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The Legian Seminyak

Jakarta-based designer Jaya Ibrahim began his career under the tutelage of designer and couturier Anouska Hempel. Today, she is rightly attributed as the creator of the first "designer hotel"—Blakes in London. Applauded for its startling originality at a time when homogeneity in hotel design was the norm, the design ethos at Blakes is flamboyant and sensual. It's interesting, therefore, that Ibrahim's first major project—the interior and furniture design at the Legian in Bali—is just the opposite: restrained, muted, cool, elegant.

While Blakes is dark, dusky and enigmatic, the Legian is open, airy and light. Naturally, this is partly due to site, climate and architecture, but it nonetheless marks a departure for Ibrahim and the development of his own highly individual style. Justly celebrated by the creative cognoscenti, the Legian marks a milestone in resort interiors. Over the ensuing decade, Ibrahim's work went on to make global design waves: Copies of his furniture designs may be seen in hotels as far afield as the US and Europe.

Even though it dates from 1993, the Legian retains a fresh, modern perspective in both public and private spaces. This is partly because of the calm interior design palette, and partly because of its stunning natural location. Fronting the ocean, and built very close (some suggest too close) to the shore, every part of the hotel is focused on the relentless energy coming from the sea.

"I wanted everybody to be drawn by the sea," explains Ibrahim, "that is what the Legian is all about. It isn't about the interior, or the food, or the design; it is about the power of the sea." Certainly when you are within the hotel precincts, it's difficult to take your eyes off the huge expanse of ocean and horizon. Everything faces toward it. Whether you are wallowing in the swimming pool where overflow edge optically meets the waves, sitting on your suite's private balcony, or taking a meal in the restaurant, the sound and sight of surf is ever-present.

The Legian was the first hotel in Bali constructed in a completely contemporary building language. Indonesian architect Dedi Kusnadi made a deliberate break with vernacular architectural style (although there is a central tower in the style of a Balinese drum tower or balé kul-kul) for what was originally an apartment building. Once the decision was made to transform it into an all-suite hotel (all rooms have small pantries as well as bed-, bath-and living-rooms), the hotel retained this slightly urban air. It is built over four stories in a number of linked structures, all interconnected by covered walkways in ivory and biscuit-hued paras and limestone.

On arrival, the lobby sets the tone. An enormous carved screen by Balinese master carver I Made Jojol takes its inspiration from Walter Spies' paintings from the 1930s. Flanking it are two life-sized guardian statues carved from albasia, a balsa wood that is often used for traditional musical instruments. Their fluid shapes and beautiful grain are restful and tactile. Through the perforated screen you can see a carving of waves on the restaurant wall behind. "This prepares you before you are confronted by the real sea," explains Ibrahim.

It's a theme that Ibrahim follows throughout the entire hotel. Within the spacious suites the palette is ocean-inspired: sand-colored terrazzo tiles are the focus in the bathrooms, and fabrics are locally woven in aquamarine tones. Terracotta blocks depicting Balinese life, dancing and music by Teguh Ostenrik are suitably earthy. Each of the 67 suites has a balcony with ocean view; the higher you are, the better. Furniture was designed with the outdoors in mind. "It's a twist on that famous saying about the Chelsea house where the furniture was in the garden and the drawing room was full of flowers," says Ibrahim, slightly tongue in cheek. Elegant and clean-lined, it has more than a touch of deco to it.

Also ocean-inspired are the restaurant and spa. Seafood beach barbecues on wood grills and ocean-fresh bounty in both the Balinese and Western menus may be enjoyed either al-fresco or in the handsome dining room. And for spa sybarites, there's a line of botanical products specially devised for the hotel by aromatherapist Brenda Ramen. An exciting line-up of treatment packages with themes like Ocean and Earth are unique to the Legian. Appropriately, Ocean starts with a salt scrub and seaweed wrap and ends with a wave massage where you are massaged above and below simultaneously—believe me, it's divine.

Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak Beach, Bali 80361, Indonesia,

tel: +62 361 730 622

fax: +62 361 730 623

legian@ghmhotels.com

www.ghmhotels.com