It’s mid afternoon on a humid but golden day. I nip into the kitchen and make myself a cup of tea. It’s cinnamon-infused with a just a trickle of honey. The spicy aroma has always called out to me – it must be the Asian blood in me.
It’s that time of day where lunch has been digested with conviction and I sneak in a small cookie before reaching for a tiny cake, hoping Pumpkin won’t notice my undisciplined sinning, the guilt of my indiscretion revealed in my transparent face. I never was any good at lying. His thirst is quenched with a neon explosion of fruity vitamins. He does well to maintain hydration on these sweltering days.
I wander into the garden. Such gleaming sunshine rarely filters through the quilts of grey cloud I’ve grown accustomed to over the years and any chance to enjoy it safely is one I seize…
You may think I speak of those rare but perfect English summer days, that I describe to you today my routine in our cosy, little home in South East London.
This isn’t London.
But it does feel like home.
In fact, as I first write these words, I am nearly 8000 miles away from home at the luxurious Kayumanis Resort at Jimbaran Bay, Bali. The gardens I walk in are actually in our private pool villa, where lime green grass is strewn with pastel yellow blossoms, floating gracefully from above.
And the cakes weren’t from my local supermarket – they were served to us in the comfort of our villa on an elegant three-tiered stand with sandwiches and Balinese and Western desserts.
And most unbelievably, the afternoon tea is complimentary every single day! (Those of you who know me will understand how much glee this filled me with!) This is not the place to be dieting but it is the place to feel utterly pampered.
And it isn’t just the tea you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home – all meals can be served there if you prefer that to the intimate hotel restaurant, Tapis. Even the relaxing spa treatments cane be arranged in your villa at no additional charge.
And as far as the sustenance needed to start your day, you won’t find batch-cooked, buffet breakfasts here – all dishes are freshly made to order with a focus on delicious flavour and attractive presentation akin to what you would expect to find in a fine dining establishment but without any of the time pressures! If you’re lying in or hungover, you can ring up at midday and they’ll graciously serve you brekkie then.
And you absolutely must not leave the property without trying their specialty breakfast item, the Kayumanis toast – a hearty and beautiful cinnamon French toast preparation. Are you wondering what the obsession with cinnamon is? (Unsubtle) hint: look up the translation of “Kayumanis” in English…
All you will want to do here is unwind. We sometimes get itchy feet if we are in a resort environment for too long and in our time in Ubud, we did a fair bit of exploring but here at Kayumanis, we did shamelessly little and for once, we were absolutely fine with that!
If you’re only spending two days in a place as special as this, why on earth would you want to leave?! We stayed firmly put, enjoying our first ever in-room Balinese massages and exfoliating salt scrubs with the sounds of nature in the background
The hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the mellow vibes of Jimbaran Beach, where swathes of peachy, coral hues engulf you at dusk but if you wish to venture further afield to the famous fish markets in Jimbaran or to see the sunset at Uluwatu temple, then you can either arrange this independently or with one of the hotel tours.
The property comprises 19 one-two bedroom private poolside villas. We gasped in awe when we saw ours – I wanted to act all calm and collected but I just couldn’t contain my excitement and there’s absolutely no way I can squeeze in a mini guide of our villa into this post so stay tuned for more on that.
This is easily the most luxurious place I’ve ever stayed but the Balinese people are too humble to brag about that. Instead, they focus on the philosophies that underpin a truly memorable stay – personalised service, spacious privacy and making you feel like you are at home. As far as luxury goes, they let their actions do the talking.
They wanted us to feel like family. They said it from the outset and they said it when we left. And you know, when I left that morning, I felt the same pangs of emotion you feel when you are saying goodbye to family, that sense of sadness and hoping you will see those smiling, affectionate faces one day again soon.
Practical Points for Visiting Kayumanis Resorts, Bali
- Kayumanis have four properties in Bali, located in Ubud, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and Sanur
- Properties in Ubud and Nusa Dua are adult only
- All resorts are set out in private villa style
- Free shuttle services are available from Jimbaran to local areas such as the markets, to Nusa Dua and to Dempasar airport
- As far as high-end properties go and the accommodation and services you get for your money here, this is one of the best value luxury hotels I’ve ever stayed in
- Stay tuned for plenty more details about the inside of the villa coming soon…
Have you ever found a hotel that you simply didn’t want to leave?! I’d love to hear your luxury hotel experiences from around the globe.
Disclaimer: We received complimentary spa treatments and a traditional Indonesian meal for review purposes but as ever, I remain an opinionated little travel blogger and all views, good or bad, are entirely my own.
Why Waste Annual Leave? 
Great timing, planning to go to Bali again very soon!
Oh how lovely Becky! I never expected to love Bali as much as I did – there was something just so special about the culture and the people that I found so captivating and I definitely want to return one day, which isn’t something I say about every place I go. Thanks for reading:)
For a minute I did think you were talking about your home in London! Bali is up there on the places I want to visit and this hotel looks like absolute heaven. I love your pictures and I hope you have the best time.
Thank you Carolann – I can’t recommend Bali highly enough – it totally exceeded my expectations and this hotel was just so special, not just with the facilities but the warmth of the staff! I actually came back from Bali a couple of months ago but it was so spacious, quiet and peaceful when I was staying here that it was the perfect place to start writing my posts 🙂
It sounds like you were very well looked after at Kayumanis! Bali is just bliss in so many ways. Although I did my best to get away from the developed south of Bali I did spend a few nights in Seminyak and Ubud enjoying luxurious stays and they really do it so well. Did you have a rose petal bath??
Yes we did Natasha!! How did you know?! I’m guessing they do the rose petal bath in quite a lot of the nice resorts in Bali? I remember reading your posts and getting some tips about Bali from you before I went and we did make it up to the Jatiluwih area. I just fell in love with the cultural aspects and found the people so hospitable and warm. I already dream of returning one day 🙂
You have no idea how cold my office was today. The heaters were being laughed at by the icicles. So jealous, this looks heavenly x
hehe, sadly Frankie, I totally can relate to how cold your office was – our heating at work has been broken too and much as I’d love to pretend I’m still in Bali, I’ve been back freezing my backside off for a couple of months now! It was only that I was so taken by this beautiful place and lovely hotel that it was a perfect blogging/writing space 🙂 Can you imagine how much I shivered getting on the plane in 30 degree heat and getting off at Heathrow Airport in December?! Thanks so much for reading!
What a wonderful description of heavenly looking place. Glad you had a good time. Excellent photos!
Thanks so much 🙂 So pleased you like the photos – it really was just heavently, definitely one of the most special places we’ve ever stayed in!
So lovely you’ve enjoyed the Kayumanis at Jimbaran Bay! We stayed at 2 Kayumanis properties on Bali last year – the Kayumanis Ubud and Kayumanis Nusa Dua. They’re very special hotels (Ubud was our favorite – stays there include a complimentary guided walk through rice paddies to a local village). We wrote a post on “Kayumanis Villas Make a Splash in Bali” ~ http://www.sandinmysuitcase.com/kayumanis-villas-bali/
Thanks Janice – I’m so glad to hear you guys stayed at their properties and enjoyed them too! I actually wanted to stay with them in Ubud too but they were full for the time we were there 🙂 I’ve just had a look at your post and funnily enough, looking at it reminded me I think I had seen and read it before I went to Bali when I was planning hotels! The rice paddies in Bali are so scenic aren’t they? Thanks so much for reading!
Ohhh this looks like absolute heaven! I’m so put off from visiting Bali because of the stereotypical young-and-drunk crowds you tend to hear about, but THIS looks perfect for a quiet, re-charge break!!
It’s so true Jess that I myself wasn’t sure what I would make of Bali in general because I had read such mixed things in other blogs and articles so I went with a completely open mind but I can honestly say that all the areas we travelled to and stayed in were just wonderful with such stunning scenery, interesting culture, amazing food and yes – absolutely lush resorts, which are so well priced compared to other parts of the world! Having now been there, I can’t recommend it highly enough if you do ever decide to give it a go 🙂
Wait…
A COMPLIMENTARY afternoon tea? EVERY day?
I think I’ve found my dream hotel.
But seriously, this looks absolutely gorgeous! My friend recently went to Bali for her honeymoon and so I’m already bursting to go. Don’t think I can wait for my own honeymoon 😛 x
Emily, you would absolutely LOVE this resort if you like afternoon teas as much as I do!! It was just wonderful and yep, the whole 3 tier display was free every single day – good thing we were only there a few days or I’d have doubled my weight 🙂 No need to wait for your honeymoon – drag a friend, drag a partner or just go alone but it’s so beautiful that you won’t regret it and I found that our pounds go a long way out there so it’s a great value destination in that respect 🙂 So if you’re friend hadn’t already sold it to you as a destination, I hope I have done!!
We have never been to Bali, although we have thought about it a few times. You have made me want to move it up our bucket list a bit – it looks serene.
Thanks so much Lyn for reading 🙂 It was so serene and the Balinese people we met were some of the friendliest I’ve met anywhere in the world! I liked the diversity of it as a destination with beautiful natural spots, religious monuments and temples, delicious food and great cookery, beaches, volcanoes, national parks – it was one of those destinations that I felt had something for everyone.
This sounds so much like the resort we stayed at in Ubud. Complimentary coffee, tea and cake in the afternoon and an amazing complimentary breakfast, the best I’ve ever had. Bali is a fantastic place to splurge on a little luxury! 🙂
You are SO right about that Katie! I found that in Bali, you could get so much luxury and fantastic service (with such sincere smiles from people) for very reasonable prices so definitely a great place for a little splurge! I remember reading your Bali hotel post and thinking how luxurious it sounded – there seem to be so many wonderful resorts like that out there and I already want to return!
The whole place looks amazing, but especially that afternoon tea! Cannot believe it was free everyday, that’s reason enough to go all the way to Bali for me!
And me Catherine!! I’m sure my husband probably thinks I chose Bali and this hotel purely for the free afternoon tea but I honestly hadn’t known till booking and even when I read “complimentary afternoon tea”, I had no idea it would be the full 3-tier shebang! I just thought it might be a few cookies and tea so it was a delightful surprise 🙂 Thanks so much for reading!
I shouldn’t have read your article before having breakfast, your gorgeous food photos made me SO hungry! lol 🙂 What a stunning hotel, Bali truly sounds like the perfect place to unwind and be pampered…
Haha, thank you so much for your lovely comment Pearl – please send my apologies to your hungry tummy 🙂 They fed us so well here – free afternoon tea, free cookies, canapes on arrival and they even gave us a little cake for our anniversary. It was the loveliest hotel I’ve ever stayed in and yet somehow, they managed to make you feel like you’re living in a second home so I just didn’t want to leave! If you’re ever in Bali, I highly recommend it!
This place looks and sounds like heaven. I have a place in my heart for Bali and this post (and place) reminds me of all the great memories I had there. The food and room look amazing and it has a tranquil feel – totally the vibe of Bali!
It’s always so nice Constance, when you love a place and connect with it, to hear that others have felt the same way about it so I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed Bali so much too. I never imagined that I would find it so special but something about the place just clicked with me and I was so sad to be leaving and kept wishing I could have stayed longer. The resort really was tranquil and I loved the relaxed, spiritual and affectionate vibe out in Bali 🙂
I love everything about this place…it looks so relaxing and the food sooo tempting!! I can already imagine myself having a nice breakfast and then heading to a massage 😀 Im sure you had a great time there!!
Thanks so much Allane! Yes that was pretty much my life for the few days I was there, have an amazing breakfast, have a dip in the pool, do some blogging and writing in the lovely villa, have some afternoon tea, back in the pool – not a bad routine huh?! Shame it couldn’t last! I think you would love it here and the food was every bit as delicious as it looks 🙂
To prepare food so nicely, one has to have the spirit of an artist 🙂
I completely agree! It’s not just about being a great cook – these chefs are artists full of creativity as well as cooks 🙂
Okay I need to stay here just so I can have the complimentary afternoon tea every day!! xx
Hehe – I know, it was such a treat & amazing surprise Kel! I just thought it’d be a few biccies and a cup of tea, not the full works! X
This looks incredible! Makes me want to go to Asia 🙂
Thanks so much! It was such a beautiful resort – so spacious and private that they really managed to make it feel like home, albeit a super luxury home! I think the nice thing about many Asian countries, Bali included, is that money goes much further when it comes to accommodation choices ☺ Thanks so much for reading!
That’s very true! It’s easier to treat yourself to luxury in these countries!
Love the great work, keep it coming! 😀
Thank you so much 🙂
I love how you describe this place, it sounds perfect! Great pics too. I relate to the feeling of visiting somewhere so perfect it feels like home straightaway!
Aww thank you JP! It was a gorgeous hotel and I remember writing that post just whilst I was relaxing there. It felt so homely and peaceful that it was the perfect place to feel inspired to write ☺