Tag Archives: indonesia travel

Aman Cruises. Indonesia

Hotel of the Week, , , , , , , , ,

During my last trip to Indonesia, I discovered the new product that Aman just debuted, a unique cruise experience called Amandira and Amanikan. Just when I thought Aman couldn’t get any more spectacular, they did.

Venture into the Indonesian archipelago in true fashion through one of Aman’s two cruise experiences. Both cruises set out from your home base at Amanwana, a private island resort on the island of Moyo, east of Bali. The resort offers 20 luxury tented camps perched on the edge of your own private beach. Each tent is air-conditioned, with hard wood flooring and a king-sized bed draped in flowing mosquito netting. Large banks of windows let in light and look out on jungle or beach settings. After a few nights in Amanwana, venture out on a 10-day cruise to Raja Ampat or the neighboring island of Komodo National Park.

Explore Raja Ampat, one of the world’s most diverse landscapes, where the Pacific meets the Indian Ocean. Raja Ampat encompasses thousands of islands, cays, and beaches. From climbing Mt. Pindito to privately dining on an uninhabited island, your Raja Ampat experience will be tailored expertly to your needs and desires.

Discover the fabled Komodo dragon in its UNESCO-protected homeland only 200 kilometers from the resort. Komodo National Park is also home to some of the best scuba diving in the world so start your adventure with a dive exploring the reefs around Satonda Island, which are frequented by rays and dolphins. End your expedition with an expert led trek to find the Komodo Dragons, monkeys, deer, and a cornucopia of nature.

The first of Aman’s two cruise liner options is the Amandira, a two-masted sailing ship 52 meters long. This sailing ship, which only launched in 2015, is a traditional Phinisi fishing vessel, which combines the ancient romance of the spice trade with cutting-edge contemporary amenities. Perfect for a couple looking for a blend of old-world and new-world.

The second cruise liner option is the Amanikan, a 32-meter custom built coastal cruiser. With three above-deck cabins, an expansive foredeck with bar for outdoor dining, and world-class diving facilities, Amanikan is equipped for journeys throughout the archipelago. Perfect for couples looking for a more refined cruise experience.

Bvlgari Hotel. Bali, Indonesia

Hotel of the Week, , , , , , ,

30+ hours of travel and I have finally arrived. I would gladly do the overnight layover in a strange and unknown airport just to be sitting where I am now, toes dipped in my cooling private plunge pool. I wasn’t sure what to expect going on this trip, but whatever it was my experience has far succeeded my expectations. After visiting some beautiful hotels (articles coming soon) I finally checked in to my slice of heaven.

The Bvlgari Hotel sits on a cliff in the Uluwatu region of Bali, a little off the beaten path. A steep downhill turn brought me to the lobby entrance, an open terrace with a large dark roof. The kind concierge greeted me with what may be the most delicious mojito I’ve ever had! The terrace has views of the surrounding jungle and ocean, making me catch my breath at the sunset. My private butler, who is at your service 24/7 during your trip, greeted me and proceeded to take whisk me away on a tour of the hotel. Thick cobble-stoned roads surrounded by lush forest rushed past me in our golf cart.

The Bvlgari Hotel wanted to stay true to Balinese culture, making sure the hotel was Eco-friendly and supported local villages by decorating the interior rooms with their art. Each room comes with at least a partial ocean view, which can be rare in Bali. The rooms are made of natural dark wood and stone, with large outdoor sitting areas and private plunge pools. Privacy comes first at this hotel, with each door to the villas looking like a secret passageway only you know about.

Il Ristorante, their award-winning Italian restaurant, has traditional music playing and I can faintly hear it over the ocean waves and sounds of nature. As we speak I am devouring a delicious 5-course tasting meal I can only describe as “euphoric” (let’s blame my constant diet of airplane food for the past 30 hours on that word). The hotel also has a 6am to midnight restaurant that is more casual dining and a beach club for lunchtime.

The Bvlgari Hotel is the only hotel in Bali with it’s own private beach that is actually swimable. My butler has already planned a private yoga session for me early tomorrow morning to help me combat the jet lag. Already today I have met wild monkeys, seen shooting stars, ate glorious food, and met some of the kindest individuals to date. To say Bali has touched me would be an understatement.

But what most attracts me to the Bvlgari Hotel is the level of service. Every staff member knew me by name and the even the servers at the restaurant were as friendly as can be. They truly made me feel like I was the most important guest at the hotel.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.