> > by Cheryl Menagh
Honoured as Number One Spa in the World in the 2010 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali is a premier destination resort in South-East Asia. Spread out across an amazing 77 hectares of cliff-top land overlooking beautiful Jimbaran Bay, the size and location of this resort definitely make it one-of-a-kind.
THE ROOMSThere are a variety of accommodation options to choose from as the hotel comprises 209 resort rooms, 10 resort suites, 71 club rooms and suites, as well as 78 cliff-top and ocean-view villas (complete with butler) and the exclusive and lavish AYANA Villa. The decor harmoniously blends the latest luxurious comforts with traditional design, which is highlighted in Indonesian carving, sculpture, paintings and artefacts.
TASTE TEMPTATIONS
With 13 food and beverage venues and a virtual United Nations’ team of chefs, the dining experience at AYANA enters a whole new realm of gastronomy. There is their signature restaurant, Dava, with its globally inspired modern cuisine and unrivalled Indian Ocean views; Padi, with an authentic range of Thai, Indian and Indonesian dishes; Sami Sami offers the best of Italian fare; Damar Terrace has an exquisitely simple menu of light Asian noodle or rice dishes and sandwiches for all-day dining; Kisik Seafood Grill & Bar is set into the side of a cliff with a sand floor and beach below; Honzen serves spectacular Japanese cuisine in a contemporary setting and at Langit Theatre watch traditional dance performances while enjoying an elaborate buffet of Balinese cuisine.
The delights continue with cafes poolside and at the spa and carry on well into the night with sunset cocktails at the C-Bar, the Martini Club or Damar Terrace, where you can partake in evening cigars and after-dinner drinks in the exotic open-air courtyard terrace or the lounge and relaxation pavilion, where a quartet performs every evening.
COUPLES WILL LOVE
All of it, but in particular the ‘Pesta Lobster’ Dinner on the Pier. Just the two of you at the end of a jetty stretching 30 metres out to sea, surrounded by the ocean, with flickering tiki torches and a live Balinese mini-gamelan to complete the memorable scene. Or choose the five-course meal complete with butler, at a secluded cliff-top location. Romantics will also love the specially designed couple’s spa treatments either at the Spa on the Rocks villas with panoramic ocean views or the intriguing Wine and Shine Therapy or Blissful Love package, set within the beautiful tropical gardens of their award-winning Thermes Marins Spa.
VENTURING OUT
Even though AYANA is only 15 minutes from Bali’s main hubs of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, there are so many options within the resort that there’s really no need to venture outside. Set aside some time for the morning market tour and cookery course. But for night time entertainment head to one of Bali’s hippest venues and most glam evening destinations - AYANA’s iconic Rock Bar, perched 14 metres above the ocean on a rocky outcrop. Admire Bali’s famous sunsets and enjoy after-dark cocktails over the spot-lit ocean,while listening to the rhythm of the ocean merging with the funky DJ tunes. And if the next day these cocktails have proved too much then wander over to the spa and immerse yourself in one of the world’s largest Aquatonic® Seawater Jet Pools (pictured above). Ocean waters are supplied direct and warmed to optimum temperatures to provide their curative and preventative properties - it’s so revitalising!
GETTING THERE
Pacific Blue (international airline of Virgin Blue) offers direct flights to Denpasar (Bali) from Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Fares from Brisbane start from $419 pp, one way on the net, ex Sydney from $429, ex Adelaide from $399 and ex Perth from $239. Connecting flights are also available from many destinations across the Virgin Blue domestic network. For all the extras go for the Premium Economy fare.