By The next part of our Bali adventure led us to an area about 10km south of the airport called Jimbaran. We decided to stay at a resort that I had been lusting over for quite some time, the AYANA Resort & Spa. Unlike our stay in Ubud, where we stayed in a quiet, boutique hotel, AYANA is a massive, property with over 1,000 rooms, suites and villas. It is one of those places where you never have to leave the property. The grounds are expansive and drop-dead gorgeous. Perfectly manicured lawns, 12 swimming pools, 16 restaurants, the famed Rock Bar, world renowned spa, kid’s club, golf, etc…you want it, they have it here. On top of all of that, the service truly is 5-star fantastic.
The drive from Ubud to Jimbaran took about 2 hours, so just know if you are planning a trip, that the island is quite big and can take significant time to travel around, especially when there is traffic. Once we arrived, we were welcomed with flower necklaces, cold towels, and a welcome drink. We felt instantly relaxed! We were lucky enough to stay for two nights in a premier ocean view suite. We had stunning views of the water, and the room had great Balinese character to it.
The first day there was spent trying to find out where everything was (it is a seriously HUGE property!) and lounging by the pools. We went to the beach side pool first, then made our way to the main pool, where we had lunch and cocktails poolside.
I said it before, but the resort grounds were extremely beautiful, I could have taken photos all day of the natural beauty!
Later in the afternoon, before the tide came up, we headed down to check out the beach. AYANA has different beaches: one is too rocky and rough to swim, the other is calm and shallow, perfect for swimming. The one we checked out first was the one below the beach pool, and Rock Bar, which is the rocky beach. It was really beautiful, but the beaches in Bali definitely do not compare to those of East Malaysia and Thailand.
After a day out in the sun, we went back to our room to get ready for a sunset at the famous Rock Bar, which is a part of the hotel, perched right on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. We have heard that Bali sunsets are some of the best in the world, and could not wait to watch one at this legendary spot. We headed to Rock Bar around 5pm, and it was already completely full! With an hour and a half before sunset, I had to get a little harsh with one of the hosts and pull a “sir, we are guests of the hotel, paying big money to stay here, if you do not find us a spot, it will not be pretty…”, (I absolutely HATE doing this, but I had asked the front desk attendant if we needed reservations when we arrived, and she said “no, not at all, hotel guests have priority”) and luckily, we were accommodated with one of the best seats in the place. People from all over come to watch sunsets at this spot, so apparently if you are not there by around 3:30 (they open at 4), you will not get a spot. One waiter even told us people make reservations up to 5 months in advance! We were considered lucky, and I will say, it was a fabulous place to enjoy the sunset.
We had a couple appetizers and cocktails while taking in the beauty that surrounded us. It was a magical, unforgettable evening!
The next day was spent soaking up all the resort had to offer, and the weather could not have been better. We started our day off trying the amazing breakfast buffet. They had the best spread I have ever seen at a resort: Indonesian, Western, Chinese, Japanese, they had it all. The fresh mango croissants were one of the BEST things I have EVER eaten, paired with an egg white omelet and fresh young coconut…to die for!
After breakfast we made our way to the pool for several hours, enjoyed a lovely ocean side lunch, and the evening was spent relaxing. It was a perfect way to end our trip.
We truly had an amazing time in Bali. Remember to give yourself time to see different areas the island has to offer. Also, keep in mind that Bali is not well known for it’s beaches (you won’t find the crystal clear tranquil waters of Thailand here), but more for it’s vibe and the feeling you get when you are there. It is a magical place, with magical experiences, and even more magical resorts. We loved our stay at AYANA, and if we are lucky, hopefully one day we will be back.
Happy Travels,
Courtney
OFF THE BEATEN 'EX-PAT'H 
Oh Bali was lovely! It is a place of dreams. We are so happy that u have the opportunity to visit these far off places. Glad you were there already, the volcano is about ready to blow!
Love to both of you. Aunt Barband Uncle Joe
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