ERCHED at the edge of the sand in a quiet section of Sanur that catches the sunrise, the Andaz Bali is a sybaritic escape in a sedate and measured residential neighbourhood where people stop to say hello and cafes and catamarans line the lazy promenade.

This new unabashedly luxury Bali hotel launching 1 April, 2021, adjoins sister property Hyatt Regency Bali, whose delightful spa is on tap for Andaz guests a short barefoot stroll away. Borrowing a leaf from traditional Balinese village design, the rooms cluster around small courtyards that stand in as village squares for informal social interaction.

Marble-floored rooms from 50sq m serve up peekaboo bathing areas in greystone. A King Bed Ocean View offer a 65-inch TV screen for a genuine home studio experience along with the usual holiday extras like iron, safe, electric kettle and circular bathtub for a romantic dip. Sample a Lagoon Access room for a walk-in pool experience or go for more elbow room in an 81sq m Andaz Suite or top-of-the-line Villas with up to 396sq m of rumpus room.

A melange of four restaurants from Asian to Western grill and seafood lay out their eye candy and aromas at the Village Square - central to the design concept - while Fisherman's Club sited right on the beach serves up the freshest catch of the day grilled on flaming coconut husk. The dress code at both venues is casual but you'll need to leave your swimming gear, flaming bikinis and Hawaiian trunks in the room.

This intimate 149-key resort for the discerning is a low decibel escape but it does offer a small 236sq m space for intimate events or that special function in case you remembered to bring along that ring. It can handle a small Bali wedding with aplomb and there's space for a modest beach spillover.

The real charm of the area is in its lived-in feel with mature trees, relaxed pace, and fewer in-your-face tourist gew-gaws. Here you can blend into the real Bali and get a taste of local village culture in daily action. The minimalist modern rooms bring a touch of Bali indoors too with cerefully handpicked artefacts and textures. Strol the beach or cycle the seafront path with the wind and sea spray in your hair.