Formerly the Ritz-Carlton Resort, this hotel has been rebranded as Ayana in 2009. It is a luxury accommodation in the Jimbaran region on the Bali island-province, half-perched over the cliffs on the west coast. We had the opportunity to visit beautiful Bali in early 2013 and were mesmerized by the serenity and luxury that were offered here.

The Rooms:

Clean and orderly as we can expect from a five star accommodation. The decor is elegant and typically Balinese, with many wood pieces and floral patterns. We stayed in a regular guest room overlooking the gardens. The view is charming and the small balcony makes for a very confortable space for lunch or drinks.

A big negative point is how thin the walls seem to be. We could hear our neighbours on many occasions and even during the day, we could clearly hear the housekeeping lady doing her chores next door. Many visitors are on their honeymoon and privacy is a huge problem when staying in these rooms. We haven’t experienced the Villas, so I can not pronounce myself on the quality of their privacy. There are 78 private luxury villas with different sizes and amenities. Some overlook the gardens, some have a private pool and others provide your own personal butler and private transportation around the resort (golf cart).

The Service:

The staff is extremely courteous. From our arrival into the open-air lobby to the escort to the room, the employee was greeting us by name and chatting with us. When we met them in the hallways or on the grounds, they are always smiling and ready to offer help. Check-in was done very efficiently and checking out was equally pleasant. We had a night flight and requested late check-out, which was granted but only for an hour. We were advised, though, that we were free to use all the amenities after checking out, while waiting for our departure.

The Restaurants:

In general, the dining experience in Ayana did not disappoint. Although the food was not always spectacular, Ayana knows well how to make the setting compensate for it all and even more. Whether is it on the sandy shore with musical waves in the background or at a cliffside table with a never-ending horizon of blue waters, the views make the best accompanying dish for any meal.

There is a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bars in the resort. We have tried many of them throughout our four-day stay:

Breakfast at DAVA: There is no better way to start the day than with a picturesque view of the ocean accompanying your crepes and omelettes. The menu is pricey for relatively small portions and the taste is good but nothing out of the ordinary.

Lunch at Damar Terrace: Very pretty setting over a small pond. There are several banquettes in an open-air dining room. We ordered Thai cuisine favorites: Mi goreng and satay brochettes, both of which tasted authentic enough. It started to rain during our meal and the water droplets falling from the roof into the pond set a very romantic atmosphere.

Dinner at Kisik Seafood Grill: One of the best experience I’ve had during our vacation. It starts with the elevator ride down the cliff to the beach. Next step is to choose your favorite seafood from the ice stand. After your pick is done, you’re escorted to your table over the sandy shore and admire the beautiful sunset while your meal is being prepared. There is no shortage of choice: gigantic lobsters, crabs, catch of the day, fresh shrimps, etc. If you’re not a seafood lover, there are many meat options to the grill too. Most of the seafood is sold by weight and the price can be outraging too…like 100$CAD for a lobster? Seriously!

Evening snack at the Rock Bar: World-famous, there is no question whether this bar could have been given a better name. Set at the base of the cliff on natural rocks, the Rock bar is the best place to admire the sunset over the crashing waves. The ambience is chic, with its fluffy sofas and backlit menus. Once there, close your eyes for a second to let the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves wash you over. After the sun is set though, (and it sets early, around 6pm) there isn’t much to see. so turn your attention to the DJ…or order another drink!

Although the Rock bar is open to the public, priority is given to the guests of Ayana. So show up early to get a nice table and also to avoid the line up that already forms around 4pm.

Other restaurants we’ve tried:

Honzen: Nice sushi bar and teppanyaki restaurant. We went during lunch time and it was pretty quiet. Got a private dining room with beautiful decor. The udon noodles were good and the sushi was fresh, but nothing more. With a nice location like Bali, it felt like a waste to stay indoors in a room with barely any window to view the outside.

Padi restaurant: Where the breakfast buffet is served every morning, Padi is transformed into an Indian/Thai restaurant in the evening. The breakfast buffet is fantastic, with so many choices of food from all cuisines, fresh fruits and pastries. It comes at an alarming price of 30$ per person, though. For dinner, the curries are very tasty and service is impeccable. On our last evening, there even was a show of Balinese dance, which was very enjoyable.

The Amenities:

There are four beautiful pool in Ayana:

– The main pool, usually very crowded, but gives an outstanding view with its infinity edge.

– The children’s pool, complete with slides and foutains

– The Ocean pool, directly overlooking the beach and the ocean, it is my first choice of an oasis. There is a limited number of people allowed, complete with service of ice cold beverages and towels.

– The River pool, a quiet and relaxing place to take a dip, close to the private villas.

When we visited, the beach area wasn’t open due to very strong current and waves. We did try the mini-putt. The course is very nicely made and very fun. Most holes allow you to admire the ocean view during play. There is also a pool table, a spa and tennis courts. Yoga and cooking classes are also available.

The Location:

Ayana is located about 25 minutes away from Denpasar International airport. BEWARE of the taxi drivers who will lug your bags as soon as you come out of the arrival doors. You shouldn’t need to pay more than 100000 Rupiah for the ride, so do negotiate your fare before taking seat in the car. One passed the security gates at the entrance of Ayana, there is a further 5-10 minutes drive into the beautiful grounds, making us feel very secluded. The hotel is located on top of a cliff facing the west, making it one of the most striking sunsets I’ve ever seen.

Overall, we had a very very enjoyable time at Ayana. Of course, the prices are outraging if compared to the “real prices” in Indonesia, but nothing that we didn’t already know. To me, the one winning point of Ayana are the views that we are offered no matter where we stand inside the resort. They simply are spectacular.

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali [8/10]

Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera

Jimbaran, Bali 80364, Indonesia

Phone: +62-361-702222 | Fax: +62-361-701555

Website: http://ayanaresort.com/en