この記事は英語で書かれています。日本語版はまだ準備中です。
Karlie is an Australian travel writer and Indonesia destination expert based in Bali.
After multiple stays at AYANA Bali, there are a few things we wish somebody had told us before our first visit.
Not because they would have changed our decision to stay there. Quite the opposite. They would have helped us make the most of our time.
Like many Australians, we arrived expecting a beautiful luxury resort with great pools, restaurants and sunset views. What we discovered was something much bigger. AYANA Bali feels less like a resort and more like a village, and many first-time guests are surprised by just how much there is to see, do and experience.
If you're planning your first stay, these are the things we think every Australian should know before arriving.
1. AYANA Bali Is Much Bigger Than Most Australians Expect
The first thing that surprises almost everyone is the sheer size of AYANA Bali.
Before our first stay, we knew it was large, but we didn't fully appreciate just how much was spread across the property. Between the different hotels, 14 pools, Kubu Beach, dozens of dining venues, bars, spa facilities and activities, there is far more here than most people expect.
The best things you can do before you even arrive is explore the AYANA Bali map. It lays out every hotel, pool, restaurant, bar and beach across the property, so you can actually see the scale of the place and start picturing where you'll want to spend your time. Then, on your first day, jump on the tram, do a loop of the property and get your bearings. It's a great way to familiarise yourself with the resort and to work out which pools, restaurants and areas you want to come back to during your stay.
We often describe AYANA Bali as less of a resort and more of a village. Once you arrive, you'll understand exactly what we mean.
2. Staying at AYANA Bali Means You Can Skip the Long Rock Bar Queues
Most Australians have Rock Bar somewhere on their Bali bucket list.
What many people don't realise before booking is that staying at AYANA Bali comes with one major advantage. You can skip the long queues.
Rock Bar is one of Bali's most iconic sunset venues and, unsurprisingly, it gets busy. During peak periods, the lines can be significant, particularly around sunset.
The biggest perks of staying at AYANA Bali is being able to access Rock Bar much more easily than day visitors. After seeing some of the queues over the years, we can confidently say this is a benefit you'll appreciate.
3. You Don't Need to Stay at Every Hotel to Experience Every Part of AYANA Bali
The most common questions we hear from Australians planning their stay is whether they should split their holiday between different hotels within AYANA Bali.
The short answer is no.
Whether you're staying at AYANA Resort Bali, RIMBA by AYANA Bali, AYANA Segara Bali or AYANA Villas Bali, you'll be able to enjoy facilities across the wider AYANA Bali property. That means you can spend the morning at one pool, have lunch in another part of the resort and finish the day somewhere completely different.
Many first-time guests assume they will only spend time in the hotel they've booked. The reality is that most people end up exploring all corners of AYANA Bali during their stay.
4. Breakfast Hopping Is One of the Best Parts of Staying at AYANA Bali
Most people spend months looking at photos of Rock Bar, Kubu Beach and the pools before they arrive.
What they don't realise is how much they are going to love breakfast.
One of our favourite things about staying at AYANA Bali is that breakfast doesn't have to be the same every morning. Different venues offer different views, atmospheres and experiences, which means breakfast becomes something to look forward to rather than simply a meal before starting the day.
Some mornings you might want ocean views. Other mornings you might prefer a quieter setting surrounded by greenery. The beauty is that you have options.
Our advice? Don't spend every morning in the same venue. Breakfast hopping is one of those simple pleasures that ends up becoming a surprisingly memorable part of the stay.
5. Kubu Beach Might End Up Being Your Favourite Part of the Entire Stay
Before our first stay, we expected to spend most of our time at the pools.
Then we discovered Kubu Beach.
Accessible via an inclinator that takes you down through the limestone cliffs, Kubu Beach feels like a hidden corner of Bali that many visitors never get to experience. The water is beautiful, the cliffs are spectacular and the entire setting feels surprisingly exclusive.
In fact, we reckon Kubu Beach is up there with the most beautiful beaches in Bali.
Many guests arrive expecting the pools or Rock Bar to be the highlight of their stay and leave talking about Kubu Beach instead.
6. You're Not Going to Eat at Every Restaurant (And That's Okay)
With more than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars across AYANA Bali, first-time visitors often arrive with ambitious dining plans.
We certainly did.
The reality is that you're not going to get through them all. And honestly, that's part of the fun.
You will discover favourites. You will return to places you didn't expect. You will find yourself craving one more seafood dinner at KISIK or deciding that sunset margaritas at UNIQUE deserve a second visit.
Rather than trying to fit everything in, focus on the venues that appeal to you most and leave some room for spontaneity.
7. Book the Experiences You'd Be Gutted to Miss Before You Arrive
The biggest mistakes first-time guests make is assuming they can book everything after they check in.
Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn't.
If there is a particular experience, restaurant, spa treatment or activity that would genuinely disappoint you to miss, book it before you arrive. The easiest way is to download the AYANA app. You can browse restaurants, spa treatments and experiences and lock in your reservations before you even land. Popular experiences can fill up during busy periods, especially around school holidays and peak travel seasons.
We always recommend locking in the one or two things you'd be genuinely gutted to miss and leaving the rest of your itinerary flexible.
8. Australians With Late Flights Get One Huge Advantage
The biggest advantages many Australians have is that flights home are often scheduled in the evening.
That means your departure day doesn't really have to feel like a departure day.
Instead of spending the afternoon waiting around for an airport transfer, you can continue enjoying the resort. Luggage can be stored after checkout and shower facilities are available, allowing you to make the most of your final day before heading to the airport.
We often tell people to think of their departure day as a bonus holiday day.
It is the reasons we love finishing a Bali trip at AYANA Bali. Rather than killing time before a late flight to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth, you're still enjoying pools, beach time, long lunches and one final Bali sunset.
9. Don't Be Surprised If You Cancel Plans Once You Arrive
This might be the most common thing we see.
Australians arrive with beach club bookings, restaurant reservations and plans to spend their final few days exploring more of Bali.
Then they check in.
Suddenly those plans don't seem quite as appealing. The pools are calling. Kubu Beach looks incredible. Sunset cocktails sound more appealing than sitting in traffic. The thought of spending two hours commuting for dinner starts losing its appeal very quickly.
We're not saying don't leave the resort. We're saying don't be surprised if you decide you'd rather stay.
10. You'll Leave With a List for Next Time
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is how quickly you realise one stay isn't enough.
There will be restaurants you didn't get to try. Pools you didn't spend enough time at. Experiences you didn't have time to book. Parts of the resort you didn't properly explore.
That isn't a bad thing. In fact, it is the reasons so many Australians return to AYANA Bali.
Most people leave with a list of things they want to do next time, which is probably the best signs of a great holiday.
Final Thoughts
If there is one thing we wish somebody had told us before our first stay at AYANA Bali, it is this: you probably won't want to leave.
Most Australians arrive expecting a luxury resort. What they discover is something much bigger.
AYANA Bali has a way of slowing you down. Breakfast stretches a little longer. One pool turns into three hours. One sunset cocktail turns into dinner. The plans you thought were essential suddenly don't seem so important anymore.
And before you know it, you're wondering why you didn't book another night.
For us, that is the biggest signs of a truly great stay. Not that you managed to fit everything in, but that you left with a list of things you can't wait to come back and experience next time.