Bali, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, is an exquisite island boasting breathtaking beaches, picturesque rice fields, majestic volcanoes, and enchanting waterfalls. Additionally, it is home to numerous luxurious hotels and resorts. I recently had the privilege of staying at one of the grandest estates on the island, and I am excited to share the incredible experience with you.
My initial accommodation was at Rimba, a gorgeous hotel nestled within Ayana Resort. It exudes a friendly vibe, making it ideal for families and young adults. Boasting four fantastic restaurants, multiple pools, and the added perk of sharing facilities with AYANA Resort & AYANA Segara, it proved to be a delightful choice.
As I stepped in, I was welcomed with a delightful drink, setting a sweet tone for my stay. The check-in process was easy. We were provided with all the necessary information, including details about the hotel app and shuttle providing hassle free transport around the resort. Additionally, we received a map of this massive place so we wouldn’t get lost.
RIMBA Wana Pool Access room
I stayed in a room with direct pool access, and let me tell you, it easily ranks among the nicest hotel rooms I’ve ever experienced. The spacious setup included a comfy king-size bed, a chill-out couch, a work desk with a chair, a 47 inch TV, and a bathroom with both a shower and a bath, not to mention the fancy Japanese toilet. Plus they had all the essentials covered – an electric kettle with a coffee and tea setup, a stocked minibar, a hairdryer, a set of toiletries, and even an ironing board with an iron.
What truly stood out for me was the pool at the back of the room. It felt like my private oasis – secluded enough for undisturbed relaxation, surrounded by lush greenery that enhanced the sense of seclusion. Adding to the charm, there was a spacious sunbed on the terrace, making it a perfect spot to soak up the tranquillity. It was indeed a real gem.
Dinner at Kampeong Bali
On my first night, I dined at a charming traditional Balinese restaurant. From the moment you step inside, it’s like being transported to a traditional village, complete with a small market offering handmade souvenirs from local artisans.
The evening kicked off with a mesmerising sunset ceremony, setting the stage for a delightful dinner. The buffet-style feast featured live cooking stations, allowing me to sample a variety of authentic Balinese dishes. With so many delectable options, I couldn’t quite recall all the names, but each bite was a genuine delight.
As I savoured my meal, the highlight of the evening unfolded with captivating Kecak and fire dance performances. The energy and artistry were truly incredible. To cap off the night, I indulged in some delightful desserts and even had the opportunity to snap a photo with the talented dancers.
The entire experience was so amazing, and I genuinely enjoyed every part of it.
Breakfast at To’Ge
Breakfast only reinforced my belief in the perfection of this place. If you stay at Rimba, you have three breakfast venues to choose from: Karang, Padi, and To’Ge. I opted for the latter, a beautiful restaurant surrounded by lush greenery that also features koi ponds where you can feed the fish—an enjoyable activity, especially for kids! This place offers all-day dining with both indoor and outdoor seating.
The breakfast was fantastic! There were numerous delightful options, including classic Western items like sausages and eggs, beans, Asian choices like rice, chicken, and soup, as well as a variety of fruits, vegetables, fresh juices, a bread station, and pastries. Everyone definitely had the opportunity to find something for themselves.
Traditional herbal remedies workshop at AYANA farm
Staying at Rimba doesn’t limit you to just eating and relaxing by the pool (unless that’s your preference, of course). Ayana Resort offers a lot more than that.
On my second day, I had the opportunity to visit Ayana Farm for a herbal remedies workshop, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. During the workshop, I learned how to make Jamu empon-empon, a traditional Indonesian drink crafted from various spices and herbs. Initially, I created a base using ginger, turmeric, lemongrass, kencur, and cinnamon. After that, I got to choose additional ingredients for my Jamu, and we took a short tour around the farm to gather the remaining elements. The farm itself left a strong impression on me; it operates sustainably and adheres to organic practices.
As our Jamu brewed, we also had the chance to create some skincare products, including massage oil and boreh.
This workshop ranked among the best I’ve ever attended, as it allowed me to delve into the benefits of various herbs and spices.
All you can eat dimsum lunch at Ahyat
Being a big fan of dumplings, I was thrilled about the prospect of trying the all-you-can-eat dim sum lunch at Ah Yat Abalone. This Chinese restaurant, situated at Rimba hotel, boasts a contemporary courtyard and an impressive selection of 100 types of live seafood, rare abalone, classic dishes, and, of course, enticing lunch specials.
The dim sum menu offers a variety of options, including the renowned Shanghai Dumplings, Mini Buns, deep-fried, steamed, and pan-fried dumplings, as well as porridge, spring rolls, rice sheet rolls, and more. The culinary experience did not disappoint; every dish was exceptionally delicious.
Pools at Rimba:
Regardless of which Ayana property you’re staying at, you have access to all pools. However, if you don’t want to travel by tram, you can simply enjoy the pools available at Rimba. The entire estate has 13 pools, and you can find 6 of them in Rimba. There are two pools—Forrest and Three Monkeys—located by the rooms, a rooftop pool at Unique Bar, and three main ones: Rimba Upper Pool, Rimba Lower Pool, and Cabana Pool. All of them are uniquely beautiful, featuring the most comfortable lounge chairs ever.
Sunset dinner at UNIQUE Rooftop
Watching sunsets is one of my favourite things to do, and the idea of enjoying a delicious cocktail at the sunset bar sounds like a dream to me. Unique Bar is a stunning venue located on the rooftop of Rimba, offering Mexican cuisine, delightful cocktails, and incredible views. If that isn’t enough, you can also take a refreshing dip in a beautiful pool and enjoy live music three times a week.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to witness a spectacular sunset, as the rain appeared as soon as we walked in. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the vibes in that place. Having spent some time in Asia already, I was also craving Mexican food, and the offerings at Unique Bar were truly amazing. We tried chicken quesadilla, nachos, tacos, and fajitas, and everything was delicious.
Floating breakfast experience
Having a room with pool access also came with the great benefit of enjoying a floating breakfast. These experiences are really enjoyable, provided the pool isn’t too deep, allowing you to stand and savour the meal. I’ve had a few floating breakfasts before, but I must say the one at Rimba was undoubtedly my favourite. The food was freshly prepared with care, and even the presentation was beautiful, adorned with flowers and all. You can choose from Western, Japanese, or Balinese breakfast options.
Additionally, Ayana offers floating high tea, and as a recent addition, you can now indulge in a floating brunch. You don’t need to stay in a room with pool access; you can book this experience in a private villa, at the LUNA rooftop pool, or at the Three Monkeys Pool.
Lunch at Damar Terrace
For my final lunch during my stay at Rimba, I embarked on a little adventure and hopped on the free tram (technically a spacious door-free bus) to Ayana Lobby, where I enjoyed a fantastic meal at Damar Terrace. This gorgeous spot, nestled amidst terraced lily ponds, offered delightful authentic Asian cuisine.
Opting for their set menu, we tried papaya salad, pad Thai, Rendang daging (Australian beef with coconut and chilli), and deep-fried banana for dessert. The food was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed the stunning views and atmosphere.
Discovering Bali’s beauty at Rimba, Ayana was a dream! From the serene Wana Pool Access room to delightful dining experiences, each moment was pure bliss. Floating breakfasts, lush pools, and authentic Asian cuisine—my stay was a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation.
I have collaborated with Ayana Resort, and I want to clarify that all opinions expressed on this blog about the hotel are solely my own honest perspectives.
Additionally, some of the links in this post are affiliate links which mean that if you choose to book through it I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate your support to keep this site up and running!
