Ayana Resort Bali

Two nights weren't nearly enough to explore Ayana, and we wished we'd stayed longer. The resort is so big that a tram connects its different accommodation areas. We stayed at the main Ayana by the sea, with lovely Balinese-style decor, and spent most of our time there instead of going out to Jimbaran. There are 19 pools to choose from, huge rooms with everything we needed, and plenty of restaurants. We counted 24 places to eat, each with its own tasty food. The app was handy for requests and table bookings. Staff were respectful and very helpful throughout. Rockbar was a fantastic experience, though very crowded at sunset. We also took the tram to Kubu beach and spotted monkeys on the way. A great place to recharge and enjoy the sea. Thanks to the staff for making our stay memorable. ❤️

DAVA Restaurant was the highlight of our stay. Its food was the most satisfying and highest-quality meal we had at the resort, and the extra star in my rating is for DAVA alone. I initially planned to give two stars. We spent two nights in Villa 1007, at a nightly price even higher than what I've paid for overwater villas in the Maldives. My wife had been hesitant about spending so much, but I persuaded her because this is our 30th wedding anniversary and I wanted it to feel special. The hotel said villa guests would have priority access to the best sunset spots at Rock Bar during their stay, but that promise wasn't honored. I was also disappointed by the villa front desk staff. They seemed cold and reluctant, without much warmth or enthusiasm. When I asked for help booking a spa treatment that day and a Rock Bar reservation for the next day, the seats arranged for us were nowhere near the promised “premium” locations. I ended up spending a lot of time shielding my wife from the sun. It wasn't what I expected after paying such a high price. The whole stay was disappointing given the hotel's promises and the importance of the occasion.

Rock Bar had a great vibe, and the resort itself is beautiful, with scenic cliffs and its own cliff beach. There are also kids' pools and playgrounds. The pools were lovely, especially the beachfront one. Staff were welcoming and attentive, and every restaurant we tried served excellent food.

The grounds and pools are incredible, and the staff were amazing. My room felt a little dated but was still comfortable, and the whole stay was really impressive. Rock Bar was a lot of fun, though eating and drinking at the resort is expensive. One of the nicest resorts I've stayed at in Bali.