Luxury resorts still key in boosting Bali’s reputation

BALI, INDONESIA ― Bali has long been one of the favorite honeymoon destinations, not only for Koreans, but also for other newlyweds around the world. The secret behind its reputation as a haven for honeymooners is that it has hundreds of luxurious, modern and private villas and resorts across the island at relatively reasonable prices ― when compared to other highly sought-after locations such as the Maldives and Hawaii.

Ayana Resort and Spa, located on Bali’s southwest coast, is one of the leading resort chains here. It has mesmerized guests with its majestic ocean views, iconic spa and entertainment venues, and great food.

Ayana, meaning “place of refuge” in Sanskrit, was developed on a 770-square-kilometer lot, which includes a 1.3 kilometer stretch of cliffs above Jimbaran Bay. The resort is breathtakingly large, and it takes an hour of nonstop driving on a dune buggy to see the entire resort.

It has recently opened a new, modern resort named Rimba for a wide range of guests, not only couples on their honeymoon, but also families on vacation.

Named after the word for “forest” in Indonesian, Rimba offers 282 rooms and suites designed using chic and elegant contemporary elements, with an emphasis on sustainable design. It includes six swimming pools and a swim-up pool bar, as well as Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant, renowned for authentic dim sum and live seafood cooked to order. The hotel is offering rooms at discounted prices as part of its opening promotion: The room prices range from $180-210.

The concept of Ayana clearly differs from its sister hotel Rimba, as there is a greater focus on privacy, glamour and luxury.

It consists of 78 private pool villas, each with 24-hour butler service, and a 290-room hotel. Ayana has the world’s largest aquatonic seawater therapy pool, the Thermes Marins Spa, along with private spa villas on the rocks.

The highlight of Ayana resort is its Rock Bar, located on natural rocks 14 meters above the Indian Ocean. This open-top bar is definitely a must-visit spot for travelers in Bali, as it offers an unforgettable chance to sip a cocktail while viewing a romantic sunset and listening to the sound of waves.

The bar is usually filled with visitors waiting in line for more than an hour. But priority access is given to guests of both Ayana and Rimba, managers at the resort said.

Rock Bar was designated one of the world’s best hotel bars by CNNGo in 2010 and received the Beat Readers’ Award for the best new venue the same year.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)