The St. Regis Bali Resort recently launched its tropical park, which features a Chef's Garden, a dinner venue called Dulang (literally 'royal plate'), and a hammock garden. The St. Regis Tropical Park, spanning over 7 thousand square meters, was created as an extension for relaxation within the 8.8 hectares of land that the St. Regis Bali Resort sits on and offers guests an additional retreat and activity within the resort. Guests can also witness the first Orchid Pavilion featuring up to 50 species of orchids.

The St. Regis Bali Resort, Nusa Dua
(0361) 8478-111; www.stregis.com/bali

Cafe Jemme offers more delicious gourmet additions on its extensive menu at affordable prices. Entrees include Garlic & Herb Baked Portobello Mushroom, Cheese & Caramelized Onion Quesadilla topped with ratatouille and fresh asparagus spears and the Jemme Classic Prawn Cocktail served with classic cocktail sauce and gazpacho sambal. For the mains there are Butter Curry of Seafood served with flakey pastry and cucumber salsa, and definitely a must try is the Oven Roasted Corn-fed Chicken for 2 - boned and roasted with fresh herbs served with cauliflower cream, cheesy mash, buttered peas and carrots and a trio of gravies. Other 'must try's are found under the Jemme Fruity Martinis list, namely the Choco Blackberry as well as the Apple Martini.

Café Jemme
Jl. Raya Petitenget No.28, Kerobokan
(0361) 732-392

Quiksilver has opened a brand new store showcasing surf fashion and street wear products from the brands Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC on Monkey Forest Street in Ubud. The Quiksilver Ubud store uses traditional materials such as Silakarang Stone from nearby Gianyar and environmentally friendly bamboo and rattan for its interior, blending the store right in with the surrounding environment.

The new Quiksilver store offers a complete selection of apparel and accessories ranging from board shorts and bikinis to T'shirts and hooded sweatshirts, as well as full range of accessories like bags and backpacks.

www.quiksilver.com

Aston at the Grand Kuta Hotel & Residence opens this month as a modern minimalist hotel and residence with luxurious design. Strategically located and within close reach of the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Denpasar, the Grand Kuta serves as a resort style residence equipped with amenities for convenience.

Aston at Grand Kuta Hotel & Residence
Jl. Dewi Sri No. 8, Kuta
(0361) 765-976; www.grandkuta.com

The Scene recently opened as a guesthouse-style resort where visitors can enjoy soothing spa treatments, sophisticated nail services and delectable dining atop Pecatu Hill in Uluwatu. Guests are treated to a relaxing experience at the indoor and outdoor areas of their choice, including two salons adorned with traditional crafts, a poolside area and gazebos. The Scene offers a variety of selections for couples, families and other groups plus a special bridal package to make honeymoons even more memorable. As for dining, The Scene presents a fusion of Japanese and Indonesian culinary pleasures, focusing mainly on seafood.

The Scene
Jl. Labuan Sait, Uluwatu
(0361) 847-0646; www.thescene-bali.com

Returning home to Bali with one of the culinary world's most prestigious prizes, I Wayan Wicaya, the winner of the Global Chefs Challenge 2010, was greeted enthusiastically by friends, family and colleagues last month. The Global Chefs Challenge is the largest single chefs competition in the world, sponsored by the World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) and entered in by 88 countries in 7 seven continental regional finals. Every two years, the finalists from the seven regions of the world take to the stoves to prepare a four-course dinner for twelve people to exacting standards. Every move is watched and judged. The results are scored by a jury of experts and the winner is the chef who has created the dishes to the highest culinary, food hygiene and preparation standards. The six other Global Finalists were from Norway, Canada, Portugal, Holland, Dubai, and Australia. I Wayan Wicaya, Executive Sous chef of Bulgari, has been leading up to this final for two years. First securing the title for Indonesia, and then winning the Global Chef Asia competition, then finally to Chile, where he has proved beyond a doubt that Indonesia's culinary industry is producing world-class chefs.

www.balichefs.com

Chateau de Bali Ungasan Luxury Villas & Medical Spa recently had its soft-opening on the island's southern peninsula. The new 5-star luxury villas offer ultimate holiday luxury combined with personal service. The elegant contemporary villas are complete with private swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, Balinese gazebo and lush tropical garden complemented by elite clubhouse facilities. Perched on the hill of Ungasan village and overlooking the Indian Ocean, Chateau de Bali Ungasan Luxury Villas & Medical Spa features 96 wellness ocean view villas, a medical spa, sauna in each villa, club lounge, wine bar and a health doctor to assist in detox, slimming and de-stressing programs together with a vegetarian chef who prepares healthy meals at the restaurant and for individualized nutritious programs. Chateau de Bali's grand opening is planned for this month.

Chateau de Bali
Jl. Pura Masuka Ungasan, Br. Kertha Lestari, Ungasan
(0361) 877-3288; www.chateaudebali.com

InterContinental Bali Resort recently announced the appointment of Phil Riley as General Manager & Regional General Manager IHG Indonesia. With over 30 years of hospitality management experience, Phil brings a meticulous understanding of luxury hotel operations to the InterContinental Bali Resort. He arrived in Bali after a 14-month tenure as General Manager of the recently opened InterContinental Asiana Saigon as well as IHG Regional General Manager Vietnam.

InterContinental Bali Resort
Jalan Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran
(0361) 701-888; www.interconti.com