Going luxe in Bali

When you stay at luxurious resorts such as Kayumanis in Indonesia, the myriad indulgent choices become the most difficult part. Eunice Yap and Frank Young tell us why

There are many reasons why we take a vacation: the adrenaline rush from shopping in a vibrant city like Bangkok; savouring affordable local delights such as in Kuala Lumpur; experiencing awe-inspiring journeys in Turkey; spending quality family time on a cruise; or simply soaking in the sun, sand and surf on the beaches of Krabi or Koh Samui.

We recently took a vacation to Bali. The aim of it was to get away from the daily mad and mundane grind, and to indulge in a quiet sojourn to recharge and rejuvenate ourselves.

Having been to Bali several times, we chose to stay away from the tourist-traps of Kuta and Seminyak, and decided to be spoilt and pampered in more secluded areas such as Jimbaran and Ubud.

We stayed at the Kayumanis Jimbaran Private Estate & Spa with its 19 private villas set in a sprawling and well-manicured property amidst a grove of coconut trees, two minutes’ walk from the beautiful golden sands on Jimbaran Bay, 15 minutes South of the airport by car.

Space & Tranquillity

Entering a hotel room or a private villa is like unwrapping a gift: there’s a moment of suspense just before expectations meet reality, and you hope everything works out. Kayumanis did not disappoint.

We were greeted with a beautiful large pool with only two poolside lounge chairs (a sign of privacy and luxury), an exceptionally generous open-spaced living or dining pavilion tastefully decorated to complement the purist Balinese architecture, a bedroom pavilion complete with a four-poster king-sized bed veiled with white fabric, a massage pavilion study room, and an open-air bathroom and garden, all in what appears to about 5,000 sq ft of space.

The luxury of space is awe-inspiring!

Luxury of Doing Almost Nothing

Sure, we could have visited their two beach facilities nearby, explored by bicycle the area accompanied by our private butler, relaxed with their signature Chocolate Indulgence spa (footbath, massage, body scrub, body wrap, facial, hot chocolate bath and beverage – I wonder whether if it works as an aphrodisiac but I dare not ask), experienced the Enchanting Moments Floating Dinner or gone to the Hideaway Picnic Lunch at Nusa Dua.

These were tough decisions to make; so many things to prioritise, consider and plan.
Instead, we chose to laze around the villa, lounge by the pool, and took refreshing dips in complete privacy while indulging in long breakfast served in-villa, high tea and mini-bar snacks and drinks – served free as part of the package!
My all-day favourite is the well-stocked homemade cinnamon cookies which are fresh, crispy and yummy. For added pampering, I did go for the complimentary neck and back massage. Sheer bliss!

However, we did manage to venture out to Jimbaran Bay beach. We enjoyed the stroll on the beach, particularly when there is more beach to see than tourists.

We had a Bintang beer overlooking a million-dollar view of the setting sun over the ocean. As the sun sets, pushcart vendors begin selling barbecued “corn on the cob” slathered with local sweet soya sauce – a delectable treat for only US$1!

To cap the evening, we had dinner in one of the beachside restaurants with strolling Balinese guitarists serenading diners in various languages. We were wondering whether they could sing in Mandarin and, sure enough, they spontaneously sang Teresa Teng’s “The Moon Represents My Heart” to overjoyed Chinese diners.

Un-Urbanise

On the second day, we rid ourselves of all familiar comforts except in the uploading of the photos of our experience onto Facebook to make our friends jealous. We started to embrace our natural surroundings.

As the sounds of roaring bus exhausts, strains of Chinese TV dramas from the neighbours and buzzing of motorcycles fade from memory, we rediscovered the enchantment of birds singing, the scent of the sea, the rustling of palm fronds from passing breezes and the sound of one’s breath. Serenity attained.

For that alone, it’s worth every cent. It’s no wonder resorts are so popular among urban PMETs [Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians] the world over, who’re trying to escape the urban crush.
Next week, Eunice and Frank describe their adventure in Ubud.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Luxury resorts like Kayumanis are highly recommended as the rates include many freebies: return airport transfer, daily breakfast, daily afternoon tea, 30-minute massage, fruit basket and mini-bar replenished daily, and transfers to the resort vicinity.
Rates start from US$275++ or check out their website at www.kayumanis.com for other promotions and packages.
The best time to go is just before or after their peak season (with inbound tourists from international markets) where rates are usually 20 to 40 per cent lower. For such a short 2 1/2-hour flight, check out the low cost carriers such as Tiger Airways, Air Asia and Jetstar for deals.
Lastly, walk around and try out the local eateries.