Summer 2018

54 1804LU04 Nandini Bali is a luxury resort nestled in the heart of the Payangan rainforest, backed against the Ayung gorge. In March, LUXlife named Nandini Bali is our flagship Global Luxury Hotel and Spa Awards, as the Most Outstanding Luxury Hideaway for 2018. In light of this, we endeavoured to explore the spa and the wonders that lie within. Nandini Bali is a five-star resort and spa hidden deep in the Indonesian jungle. Starting on the banks of the Ayung River, the resort spans the height of the Ayung gorge, working its way up the hillside and above the jungle canopy, where the guest accommodation sits. Each of Nandini’s eighteen private villas boasts unmatched views of the jungle; the newest edition, the panoramic villa, offering the perfect view of the sun as it rises and sets, by all regards an idyllic close to any day. The resort is built in the traditional Balinese style, defined by open spaces, small pavilions and natural, unobtrusive architectural balance. You won’t find any stone monoliths here, or glass facades – only thatched rooves, and minimalistic design, open to the elements. All of this emphasises the feeling that you are far away from modern civilisation – a blessing for those wanting to escape the technologically- obsessed bustle of everyday life. Despite this, a western flair prevails in the fine details – inviting a sense of the familiar in every corner of the resort. For dining options, the in-house Wild Ginger restaurant offers a taste of traditional Indonesian cuisine, using fresh local and organic produce grown and harvested from the resort’s gardens. Each dish explodes with flavour, an adventure, and a tour through local cuisine that will fascinate and delight any palette. An essential visit for those interested in meditation vacations, those unfamiliar with the downward dog, locust and cobra can still find an intense enjoyment in the spa’s other offerings. The Sungai Spa, renowned as a centre of spiritual and physical healing, offers a tantalising respite, a world of comfort, relaxation and rejuvenation for any weary traveller. For those wanting to go further afield, daily shuttles take visitors to the town of Ubud, as well as the Agung Rai Museum of Art, and the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal – a temple in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Perfect for anyone wanting to get off the grid, and back into the arms of nature, Nandini Bali is the epitome of relaxation, a seamless, perhaps paradoxical, balance of the luxurious and the natural. For its otherworldly beauty, we awarded Nandini the award for Most Outstanding Luxury Hideaway in our Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards. This programme acknowledges the masters of hospitality, the finest food, and the wonders of architectural design. It is a list of only the most excellent hotel and spas, a guide to the must-visit and the must- experience. Company: Nandini Bali Address: Banjar Susut, Desa Buahan, Payangan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, 80572, Indonesia Website: www.nandinibali.com Telephone: +62 361 982 777 A Luxury Hideaway Deep in the Indonesia Jungle Retreat