Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa is one name that we’ve been hearing for quite some time now, and when leading luxury hotel bookings portal The Luxe Nomad offered us the chance to experience the hospitality, we hopped on to a flight and checked in to the Jimbaran property. The drive in to the villa was a colourful one – where we were greeted by a local linear of provision shops, warungs (small Indonesian eateries) and a scatter of fashion boutiques – before we turned in to the private land.

The serenity was then all ours.

Every staff whom we met along the way welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm, and it immediately cast off any lingering post-flight lethargy. The check-in process was prompt, and a friendly butler swiftly ushered us to our humble abode for the next 2 nights. We learned that the resort only has 18 private villas, which explains its meticulous and personalised hospitality and service.

And when we say “personalised”, we really meant it with all our hearts. Almost every staff remembered our names and greeted us every morning. As if that was not impressive enough, they remembered our itinerary, constantly did a check on the programme flow, and even made reminder calls for our appointments and whatnot. This is what they meant by a stress-free getaway – indeed.

So the villa is a spacious 2-room one with a rustic Balinese decor that had us forgetting all our woes and worries upon stepping in. Complete with two air-conditioned bedrooms with attached bathrooms and outdoor rain shower areas, a living room with a huge television and sofa seats, a kitchenette and a swimming pool, anyone would fall in love. It is not just the literal luxury of space to shout about, but the entire arena to simply sink in to relax, unwind and indulge.

Breakfast was sent to our villa every morning, and they really spoilt us silly with the array of dishes and options. Well, you could choose to dine at the main restaurant, Tapis, but if you could enjoy the same sumptuous spread in the comfort of your villa, wouldn’t it be nicer to embrace that privacy and morning quietness?

Tapis Restaurant operates throughout the day, so that can also be your answer to lunch and dinner if you do not wish to step out of the resort at all.

But for dinner, we would highly recommend the in-villa Floating Candlelit Dinner. Priced at USD350 per couple, it is a one-of-a-kind romantic experience, one that will have your lover and you remember forever.

Set atop your private pool is a floating platform where dinner will be held at, and the surrounding is lavishly decorated with flower petals, candles and hanging lamps for a complete atmospheric evening. Dinner is a 7-course affair with a mixture of contemporary and Balinese cuisine, complete with a bottle of wine of your choice. The entire set-up cannot be more impressive, and this brilliant dinner is quite the perfect touch to your couple’s retreat!

Heading out is also made convenient with the resort’s complimentary limo service, and they will drive you to your destinations so as to save you the hassle of haggling for a taxi by the streets. The farthest they will send you to is Nusa Dua. But if you want a quieter beach, take a short 3-min stroll to the nearest Jimbaran Beach where you get a big piece of the ocean and calm waves, and a whole street of seafood cafes to pig out on the daily fresh catches.

A memorable stay it was, and with a team of dedicated staff all going to great lengths to make our stay a warm and joyous one, we checked out with recharged souls and rejuvenated spirits.

They say Kayumanis is where life is a private celebration, and we say it is, indeed.

We travelled to Bali as a guest of The Luxe Nomad and Kayumanis Private Villa & Estate. The Luxe Nomad is a curator of Asia’s most exclusive hotels and villas, and members get to book them at rates up to 70% off. Travel the world in style by becoming a member on The Luxe Nomad! 

Bali is an ideal island for holidays of all sorts – partying at the most happening beach clubs and bars, dining at some of the top tables in Bali, enjoying a whole range of water sports like jet-skiing, diving or parasailing, or simply to have a nice and quiet spot to escape from the world.

If you are looking for a getaway in Bali to recharge yourself, the luxurious and spacious oceanfront villas at Four Seasons Resort in Jimbaran Bay is the top choice. Tucked at the end of Jimbaran Bay, it is one of Bali’s most exclusive hideaway resorts. Blessed with a spectacular view of the ocean, it s the kind of resort that would stop you in your tracks and take your breath away. Believe me when I say that it feels like a heaven. The word that describes the resort for me – apart from gorgeous and beautiful – is idyllic.

Few things could be more relaxing than having a drink by a sexy beachfront restaurant, watching the beautiful sunset from the comforts of the private plunge pool in the villa, and taking long strolls on a quiet beach.

It is somewhere you won’t feel guilty about not doing anything, because the beauty of the place is to relax and forget about everything else. But if you are the sort who cannot bum around for long, there are plenty of daily activities lined up by the resort. From joining morning yoga classes to partaking in a Balinese-style cooking class organised by the hotel’s chefs, and enjoying a selection of world-class spa treatments in an open-air bale at the edge of the ocean – you need not worry about being bored.

Not to mention that the coolest beachfront restaurant in Jimbaran can be found at Sundara, which combines exquisite cuisine with a relaxed beach-club vibe. It offers an unobstructed view of the sunset while enjoying their signature passionfruit mojito.

Another hidden gem is Baan Bua – a small and cosy Thai restaurant. When you are dining here, it feels like you are eating at a Thai neighbour’s courtyard. Admittedly, prices are slightly steep for a casual eatery, but it is a good option, especially if you are lazy to go out of the resort.

Service is one of the main factors that differentiates a good hotel from a great one. And the hospitality at Four Seasons Resort Bali is what makes the resort stands out. All the staff we met are polite but not overly formal; attentive yet not intrusive; and most importantly, they are down-to-earth and they serve all guests earnestly.

As Four Seasons is a very big property, there are porters to fetch the guests to the different locations within the compound. Initially, we wondered if there would be enough porters to cater to all the guests. We later found out that the hotel plans their schedules ahead to make the work easier, smarter and safer for the porters. As the porters are well informed of the profile of the guests and their itineraries, they can plan and foresee the needs of the guests in advance. The hotel ensures additional porters on duty during peak periods such as meal times, so that they will not be pressurised to rush through their work and compromise on the speed of their driving, especially when negotiating bends and slopes.

The security staff we met unexpectedly exuded a sense of confidence and job satisfaction. We learnt that Four Seasons values their security staff by giving them opportunities for career growth and salary increases according to their capabilities. This is a stark contrast to the status quo of Singapore security officers who have been denied a chance at better pay and better jobs by some security firms who refuse to improve staff welfare, and security service buyers who continue to outsource their social responsibility.

We also noticed that there are a lot of older workers in all areas, including front-desk, porters, and housekeeping. We had the chance to speak with quite a few of them throughout our stay, and the general feeling that we got was that they are very fulfilled and happy with their work.

Many of them have been working at Four Seasons Jimbaran since its opening in 1993, and the main reason they stay on till today is because the resort values every worker by giving consideration to their capabilities, instead of discriminating based on age/gender etc (if only some local companies would listen to their unions and be enlightened too). With their welfare and personal growth taken care of, plus the opportunities for job rotation and self-developments, Four Seasons Jimbaran ensures every worker feels a sense of job satisfaction in their positions.

There are plenty of luxurious hotels around, but it is difficult to find one that treats their staff like family, and this sense of belonging is in turn, passed on to the guests. If money is not an issue, and you are looking for an unforgettable experience, Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay is undoubtedly one of the finest in the region.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Kuta Selatan
Jimbaran Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 701010
Note: This was an invited media stay

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From its sunny shores and beautiful beaches to stunning ocean-view resorts and excellent restaurants, it is understandable why Bali is one of the most popular destinations in the region, and people keep returning to this island that is getting better and better with new swanky hotels and cool and stylish restaurants.

If you are planning to head to Bali in the near future, we have sussed out four fabulous hotels and resorts for a romantic retreat in Bali.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

The luxurious and spacious oceanfront villas at Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay is the destination if you are looking for a little privacy, and to escape away from the world.

Tucked at the end of Jimbaran Bay, this is one of Bali’s most idyllic and exclusive hideaway resorts. Each villa comes with a private plunge pool and has an amazing view of the ocean. It is the kind of place that leaves you feeling fulfilled even without doing anything. But if you are the sort who cannot bum around for long, there are plenty of daily activities lined up by the resort. From joining morning yoga classes to partaking in a Balinese-style cooking class organised by the hotel’s chefs, and enjoying a selection of spa treatments in an open-air bale at the edge of the ocean – you need not worry about being bored at Four Seasons Resort Bali.

Not to mention that the coolest beachfront restaurant in Jimbaran can be found at Sundara, which combines exquisite cuisine with a relaxed beach-club vibe. It offers an unobstructed view of the sunset while enjoying their signature passionfruit mojito.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Kuta Selatan
Jimbaran Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 701010

Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran Hotel

Jimbaran Bay is synonymous with the most delicious and freshest seafood, and if you are planning to head there for a seafood feast, stay at Le Meridien Bali Hotel, which is located right across the stretch of popular seafood restaurants by the beach.

It is a contemporary and artsy hotel that encourages guests to be creative and discover new inspirations. Some of the features of the six-month old hotel include the saltwater lagoon pool, sunset cocktail at Smoqee Lounge and Sky Bar, Pan-Asian cuisine with a Balinese twist at Bamboo Chic, and a stunning rooftop pavilion which is a great venue for special events like birthday parties and wedding solemnisations.

Le Meridien Hotel is also notably kids-friendly. Parents can also drop their kids off at J Kids Club, where the well-trained and friendly staff will supervise and play with the kids while the adults get some alone time with each other.  Another good thing about staying at the hotel is its proximity to the airport. On a good traffic day, it takes only 10 minutes from the hotel to the airport.

Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran
Jalan Bukit Permai
Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 8466888

http://lemeridienbalijimbaran.com/

The Stones Hotel, Autograph Collection by Marriott

The Stones Hotel in Legian is the first Autograph Collection hotel in Asia to be managed by Marriott. It sits on the strip of Legian, which is a stone’s throw away from Kuta, and also a short drive to Seminyak.

In the day, The Stones is a beach resort where you can hang out and frolic under the sun with some ice cold beer. It is so easy to just spend a day at the beautiful blue-tiled lagoon pool, or laze by the hammocks and be lost in your favorite book. At night, the hotel transforms into a sexy party scene, with dim and romantic lighting and chic lounge music.

The Stones Hotel combines a super convenient location, modern design with a sexy vibe, and good F&B establishments to provide a complete experience. It is the perfect place for travellers to retreat after surfing at the beach, or after a night of partying.

The Stones Hotel, Autograph Collection
Jalan Raya Pantai Kuta
Banjar Legian Kelod, Indonesia
Tel: + 62 361 300 5888

W Retreat & Spa Bali

W Hotel is the IT place to stay in Bali. It has that “X-factor” that cannot be replicated and this is why everyone — from well-heeled travellers, to love-struck couples seeking a romantic spa retreat, and families on their annual vacation — goes to W Hotel when they are in Seminyak.

The restaurants and bars in the property are effortlessly chic and attribute to the whole W experience. Party-goers head to Woo Bar, undisputedly one of the hippest bars in Bali. Starfish Bloo – the hotel’s signature restaurant and seaside beach club – serves Pan-Asian cuisine in a classy and stylish setting. Fire is a casual grill restaurant that boasts a stunning interior, and contrary to its name, it makes you feel cool just by dining there. And of course, it is a must to go for a spa session at W’s iconic and world-famous AWAY spa.

The irresistible charm and the impeccable service of W Retreat & Spa Bali make it all too difficult to get out of the resort. Once you are there, you will never want to leave.

W Retreat & Spa Bali
Jalan Petitenget
Kerobokan, Seminyak
Denpasar Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 4738106