The Alila Villa complex in the Uluwatu area is one of the most prestigious hotel projects on the Bukit Peninsula, and so we were intrigued to find out if the Sunset Cabana Bar offered a beach club experience.
It’s fair to say that, in many respects, it didn’t quite live up to the beach club title, but there’s no doubt that we think our readers would still be interested to learn about this stunning beach bar and its iconic view.
So, once again, our team was dispatched to find out all there is to know about Sunset Cabana at the Alila, and this is what they discovered.
Introduction – Getting To Sunset Cabana @ Alila
To get to the Alila Villas, you’ll need to drive to Uluwatu. This isn’t too far from Jimbaran or Ungasan but it’s on the Bukit Peninsula, which makes it harder to drive to from Canggu, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Ubud than the map distances might suggest.
At peak periods during the day, the roads get pretty clogged, and what looks like an easy 20 minute drive can take an hour or even more.
So, if you do reserve a table at Sunset Cabana, we recommend setting off very early to beat the traffic and to make sure you catch that sunset.
Where Is Sunset Cabana @ Alila? Bar at Alila Villas Uluwatu, Jl. Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Pecatu, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364
Website: Alila
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, except Nyepi
What’s Inside Sunset Cabana @ Alila?
There is some comfortable and very Instagrammable furniture, food and drinks as well as a clifftop view overlooking the ocean.
Our Review Breakdown For Sunset Cabana @ Alila
We always review every property featured on this site in exactly the same way, this is to ensure that we treat every owner fairly and that their venues are judged on the same basis.
It’s also to ensure that our reviews are consistent, so that you can compare two venues side-by-side easily enough.
We begin by asking our team to visit the venue. They must all visit the venue and score the place from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), against each of the categories below. They don’t always visit at the same time or even on the same day.
Then, they meet up (once everyone has been to the venue) to discuss their various experiences and to take a vote on the final scores in each category.
Next, one member of the team is tasked with writing up the review and ensuring that the review represents the discussions and the final scores.
The last part is when the review goes live on our website, where it will remain for a period of, at least one year before we revisit the beach club and amend our scores or comments as needed.
Pre-Club Advertising
We are big fans of pre-club advertising because we believe it helps to attract visitors and give a place the social vibe we expect when we go out.
Now, the hotel here does advertise, but we’ve never seen an ad either online or offline trying to sell the services of this bar.
We guess that’s because in part, it’s not the biggest place and because it’s aimed mainly at guests of the resort.
However, on our visits, while it definitely had other guests, it wasn’t packed out, so maybe there’s room for some advertising?
Location
Uluwatu is on the Bukit Peninsula, which makes it a bit harder to access than the main beach towns of Kuta, Legian, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Canggu.
It’s not the end of the world to get to this spot from elsewhere in the main tourist spots on the island, but the traffic can make it much harder than it might otherwise be.
Once you’re there. There’s no beach access at this clifftop spot but you do have a very nice view over the ocean at sunset.
Rating: 3/5
Booking Process & Seating Options
OK, so this property is owned by the Hyatt Group. It’s one of the most expensive and high-end hotels on the island of Bali, and somehow, they still haven’t managed to implement an online booking system?
Really, it’s pretty pathetic to send you to WhatsApp to enquire about a table, rather than just facilitating that on the website.
What’s even more incredible is that they spent a lot of money on a “Virtual Tour” of the facility, but still didn’t add a “book now” button. So, yes, you can book, but it’s more painful than it needs to be.
Entry Fee
In keeping with all the best beach bars and beach clubs in Bali, there is no entrance fee at the Sunset Cabana Bar.
And nor should there be, we are firm believers that you ought to be able to walk into any venue and see if the vibe fits you and check out the menu without paying for that privilege.
If pubs started charging entrance fees, they’d be empty. Beach clubs that charge entrance fees without special events or other good justifications should also be empty.
Minimum Spend
There is no minimum spend at this venue, though given the menu prices (more on this in a minute), we confidently predict that you’re going to spend more here than any beach club charges as a minimum spend anyway.
However, while this lack of commitment to spend might seem good, it’s actually not all upside. It means that the hotel has zero incentive to keep your booking for you.
So, if you’re more than 15 minutes late, they may well give your table away to someone else who is waiting with cash in their hand.
A minimum spend always means a deposit, and that deposit secures your seat and gives you a bit of flexibility over your arrival time. That’s why we like minimum spend commitments.
Welcome And Security
You will be given a warm welcome at this bar when you arrive. And while there is no actual bag check at this venue, your vehicle will be swept before you’re allowed inside the hotel grounds.
That’s at least a step in the right direction to ensure everyone is kept safe.
Inclusions
There are no inclusions at this bar, and that’s not really surprising. There’s no pool, no beach access, so why would you need a towel?
And the bar itself is under enough shade that you shouldn’t need suntan lotion or any of the other things that beach clubs sometimes offer.
Service
There’s no doubt that the service here is world-class. Everything is fully polished upscale Balinese hospitality, and you’re going to feel that your every need has been taken care of.
Entertainment
This isn’t a party spot, but every Saturday night, they have live violin performances, which help contribute to what they call a “multisensory drinking experience”. Which we’d call “cocktails and tunes”.
It’s very nice though, and makes for a pleasant change from the EDM in most beach clubs.
Pool Quality
There is a pool right next door to this bar, but it’s not available to guests of the bar, only to guests of the hotel.
We think that’s fair enough, after all, if you’ve paid a fortune to stay in a beautiful place, you ought to get first dibs on the facilities, and this isn’t the biggest pool that we’ve ever seen.
And yes, some of the villas here have their own pools too, but it’s fair enough that they ask you to rent a room if you want full use of their facilities.
After all, there’s no entrance fee or minimum spend to enter the bar, so you’re not paying for access to the pool.
Menu/Drinks Pricing
It’s not often that our eyeballs nearly fall out of our heads over menu pricing, but they come pretty close at this bar.
When they charge $20 USD ($30 AUD) for four potato croquettes, you know that you’re in for an extreme time for your wallet.
This is, perhaps, the most expensively priced place that we’ve reviewed, and there’s some tough competition for that spot.
Similarly, some of the cocktails run an incredible $25 USD ($37.50 AUD) once you account for tax and service charges.
It’s pretty clear that most of the clientele in this bar don’t mind these prices, but if you’re on a tight budget, this is not going to be your idea of a cheap night out.
Food And Drink Quality
Now, on the flip side of the cost is the quality of the food and drinks here, which is exceptional, and it really has to be at these prices.
Everything is perfectly presented and crafted from the best ingredients. Yes, that cocktail may be insanely expensive, but it’s also insanely good.
The bites are also delicious and look like the work of true artisans. If you are pushing the boat out for a special occasion, there’s no doubt that this is the kind of culinary expertise that is going to be remembered for a long time after you leave the restaurant.
We can’t say that this is exceptional value for money, we can’t massage the numbers but we can say that if you don’t mind paying, you will be pleased with the outcome.
Sunset View
Uluwatu is on the right side of the island for spectacular views at sunset, and there’s no doubt that this clifftop setting really delivers on the view.
There’s something magical about enjoying a Bali sunset, as the sky lights up in so many hues and shades, and that is, in turn, reflected in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Once the sun finally disappears beneath the horizon, you’re left with a truly unforgettable impression of this paradise island.
Music And Ambience
The music in here, when it’s piped in, is definitely nicely tailored to chilled out sunset watching, and while it’s nothing we recognised or would play at home, it set the mood.
It also serves as a pleasant backdrop for conversation and laughter.
Payment Options
You can pay by cash or card anywhere in this venue, but we suspect that most people are going to opt for a card after they see the price of the drinks.
However, we didn’t see any signs for QRIS payments, which is a bit of a shame given how useful this system is for expats and locals here.
Exit Process
Leaving this venue is as easy as getting in, and if you feel like you’re getting lost, the staff will be only too happy to point the way.
You will also be given a warm farewell as you leave.
Transportation
Uluwatu is very spread out, which means that while you can get Grab or Gojek services, a driver may not be very nearby when you use the app.
So, be prepared for a bit of a wait; otherwise, if you have your own car or scooter, you can pick it up from the hotel parking where it will have been under the careful supervision of their security team.
Social Media Presence
We love what they’ve done on their Instagram page for promoting the food, drinks and shisha, and you can see how much art they put into these expensive concoctions.
But we find it baffling as to how little work they’ve put into showcasing the venue, showing you people enjoying the venue, or indeed, trying to give you any hint at what it might be like to spend some time here.
Social media is meant to be social, not just a form of advertising, but a way to connect with your customers so that they feel something. This is very corporate, but not very social.
Other/General Comments
Sometimes, you want a place that offers a sense of occasion, and there’s no doubt that Sunset Cabana does that.
It’s a place to celebrate something special or engage in a genuine holiday indulgence, but it’s definitely not an everyday bar. At least not for us mere mortals.
Our Overall Opinion Of Sunset Cabana @ Alila
There’s no doubt that if you’re seeking a touch of glamour during your Bali holiday, then Sunset Cabana can provide you with it.
This is a hotel bar which is entirely aimed at catering for the wealthier holidaymaker seeking a classy spot to enjoy the Bali sunset.
What it isn’t is a beach club, there’s no beach, no pool, no entertainment and definitely no parties, but if you put that to one side, it’s a great bar with excellent food, drinks and view, but one that comes at a fairly substantial price.
Would we go back? Absolutely, if someone else were paying. But while we had a great time at this bar, we can’t justify those prices for food and drinks in our day-to-day lives, so maybe we’d go back on a very special occasion if we were already in Uluwatu.
But we certainly wouldn’t cross the island to revisit Sunset Cabana as much as we enjoyed being there on the day.
FAQs
Can You Swim At Sunset Cabana @ Alila?
No, while there is a swimming pool at the Alila Villas, this is only available to hotel guests. While you are welcome to eat and drink at this bar, you are not allowed to use the pool.
We should also note that this is a clifftop location and there is no access to the beach below, so there’s no hope of swimming in the sea at the Sunset Cabana.
What Can You Do At Sunset Cabana @ Alila?
You can eat and drink at Sunset Cabana and enjoy an excellent view of the ocean at sunset. As you might expect from the name, you get quite a decent sunset at this location, and it’s without a doubt the big draw of this place.
We should warn you that this is, perhaps, the most expensive bar facility in Uluwatu and that while it is an undoubtedly lovely facility, you may not want to spend time here if you’re on a budget.
Is Sunset Cabana @ Alila A Family-Friendly Venue?
The Alila Villas is a family-friendly facility, but the Sunset Cabana is a straight-up bar. While you won’t be prevented from taking children into this place, you may feel that it’s not an ideal location for children.
There is nowhere inside to play or run around, and the main objective of this area is simply to enjoy sundowners while enjoying the sunset.
Your kids might be better off enjoying the pool area or being in one of the resort’s other restaurant areas, which are a bit more child-friendly.
Who Owns Sunset Cabana @ Alila?
Sunset Cabana is owned by Alila Villas, which in turn is part of the Hyatt Hotels group, which is one of the world’s largest hotel chains.
Final Thoughts On Sunset Cabana @ Alila
This is a fairly iconic bar in Uluwatu, and there’s no doubt that it’s a place that makes you feel rich by just being there, though this is in part due to the fact that it costs, by Bali standards, an arm and a leg.
If you don’t mind getting spendy, the food and drinks are excellent, and the sunrise view is fabulous, but you’re not going to end up dancing the night away.
This is very much a casual chill-out spot for sundowners, and then you move on to where the night comes alive elsewhere.
