AYANA Resort Bali is a mega-resort that still manages to be intimate and ideal for families as Andrew Dent found out on a recent stay on Jimbaran Bay in the far south of Bali.
One of 14 pools at ANAYA Resort Bali
Let’s start with the size of AYANA Resort Bali: it is enormous. In fact it’s a mega-resort, set across more than 200 acres of grounds, and made up of four distinctive hotels in Bali’s resort.
All in all the estate features the iconic AYANA Resort, along with SEGARA, AYANA Villas, and finally, RIMBA by AYANA, where we stayed. As well as 14 swimming pools and a beautiful beach, there are also 30 restaurants to try out: you could spend a week here and still not see it all.
Although, if you don’t like the idea of the mega resort concept, don’t fear. AYANA can be both intimate and all-consuming, yet it’s always easy to find your own space.
Read more: Best Bali adventures for your soulful and surf loving teenagers
Pool Access Room, RIMBA by Anaya
Tranquil RIMBA gives us the best of all worlds
RIMBA is a good example of that. Set slightly higher inland it offers a more tranquil vibe compared to the bustling beach-facing AYANA. But with full access to all resort facilities, we never felt far from the action.
Instead, we had the best of both worlds: peaceful mornings by the forest-view pool, and vibrant evenings exploring the clifftop bars and restaurants. Also, we moved around the resort and tried different meals at different places; breakfast at SEGARA was a favourite – slightly less busy than RIMBA – and lunch at the Kuba Beach Bar was fun for the kids.
Getting around AYANA Resort Bali is surprisingly straightforward thanks to the resort’s own tram system. Kids love hopping on and off the cute trams that snake their way around the jungle landscape, connecting restaurants, pools, spa and beaches. Plus, you never have to wait more than a couple of minutes for one to come along, just keep your eyes peeled for monkeys sitting in the trees.
Read more: Here Be Dragons! Family sailing trip to Komodo Island in Indonesia
Stunning grounds, ANAYA Resort Bali
Experience the Farmer’s Garden at AYANA Resort Bali
Despite being a huge operation, AYANA Resort Bali takes sustainability seriously. One of the more unexpected highlights of our stay was a visit to their on-site Farmer’s Garden, a lush and productive space where the resort grows much of its own produce.
We joined one of the complimentary guided walks, where the staff took us through rows of herbs, lettuce, aubergines, tomatoes, and tropical fruits. It was a hands-on experience that connected us to where our food was coming from, and made dinner time more interesting as we tried to guess what originated in the garden.
Read more: Rascal Voyages makes meaningful travel really mean something to kids
SAKA Museum, ANAYA Resort Bali
SAKA Museum: Named in the World’s Greatest Places by Time Magazine.
As part of the owners’ commitment to celebrate ancient and modern Indonesian art and culture there is the stunning SAKA Museum within the resort grounds.
The building itself is stunning from an architectural point of view, and it’s great for the kids, mainly due to the crazy collection of elaborate Ogoh-Ogoh statues. These huge sculptures of demons and evil spirits are part of the Hindu New year celebration known as Nyepi, an important date in the Balinese calendar that precedes the Day of Silence’: a day of reflection and fasting with no activity, which the resort observes.
Apart from about 10 examples of Ogoh-Ogoh statues, the entire art collection stretches across two floors and a visit here makes a nice change of pace from the pool and restaurants.
Read more: Where to go for really warm sun on family winter sun holidays
Kampoeng Bali Dinner and Fire Show
Don’t miss authentic cultural nights at AYANA Resort Bali
Sticking with the cultural vibe, it is always worth attending the Kampoeng Bali Dinner and Fire Show at AYANA Resort Bali.
This happens three times a week and is a self-serve buffet followed by local Balinese dancers in traditional costume and astonishing fire juggling displays. It is held outside in a sort of amphitheatre with a nice ocean breeze. The food was good with a huge mix of local and international dishes. Around 8pm the stage starts to spring to life and the dancers and fire eaters take over. It’s a full blown sensory experience. Great for kids, and of course the actors always come and find the little ones and give them some extra special attention. Occasionally these sort of evenings can appear forced and very touristy. Kampoeng felt authentic, mainly due to the local performers.
Read more: Voyage of discovery: how diving with kids teaches them life lessons too
Rock Bar, ANAYA Resort Bali
Discover the Rock Bar for Balinese sunsets at their finest
Of course, no stay at AYANA Resort Bali would be complete without an evening at the Rock Bar—perhaps Bali’s most iconic (and Instagrammed) sunset spot. Built directly into the cliffs, the bar is accessed by a dramatic cliffside inclinator, which felt like a mini thrill ride for the kids.
The set-up spreads along the coast with all sorts of dramatic tables and bars to eat and drink from. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather on the evening we had our reservation, but this didn’t stop the amazing staff making it a memorable experience all the same. We still got a sunset and the dramatic waves made it uniquely fun anyway.
Read more: 12 top destinations in Asia handpicked for family holidays this year
Thalassotherapy ANAYA Spa
The AYANA Spa introduces us to the wonders of Thalassotherapy
No, I had never heard of it either! Set within the AYANA Spa with jaw dropping views of the ocean, is this unique seawater pool circuit. Designed to activate cell and fatigue recovery this is about an hour-long experience of jets massaging your back, shoulders, legs and feet. It’s like an adult’s wellness assault course. I have travelled all over the world and never come across this feature before – until ANAYA Resort Bali – I have no idea why, because it’s amazing.
Read more: The most beautiful secret islands in Asia and how to find them
Jimbaran Bay, ANAYA Resort Bali
So many different ways to have a holiday makes AYANA Resort Bali irresistible
AYANA Resort Bali offers many different ways to have a holiday. You can dress up here or adopt a casual bare foot approach, no one seems to care. It’s possible to stick together as a family and enjoy all the things together, but equally easy to split up for a bit and pursue your own interests for a few hours; be that kids’ clubs, spa, mini golf, museum, beach or pools. There’s even a really fun night club for a date night if you feel like taking advantage of the resort’s in-house nanny service.
With rates from £235 per night, this is undeniably a premium resort for Bali. But I would say it is really good value for what you get.
The resort never felt crowded, and the attention to detail—from pillow options to towel origami animals for the kids—was consistently high. And there are so many different experiences it’s impossible not to have a good time here.
Equal parts invigorating and relaxing, and close to the airport too, AYANA really is the perfect place to settle in for a few nights at the start, or end, of your Bali family holiday.
How to plan your stay at AYANA Resort Bali
How to get there
UK flights to Bali from 16 hours
I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to AYANA Resort Bali from 25 minutes
Where to stay
RIMBA by Ayana, Jimbaran Bay View Room (2 adults, 2 children) from £470 per night