Things you need to know before you visit Bali, according to fashion designer Guan Min

“Times Beach Warung (@timesbeachwarung) is a really cute vibey spot on the Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu to start the day at. It has a little bit of everything – coffee, breakfast, sun, sea, surfers and dogs. It’s great for sunsets too.”

“Woods (@woodsbali) in Pererenan is a new spot (a short ride away from the iconic Tanah Lot) with great food and atmosphere. Its structure and interiors are made of reclaimed wood, which gives it a really nice woodland treehouse feel and it gets even better when they have live jazz performances on the grand piano!”

“Si Jin (@sijinbali) in Seminyak is hands down my favourite restaurant. It’s a Korean-inspired modern steakhouse and the entire dining experience is to-die-for, so good that it has a three-month-long waitlist to get a reservation there. The food is just incredible, but what’s most impressive is the thoughtful attention and intention that is put into everything – simply mind-blowing.”

“Morabito (@morabitoartvilla) in Canggu’s Berawa enclave on Fridays is my go-to. The scene is more mature as compared to the other parties around and it’s cosier than the mega clubs or parties – a nice in-between when you’re not looking for a crazy night out. And if you’re looking to take the party further, there’s the option of heading to Behind The Green Door (@behindthegreendoor_bali) for the afterparty.”

“Potatohead (@potatoheadbali) in Seminyak is the best spot to get immersed in good music, art and culture. There’s always a line-up of events across those genres, be it parties, concerts, talks and pop-up exhibitions put together by the uber-cool and creative community who run the show there. I also love popping into their library, Studio Eksotika, spending the afternoon perusing through their impressive and enviable collection of books!”

“I’m going to be biased and mention Escalier (@escalierstore) at Potatohead and Revolver (@revsxrevolver) in Canggu because they carry my brand, Gamine Studio, alongside other cool made-in-Bali brands from young designers.”

“I love Bambu Indah (@bambuindah) in Ubud for a day of relaxation. The stunning bamboo eco-resort is a lush oasis in the jungle, overlooking the Ayung River, and it has different spots for you to hang at and natural pools to swim in. You can get a day pass to enjoy the compound and amenities if you’re not a hotel guest. And definitely have a go at their fresh and organic dining menu made with their own garden produce.”

“The Istana (@the_istana) in Uluwatu is a beautiful place to spend a full wellness day at! I love their sound dome steam room, and they also have saunas, hot and cold plunge pools, alongside yoga and meditation classes, cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers and sensory deprivation tanks.”

“This might not be for everyone, but for someone open to seeking new experiences, I would recommend Sunday mornings at Udara (@udarabali) in Seseh. You start off with Hatha yoga, followed by ecstatic dance –basically a fully sober, highly expressive and uninhibited dance party – and finished off with a soothing sound healing session.”

“Sidemen in East Bali is incredibly beautiful and fun to explore. Stay at Samanvaya (@samanvayabali) and travel around from there to take in all the picturesque nature views and waterfalls in the vicinity. Definitely also book a private jewellery making class with Agung Silver (@silver.agung) while you’re there if that’s something you’d be interested in.”

A BEACH TO SEE AND BE SEEN AT

“Bingin beach in Uluwatu is a favourite spot for the cool cats in Bali. It’s quite a trek to get down to, but the water is beautiful and the beach is bustling with activity and great for people-watching while getting a tan and coconuts.”

“The most scenic place I’ve been to in Bali thus far is Kintamani in Northern Bali. There’s a whole street of cafes and restaurants to take in the breathtaking and postcard-perfect views of Mount Batur, but my favourite lookout point is at Montana del Cafe (@montanacafebali). I would also highly recommend booking a night’s stay at one of the lakeside hotels or AirBnbs – it’s an entirely different experience from the beachfront getaway most of us are used to.”

A HIDDEN GEM IN UBUD

“If you’re in Ubud and love bespoke cocktails, you have to check out my pal Christian’s (he’s also a fellow Singaporean in Bali) new bar, Kawi (@kawiubud). He does private tasting sessions and it’s a great hidden spot to get together with friends.”

This article was first published in Female.