the kayon ubud review

The Kayon is a new luxury resort by Pramana Exprience located in Tegalang within the Ubud vicinity. The resort's setting is sublimely beautiful; perched on a steep stone hill nestled in the head of the lush rainforest amongst an undiscovered area in Ubud. It offers the perfect balance of tranquility and convenience (with Ubud town center a short 10 minute drive away). The intricate elements of Balinese Hinduism throughout the hotel and the warm hospitality here was a true reflection of the spirit of Ubud, which remains my favourite place to stay in Bali.

The Resort & Rooms

The size of the resort is just right. There is an intimate number of rooms while feelings spacious. There are 6 valley deluxe rooms housed in the north wing offering views of the jungle, 12 river suits located in the south wing facing the Petanu River and 5 river edge pool villas.

I especially liked the large contemporary Balinese rooms. The bathroom was just beautiful- a huge terrazzo tub with an amazing view of the jungle. Each room has a private balcony with outdoor dining making it a great option for afternoon tea and room service.

  

The Facilities

The resort features include a restaurant, yoga pavilion with daily lesson twice a day (a great way to start your day), a wedding chapel, a lounge & business center, an almost gym and of course an infinity pool. While the pool isn't very big its location at the top of the resort gives you the impression of swimming above the treetops. 

For me there were two standout features of the resort. The first was the Serayu Spa. I opted for a 60 minute Balinese massage and it was easily one of the best I've had. The therapist was amazing. The treatment rooms which open out to the jungle are serene and exactly what a spa should be like. 

Another standout feature is the canyon jetty. Accessed by a series of steps, the jetty is a hanging deck along the riverside and waterfall. It's stunning. 

The Service

Exceptional! The staff are sincere and friendly, making the effort to remember the names of all the guest and their preferences. 

Beside the daily yoga lessons, The Kayon offers a free shuttle to Ubud and back which operates on an hourly basis. There is also afternoon tea, daily room make up and more importantly turn down service, daily morning walks through the village and rice fields, evening cocktails, jungle trekking and a host of other activities that can be arranged. 

The Verdict

There is something about The Kayon that stands out amongst other accommodation in the area. It's setting and location is definitely its appeal. The service was warm and exceptional. It truly is the Ubud experience. 

Having said that, most guest here tend to be a little older. It felt like K and I were the youngest when we stayed. There weren't any families with young children as well. 

Stay here if .....  you want a luxury room with the view of a lifetime at an affordable price. While the resort is tucked away in the tropical rainforest, it is still very close to Ubud center and you get to experience the charm of the town as well. 

top three things to do in cappadocia

Cappadocia feels like:

a. it is located in the middle of nowhere
b. it belongs in a star wars movie

But I can honestly say that there is something about this magical town in Turkey and it is definitely not to be missed.

Here are the top three things to do in Cappadocia:

1. ATV Quad Bike Ride
It's a great way to cover the rocky landscape and marvel at the geological wonders found here and get up close. Mostly though it is a whole lot of fun.

2. Hot Air Ballon Ride

There.are.no.words. JUST GO!

There is a reason hot air ballon rides are the most popular activity in Cappadocia- it's the perfect surrounding to be experienced from way above with a majestic sunset as the backdrop. You have to wake up about 5am and prices can be costly, but you are guaranteed an experience definitely worth remembering. Easily one of the main highlights of my trip to Turkey. 

DIP TIP: Opt for a more established hot air ballon company, this may not be the cheapest option but you will get an experienced pilot and that makes a huge difference. Also be sure to book in advance. This can be arranged at your hotel usually a day before. 

3. Stay In A Cave Hotel

You won't get to experience sleeping in a comfortable cave anywhere else in the world. And no it's not tacky or a tourists cliche, it's traditional and the service in Cappadocia is genuine and warm. In fact many of these cave hotels are family run.

DIP Recommends: Divan Cave House, a great option with an even better view. 

turkey photo diary

Last year my best friend (of 21 years!) and I went to visit Turkey for a week. It was all kinds of magical; we explored Istanbul for the first few days, had the time of our lives in Cappadocia, enjoyed some sunshine in Bodrum/Turkish Riviera  and took a day trip to Pamukkale. We were only there ten days but managed to see and do quite a bit without overpacking our schedule. This beautiful country has so much to offer I hope to go back one day. But for now I'll share a few pictures from my trip. Enjoy!

where to eat in bali

Here are three restaurants you can't go wrong with in Bali. These I have personally tried and therefore can vouch for.

SARDINE, SEMINYAK

Easily one of the best restaurants along Jalan Petitenget, and Bali for that matter. Beyond the beautiful setting and ambience, the food is exceptional; fresh & innovative. The fine dining menu which largely consist of various seafood dishes is anything but boring.

Tip: Reservations aren't necessary but helpful. The best time to visit is in the evening for sundowners followed by a dinner to get a beautiful view of the setting sun.

Address: Jalan Petitenget No. 21, Kerobokan, Bali 80361, Indonesia

BEBEK TEPI SAWAH

Translated, the restaurant means duck by the paddyfields.  Here you are seated on the floor in open huts looking out towards the picturesque surroundings. This traditional setting adds to the experience and is part of its charm. The menu features delicious local favourites including 'babi guling- suckling pig' and 'bebek betutu- crispy smoked duck'.

Tip: Best to visit for early/late lunch. Can get touristy.

Address: Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Br. Teges Peliatan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia

NAUGHTY NURI'S WARUNG & GRILL

A legendary institute in Ubud which serves world famous pork ribs (to die for)  and other grilled dishes barbecued to heavenly perfection. This is place is a must try! They do the actual grilling outside the storefront and not in the kitchen, so the atmosphere up front can get smoky but the BBQ aroma is so enticing it hardly bothers customers. They are also famous for their their martinis, which Anthony Bourdain claims are the best he has had outside of New York.  

Tip: It's extremely popular and can get crowded (but don't worry service is prompt). Also, they recently opened a second branch in Seminyak.

Address: Jalan Raya Sangginan, Kedewatan, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia

back from bali

No matter how many times you visit Bali, it's just never enough. This time K and I stayed at two different hotels and visited various restaurant hotspots. Stay tuned for updates & reviews.

In the meantime, if you are planning a visit sometime be sure to check out my Bali guide.

phuket photo diary & sunsuri phuket review

This contemporary luxury Thai resort, under the U Hotels & Resorts management, is the perfect accommodation option for a young couple as well as for families with children. It has that much to offer  in terms of variety and at the same time the resort feels exclusively yours. Highlights include the nearby beach, the modern design, the spacious rooms and the amazing swimming pool!

 

 

The Location

A short walk away from Nai Harn beach, easily one of the best beaches in South East Asia offering a relatively secluded experience compared to other beaches on the island. Especially loved the dining options by the beach. The resort offers a daily shuttle service. The nearby town is a convenient 10 minute drive away. 

The Resort & Rooms

The resort's dramatic setting against the hillside offers spectaculars views of the river, landscape and partial view of the ocean - and is one of the best sunsets ever! Rooms are beautiful designed with a separate entrance area and huge balconies. Very spacious and comfortable. 

The Facilities

The large swimming pools (there were three), the plunge pool and the kids pool are probably the resort's best feature. Other facilities include; two restaurants, a wine bar, a spa, a gym, a kids play club and a library. The pool side bar also had a great 1 for 1 happy hour promotion when we visited. Resort also provides bicycles for the guest to use for free. 

The Service

Nice personal touches, the resort offers you a chance to choose your pillows and soap upon arrival. They also provide scrumptious breakfast options which you can request to have at your room or to be packed (if you have an early flight etc). Having said that, in terms of Thai hospitably the service was not very attentive and can be improved upon. We order room service one night and it took over an hour to be delivered. 

Book This Hotel If …

You are looking for some fun in the sun at a secluded area in Phuket. The resorts offers the perfect balance for any couple and family. The rooms are amazingly luxurious and spacious at prices that won't break the bank.