S12 Friday, August 26, 2011

SPECIAL REPORT: DESTINATIONS

Bali’s premier resort destination,Nusa Dua, is home to a cluster ofluxury international-brand resortsedging an immaculate white sandybeach on the southern coast.

Many are family orientated,offering superb facilities, top-classsecurity and a calm azure bay withcoral reef – ideal for safe swimming.

Club Med Bali has familyvacations down to an art form.“Club Med’s concept is created forparents able to enjoy all activitieswithout having to supervise theirkids,” says Club Med’smanagement. Club Med Baliprovides Kids Clubs for two to 17year-olds (Petit, Mini and Juniorgroups), led by Gracious Organisers(GOs) – a unique Club Med feature.

A host of resort programmes and

activities are provided, includingFamily Fairs, parent and children’sfun pursuits such as sandcastlecontests. Baby-sitting services andbaby equipment are also offered.

Set in 20 hectares of lush gardens,Club Med Bali features charmingtraditional Balinese design andnumerous facilities, plus watersports and sporting activities.Adults-only zones include the“Quiet Pool”, complementary accessto the Turkish bath, sauna andJacuzzi, plus the Mandara Spa.

Varied accommodation typesinclude inter-connecting roomsmost suitable for families.

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua isendorsed by Holidays with Kidsmagazine’s accolade: “Top 10Overseas Family Friendly Resort,2010.” A US$13 million guestroomrefurbishment completed in Mayincludes 117-square-metre Family

Suites comprising two bedroomsand a spacious family room withPlayStation, DVD player and diningarea. “Parents with children cannow indulge in a family suite withample space for everyone to relaxand reconnect,” says Bipan Kapur,the hotel resort’s general manager.

Resort facilities run to a vastfreshwater pool with a 12-metrewater slide, saltwater pool andchildren’s pool, each with waterfall,floodlit tennis courts, extensivewater sports, including reefsnorkelling, and a spa withcustomised healing treatmentsadministered indoors or outdoors.

Complementary Westin KidsClub (four to 12 years) offers anoutdoor playground with climbingwall, plus organised activities suchas face painting, while DestinationClub hosts family activities such asstar-gazing and movie nights.

Treatmentsfrom the heart

Island resorts combine spiritualityand healing as an antidote forstress, writes Samantha Coomber

In these stressful times, arelaxing vacation and spatreatment are even moreessential – and Bali offers theperfect combination.

The island offers volcanic peaks,terraced rice paddies, surf-lashedbeaches and dramatic sunsets.

Hindu traditions and customspermeate throughout daily life,imbuing Bali with a spiritualrichness – even amid their spas.Treatments reflect Bali’s spirit andtraditions, where massage is a way oflife and welcoming Balinese “givefrom the heart”.

Beside Canggu Beach, HotelTugu Bali’s Waroeng Djamoe Spacelebrates centuries-old Javaneseand Balinese therapies, rituals andtreatments, combining spiritualitywith healing, using island-sourcedorganic ingredients based onancient traditions. Treatments takeplace in five atmospheric kamars(chambers, plus gubuk – outdoorhuts), among tropical gardens.

Starwood’s flagship W Retreatopened this year in Seminyak. WRetreat Bali’s Away Spa is cutting-edge stuff, emphasising glamour,fun and escapism.

Resembling a 1,500-square-metre sleek white spaceship,facilities include detox/oxygen

room, wired with pure oxygenmasks, post-treatmentdecompression lounge, chill bar andwet area with hot and cold plungepools and hammam (Turkish bath).

“Best Resort Spa in Asia-Pacific,2011”, is one of several accolades forAyana Resort’s Thermes Marins BaliSpa (TMBS), which offers ancienteastern healing therapies andmodern European treatments.

“Our objective is to be [the]pioneer of innovative treatmentsavailable only at Ayana,” says Spadirector Michi Sonoda. Foursignature treatments introduced thisyear offer a more holistic approach.Like Ayana, 22,000-square-metreTMBS is sensationally perched oncliffs above Jimbaran Bay.

Relaxation for all the family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Samantha Coomber

BALI

Bali’s spas offer centuries-old treatments using locally sourced organic ingredients (right) in lush facilities (left) that reflect the Indonesian island’s beauty and traditions of hospitality.

Nusa Dua’s family resorts enable busy parents to bond with their children.