Destinations

Our next stay was at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay. Located outside of the capital city Denpasar and a short 20 minute cab ride from the airport lies an exquisite hotel on the beach. Nestled on a cliff, this resort’s feel is very different from the other property in Sayan. This all private villa resort also offers plunge pools and outdoor living areas with architecture and furniture design true of Balinese culture. Every evening with your turn down service our bed was made into a haven with a canopy and rose petals.Beach lovers that we are, we chose to forgo the sightseeing and relax. After all, this trip was our honeymoon, so relaxing was in order! An infinity pool overlooked the beach and cascaded down to another pool below that was smaller and more private for that complete serenity.  Down at the beach, PJ’s was our favorite place to dine. Fresh seafood is what it is known for and I must say it was delicious. Lounge chairs, market umbrellas and cold wet towels were always on hand to make your beach stay even more enjoyable. Surf boards, kayaks, sunfish are all available to use at you wish. To our amazement the tide rolls in and out, so during the day it is very shallow and one can walk far into the ocean for a quick plunge into the warm waters.

The spa was also an amazing sanctuary.  Aromas of tropical flowers, candles and true pampering made the experience just magnificent. True to what you hear about Balinese massages, they are amazing. A 3-hour massage seemed to be the norm and at a fraction of what we pay here in California. The fitness center had state of the art equipment and the fabulous night-lit grass courts were also available to us complimentary.

After visiting both resorts there isn’t one that I can say I liked more than the other. Each one offered something unique. Being in the mountains of Sayan, which is close to the tourist area of Ubud was a magical experience and a true reflection of the Balinese people. Rice fields and villages and temples were abundant. Being at the beach was also wonderful as the warm sun and the smell of the sea are always favorable by my husband and myself. True relaxation can be found at Jimbaran Bay.

Four Seasons Sayan Set in the mountains of Bali, the Four Seasons Sayan is a 4-star experience. Greeted at check-in with a cold lemon grass scented hand towel and a refreshing passion fruit blended drink we were escorted to a seating area which overlooked a picturesque scene. Lush jungle meets your eyes from every angle. The architecture is so unique that a lily pond sits on the roof of the main building as if floating amongst the palm trees.

The food was exceptional. Variety of different Indonesian specialties and Asian-American cuisine. The Ayung Terrace which overlooks dense jungle and views of the river, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a pre-set dinner menu offered on certain evenings. Another option for dining is the Riverside Café which sits overlooking  the infinity pool and on to the river bank.  The cafe offers refreshing cold drinks, light fare and even wood-fired pizzas. Of course room service is always an option and can be a wonderful experience to enjoy private dining on your lanai.

There are many activities to do around the hotel. To make it easy on its guests, each day you are greeted with a list of daily activities. Two of our favorite activities were the nature hike and the bike ride through the villages of Sayan. On both excursions we were escorted by private guide. The hike took us along the property line of the hotel, informing us of the different types of vegetation and how the rice fields are maintained. Through tall grass, banana and coconut trees and over a rushing river we were then lead by a temple and through the streets of a neighboring village on the way back to the resort. The bike tour was for all riding levels and lasted just over 2 hours. We went through many rice fields where children admired flying their kites, past temples, and through a village known for its art work. The perspective we had from traveling on a bike was something I will always remember.