Sundara Bali

Sundara at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, is the full makeover of the resort's former legendary beach club known as PJs, now adding more chic to the Jimbaran Bay beachfront dining and chill-out scene. The luxurious venue on one of Bali's best sunset beaches boasts a striking design that blends in well with the bay’s settings. Occupying most of the southern alcove and bordering the resort’s grounds, Sundara adds gorgeous features to the beach with a blue infinity pool and tree-shaded daybeds. Comprising a dedicated bar, an alfresco area and a separate main building that houses five-star dining and meeting facilities, this all-day dining venue sets the standards in the area.

Heading up from the corner of Jalan Bukit Permai in Jimbaran and just past the array of seafood cafes, you will come across the hard-to-miss Muaya temple that slightly conceals Sundara’s limestone walls and entrance. Fans of the former beach club obviously won’t have trouble in finding the place but, once past the foyer, they may not recognise where they are. The entry features a canopy of high wooden beams that act as blinds, letting in modest amounts of sunlight while creating unique lateral shadows on the steps that descend to the bar. The acclaimed Japanese design studio Spin had much to do with the novel plan. Cascading water trickling down corrugated walls and fuchsia and purple lily-filled ponds provide an eye-catching welcome.

At the axis of the open beam ceiling of the bar hangs a massive chandelier (a hefty 950kg of delicately carved and polished teakwood). Floor-to-ceiling windows fully open to provide broad views of the bay and gentle sea breezes. This Balinese-style pavilion blends artistic touches, such as carved wooden wall panels and parquets, with an ambiance of relaxed luxury through regal décor and plush sofas. The poolside and beachside daybeds are only a few steps from the bar. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘beautiful’, Sundara offers bright and chic beachfront dining with the laidback 55m lap pool and blue ocean as a backdrop by day. The restaurant is laid out around large mature trees that bear silent witness to the past, retained to add the ample natural shade over the pool and seaside lounges. Following Jimbaran’s magnificent sunsets, stone cauldrons dotted throughout are lit ablaze, creating a sophisticated dining atmosphere.

Across from the bar is the main restaurant, serving international selections from a semi-open kitchen helmed by Executive Chef Greg Bunt. There’s also a dedicated charcuterie corner conveniently located beside the open kitchen and main aisle. For lunch, guests can pick from from shared plates of sushis, Wagyu steaks, salads, and wood-fired pizzas, served on the open-air rooftop deck with wide bay views. For dinners, guests can expect an abundance of vibrant, innovative and classic flavours, celebrating steak and seafood, as well as with wines and cocktails. The all-day menu offers a wide selection, while restaurant dining focuses on a grill-house concept together with prime cuts and seafood highlights. Panzanella bread salad includes chunks of tomato, basil and olives with mangosteen, prawns, anchovy and chicken, and from the cold bar, a half lobster and various sambals provide a succulent platter that enables us to try the tender grill with different spicy dips. Pizza toppings come in provolone and Italian sausage, margarita and mozzarella, salami and peppers, and mozzarella and fontina cheese combinations.