“Ma’am, ma’am” the kind voice of the flight attendant woke me up. “We will be landing in Bali soon.” I rubbed my eye’s to clear my vision, and I looked up at her. “Can you please put your tray table up and pull your seat forward to the upright position. I did what she asked of me, and then it hit me! I am about to land in Bali, one of the most dreamy travel destinations ever!
So I know what you’re thinking… How did I plan this trip? Was it easy? The answers are: I am about to tell you and YES!
Choosing the right hotel in Bali can be one of the most important decisions you will need to make before you get there. The Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak area’s do have the most extensive choice of hotels for those who want to be near the action and busy nightlife, BUT the Gianyar area attracts active travelers who want to explore the cultural and traditional legacy of Bali, and also relax on the beach. Gianyar is one of the most well-preserved towns in Bali and the home to one of the top luxury resorts, Rumah Luwih.
Once we landed, I collected my bags and went through customs. I was then greeted by my driver that was easy to identify because she was holding a sign with my name on it. Fancy right?! I walk through airports all the time, and I always see drivers holding signs, but my name was never on one, so this was such a cool way to be welcomed to Bali by the resort.
The ride to the resort was pretty smooth, so let’s fast forward a bit. Once we pulled up to the resort, my mouth dropped because I felt like I was in a real-life fairytale. In front of me stood a lavish private residence that was magnificently styled after a classic colonial Indonesian mansion.
The word Rumah means house in Indonesia and the word Luwih means more so if you put them both together the name of this stunning resort means “more than just a house.” Located less than an hour away from Ngurah Rai International Airport, which is the main airport in Bali, Rumah Luwih overlooks a beautiful beach that is known for its high waves. What an exhilarating way to wake up right?!, to the sound of peaceful waves.
A very handsome bellman dressed in beautiful Indonesian attire welcomed me. He took my bags and handed me this very deliciously refreshing fruit drink, a non-alcoholic welcome cocktail which gave me a much-needed sugar boost after my long flight. I was super excited and ready to get to my room, get settled so I could wander around this breathtaking mansion.
Rumah Luwih has so many different types of accommodations for guests to choose from. The Arnawakanta junior suite is what I had the pleasure of calling home for a few weeks. All of these suites come with an ocean view, a private balcony, a rain shower and private bathtub with a ocean view. Plenty of room to rest and relax while enjoying the pristine Balinese beach right outside your window.
The resort is the ideal choice for honeymooners, couples and groups of friends that just want to relax and have some fun. Whatever you plan to do while staying with them, you can be sure that we will do their best to accommodate your every need. Another amazing thing I discovered during my stay at the resort is they can arrange wedding packages for those wishing to get married in Bali. The resort is the perfect backdrop for a magical fairytale wedding. They have this beautiful chapel that is the centerpiece of perfection at the resort making them the envy of many hotels in Bali.
At Rumah Luwih, they combine the service of a resort with the intimate comfort of a home. Take a sunrise walk on the beach or partake in one of the many activities the resort offers like yoga, a morning bike ride through town to visit many cultural and eco-tourism attractions nearby or head down and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal at the restaurant. If you don’t feel like dining in the restaurant, allow them to set up a gorgeous floating basket breakfast for you while you relax in their euphoric infinity pool.
After I got some rest, it was time for my complimentary jet lag massage at the Vandoloka Spa. After a long flight, my body and soul needed to reset, so they treated me to a 10-minute massage to relax my muscles. It felt amazing!
Once my massage was complete, I was starving! I was ready to eat my first meal at the resort, so I went down to the Andrawina Resturant where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and the set up was beautiful! It was a buffet style set up, but not a basic spread like a typical continental breakfast; this spread was grand with so many delicious options. I went back for seconds and thirds so that I could try a little bit of everything. They had normal breakfast foods like eggs, waffles, and bagels but they also had Balinese breakfast choices like rice, noodles and an assortment of local pastries. The local Balinese food options sparked my interest, so most of my meals during my stay were of the local cuisine.
After my delicious meal, it was time to pull out the list of activities and attractions the resort provides or partners with so all of the guests continuously have things to do if that is the type of traveler you are. Rumah Luwih is 30 minutes north of Sanur, ideal for those seeking to escape the crowds but the resort is positioned not too far from Ubud, so the resort offers a complimentary shuttle service to both Sanur and Ubud for hotel guests to enjoy the busy nightlife but be able to come back to a peaceful night of rest. The activities director took me on so many adventures, so I stayed very busy during my time at the resort. I really got the opportunity to experience a lot! I will post a “Things To Do” later this week so you can check out everything I did during my stay in Bali and get some ideas on what you should do. Take a look below for a sneak peek though!
Planning a trip to Bali can seem like it may be overwhelming but honestly, it was not and staying at Rumah Luwih Resort made it even easier. You get the best of, not just both worlds, but all worlds if you choose to stay there. Take a dip in the inviting pool all day while enjoying a few drinks or spend a relaxing day reading your favorite book on your amazing balcony overlooking so much beauty. And, if you don’t want to hang out at the resort all day, take their free shuttle into busy Ubud for some shopping or exploring.
After a long day out, just remember how lucky you are because you’ll be coming back to that peaceful, heavenly mansion, Rumah Luwih!
Thank you again to Rumah Luwih for the spectacular experience!
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Naomi is a stylish, adventurous traveler. She’s a bit of a daredevil that loves excursions. Those that know her, call her a shoe connoisseur. She is also obsessed with music and has a playlist for just about any mood. She’s a foodie that loves a good vegetarian/vegan spot. Want to know where she is headed next… stay tuned to find out!
