“Selamat Siang” from Bali, where we’ve just arrived to ring in the New Year!
Getting to Ayana Resort Bali
The flight from Darwin is just over two hours (all the while getting excited about our soon-to-be resort in Bali). The electronic visa system makes entering Indonesia easier. Still we experience a long walk in the Denpasar airport, and running the gauntlet of taxi drivers (and SIM card vendors) is a bit like walking through a Gamelan orchestra.
Checking In
But pulling up to our Villa at the Ayana Resort and Spa Bali is worth it! We can see how Ayana and Rimba are one of Bali’s five star hotels to stay in. Based in Jimbaran (30-minute drive to the Ngurah Rai International airport!) we had our own private space with free wi-fi, an ocean view, Balinese style, with flowers in the bath and a plunge pool overlooking Kuta and the Indian Ocean. We arrive relatively late, so we unpack and head to bed.
We’re greeted by blue skies, a fair bit of humidity (although cooler days than Darwin!), and a lovely breakfast at the DAVA restaurant. Indonesian breakfast? Japanese breakfast, Western breakfast? Or all three, if you like. Nasi goreng for me, with a Jamu seger manis (traditional Indonesian turmeric and ginger juice). Getting a healthy jump on the New Year? This is right next to the martini bar with a fantastic view (and even more amazing cocktails)!
The day is pretty warm, so we pop in to the beautiful, glass, “wedding chapel” for a few photos and some air conditioning time, then do the same at a local boutique where I find a lovely, white, linen shirt. Lace, anyone? But then it is all about the ocean pool (this could also be considered the lower pool) for an Aperol spritz, sun loungers and some reading time, closing the day with a delicious seafood dinner at the Kisuk restaurant where you choose you main from the “seafood bar” and enjoy it at your table in the sand overlooking the ocean and the inevitable beautiful sunset. We stop by the large Happy New Year 2025 sign to grab a photo before heading back to our lovely home away from home for the night.
Where was I? Oh, yes, the spa, for an unusual spa service: Thalassotherapy. The large pool is filled with warmed sea water which is then pumped through jets at various pressures and elevations for you to enjoy in different stations as you make your way around the pool perimeter. I’m not sure which was my favorite, the warm water jets massaging my low back, or the warm water waterfall (from the trunk of a large stone elephant!) pounding on my neck and scalp. I will say, after an hour of this, including time in a bubbly lounger, as well as a traditional hot tub, it was time to dry off and rehydrate. Still a fun experience, though.
We return to the room to relax, read, and perhaps sneak a peek at email, before getting ready for… New Year’s Eve! The weather is looking rather gloomy outside (and the clouds offshore are a strong indication of rain coming!). For this special evening, my lovely bride has arranged a reservation at the resort’s famous Rock Bar, accessible via cable car, down the rock cliffs of southern Bali, and nestled just off the ocean. Overlooking the viewing perch before going down the cable car, you can see breathtaking views, and you can understand why you’re staying at Ayana Resort.
Oh, and dressed up for the evening, with music pumping from the DJ stationed at the point. We are escorted to our cozy outdoor lounge, and order drinks and nibbles, and watch the sun struggle for a sunset peek through the ever darkening clouds. And how are we glad that we grabbed two umbrellas as, sure enough, here comes the rain… First a drizzle, but then, this is tropical Indonesia, and the downpour ensues. We’re pretty cozy and mostly dry in our umbrella bubble (except for our legs below our knees), but the rain is now heavy and re-filling our drink glasses! It is finally time, and we discover that we are nearly the last hold outs, and head up the cliff stairs with the staff wearing plastic ponchos or towels and trying to salvage some of the drink garnishes or other appetizers. It is wet, we pour the water out of our Birkies, but it is warm and we’re all smiles… Happy New Year!!
We greet the new year with a “berry berry” juice, a hot latte, and breakfast at the Padi buffet restaurant which is just near the main pool. Presenting quite the mix of Indonesian, Japanese, Indian, and Western fare, I found the Indian cuisine the most delicious. But not half as delicious as what we had in store (again, a big hug and thank you to my amazing wife!). A 180 minute treatment session at the spa. Yes, you read that right, three hours!
Spa on the Rocks Couples Experience
We’re driven by the spa team to the Ayana Spa, also down in the rocks, accessible via a stone staircase, and with sweeping views of the ocean. We’re greeted with a refreshing beverage and then a traditional foot washing before being escorted in to our couples massage treatment room. Beautiful. We change in to our matching kimonos (and matching disposable jocks) and proceed to enjoy a 90 minute massage followed by a facial (I’m new to this “facial” phenomenon, but now I get it! Guys… let me recommend it to you… sure you get a facial treatment, but also a neck and scalp massage. What’s not to like?!).
See a snapshot of the relaxation here on our TikTok channel.
Wondering how things could get better we open our eyes to a bathtub full of rose petals, along with some tea and treats. What a perfect place, and perfect view, from which to reflect on our day. What a terrific start to the new year.
The following day, Jan 2nd, we sadly must leave, but before we head out, we head to the private beach that adjoins Ayana called Kubu Beach. To enter you go to the cliff-top and get an outdoor elevator to the beach (fancy!). Here we got to reflect on our time in the Ayana Villas compared to the available rooms (view room, resort view room and ocean view room – from most cost effective to the most expensive room rates), I think it’s worth adding the Villa for an even more relaxing time.
The Facilities
For those who want to stay at Ayana Resort there’s an amenity for everyone:
- four hotels to choose from in the one area (including the Rimba by Ayana Bali)
- 18-hole golf putting for keen golf enthusiasts
- pools and 26 diverse dining destinations
- shuttle buses
- world class Bali boutiques
- 4 indoor wedding spaces (see the Astina Pavillion that Dany is walking into in the image)
The Dining Options
We enjoyed our stay at the world-class Ayana Resort. Our stay at the property was filled with diverse dining options to choose from, amazing food, and service wrapped up in a traditional Balinese style. There are delicious dining options and these are some of the restaurants to choose from:
- Sami Sami that provides a breakfast buffet
- DAVA steak (where we’d have our private breakfast only for Villa guests access)
- Damar Terrace
- Kisik seafood restaurant (where you can watch the sunset over a sea view- image of the fresh seafood you choose from)
- Rock bar (we spent NYE here!)
- Kubu beach club (must see!)
- Honzen
- Scusa (Delish Mediterranean fare)
- Kampoeng Bali
- UNIQUE Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
- To’Ge
- Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant
- Karang
- Sumizen
- Luna Rooftop Bar (watch the sunset here!)
- Forest Bar
- Martini Bar
- I.C.E & All Things Nice
- Saka Cafe
- Spa Cafe
- Orchid
- Sunset Bar
Final Rating
For our Ayana Resort Bali review, we’d say our experience was exceptionally comfortable due to the private golf buggy villa guests can enjoy, which would take us to breakfast, the beach, or wherever we requested via the Ayana app concierge. This is different compared to staying in the rooms, when staying in the rooms, you can only choose to jump on a shuttle service at their organised times. There’s also the sister property ‘Rimba‘ which is an option for those looking for a newer experience (I believe this is their newest building and I heard the view room at Rimba is lovely). Would we recommend Ayana Resort? Yes, and no. Depends on what you’re looking for…
Overall, this is an integrated resort that is close to Jimbaran Bay and has a serene view. Whether you’re going for a destination wedding, romantic trip, family vacation or anything in between, this world-class resort is one of Bali’s best places to stay. It has multiple pools from the river pool to a private plunge. At the time of booking, we looked at options via tripadvisor.com.au and found this to be the place for us during our New Year’s Eve celebration after a hectic year. Seminyak is a 40 min drive away, but we didn’t get to visit as there’s no need to leave the resort! If you’re into not leaving the resort and having everything at hand, amazing service and something for everyone (including families, there were lots here but they didn’t impact the romantic vibe) then, yes, we’d recommend it. Would we visit again, probably, but it might be with friends or family members next time.
