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Amankila Bali

An hour’s drive from Bali’s international airport at Denpasar, Amankila is the ultimate luxury retreat for romantic, spiritual, cultural and activity pursuits. Set on a beachfront plateau between two headlands above the Lombok Strait near the village of Manggis on the east coast of Bali, Amankila, meaning “peaceful hill,” enjoys stunning views of the sparkling sea and coastline and exclusive access to an idyllic, crescent-shaped beach. Rearing up behind, the volcanic Mount Agung, revered by the Balinese as a home of the gods, towers over the resort and its seaside setting. Cultural excursions to nearby temples, craft villages and ancient water palaces, and a host of physical activities ranging from diving to mountain biking, contribute to an unforgettable, all-round Amankila resort experience.

The signature three-tiered blue-tiled pool sits dramatically on the side of the cliff just below the lobby.

Charming little dancing girls add to the allure of the resort.

Most people who come to the resort, however, are happy to sit, soak and sun. The hallmark of Amankila is a three-tiered infinity pool, reminiscent of terraced rice paddies, which cascades down from the frangipani-bordered reception lobby toward the shore. Lined with loungers and alang-alang grass-thatched balé pavilions, the pool is an ideal setting for dining or simply gazing at the sea. At the base of the cliff, set back from the beach, a 134-foot (41-meter)-long lap pool nestled among swaying coconut palms is the centerpiece of the Beach Club. Guests can also enjoy traditional Balinese massage and beauty treatments in the club’s wooden massage pavilions or yoga classes under the palms.

A mesmerizing view of the private pool and the Lombok Strait beyond from the Indrakila Suite.

At the Beach Club, two teakwood massage tables are hidden away in a grove of coconut palms and flowering shrubs.

The villas' spacious outdoor terraces are furnished with daybeds and dining furniture.

Halfway up the tree-clothed hill, and blending seamlessly with the verdant surroundings, 34 freestanding suites radiate out from the main building in two deep crescents. Built in the ubiquitous Balinese style of wooden structure topped by round alang-alang thatched roof, each suite has an outdoor terrace furnished with a large daybed with comfy pillows and bolsters for lounging and a table and chairs for private dining, a deep soaking tub looking out over a miniature manicured garden and other top-of-the-range amenities. Most villas enjoy views of the sea. A mesh of raised walkways links the villas to the restaurants, swimming pools and other public areas.

Amankila's signature three-tiered infinity-edge swimming pool echoes Bali's terraced rice paddies.

A small selection of natural herbal products.

Views of the panoramically endowed freestanding Kilasari Suite, with its spacious outdoor terrace, private pool and luxuriously appointed bathroom.

Address: Amankila

Manggis, Bali

Indonesia

Tel: +62 363 41333

Fax: +62 363 41555

E-mail: amankila@amanresorts.com

Website: www.amanresorts.com

AYANA Resort & Spa

Dramatically perched on a bluff overlooking the Indian Ocean at the southwestern tip of Bali, the AYANA Resort & Spa (formerly the Ritz-Carlton Bali) more than lives up to its name—Ayana means “place of refuge” in Sanskrit—despite its location a mere 6 miles (10 km) from bustling Denpasar and Ngurah Rai International Airport. Some 70 percent of the 192-acre (77-hectare) site is used to accommodate business conferences, wedding parties, spa junkies and hallmark romantics. A state-of-the-art business conference center for 800 and a clifftop wedding atrium are among the facilities, the latter particularly popular with Japanese guests. Buggy highways lined with brightly blooming bougainvillea and fragrant frangipani link the 368 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 78 private villas and 16 suites, which overlook some of the island’s finest coastline. Staircases, promenades, fountains and statuary spread out from the main four-story building and reception, cascading down to the beach.

A hundred wooden steps lead down to the Spa on the Rocks, stunningly located on craggy outcrops facing the sparkling blue Indian Ocean.

Luxuriating in a sensual red rose petal bath, part of the spa's Diamond Miracle treatment.

But it is the AYANA’s Spa on the Rocks, opened in 2006, that draws most attention. Comprising two private treatment villas nestled on rocks amidst the ocean, it adjoins the Thermes Marins Bali Spa, which includes not only the largest Thalasso (seawater) therapy facility in Asia but its seawater-filled aquatonic exercise pool is one of the most entertaining around. The Ocean Beach Pool at the bottom of the cliff, filled with filtered seawater pumped up from the bay, is an alternative to a swim in the sea at Kubu beach.

An enticing bedroom and a tub for two in front of picture windows in one of the cliff villas, set in a private courtyard.

The entertaining seawater-filled aqua-tonic exercise pool and spa.

Restaurant choices at AYANA include Balinese, Japanese and Mediterranean cafés and a superb seafood grill that overlooks crashing waves and incredible sunsets.

Candle-lit dinners on the pier are a romantic option.

The resort’s thatch-roofed garden villas are nestled within manicured gardens abloom with brilliant bougainvillea and frangipani.

A therapeutic massage with oils bound with elements of silk and pearl is part of the ultra-luxurious Diamond Miracle treatment at the Spa on the Rocks.

The sedate seawater-filled Ocean Beach Pool is a contrast to the rock-studded sea below where guests can enjoy swimming at low tide.

Address: AYANA Resort & Spa

Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera

Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia

Tel: +62 361 702222

Fax: +62 361 701555

E-mail: reservation@ayanaresort.com

Website: www.ayanaresort.com

Bagus Jati Retreat Bali

Bagus Jati, literally “good teakwood” in Indonesian but metaphorically “strength of character” in Balinese, is a small health and well-being retreat set in 12 acres 5 hectares) of hillside gardens amidst lush tropical forests in the mountains of Bali, about 30 minutes’ drive north from Ubud, the island’s cultural and artistic center. The brainchild of former travel agent and hotelier Bagus Sudibya, Bagus Jati is distinguished from most other spas by its natural “green” setting (cultivated beds of herbs and organic vegetables, flowering shrubs and fruiting trees, and grassed terraces fill every inch of space between the buildings) and its philosophy (managing stress through “lifestyle training”). Local farmers helped to develop the retreat and continue to maintain it.

The circular timber yoga and meditation pavilion, built within a bamboo forest, is an exquisite and inspirational setting.

The resort's hand-hewn ochre swimming pool is filled with warmed spring water.

Bagus Jati focuses on the natural in its architecture as well as its therapies. Guests have a choice of eight circular deluxe spa villas, each with a private whirlpool, treatment room and balcony, or ten square superior villas, all designed to integrate the spa with the natural surroundings. Broad windows allow unfettered views of the mountains, valleys and lush tropical floral and fauna. A complete health and well-being center and a gourmet restaurant offering specially prepared spa cuisine contribute to the timeless wisdom of traditional healing. Adventure tours, garden or jungle walks and cooking classes form part of educational programs.

Nature is all-encompassing at Bagus Jati, from the hillside botanical gardens to the mist-covered tropical forest.

The circular style of the villas and other buildings is based on early primitive village dwellings as well as the ancient chakra principle concerning whorls of energy.

A pair of decorative Javanese loro blonyo dolls guarantee couples a long life together.

Mind-soothing Ayurvedic shirodhara (oil therapy).

Produce grown on the property is used in spa treatments and cuisine.

One of the exquisitely furnished spa villas equipped with private Jacuzzi and spa treatment facilities.

The setting for the Balinese court-inspired Sejati ("Real Life") signature treatment.

Trained therapists come from the surrounding villages.

Address: Bagus Jati Health & Well-Being Retreat Bandar Jati, Desa Sebatu

Kecamatan, Tegallalang

Ubud, Gianyar

Bali 80572, Indonesia

Tel: +62 361 978 885/+62 361 901 888

E-mail: info@bagusjati.com