| Back & Beyond features
articles written by travellers about destinations they have
visited |
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| The Ultimate
Indulgence |
For anyone seeking a rather chic
and exotic getaway, then there can be few places in the
world which evoke the same emotions to equal Bali.
Certainly there are the more crowded and established
resort areas of Sanur, Kuta and even Nusa Dua, although
the latter, with its new boutique shopping centre ‘Bali
Collections’, is somewhat more upmarket than the former
two, but for those seeking a truly exclusive and
intimate resort, where the world will definitely not be
beating a path to your front door, I would suggest
staying at the Karma Kandara. Situated in the
southernmost area, perched 100 metres up on a cliff top
and
about 40 minutes from Denpasar airport and Nusa Dua,
the Karma Kandara is a resort for those seeking luxury,
seclusion and tranquility.
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On arrival you are shown to your villa, this could
involve quite a walk depending upon which you have been
allocated. There are only 46 individual villas of
varying sizes, each beautifully styled and appointed,
very private and reflecting Balinese architecture and
design. Ours was furnished with rich fabrics and local
artwork, complimented by natural stone finishes, teak
furniture, marble floors and a high tech entertainment
system including LCD TV, DVD player and comprehensive
surround system.
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The bedrooms are large; each with en-suite
facilities and the master bedroom boasts a canopy bed
and the added attraction of a private exterior rain
shower if, like me, you enjoy starting your morning with
a close encounter with nature. Outside, timber
sun-decking provides an alternative to the private
garden area with its own canopied day-bed, the decking
leads to your private infinity pool from which you can
gaze out over the Indian Ocean. This is a great location
to enjoy a ‘sundowner’ or two and for Al-fresco dining
in the balmy evenings. A quaint added attraction each
morning and evening at our villa was the arrival of a
troupe of monkeys who would sit at the far edge of the
pool and on the balustrade, eagerly watching and waiting
for any small morsel dropped or tossed their way!
The villas also have modern kitchens, ideal if you
are making use of the in-house facility of ultimate
indulgence.........having your own chef come to the
villa to prepare your evening meal. However,
if you want to prepare meals yourself you would need
to bring the necessary ingredients with you as there
are no shops nearby.
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We found the resort restaurants more than adequate
with a wide range of excellent dishes served by
friendly and helpful staff while offering
unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean. |
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The entire resort is meticulously landscaped
providing a truly tropical atmosphere. At night,
the subtle lighting gently illuminates the
surroundings and guests are treated to the
serenade of nocturnal creatures going about
their nightly rituals. The Nammos Beach Club,
sitting at the base of the cliff and reached by
a private cliff-inclinator provides the perfect
setting in which to spend a few hours relaxing
during the day or equally, a romantic evening
enjoying cocktails and a superb fresh seafood
dinner back-dropped by the sound of waves
cascading onto the reef, some 50 metres from the
shore. Being beach lovers we spent the days on
the private beach which offers the opportunity
to just relax, swim in the warm waters teeming
with marine life, or to explore the rocky
inlets. As well as the villas having their
own pools the resort also have a large infinity
pool and smaller children's pool. |
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There is a gym for those feeling the need to
burn off some calories and then, perched on
top of the cliff with unbroken views of the
ocean, is the Chakra Spa where you can
indulge in a range of treatments from
massages through to holistic programmes.
But above all, what I liked about Karma Kandara was
its discreet elegance and private intimacy. Here is
a place where you really can ‘tell the world you’re
not in’; guests exchanged pleasantries with each
other at breakfast and as they passed on the
walkways and bridges which link various parts of the
resort, but otherwise respected each other's privacy.
You really can 'get away from it all'.
Bali itself leaves one with a special kind of
haunting spiritual memory so if you are looking for
a destination with an exceptional location
that delivers but does not intrude,
offers great architecture, facilities,
service and privacy, have a serious think about visiting Karma Kandara......I’m
glad we did! |
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Disclaimer:
Any opinions, advice, statements or other information
expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the
views of Bahrain International Travel. Bahrain
International Travel is not responsible or liable for
the content, accuracy or reliability of any material,
advice, opinion or statement in these pages. |
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