The ultimate beach club and entertainment venue on Double Six beach has been turning many a head since opening last July. FRV Travel’s Dan Ashcroft takes a peek and a taste of what’s on offer.

Text by Dan Ashcroft

Once upon a time, many moons ago, I remember the term ‘beach club’ being synonymous with warm fizzy drinks, sandy sandwiches and a meagre flotilla of different watercraft moored up in various states of disrepair – think half-submerged pedalos and malfunctioning jetskis. How times have changed. Recently established Cocoon Beach Club has practically reinvented the concept to bring superb world-class dining, entertainment and design to buzzing Double Six beach. The emphasis is firmly on providing ultimate relaxation with a sophisticated ambience throughout for a well-heeled and taste-conscious clientele. From 8am through ‘til 3am every single day of the week Cocoon Beach Club provides a place to relax, unwind, indulge, detox, retox and everything else in between – all with the stunning views of the sands and crashing deep blue waves of the Indian Ocean as a backdrop.

Entering up the main steps it’s the clean white decor and breezy interior that initially evokes something of a Mediterranean vibe – think less Southeast Asia and more Santorini. Pull up a pew at any of the several bar and lounge areas, or on one of the white day beds or private VIP cabanas dotted around the pool, and the feeling is further enhanced. The ever-growing menu compliments the Med feel perfectly, with innovative breakfast, grazing, and à la carte dinner options available depending on what time of the day you happen by the Cocoon realm. Head Chef Stephen Moore has worked extensively throughout Europe, Asia and Australia – his cumulative experience with cuisine from around the world is instantly apparent upon close inspection of the menus.

Talking to Stephen it’s clear that he’s extremely passionate about food, with a keen eye for experimentation and detail. The menu is constantly evolving with dishes being added, tweaked, and of course if something isn’t quite working, then changed up for something else. “We are seeing that many of our first time visitors to Cocoon are returning again and again, and this can only be maintained by being consistent,” he explains. “For me and my team, that’s paramount in ensuring that Cocoon keeps up a great reputation for quality, service and satisfaction”.

I decide to delve in and see exactly what it is that keeps diners coming back, and order up a salad of blue swimmer crab from the entrée menu. Presented on a lengthy serving dish the succulent fresh white crab meat is mixed in amongst pomello, tomato and chilli dressing with croutons, creating some fantastic textures and flavours. Other entrées that had me salivating in anticipation of my next visit included the house sugar-cured salmon with potato croquettes, avocado and créme fraiche, and the bbq quail with salsa romesco, grapes and pistachio.

It seems that chefs in Bali are now more spoiled than ever with incredible local produce more than holding it’s own against the imported stuff. With this in mind I opt for the roasted breast and confit of duck slow-roasted in its own juices with pearl onions and lentils. Fish lovers won’t go far wrong with the golden-crumbed yellowtail kingfish with tomato fondue and black olive butter or grilled yellowfin tuna with samfaina and chorizo, all caught locally in the very ocean in front of you. The extensive wine list is sourced globally and contains plenty of labels that can be perfectly paired to each of the menu offerings.

Dessert comes in the form of a salad of fresh lychee with orange sorbet and rhubarb syrup. It’s light, refreshing and a great way to end the meal as the sun melts into the horizon – much like the dollop of orange sorbet atop the salad.

As darkness falls and the in-crowd begin to arrive, the ambience livens up along with the music, which has so far been firmly tuned into ‘blissed out’ mode. Evening time and Cocoon Beach Club becomes more of a party venue with regular appearances from DJs from around the globe as well as the occasional incredible event night for special occasions. I leave feeling that Cocoon really is the ultimate in a multi-functional venue and contemporary beach club for the 21st century. Not many places in Bali can truly claim to cater to such a wide range of guests, from families, couples and VIP’s to partygoers, lunchtime loungers, pool junkies and everyone in between.

Cocoon Beach Club
Jl. Double Six, No. 66,
Blue Ocean Boulevard, Seminyak, Bali.
Tel: +62 361 731 266
www.cocoon-beach.com

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