Rooms
I stayed in a spacious 65m2 Ocean View room at the 197-room Ayana Segara. What struck me first were the Balinese wood carvings and traditional aesthetics that were beautifully incorporated throughout the space. Many furnishings were handcrafted by local artisans, but the sleek cabinet housing the fridge and complimentary Ayana-branded coffee and tea from local suppliers was a standout. The room also comfortably accommodated a sofa, coffee table, and a round writing table.
Perched atop a hill, the balcony offered a daybed with sweeping views of the glittering Indian Ocean. On bright sunny days, a distant mountain could also be seen.
A thoughtful touch was the sideways placement of an international plug near the bed, accommodating bulky chargers from MacBooks. Two USB-A chargers were also provided.
Bath amenities were from the local brand Sensatia Botanicals. I particularly appreciated the Japanese bidets in the toilets, a detail I heard was a nod to the owner’s Japanese wife. The rectangular, marble-clad bathroom also featured dual vanity sinks, a shower and a bathtub.
MICE facilities
There are 15 indoor and outdoor event spaces spread across the entire resort. The largest indoor space is the 846m2 Ayana Ballroom, which can hold up to 1,000 people for a reception or 390 banquet-style.
Of particular note is Sky, a 7,500m2 outdoor venue on the western end of the resort boasting spectacular ocean views, as well as a cantilevered deck extending 3.5 metres out from the cliff. Champa Garden is also worth a mention, where the 20,000m2 outdoor space complete with a permanent centre stage surrounded by frangipani trees would work for themed gala dinners or even international conferences.
In 2024, Ayana Resort also unveiled several new facilities that can also be utilised for smaller corporate events – the Saka Museum; After Rock night lounge; and Tevanna Garden, an outdoor venue suitable for teambuilding activities.
Plans are currently underway to develop more function spaces in the coming years.
Other facilities
The property boasts the Ayana Spa, which offers 53 treatment rooms including one of the world’s largest hydrotherapy seawater pools. Speaking of pools, there are a whopping 14 freshwater swimming pools including a children’s pool and the saltwater infinity Ocean Beach Pool at the cliff’s base. All pools can be accessed by in-house guests.
Guests also have access to the white sandy Kubu beach that is accessible via a lift; an 18-hole golf putting course; two tennis courts; a jogging track; two fitness centres; and two kids’ clubs.
Of the 26 F&B options, the standouts for me were Sami Sami, which specialises in trattoria-style Italian cuisine; and Kampoeng Bali, where guests can be entertained by Balinese cultural performances while enjoying a delicious Balinese buffet dinner featuring dishes such as babi guling (suckling pig).
The piece de resistance of the resort is undoubtedly the renowned Rock Bar, accessed via two cliff-side inclinators. Open to the public (though guests enjoy priority booking), this is the perfect place to savour Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a cold tipple in hand, while listening to live DJ beats and watching the sun dip below the horizon.
For corporate events, Kampoeng Bali can be arranged for groups of up to 250 pax, while Rock Bar can accommodate up to 880 guests across its terraced decks and seats. It is also possible to buy out other dining venues, such as the Luna Rooftop Bar on the top floor of Ayana Segara.
Planners should note that Ayana Segara is just one of four hotels within the 90-hectare resort, which stretches along a majestic 1.3km of cliff-front coastline overlooking Jimbaran Bay. Ayana Resort features 294 rooms and suites, while Ayana Villas, whose 78 luxurious villas feature private plunge pools and spectacular ocean backdrops. There is also the family-friendly Rimba by Ayana Bali with 403 rooms.
Ayana Villas, and Ayana Resort’s West Building recently refreshed its interiors in December 2024. Renovations to Ayana Resort’s East Building have been scheduled for 2Q2025, with a targeted completion by mid-December 2025.
Service
I thought it was fantastic that the Ayana Resort had an app. It allowed me to book classes and activities, and I was impressed by how quickly the concierge responded to my messages. The app also tracked the real-time location of the trams; yes, trams are required to transport guests efficiently across the expansive property.
Given the resort’s size, it was easy to get a little turned around. However the staff were always on hand to help, and their friendly greetings and helpful directions made navigating the property a breeze.
Verdict
Bali’s traffic can be quite intense, so I recommend making the most of the resort. Given the extensive on-site amenities, such as 14 swimming pools and a wide range of activities, I believe corporate groups would also find it highly beneficial to hold a retreat at the resort.
Number of rooms
Ayana (294 rooms), Rimba (403 rooms), Ayana Segara (197 rooms), Ayana Villas (78 villas)
Contact details
ayana.com/bali
Cook takes over from Arna Wahl-Davies, who spent 4.5 years in the role.
