RAMA BEACH RESORT AND VILLAS: THE BALINESE EXPERIENCE
The moon flaunted its brightness one evening as we sat on a bench of the well-landscaped swimming pool amidst a bar standing on the middle and the landscape comprising of huts made of contemporary Balinese architecture. Bali was celebrating a Full Moon Temple Festival and we’re fortunate to be positioned right where we are. It was a perfect retreat for our last night in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.
For three consecutive days,
the Rama Beach Resort and Villas was our home in this side of Bali, Indonesia,
Tuban-Kuta to be specific.
Once cleared from
immigration and customs, I look up at the interiors of The Ngurah Rai
International Airport at Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia and I was amazed of how
Balinese culture is inculcated. The
fusion of traditional and modern Balinese interior design is charming. At the pick-up point, we saw our names in a
placard being held by a Balinese man wearing a batik headdress termed as udeng,
who warmly welcomed us to Bali. We have availed of the airport transfer
service of the Rama Beach Resort and Villas which lessens the hassle of
searching for the hotel.
Everyone knows a certain
Carla will check-in at the hotel. I was
amazed. Greetings from the hotel staff were
on a first name basis, as we approached the reception area for the check-in
process. It was late at night and of
course- another delayed flight it is.
Each one of us was
checked-in on different villas though adjacent to one another. I had no expectations then. I was surprised of how spacious the villa is
that it can fit a group of five or more.
And I was alone.
The room’s facilities include individually controlled air-condition unit, smart TV with international channels, IDD Telephone, safety deposit box, mini bar, coffee and tea maker and a DVD player. The hotel staff was there to present the room’s facilities and it was thoroughly explained. Now that’s what you call – very personal service. A mini sofa likewise sits at the corner of the room – ready to accept visitors.
Moving to the bathroom and toilet, the bath tub and toilet seat are separated from the open-air bathroom with hot and cold rain shower. It was spacious as well that it occupies an area almost the same as a usual bedroom in a condominium unit.
The room’s facilities include individually controlled air-condition unit, smart TV with international channels, IDD Telephone, safety deposit box, mini bar, coffee and tea maker and a DVD player. The hotel staff was there to present the room’s facilities and it was thoroughly explained. Now that’s what you call – very personal service. A mini sofa likewise sits at the corner of the room – ready to accept visitors.
Moving to the bathroom and toilet, the bath tub and toilet seat are separated from the open-air bathroom with hot and cold rain shower. It was spacious as well that it occupies an area almost the same as a usual bedroom in a condominium unit.
The villa truly feels like a
home. The Rama Beach Resort and Villas
features 103 well-appointed rooms consisting of resort room’s type and exotic
villa’s type. (click here to check room types and rates)
DEWI SHINTA RESTAURANT
I begin to appreciate more of the hotel’s interiors when morning came. Immediately, I dropped by my friends’ villas and together we went to hotels’ restaurant where the complimentary breakfast buffet shall be served. It was a fusion of Indonesian and Western cuisine.
Our dinner for our last night was likewise served at the said restaurant where we had the chance to choose the set menu and type of cuisine we wanted. And we opted for an authentic Balinese cuisine.
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
The well-landscaped outdoor swimming pool sits in the middle of the hotel. The pool and the bar entices every visitor as it becomes a necessary façade and a refreshing breakfast view.
A garden gazebo likewise
surrounds characterized in a traditional Balinese architecture. We stayed at the poolside for a number of
hours and enjoyed the moment chilling and drinking on the side. (morning drinks
it is)
BALINESE MASSAGE AND SPA SERVICE
BALINESE MASSAGE AND SPA SERVICE
I am never used to massage and spa service. But with the complimentary traditional Balinese massage, how could I resist?
As soon as I enter the
massage room, it was relaxing that it made me think of sleeping for hours. I entered the shower room covered in glass,
took a bath and made myself ready for this treat. I am unfamiliar with the scents and the oils
used in the massage service but it indeed smells good and rejuvenating. I am about to experience the Ancestral
Balinese Spiritual treat.
I was treated to a foot spa as part of initial service. In a few minutes I was asked to sit down on the massage bed and after a few minutes another Balinese therapist enters. They started the ritual with a chant I couldn’t understand. This is the mantra prayers before the full body massage starts. After a few minutes, they then requested me to lie down naked. (oppsss!) Four hands massaged me. That was quite intense and I was able to sleep and I surmised snored really hard.
I was truly rejuvenated by
the Balinese massage treat. The
therapists were so friendly and they were really good. A herbal tea was served after the session and
I sip a little while I wait for my friends.
FULL MOON TEMPLE FESTIVAL
A few steps from the massage
area is a temple. Instructed to wear sarong, we were lead to witness an
ongoing ceremony after the massage and spa service. According to local residents, this is the
time of the year when each one has to celebrate the full moon at the temple and
temple anniversaries are ongoing which we will witness on the days to come. It happens either once or twice in a
year. And we are here to witness one - that
is how fortunate we were.
A number of employees of the
hotel attended the ceremony. They were
seated on the lawn and made offerings at the temple. The ceremony was likewise
attended by the owner of the chain of Rama Hotels which we have met personally. A very humble man indeed.
The colorful basket of offerings was quite interesting. Offerings vary in complexity and in the case of temple offerings like what we have witnessed, enormous towers of flowers, fruit, cakes, meats and eggs are carried to the temple by women in their heads and dressed in traditional Balinese costume. This appears quite a heavy balancing act.
The colorful basket of offerings was quite interesting. Offerings vary in complexity and in the case of temple offerings like what we have witnessed, enormous towers of flowers, fruit, cakes, meats and eggs are carried to the temple by women in their heads and dressed in traditional Balinese costume. This appears quite a heavy balancing act.
It was a new experience for
us to be a part of a ritual offering – more so at a Balinese temple.
Other Hotel Amenities
There are quite a number of activities offered within the vicinity of the hotel that one can even stay there the whole day without leaving the premises. These activities include: a cooking class, BBQ night, satay corner, Balinese canang demonstration, Balinese dance show and gamelan class.
With the smiling faces of
every staff of the hotel and a very personalized service, the stay at Rama
Beach Resort and Villas was an unforgettable one. It feels like a home that I will always be
looking forward of coming back in the near future.
RAMA BEACH RESORT AND VILLAS
JL Kediri No. 36A
Tuban-Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
+62 361 759112
info@ramahotelsbali.com
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