Chatting to my mate online back in Aus, and tell him that I'm heading out to One Eyed Jacks (a must eat out experience). Go and have a drink at the beach club at the end of the road first, he says. Sounds like a good plan. Off to Finns Beach Hotel I go.
The decor at Finns is seriously fantastic! The security checks and metal detecting wands are a little odd. Not wanting to have my Camelbak drink bottle confiscated, I return to my scooter and lock it safely away.
I'm only popping in for the one drink, but you can't help but be impressed by the natural setting above the beach, and all the native timber, wood and bamboo tones that make up the humongous pitched roof covering the indoor entertainment areas, which flow flawlessly into an outside swimming pool, decks and balconies festooned with bar tables and stools, cushioned deck chairs, and super comfy settees, with a small table in the centre to hold your drinks and food. These are tendered by staff, some of whom sweep the sand off the settees, and drape the towels over the cushions.
Bathing shorts for the men and bikinis or swimsuits for the ladies seem to be entirely appropriate attire apparently. As I drink my expensive Bintang (50k) at one of the bar tables, I'm feeling acutely aware that I'm generally twice the age of the predominant clientele base, and most everyone else has at least one companion they're with. It's before 6:30pm, and the place is not quite packed, but it seems to hold hundreds of revellers with ease, and they're still flowing in for the live DJ's, and setting sun.
There are extensive menus, and Finns has a 4.5 Zomato rating, with plenty of good food reviews, so if this sounds like your kind of hangout, then go for it