The Yak headed east, to explore lesser-known destinations whilst still staying on the island. And since Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa had been on our radar for a while, and after being named in Fodorstravel as one of the 100 Most Incredible Hotels in the World and it topped in as one of the Best 14 Hotels in Asia we had to see what all the hype was about…
Samanvaya is a stunning luxury, adults-only resort nestled into the ricefields and surrounded by nature and authentic Balinese culture in the picturesque Sidemen Valley. The area is only just being discovered by mainstream tourism and the unique design, welcoming local staff and elements of luxury throughout the resort, including their restaurant, ‘Asri’ with a calming view and atmosphere, lots of greenery and natural elements and their brand onsite spa ‘Ananda’ which will leave you breathless with it’s stunning design and treatments that have been created to indulge your senses every step of the way. This is why they are known as the best resort in Sidemen.
We asked Samanvaya to tell us why we should visit…
We have designed our resort with relaxation, privacy and authenticity in mind as we want you to leave Sidemen feeling like you have experienced the best Bali has to offer.
There is a lot to see and to do in Sidemen. Our experiences are designed to immerse you in the local culture and amazing scenery (and to show off our secret, non-touristy favourites).
Our local tours and guides take you through the rice fields so you can learn about the sustainable farming practices of the region, into the village to meet a woman who shows you the unique process of weaving, and a walk through the local temple and village giving you a glimpse into how locals live. We also recommend cooking classes, a day trip to the best beach in Bali, cycling (downhill only option), night markets, beaches and hiking in the mountains and tours to local waterfalls.
All day trips are experiences that we love and want to share with you. The aim is to ensure you don’t just see these experiences, but that you get to feel them too. We tailor make itineraires for our guests so all you have to do is relax and soak up the Balinese way.
Samanvaya Resort has fourteen separate villas, all unique in their own way. With three private pool villas, one is a spectacular bamboo villa with rice field views all the way to the ocean and the other two are luxurious joglo designed villas with either lush garden or stunning rice field and mountain views. The other rooms are bamboo or lodge styled villas, with traditional architecture of open and connected design, with many featuring big luxurious bathtubs. The resort has two infinity swimming pools suspended over the rice terraces, a natural temperature jacuzzi, outdoor hot tub, garden bar, restaurant, spa, concept store selling on behalf of local artisans, yoga shala and several romantic dining spaces.
Samanvaya has remained open throughout the pandemic in order to keep our staff employed, our resort open to guests and to use this opportunity to expand and improve our service offerings. We have adapted Samanvaya so it is ready for the demands of future travel and can’t wait to share this with you!
We also wanted to use this time to work on initiatives to give back to the local community on an ongoing basis so that the area can grow and be self sustainable. We have created Support Sidemen, an initiative that raises funds for education, healthcare and food sources for the local community and we are still collecting donations for ongoing projects so if you can help, we would love your support – donate HERE.
The Ananda Spa has a boutique, asian inspired feel and has been designed to treat your senses and relax your mind and body. We were inspired by the peace and connection of ancient Balinese culture and the powers of our serene surroundings and wanted to reflect this in our design and treatments. Following COVID, lockdowns and its many disruptions, we have created treatments with the nourishment of your body, mind and soul at the heart. As travel resumes, we believe many people will be craving, and in need of, relaxation and rejuvenation. All of the products used within the spa are made by us with ingredients from the grounds of Samanvaya or made by local, natural brands.
Our restaurant, Asri Dining celebrates the authentic flavours and natural beauty of the Sidemen valley focusing on fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant itself is a greenhouse getaway overflowing with native plants, private dining nooks for a romantic evening and an outdoor garden bar which is perfect as the sun sets and the sky fills with pink and purple tones overlooking views of the rice terraces and surrounding hills. The best place to spend a relaxed afternoon, laughing, chatting and enjoying a cocktail (or two).
Traditionally, Balinese enjoyed eating together using one hand to scoop food off a shared plate (or banana leaf), especially during ceremonies. We wanted to honour and celebrate this intimate and social way of eating called Megibung, so designed our menu to be shared between your table (you can also get main meals just for yourself if you prefer!). We have traditional Indonesian cuisine, international-inspired dishes and several options for those with dietary requirements.
We are super excited to welcome back our previous guests and we can’t wait to show everyone else what we and the Sidemen Valley has to offer.
If you book and pay now using the code TRAVEL, you will receive 20% off room booking rate, complimentary guided rice field trekking, 3 course Balinese romantic dinner, 1 hour traditional couples massage, daily breakfast, afternoon tea and happy hour cocktails. Terms and conditions apply.
So if you want to book a trip east of here and remove yourselves from the ‘Bali of today’ to rest and relax in Bali’s ancient traditions and stunning countryside, you now know where to go!!
IG: @samanvayabali
FB: Samanvaya