite the wonderful experience, I felt like I barely had enough time to fully unwind. With just a night and half a day at Lloyd’s Inn, I couldn’t quite achieve the rest and relaxation I was hoping for. This gives me the perfect excuse to return to Seminyak in the future, and when I do, I’ll make sure to stay longer to savor every moment of what this vibrant destination has to offer.