My husband has many foibles, but my favourite by far, is his weakness for decadent luxury. The Villas at Ayana is a perfect example of his weakness.
I recently posted a blog with 8 tips for fun and affordable romantic getaways that highlighted the Lokha Ubud (and fabulous photos of my husband in a flower bath). However, there is a little more to the story of that particular trip. The story starts before we even booked.
Planning our getaway
We hadn’t had a holiday with just the two of us for a few years, so the idea of 10 days alone was exciting for both of us. We’d both had a big year so we decided on a “fly and flop” where we could unwind and completely relax.
We’re a little competitive at times, so for fun, we split the break into 2 x 5 day blocks and had a competition on who could organise the best 5 days. I understood that we had about $1200 each as a budget.
My leg – Ubud
I got the first 5 days, so organised 5 nights in a Luxury Pool Villa at the Lokha Ubud at $175 a night, and I booked a degustation dinner at Kubu at Mandapa, one of the best restaurants in Bali. OMG if you are ever in Ubud and really want to spoil yourself, you have to go to this restaurant!
My leg was unbeatable. I came in on budget and I’d booked us 5 days of fantastic. I was ready to claim victory.
But no. My husband is committed to the win at any cost.
Not playing fair
He ditched the budget and booked a luxury club room at the magnificent Ayana Resort and Spa. He decided it met the “value” criteria because he got a discount on the room through Scoopon. Just stepping into the lobby and looking over the resort had me doubting myself.
My victory started looking even less likely when we were taken to the fabulous Club Lounge for a VIP check-in with our Club Host.
Here’s where my husband took the win, hands down…..
Lets just have a look…
The Club Host told us about a special upgrade he could offer us. Instead of a luxury club room, we could upgrade to an ocean front, luxury villa, with a butler and VIP access to the resort.
“Come on honey, we should just take a look at it – it won’t cost us to have a look.”
The price was unspeakable, but I agreed to a viewing, our room wouldn’t be ready for an hour anyway….
So we’re taken on a golf buggy through the resort, which is spectacular. The Ayana complex is made up of three resorts that between them boast 12 pools, 19 restaurants and bar options, including the world famous Rock Bar, an outrageous spa facility, beach club and shopping arcade.
We’re headed to the most exclusive of the resorts, the “Villas at Ayana”.
Villas at Ayana
Once we arrive, we’re given a tour of an Ocean View Cliff Villa. I take one look at my husband and I can see that there is no way to talk him down. He’s in love.
But OMG, I needed to stay in that villa too!
So we sheepishly look at each other and start justifying why we deserve this, and how we can pay the trip off, and….bugger it….we’ll deal with the consequences later!
So like two very naughty children, we raid our own finances to do something ridiculously irresponsible and take that upgrade.
The next 5 days are heaven. Everything is perfect. Our room is perfect, the weather is perfect, the VIP seating at Ayana’s world famous Rock Bar is perfect, our Butler is perfect.
We breakfast every day a-la-carte in a 5 star restaurant, then laze on our cabana, by our pool, looking over Jimbaran Bay all day long. Our butler makes our dinner bookings getting us VIP seating every time. He drives us to dinner in our golf cart, and we just call him to pick us up when we’re done.
When we get back to our room, it’s spotless with rose petals around our bed (housekeeping done only when we are out to dinner).
Heaven.
We’ll be back
So, we came home, reviewed the (substantial) damage to our bank account, and vowed to do it again. As soon as we get back into the black.
Coleen
Xx
If you want more information on The Villas at Ayana, including photos and prices, have a look at the link below (it won’t cost you to just take a look…)
If you’d like more information about Bali, or any of the properties or venues mentioned, please make contact. I’d love to help!