I still remember the first time we experienced it. I mean, heck, the whole thing is documented right here on Lion in the Wild (funny that!). Luckily for us though, this time we had the pleasure of staying here during our brief stint in buzzing Seminyak, Bali's most fashionable district.

Arriving from chilled-out Canggu, Brad and I were a little overwhelmed by the tsunami of cars, motorcycles, pedestrians and noise that grace the streets of Seminyak, despite having stayed here numerous times before. While we both prefer the quieter parts of Bali, Seminyak is the epicentre of cool - beach clubs, designer boutiques, fine dining, organic cafés, you name it.

And that's where The Amala comes into play; a hidden and secluded holistic retreat that is so much more than just a peaceful home base during your Seminyak adventures. In fact, it's so tranquil that you'd be forgiven for forgetting your central location, with tall walls and a thick tropical rainforest that drown out the surrounding racket, a much welcomed illusion.