Spa Haven and Honeymoon Destination: The HANGING GARDENS OF BALI

To the international resort tourism community, Bali is pretty much the first place to go in Indonesia when it comes to quality and luxurious tropical destinations in the country. It seems to have everything one could possibly want in a vacation spot so close to the equator. From multiple exotic traditional cultures, to a vibrantly alive sea with a wide variety of marine life to make underwater divers wonder, to lush forest and jungle vegetation that surprisingly has remained despite the large scale development of the island for tourism. And in that forested interior, one might find a Bali paradise.

First conceptualized in 2003, the Hanging Gardens of Bali was opened to the public only two years later. Nestled in the rising hill slopes of Payangan village just north of Ubud town, the Hanging Gardens commands a majestically scenic view of the Ayung, the longest river on the island of Bali, as well as the Balinese temple of Pura Dalem Segara Madhu. It is surrounded by coconuts and other trees characteristic of a tropical rainforest, making for a sanctuary from the bustle of the outside world, yet so supremely appointed in facilities and service to earn a 7-star hotel rating.

You can make no mistake that the Hanging Gardens are geared towards privacy for its guests. Its accommodations are distinctly individual villas, 44 in all, uniquely positioned in the complex to provide different moods and settings. The most affordable options here are Riverside Villas that are the closest in location to the naturally musical sounds of the Ayung River with its several cascades, and the Garden Suites that are more attuned to the surrounding forest, with a view of the resort’s celebrated pool. These and the other, larger accommodations are furnished in a Balinese style, reminding guests where they are.

The designers of the Hanging Gardens of Bali were thorough in building the resort buildings according to auspicious Feng Shui structural principles, the better to ensure a “stabilizing energy” for its guests, being situated on a 45-degree angled slope. And in the spiritual “heart” of the resort hotel is its pride and joy: a multi-tiered infinity pool that seemingly merges with the rainforest all around. It is not for no reason that travellers to the Hanging Gardens have taken so many pictures here, making it among the world’s most photographed swimming pools, and named “World’s Best” by Condé Nast Traveller.

But this 7-star hotel has only just begun to show its many wonders for tourists. Beyond the natural surroundings, the heavenly villa accommodations, and that magnificent pool, the Hanging Gardens also offers sublime dining experiences across several choices with impressive menus. First and foremost among them are the Garden Restaurant and Garden Bar, both situated at the resort’s best viewpoint, combining infinity pool with river and temple below. The restaurant primarily offers healthy organic vegetable and fruit-based meals, sourced from their own garden and Bedugul Farms. But their Australia meat and Jimbaran Bay menus are nothing to sneeze at either.

One of the best personal services ever tendered by Bali for tourist is their traditional spa and massage treatments. The Hanging Gardens are no slouch in this department, offering no less than two premiere spa venues located close to the Ayung, the Royal Spa Suite and River Bale. Their other pampering options include The Spa Collection, a Hair and Beauty Salon, and a Reflexology area for tired and weary feet. They even have a café exclusively serving natural salads and juice to guests at the River Bale and Spa Collection.

Another beauty in staying at the Hanging Gardens of Bali is the many variations of how you can spend your stay. Sure, you could just while the time away with a good book at the hotel Library (where they also serve gourmet coffee and snacks), but you can also get to do much more, and even better with a companion. How about a dining experience with your partner inside your villa, or even at the Dalem Segara Balinese temple itself? Aspiring chefs will enjoy a chance at Balinese cooking lessons. Alternatively, guests exhausted from the daily rat race can avail of a Balinese Blessing, or Yoga lessons to re-center themselves.

These and many other remarkable experiences are yours to partake in when you come to the Hanging Gardens of Bali, where you can feel that even in such superb solitude you are at the very center of it all. You may check out their many available package offers for guests at their official website on hanginggardensofbali.com, especially if you are a newlywed couple with enough finances for a honeymoon to remember. But everybody is welcome here at this 7-star hotel that is all the rave with dependable travel recommenders TripAdvisor and Condé Nast Traveller. You will certainly agree with them.