Review: Ayana Resort Bali, where relaxation comes naturally

Introduction

Perched above the rocky shoreline of Bali’s Jimbaran Bay sits Ayana Estate – a five-star mega resort boasting stunning views, elegant rooms and even its own organic farm.

Home to 14 pools, a kids club and pulsating beach bar, it’s a complete escape with few reasons to ever leave. But if you do, there are some great things to see and do in the neighbourhood.

Sunset at Ayana Resort Bali.

After four nights alternating from pool to beach to spa and an extraordinary mix of restaurants, I may have just found a new favourite resort, and it’s not just the facilities guiding this opinion.

Location & Impressions

Ayana Estate is nestled amid 90 lush hectares at Jimbaran – around 12kms from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, and within 15 to 30 minutes drive from sights including the 122m-high statue at Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park and iconic Uluwatu Temple.

The estate is divided into four properties: Ayana Resort and Spa, Rimba Jimbaran Bali, Villas at Ayana, and the newer Ayana Segara.

Each one offers a different style and atmosphere, though guests can access facilities of the entire estate.

The lobby at Ayana Segara.

Pulling up to the resort’s grand entrance, you’re instantly put at ease, with the property offering a welcome sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the busier districts passed on the way there.

Ayana Segara.

To aid your relaxation, Ayana boasts a private beach and mini golf course, a spa and fitness centre, kids club, shopping arcade and a remarkable 26 restaurants and bars.

Arguably the most famous among those dining options is Rock Bar, a spectacular hangout built on a natural formation amid the breaking waves, with beats, bites and jaw-dropping sunsets just a few good reasons to visit.

Rock Bar, before the revellers arrived.

Service was consistently a pleasure. Staff were warm, friendly and always willing to have a chat, which I found to be a nice change to some other properties I’ve stayed at.

Based on this alone, I’d absolutely return to Ayana – and it helps that the facilities were impressive too.

A typical outlook from Ayana Resort Bali.

One small drawback of the resort’s scale is it can take some time to get from place to place. Though Ayana provides a shuttle between key spots, you still need to allow at least 15 minutes to go from the main part of the resort to the beach club area.

Room

We stayed in an Ocean View Room in Ayana Segara. The room itself was a spacious 52 sqm, adorned with tactile, light-toned materials and intricate traditional wood carvings, in reference to the Balinese culture.

A coffee and dining table were also included.

Within was a king-single bed and sofa, minibar and coffee maker, flatscreen TV and desk, plus a balcony affording views all the way to the ocean. This was especially impressive at sunset.

A lounge with a view.

As expected from such a resort, the bathroom was luxurious, featuring a separate tub, rain shower and double vanity, stocked with high-quality toiletries, robes and slippers.

A separate shower and bathtub.

Complimentary WiFi, bottled water, and a fruit basket were also provided.

A typical Ocean View Room at Ayana Segara.

The room was also very clean and well-maintained (which should be the case, given Segara only opened in late 2022), with a daily housekeeping service and a turndown service.

Work

Despite primarily being on holiday, I appreciated the hotel’s setup for business travellers, with a fully-equipped business centre housing computers, printers and a photocopier, in addition to a meeting room, boardroom, and secretarial service.

WiFi remained fast and reliable throughout the property.

Eat

Ayana had an extraordinary range of dining options, from casual bites and fine dining, to local to international cuisine. There really is something for absolutely everyone, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack.

Luna rooftop bar is a must-visit at least once during your stay.

Personal highlights were:

Padi Restaurant

This is the main restaurant of the Ayana Resort, where I had my breakfast every morning.

The restaurant had a buffet and á la carte menu, with dishes spanning Asian, Western, and Indonesian cuisine, plus a great outlook to the lotus pond and garden. There was also a live cooking station, where you could order eggs, pancakes, waffles, and noodles.

The extensive breakfast buffet at Padi.

Rock Bar

This was the highlight of my stay, where I had my drinks on the third night. The bar had a trendy Ibizalike vibe, with laser lights after dark and a DJ getting the crowd on their feet.

The bar had a selection of cocktails, wines, beers, and spirits, as well as some light snacks.

Rock Bar attracts quite a crowd at 'golden hour'.

Scusa Restaurant

A Mediterranean restaurant at Ayana Segara, where I had my lunch on the fourth day. The restaurant had a cosy and casual design, backed by a view to the garden and the pool.

Food was authentic and delicious, with the menu pulling inspiration from Italian, Spanish, Greek, and Moroccan cuisine. Standouts were the seafood paella, lamb tagine, and tiramisu.

A sampling of the Mediterranean fare at Scusa.

Kubu Beach Club

Tucked away on the resort’s private beach, this rustic shack affords a remarkable view of the lapping waves and sand. But don’t be fooled by its humble aesthetic, the food and drinks menu were just as good as what you’d find at the other restaurants.

Dishes were simple, satisfying and spicy, featuring the likes of nasi goreng, sate lilit, and pisang goreng, plus cold beers, fresh coconuts and tropical cocktails. I highly recommend the Kubu Colada, a pandan-infused take on the Pina Colada.

Kubu features lounge chairs and cabanas for soaking in the view.

Relax

This is a resort where relaxation comes effortlessly. From the spa to the mini golf, cultural activities and 14 pools – the sea water therapy pool is a must-try, with its 60 hydro-massage stations – there was always something new to enjoy and uncover.

A fully-equipped gymnasium is available.

However, one of the really unique experiences is the Ayana farm, which is a completely organic working farm that produces many of the herbs and aromatics featured in the resort restaurants and bars.

The Ayana farm is designed for interaction.

Go behind the scenes on a guided tour.

Over 100 different varieties of vegetables are grown on the farm, and I highly recommend this experience even if you're not very interested in gardening.

Verdict

Ayana Resort was a wonderful and memorable base for my family – the resort a perfect blend of nature, culture, and modernity, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and rewarding Balinese getaway.

The writer stayed as a guest of Ayana Resort Bali.