Bali is filled with easy-come-go hostels, happy little B&Bs and cheap hotel stays – perfect for the money savvy traveller. However, what if you want to experience Bali but you still enjoy the luxury life when you go on vacay?
That’s where AYANA Resort and Spa, Bali steps in.
Luckily for little old me, I currently live in Singapore – making Bali a short and cheap 2.5 hour direct flight away. Whilst I’ve been to Bali before (it’s quickly becoming my favourite island) I wanted to go for a long weekend away to somewhere…a bit more luxurious. After all, you work hard, play harder right? So after some swift research and having already stayed at AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach (blog to come), I settled on AYANA Resort and Spa, BALI.
This award-winning luxury venue is nestled in the cliffs of Jimbaran Bay on the south of the island, just a short 10 minute cab ride from the airport (ain’t nobody got time for long transfer rides after a really long flight). The only integrated resort in Bali, AYANA is connected to RIMBA Jimbaran BALI by AYANA and The Villas at AYANA Resort, BALI too. It’s difficult to vision how large an integrated resort is, but let me put it this way: During your stay you have access, completely free entry, to: 19 restaurants, private beach and beach club; 12 swimming pools, golf-putting and gym. All accessible via the AYANA private and complimentary shuttle trams that ferry to and fro all the hotspots, all day.
As you arrive, you’ll be taken to either RIMBA or AYANA reception. I was staying at AYANA and the resort is so big, my taxi driver got lost heading into the venue during the dark evening! Finally we found the right entrance and was greeted with blossom garlands and a refreshing drink. Escorted to my deluxe ocean view room, I can assure you – the space IS as good as it looks in the pictures. There are also suites and private villas up for grabs too, depending upon your holiday budget. I’m not quite on the private villa paycheck just yet!
For breakfast, I headed to Padi restaurant for an extensive buffet restaurant, as well as DAVA restaurant for an a la carte breakfast. These are the two main breakfast hotspots and both serve up quite the delicious start to the day – however given I’m more of a buffet pick-and-eat kind of woman, I loved Padi restaurant. As you can expect from an award-winning resort, there was literally something for everyone. Continental, Asian, egg station, fresh fruits, pastries, fresh juices and coffee or tea made to order. Whilst I am on the subject of food, I might as well delve into the rest of the eaties here.
Padi restaurant does a delightful local cuisine dinner – of which, after many glasses of Prosecco, I enjoyed double servings of satay sticks and rice. Because, holiday mode. Kampoeng Bali is a definite must if you’re staying during the times it’s on: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Seated al fresco, you’re treated to an authentic Balinese setting, complete with Kecak performances and live cooking stations. The food is sensational. There’s no other word to describe it. Once again, it’s buffet style, so you can eat your fill before rolling back to your hotel room absolutely stuffed.
For lighter daytime bites, you can go to the Spa Cafe, next to the spa, natch, does fresh and healthy vegetarian food – something you really need and enjoy after some treatments. There’s also Kubu Beach Club that offers beachside local cuisine, a nice option if you get peckish down on the beach. Or try Orchid, for a Balinese twist on afternoon tea, seated inside an air conditioned glass house, decked ceiling to floor with real and blooming orchids. May I suggest an americano or latte, complete with one of their fresh cupcakes – I went with a red velvet and a vanilla sponge. Because, holiday mode.
But saving the best until last – there’s the Rock Bar. Located on rocks and among the cliff face looking out towards the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar is 14 meters above the ocean and offers guests alcoholic beverages and Mediterranean dining. The sunset view is absolutely breathtaking, no wonder this venue has been recognised as one of the world’s top 30 best hotel bars. You head down stairs that descend the cliff side (elevators also available) and take a pew at the ocean front bar or be taken through to the dining area. I recommend heading down for around 6pm to get a pre-dinner cocktail, watch the sunset, and then head to your table to tuck into the food – which includes lobster, seabass, octopus, lamb loin and vegetarian moussaka.
When I wasn’t drinking at eating? I spent my time drifting between the 12 different pools and of course, the beach. My favourite pool was the RIMBA upper pool, where seemingly only adults gathered and was very peaceful and chilled, along with AYANA lower pool. Oh, lest I forget to mention, the ocean beach pool down in Kubu Beach Club delivers that epic infinity-pool-ocean shot that is ‘gram worthy.
The beach was equally glorious, but then I am an ocean baby. Any chance I get to dive into the open seas and I’m there, even just for the feeling of sand between my toes. Given the layout of the beach and the cove in which it sits in between the cliffs, I will warn you that the current is strong and the waves are wild. I got washed up on shore by one naughty wave! No injuries, thank goodness – my Ray Bans also survived unscathed.
For my vacations, particularly ones that are mini weekend breaks, I like to relax, recharge and chill. This means you’ll find me either eating (not sure if I’ve emphasised that enough yet?) or sunbathing by the pool and beach. If I get a longer break, I’ll venture out of the resort into local places or do some in-resort activities. At AYANA, you can do both. They offer a jogging track, sunrise yoga, Canang Ketupat demonstration, Balinese cooking school and children’s activities on site, as well as golfing and a fish market tour nearby to check out.
Aside from the above (as if I need to mention more?), the most amazing aspect of this luxury resort is the service, the atmosphere and every member of staff. I have never been treated better, from the moment I stepped into the reception to the time I walked out. Everybody is there to help, unconditionally, with smiles and warming words. There was never anything too big or too small that I requested and the timely manner of all the service was exceptional – along with the presentation. It’s truly the small details that count the most, such as serving my cupcake in the Orchid tea room by manually swiping my plate using a brush with my sauce of choice (chocolate, obviously), or the personalised handwritten notes my room cleaner left me, along with fresh fruits and a rose.
I honestly cannot rate this place highly enough, for the ultimate in luxury: AYANA Resort and Spa, BALI is my top recommendation. After my weekend here, my only regret was that I didn’t book a longer stay. It’s a fantastic option for those also seeking a very relaxing holiday, who don’t particularly want or need to venture out of the resort. After all, you get everything you could possibly want, all in one place.
