Hello, I’m SINAE, a travel writer who explores the world through photography and words.
When I travel to Bali, I usually prefer to stay a little longer and move at a slower pace. Bali is much larger than many people expect, and each area has its own distinct landscape, atmosphere, and travel rhythm.
Among the many remarkable hotels in Bali, AYANA Resort Bali is almost always mentioned as one of the island’s most iconic places to stay.
The AYANA estate is made up of four different resort experiences: AYANA Bali Villas, AYANA Bali Segara, AYANA Bali Resort, and RIMBA by AYANA Bali. Because of this, the scale of the property is truly immense.
Guests staying at any of these four properties can enjoy shared access to many of the estate’s facilities, including Rock Bar, Kubu Beach, AYANA Spa, multiple swimming pools, and a wide range of restaurants.
One of the biggest advantages of staying at AYANA Resort Bali is the ability to reserve Rock Bar in advance and secure a better seat. Guests can also descend by the private inclinator, which means there is no need to wait in the regular line.
The most accessible option within AYANA Resort Bali is RIMBA by AYANA Bali. I would not necessarily call it inexpensive, but compared with the other properties within the estate, it is relatively more approachable and easier to choose.
For this stay, I visited AYANA Segara Bali, one of the newer and more elevated properties in the complex. It feels more refined than RIMBA and more modern than the original AYANA Bali Resort.
Check-In Experience – A Small Note When Taking Grab
When arriving by taxi or Grab, there is one thing worth knowing. Many drivers are not fully familiar with Segara, so they may take you to another lobby within the estate first.
Fortunately, there is no need to worry. RIMBA, Segara, the Villas, and the other areas are connected by buggy or tram service.
The resort says the shuttle runs about every ten minutes, but in my experience, it felt closer to every five minutes.
When I first arrived at the main AYANA lobby by mistake, it felt quite busy and slightly overwhelming. Segara, however, had a completely different atmosphere.
It was calm, elegant, and noticeably more refined. Perhaps because the room rates are higher, the overall mood felt more exclusive from the moment I arrived.
At the entrance, I was welcomed with a flower necklace, which immediately created that unmistakable resort feeling. It was a small gesture, but it made the arrival feel much more special.
👉 AYANA Segara Bali – Check rates on Agoda
👉 AYANA Segara Bali – Check rates on Expedia
Segara Ocean View King Room – Beautifully Designed and Exceptionally Spacious
Official check-in time is 3 PM, but since I arrived a little earlier, the staff kindly told me that my room was already ready. Thanks to that thoughtful arrangement, I was able to enter my room at around 1:30 PM.
The room itself was impressively spacious. It felt almost as generous as a suite at many other hotels, with an open and airy layout that made the stay feel very comfortable. From the terrace, I could see the ocean in the distance. The weather was beautiful, the gardens were lovely, and everything came together in a way that felt almost perfect.
The bedding was excellent, and there was also a sofa bed. In the dressing area, there were beautifully designed robes that added a charming resort detail.
The bathroom was also extremely spacious. It featured a round, elegant bathtub, and what surprised me most was the bubble bar provided for bath time. A new one was placed in the room each day, so every evening I was able to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath. It became one of the small rituals I genuinely looked forward to.
Another pleasant detail was the complimentary minibar, offered once per stay. It included light drinks such as Bintang beer and soda.
One practical advantage: GrabFood delivery is available. At some other Uluwatu and Nusa Dua properties, the resorts can feel quite isolated, and food delivery may not be available. Here, since GrabFood could be delivered, dining felt much more flexible and convenient.
Beautiful Swimming Pools and the Stunning Kubu Beach
Inside Segara, there is one main pool located at the center of the resort.
There is also an adults-only rooftop infinity pool, and guests can enjoy other pools within the wider AYANA estate, including the pools near the Villas.
In other words, guests can use the various swimming pools located across the property. Of course, because of convenience, most guests may not necessarily go out of their way to use every pool in a different area. Still, the famous Waterfall Pool is one place that should not be missed.
It is one of the signature photo spots here. Guests line up and take photos in order, but surprisingly, the wait was not long. I was able to take pictures much faster than expected.
I had seen this pool so many times in photos, but seeing it in person was still impressive. It really is beautiful. The curved, flowing shape of the pool looks especially artistic in photos, which explains why it has become such a recognizable image of the resort.
After that, I visited Kubu Beach. To be completely honest, I personally liked this place even more than Rock Bar.
There were far fewer people, and the location had a similar dramatic cliffside atmosphere. From below the cliffs, you can see the ocean in a way that feels both powerful and peaceful. It reminded me a little of the scenery around Uluwatu Temple.
Every angle looked beautiful in photos. I spent time in a cabana with a coconut and a glass of iced tea, simply relaxing by the sea. The day passed almost effortlessly.
Breakfast – Good Quality, Though a Little Busy
Breakfast can be enjoyed at several venues, but I chose the closest option. The selection included Indonesian dishes, Western items, various pastries, an egg station, fruit, and lighter breakfast options.
Overall, it delivered the quality one would expect from a five-star resort breakfast. Dining on the terrace, surrounded by lush green gardens, made the morning feel very much like a tropical resort stay.
That said, because there were many guests, the atmosphere did not feel particularly quiet or exclusive.
For a property of this level and price, I personally would have preferred a more refined breakfast format: perhaps à la carte main dishes served at the table, with only fruit, vegetables, juices, and lighter items offered buffet-style.
Instead, the breakfast area felt slightly busy at times, almost a little market-like. Aside from that, the overall quality was still very good.
Rock Bar – A Place You Should Experience at Least Once
Finally, Rock Bar cannot be left out. Guests can make a reservation in advance during check-in, and those staying at the resort can enter quickly without waiting in the regular line.
They are also more likely to receive better seating, which makes it one of the places I would absolutely recommend visiting during the stay.
The sunset, the powerful waves beneath your feet, and a cocktail in front of the ocean create a scene that feels almost cinematic.
This is the famous venue that has also been featured by The New York Times, and personally, I think it may be one of the most spectacular places in Bali. When you see it in person, the view is genuinely breathtaking.
It is not an exaggeration to say that some travelers come to Bali partly because they want to experience Rock Bar.
Because it is so popular, non-staying guests often need to wait around 30 minutes to more than an hour. It is also unfortunate that, according to what many visitors say, guests may not always receive the best seats unless they tip the staff around $20.
Resort guests, however, can make a reservation and enter with priority.
In the evening, the tide rises, and the waves can come in close enough that you may even get splashed. But that dramatic movement of the ocean is part of what makes the space so memorable.
Rock Bar is also well known as a proposal spot. For that reason alone, many travelers say they book AYANA Resort Bali just to experience this view.
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