Ayana Balinese Paradise
Bali is a resort lovers paradise and there are literally hundreds of destinations from which to choose. From high end - to the not so high end, the popular areas like Seminyak and Jimbaran can all accommodate to a wide range of price points and tastes. There is one destination though that stands out as a magnificent example of how a resort should be. Named after a "place of refuge" in Sanskrit, the award-winning AYANA Resort is a truly stunning destination that is situated on 90 hectares of cliff-top land perched above Jimbaran Bay and must surely be one of the world´s most exotic resort destinations.
If amazing sunsets, cliff top ocean views and white-sand beaches is your thing, then this fully integrated resort will serve you well. Ayana is the seaside cousin of the hinterland property that adjoins this one that goes by the name of RIMBA. (More on Rimba later) The core proposition of Ayana is that it allows full access to all of the dining and recreation opportunities spead across both properties. There's a complimentary resort shuttle and VIP access to some of the more tourist intensive spots across the resort such as the iconic Rock Bar.
Upon arrival you will be treated to a little arrival ceremony and offered a refreshing welcoming beverage. This sets tone nicely for the stay ahead which is underpinned by some of the most friendly, professional and genuinely helpful service staff ever encountered. For Club Room and Villa Suites the niceties go beyond the welcome drink, you will also be offered a fruit platter, a butler service and unlimited use of the 18-hole golf putting course and tennis pavilion. Interestingly, every butler at AYANA has been trained and certified by the Guild of Professional Butlers in the UK, so they know their stuff.
Aside from the lovely and welcoming staff and the personalized care options, there are 19 restaurants and bars, an exclusive private beach; 12 swimming pools as well as a world-class spa with Aquatonic Seawater. As you would expect there is also a state of the art fitness center; a Kids Club and complimentary WiFi in all public areas. This really is an impressive property.
All of the Club Suites are expansive at 98sqm, with a separate living area can be partitioned off. They are extremely well appointed and modern but still provide a lovely sense of warmth with their traditional Balinese features that are complimented by rich textiles and hand painted artworks. A beautiful king sized four-poster canopy bed, ornate, wooden furniture pieces, marble bathrooms with a separate walk-in shower, stand-alone deep soaking bathtub, dual vanity sink, and dressing room along with designer toiletries by Aromatherapy Associates all provide a clear sense of luxury that is only enhanced by the breathtaking views and access to the Club Lounge where you will be invited to indulge in the evening complimentary canapés.
Breakfast is served each morning at Padi which is surrounded by terraced lotus ponds reminiscent of rice fields and is comprised of four open-air, thatch-roofed pavilions. There is a very large range of options at this buffet that cover European, American, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Indonesian specialties. It's here that you will enjoy the lively Asian heritage-style display kitchen where guests can watch native Indonesian, Indian and Thai chefs working alongside each other with fiery flair and fast-paced action.
This is a destination stay, so after breakfast there's little else to do but explore and enjoy the property. You can go pool hopping or bar hopping or pool bar hopping and make each day different from the last. Aside from the vast array of pools, there are some beautiful open space areas that overlook the ocean for those seeking the more relaxing and tranquil side of things, while for the slightly more energetic, there is the gym, yoga, cycling, dancing and cooking classes to consider. While it is a very big property, it should also be noted that its' increasing popularity has seen a real influx of visitors and while it perhaps can't be described as cramped, there are situations where you may find yourself competing for a sun lounge or your preferred spot at one of the many pools.
The major draw card for 'outsiders' is of course the Rock Bar. Thankfully - guests are given preferential access to the bar which is accessible only by the cliff side inclinator which is quite an experience in itself. Please be aware - there is an absolute die hard desire for people to visit the Rock Bar to be seen and to go Instagram crazy, so it's always packed. There is a dress code and security is tight and its frankly not always the greatest of crowds. The bar has a roster of DJ's and serves a selection of reasonably nice tapas and cocktails. This unique and spectacular venue is definitely worth the visit if you're a guest and you make the reservation, it is however not for the budget conscious.
Right next to the Rock Bar lies the Ocean Beach pool, which is a lot more laid back and a great place to chill while all the posers wait in line trying to get in to the former. It is secluded and glamorous and just as Insta-worthy but its only accessible to guests. There is a refreshing infinity pool, and views are simply supurb. From here you can make your way down a winding stone path consisting of 197 steps to the beach front proper - where if you're brave enough you can have body surf and battle Kubu Beach's sea currents or have a beach side daycation and picnic. Further along you can see the Spa Complex.
The Spa on The Rocks is surrounded by the sea and each spa villa has been ingeniously designed to blend with the environment, highlighted by Indonesian wood, traditional Balinese thatched roofs, and interiors enhanced by the natural contours of the rocks on which they sit. This Spa has been voted as the World's Best and it's not hard to see why. The Spa offers a dazzling array of treatments that will leave you relaxed and refreshed.
There are many dining options with 19 restaurants, from Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Traditional Balinese to Italian and Seafood. For a special experience there is Dava which is the fine dining Steak & Seafood restaurant that also happens to combine a Martini Bar. The star shaped Dava is quiet and intimate and is set against a beautiful backdrop. With impeccable service as well as the beautiful background ambience of a live pianist each night, it is a refined and nice addition to the culinary offerings. The menu offers Wagyu Tenderloin and Canadian Lobster amoungst a host of other appetizers, sides and desserts and is a more than worthwhile visit.
Perhaps the most high end of the dining offerings comes in the form of Ayana's various Romantic Dining Experiences. For that extra special and elevated occasion, you can choose from a candlelit tasting dinner in a secluded private gazebo, or go all out with the ‘Garden of Eden’ where you will dine in your own private garden setting. Beyond this, the Float Away Romance & the Love Shack take things to an epic new high in bespoke and private dining experiences.
With so much on offer, there is no doubt that Ayana is an extremely well thought out and executed destination that is able to cater to a wide range of guest indulgences. It is a truly remarkable and picturesque property that delivers outstanding service and a highly memorable experience. Like most luxury properties, the trick to getting the most out of it is to take the plunge and book one of the higher end rooms as this will reward you with a host of additional benefits and a perhaps a little more seclusion. Finding yourself the right level of accommodation will greatly enhance your stay and it's important to go into this adventure thinking beyond 'budget Bali' as this is not at the lower end of the scale.
The combination of both resorts is really clever and offers guests a wide range of memorable experiences. Ayana is an award winning ocean side paradise that is distinctly family orientated, where as Rimba has been designed specifically for today’s very high-end travelers, driven more by personal values and quality services than just material offerings and both should be on any travelers bucket list.
Bottom Line:
Spend a week here and you may never want to leave.
