Rimba by Ayana Resort and Spa Review
During my visit to South East Asia, one of my stops was to the relaxing island of Bali. On this trip, I split my time in half, spending the first half in Seminyak and then the second half of my trip in Jimbaran. In Jimbaran I stayed at a brilliant resort called Rimba by Ayana Resort and Spa. Initially I hadn’t heard of Rimba or knew anyone who had stayed there, but I had heard of Ayana Resort and Spa. On a previous visit to Bali, I had the pleasure of wandering about the grounds of Ayana on a day visit to the Rock Bar. The grounds were very impressive but unfortunately the cost of staying there at the time was well out of my budget. That was until I came across Rimba.
This is where the beauty of Rimba begins. Rimba is the sister resort of Ayana Resort and Spa. Both Rimba and Ayana are within the same resort that is set on over 90 Hectares. The wonderful thing about staying at Rimba, is that it gives you full access to the Ayana Resort and Spa, including all pools, restaurants and priority access to the popular Rock Bar. The best part is, that Rimba is a more affordable option that still allows you all the same privileges at the luxurious Ayana Resort.
Rimba and Ayana combined gives you no reason to leave the resort at all. To keep you busy there are 10 restaurants, 11 pools, a kids club, shops, day spa and salon facilities, entertainment, in fact you will forget that there is a whole world outside this resort!
Rimba
Rimba is the new addition (built in late 2013) to compliment the Ayana Resort and is located on the same property. Rimba is set over 8 Hectares and is surrounded by stunning gardens and pools. Rimba just exudes a tranquil vibe and the resort feels very private.
First impressions count and from the moment you arrive, the staff will be at your service. Staff will be there to open the car door for you and will great you by name (thanks to the heads up from staff at the entrance gate). Staff are immediately assisting you with your bags, then a ‘welcome’ garland of frangipanis are placed over your head and you will be escorted to the check in desk. From there your bags are taken to your room, you are given a delicious welcome drink and a cool face towel to freshen up. A map of the resort is given (and essential as this place is huge), along with an information booklet tied up with a ribbon about what services are offered, it’s a lot to take in, so the booklet comes in handy. You are then escorted to your room and then you are ready to enjoy the facilities.
Rooms
My review is based on the room I stayed in which was the cheapest room available and was located hill side. The hillside view was quite lovely with a view of the gardens at the front. The room was a good size, with plenty of room between furniture. The bed was king size but it actually felt like more than a king size, it was actually huge! The decor was modern and the room was absolutely spotlessly clean.
Room features:
- King size bed with quality linen
- Small lounge area
- Table and Chairs
- Wide screen TV
- Free Wifi (if you can’t get it to work, log into Ayana.com to enter your room number for wifi access)
- Bath
- Hair Dryer (decent quality)
- Shaving mirror
- Free toiletries replaced daily
- Iron
- Mini Bar
- Turn down service
- Plenty of power points (both 2 pins and 3 prong European points)
- Airconditoning (worked very well)
- Room service
Restaurants at Rimba
There are three restaurants at Rimba, along with poolside snacks and light meals service. There are a further 7 restaurants at Ayana.
To’ge
I had breakfast each day at To’ge and it was excellent. They offer a buffet style which has an unbelievable amount of choices, or you could simply go a la carte. I had the buffet on the first day but then chose to go a la carte after that as it afforded me to simply sit at my table and be waited on. You certainly don’t miss out on anything going a la carte and it works out to be a similar price to the buffet if you go with a lot of choices.
To’ge also offers all day dining with lunch and dinner menus, offering a good selection of both Asian and Western choices.
The standout here is the amazing staff at this restaurant. The level of service I encountered here was phenomenal. I was greeted by name each time I came in with a ‘welcome back Ms Wendy’ and on my last day at breakfast, I was presented with a thank you card for choosing to stay at Rimba, which was signed by the staff of this restaurant. It actually made me feel a bit emotional because I felt that they were so genuine. It was a real highlight of my stay there.
Unique
Unique is a great rooftop bar/restaurant, located in the wing left of the lobby. The bar is very casual, with some great choices of food both light or something a bit more substantial. There is a fully functioning cocktail bar, with some delicious choices of cocktails. As the name suggests the decor is very unique or eclectic, adding points of interest on where to sit. If you get a little warm, you can just get up from your table and jump into the pool and hangout on a bean bag for a while to cool off. Again, the staff here were very warm and friendly and nothing was too much trouble.
Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant
I didn’t get to try this one but it is open for both lunch and dinner. It offers authentic dim sum and cantonese cuisine.
Thermes Marin Spa
The Thermes Marin Spa has locations at both Rimba and Ayana and offers luxurious spa treatments. There is also the Spa on the Rocks for the ultimate pampering experience which is located on the beach. Thermes Marin Spa also offers regular salon services such as a hairdresser, manicure and pedicure services. Below is the nail salon where I had a manicure.
Pools
At the Rimba resort there are 6 pools each with beautiful surrounds. There is an adults only pool, a pool with pool bar and a large kids pool with slide. Each pool has it’s own pool attendant who offers pool side snacks and drinks. The best part is that due to having the choice of 11 pools across both resorts you will never experience an overcrowded pool. Pools are open from 7am to 10 pm at night.
Pool areas and sun lounges.
Rimba also offers private cabanas poolside where you can hang out with family and friends.
Ayana Resort and Spa
Being a guest at Rimba, you will have full access to everything the Ayana resort offers. Ayana offers another seven choices of restaurants including the beautiful Kisik Seafood Bar and Grill and the famous Rock Bar.
The main pool is very large, so you don’t feel crowded out with other people. Below the main pool (on the level below) there is a large kids pool with a slide.
The river pool was my favourite pool at the whole resort. It is located within the Villas resort section of Ayana and was quite peaceful. Both times I visited this pool there was only a handful of people there which made it pleasant. They serve poolside drinks, snacks and the staff here are only too happy to offer to take some photos for you (especially good if you are travelling solo like I was). The staff member who took my photo above, walked up to the top of the stairs and took this downward shot of me in the river pool.
The ocean pool pictured below opens at 10 am and is a very popular spot for a beautiful photo opportunity. There is only 10 sun lounges, so there may be a waiting list for these.
Kubu Beach
Rimba and Ayana have their own private beach which is called Kubu Beach. The beach is a 5 minute drive from Rimba via the resort shuttle. The beach is accessed via 197 steps that lead down to the beach from the cliff. At the beach there are sun lounges and beachside food and drink service.
Getting around the resort
Rimba and Ayana resorts are connected by the complimentary resort shuttle bus, which leaves every 10 to 15 minutes at various stops around the resort. There was only one occasion when the shuttle was full, which left me waiting around 10 minutes for the next. For the most part it works well. If you are staying in the villas, there are golf buggy’s that get you around the resort, driven by staff. If you are feeling energetic there is also a jogging track that also runs between the two resorts and the private beach.
Other facilities
Rimba and Ayana have a host of services such as function rooms, kids club, babysitters, organised activities such as yoga, special Balinese performances and a popular wedding venue.
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What makes this resort amazing, is the staff. Staff are highly engaging, warm and friendly. Honestly with my stay here, I felt like I was a VIP and that is how they treat all their guests. I can’t wait to come and stay here again! Below is the amazing thank you card I received from the restaurant staff at To’ge.
If you would like to see more photos of Ayana and the Rock Bar you can by clicking the link below:
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One Comment
Booboo
Great review! Super helpful!