Jl. Karang Mas, Karang Mas Estate, Jimbaran, Indonesia
Huge multi-tiered outdoor pool complex with waterfalls and a waterslide
Modern, sophisticated rooms with private balconies; some have direct access to the pool
Multiple dining options include international buffets and private dinners on the pond
Authentic village with outdoor dinners and traditional Balinese performances
Afternoon tea served in an orchid greenhouse
Access to beach and amenities across the AYANA resort
Kids' club and game room
Full-service spa
Free Wi-Fi
Secluded inland spot isn't within walking distance of attractions
Not on the beach
Breakfast not included
The five-pearl RIMBA Jimbaran Bali by AYANA is part of the massive AYANA resort, but located a 20-minute walk inland from the namesake facilities. It offers an array of amenities, including several restaurants, an orchid-filled tea house, and a huge network of outdoor pools and waterfalls. There's also a Balinese village recreated alongside rice paddies where guests can browse vendors and partake in nightly performance dinners. Couples and tourists looking for seclusion and luxurious rooms with private balconies will find both here. Guests who prefer to be near the ocean should compare rates with the main AYANA Resort and Spa that's perched on the cliffs below.
Scene
Luxury hotel steeped in traditional atmosphere
A departure from the two AYANA sister properties closer to the ocean, the RIMBA Jimbaran Bali emphasizes modernist spaces infused with Balinese style. Within the larger resort, it sits on its own 20 acres of landscaped grounds, complete with a Balinese village nestled amid an artificial rice paddy and a lagoon. A stage where nightly performances are given attracts young couples and jet-setting Chinese tourists who come for the exclusive atmosphere. Vendors sell traditional souvenirs like wood-carved masks, paintings, and handmade bracelets. The main building takes its design from a ship, with stone walls supporting an enormous ark-shaped wooden ceiling over a breezy lobby that opens onto a panoramic infinity pool surrounding two sunken lounges.
Location
Secluded hilltop on the outskirts of Jimbaran
The hotel is located up on a hill above a number of lovely beaches on the outskirts of the village of Jimbaran in southern Bali. There's little to see or do within the immediate surroundings of the hotel, however, with nothing in walking distance save the dining and amenities at the sister properties along the beach. The hotel is a 25-minute drive from the town of Kuta, which has plenty of nightlife. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park has large replicas of traditional Balinese sculptures and is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the seaside Uluwatu Temple takes around a half-hour to reach. It's about a 20-minute drive to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar.
Rooms
Chic, modern rooms with private balconies; some have direct pool access
The hotel's 282 rooms and suites feature contemporary decor that makes heavy use of natural materials and Balinese decorative flourishes. Stone tile floors pair with furnishings in a white and gray color palette that's accented by green and black hues. The overall design is minimalist, with knotty wood sculptures punctuating clean bare walls. All rooms have private balconies with hillside or bay views, though some upgraded rooms and suites exchange these for patios with daybeds and direct pool access (into the lagoon pool). Work desks, minibars, and coffeemakers come standard, along with large 47-inch flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms are accented with striking black and silver tile work, and have walk-in rainfall showers along with separate soaking tubs.
Features
Huge network of outdoor pools, unique dining options, full spa, and kids' club
Though the hotel is not directly on the beach, its huge pool complex is made up of six different outdoor pools connected by a multi-tiered network of waterfalls, streams, and sprawling sundecks with cabanas, hammocks, and loungers. The lower pool also has a hot tub and a waterslide with a kiddy pool.
The standout dining here is Kampoeng Bali, a cultural performance restaurant set in an authentic Balinese village with traditional craft vendors, situated along the pond and rice paddies. Theatrical Kecak performances accompany a buffet dinner with live cooking stations and the house specialty, suckling pig. Orchid is a glass greenhouse with stylish tables made from reclaimed wood from old sailboats. It serves a full afternoon tea amid a collection of potted orchids, with 360-degree views of the gardens. UNIQUE Rooftop Bar and Restaurant hovers over the infinity pool and offers a Mexican menu and regular nightly entertainment. Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant serves fine-dining Cantonese cuisine and live seafood. TO'GE styles itself as a global comfort food eatery, covering everything from Asian street food noodles to burgers and pizza, plus it has an international breakfast buffet. Private dinners can be booked at special locations around the property, including on a pontoon floating in Jati pond. There's also a pool bar with drinks and light bites, not to mention the 12 other restaurants guests have access to at the adjacent AYANA Resort and Spa.
Recreational perks like the hotel's cooking school educate guests on using ingredients like turmeric and lemongrass. There's also a kids' club with a game room and supervised activities like rock climbing, crafts, and traditional dancing. The RIMBA has its own full-service spa on the rooftop with six treatment rooms, though guests looking for the most extensive facilities and a fitness center will have to head to the AYANA's main spa.