The Lynch Family Trip—Bali to Hong Kong, December-January 2006

BALI – JANUARY 2006

We love Bali! Despite the excesses of tourism in the beach areas, particularly Kuta, Bali is still the most beautifully intoxicating place in Asia. Bali is a place with a gentle sense of silence and tranquility that is really the antithesis of modern urban living – there is no other place on earth like Bali. What makes Bali unique is a pristine, physical beauty, coupled with a surreal Hindu-animistic culture. Although Bali has plenty of nice beaches, we prefer the interior, where you find a lush, green countryside with meticulously terraced rice fields, and much more of the indigenous Balinese culture.

My wife, Bev, our daughter, Zennia (age 5) and I spent five nights at the Four Seasons, Sayan Resort. This resort was recently rated as the NO. 1 Resort in the world by Travel Leisure Magazine and is only ten minutes from Ubud. We also spent two nights at the Amankila on the east coast. Some of our brief observations:

BALI SECURITY

Following the Bali bombing incidents, there is understandable security concerns among Americans wishing to visit Bali. We felt quite safe in Bali. The security at the airport, and among the deluxe resorts, such as the Four Seasons and Aman properties, was comprehensive. Search dogs and bomb detecting equipment were used to inspect every vehicle entering the Four Seasons Sayan, as well as the Amankila. Common sense is the guiding rule. As the past bombings occurred in the mass tourism areas of Kuta, it is prudent to avoid these high density areas, especially the discos and nightclubs.

FOUR SEASONS SAYAN

Similar to our experience at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, we found this place to be pure heaven! Located only 10 minutes by car to the restaurants and shopping of Ubud, the Four Seasons Sayan is set in a lush green valley adjacent to Ayung River. Our one-bedroom villa, with plunge pool, overlooked terraced rice fields. The architecture is unique. Think of Balinese villages mixed with Frank Lloyd Wright and you can imagine the Four Seasons Sayan. Ask for the villas with river or rice fields views.

The staff here, top to bottom, is outstanding! Most of front desk/restaurant/spa staff routinely greeted us by name and were very kind and sincere.

Although the Four Seasons Sayan is primarily geared for romantics, we found the resort to be kid-friendly – our daughter, Zennia, even took part in a private painting class on the roof lily pond, which she thoroughly enjoyed. We met several families with kids. Zennia also enjoyed the understated, but unique pool along the Ayung River … nearly every day we waived at the river rafters from the pool.

AROUND UBUD SUGGESTIONS

KIRANA SPA IN UBUD

Perhaps the most beautifully designed spa we have experienced anywhere in Asia, an area of 18,000 sq. meters, 16 individual spa villas, stunning pool and jacuzzi areas, an east-west conceived labyrinth of pathways set in lush tropical backdrops. Kirana is owned by Japan-based Shiseido cosmetics.

BEBEK BENGIL (DIRTY DUCK) RESTARUANT

This is one of our favorite Balinese restaurants in Ubud – wonderful Balinese food in a beautiful setting. Try their homemade coconut-cream pie… the best!

BALI ELEPHANT CAMP

This is great fun for kids and adults alike. The elephants are from neighboring Sumatra. The one-hour elephant trek is a nice ride through villages and the lush countryside.

AMANKILA 1/03/06 – EAST BALI

Aman Resorts does a bunch of extra little things that, in total, add up to big things!
For example, having #8 and #30 sun block lotion on every pool side table for guests and
beautiful flower arrangements everywhere, including tuberoses laid out daily throughout your villa and including all of the resort restrooms. Also impressive was the fact that the Amankila General Manager, Tracey, personally greets each guest upon arrival – everything here is very personal.

Unlike the Banyan Tree pool villas or the Four Seasons Sayan with the wade pool villa, the Amankila ocean-suites give the feeling of a lush, tropical setting, while not being engulfed within the environment of bugs, etc., which is probably due to the Amankila’s free standing, suspended thatched-roof ocean suites. The elevation also give spectacular views of the sea (Lombok Strait) and surrounding hillsides while achieving privacy, coupled with extraordinary luxury. The suites are connected to the reception area and restaurant by walkways. The 3 tiered pools mimic the sea in color.There is another pool near the beach which you can walk to or hop on a mini-cart. Their ocean suites are understated, yet, beautifully designed to blend seamlessly with the
natural environment. The Amankila is a step above the deluxe resort category that can only be described as “ELITE”. Rest assured, you are paying for this elite property; $800 – $2,000 per night. Notwithstanding the cost, the Amankila is definitely THE PLACE. Surprisingly, the Amankila is a kid-friendly environment. Along with our 5-yr old daughter, Zen, we met several families with small children from the U.K., France, and Belgium.

There are two bales located in the hills offering spectacular views of the rice fields which are ideal for a picnic spot, which the Amankila can arrange. (reservations are suggested).

FOUR SEASONS HONG KONG – DEC 27-29 2005

OBSERVATIONS:

• Opened in the fall of 2005, this place mirrors the Four Seasons Sayan in Bali in terms of outstanding, high touch service among the staff. The Four Seasons Hong Kong is located in the middle of Central, Hong Kong’s business district – it’s close to the Star Ferry, as well as the MTR subway. The IFC Mall, with its many restaurants and up-scale shopping is a 5-10 minute walk from the Four Seasons – a great location for shoppers!

• I was most impressed with the very accommodating 24-hr Business Center located on the 45th floor.

• Extraordinary free-form outside infinity-edge pool with spectacular harbor views. Perhaps the only hotel with views like this is the Intercontinental Hotel in Kowloon. The infinity-edge pool, as well as the lap pool, is equipped with speakers so that one can enjoy the music while swimming underwater!

• Fully equipped fitness center

• A 22,000 sq. ft. spa

• The deluxe harbor rooms are sleek and spacious – every room has both a 42” plasma TV and a LCD TV in the bathroom. Even the standard rooms are nearly 500 sq. ft. with floor to ceiling windows. This place has it all!

Randy Lynch,
Founder of K&C