Sensory Experience at MÉTIS

Love affairs have always arrived in many shapes and forms, from the purple and orange hazed tones of a Bali sunset to the green shades of shimmering rice paddies that seem to mesmerize travellers, the undeniable power of our senses takes hold and won’t let go. Cuisine is no stranger either, some restaurants in Bali have a legendary mystique all their own, able to draw in guests time and time again with sumptuous aromas that wet taste buds from all over the world.

After a very long and storied rise to one of Bali’s culinary delights, the former owners of Kafe Warisan have transported their winning combination of 5-star French Mediterranean cuisine to a larger and more all-encompassing location in Petitenget now known as MÉTIS. Still providing the same level of service, class, and awe inspiring cookery, MÉTIS invites former Kafe Warisan patrons and newcomers alike to partake in this new multi-functional property.

Upon entry, the richly brown façade of MÉTIS gives way to a beautifully designed contemporary colonial style establishment. The melding of modernistic and traditional batik inspired Indonesian forms creates an aesthetically pleasing playground of architectural wonder. MÉTIS now welcomes guests with an art gallery and boutique with works from all over the Asian continent, a pastry shop serving fine delectables, an upstairs event room that can house large parties with its own dedicated kitchen, bar, and service, and of course the main attraction, the new 260-seat restaurant area complete with its own bar and lounge and private dining areas. This area in particular is moving due to the natural timbers and clean lines in its makeup while fans of dining under the stars and that gorgeous rice paddy view spread across the horizon, reminiscent of Kafe Warisan, need not worry as this pure environment trumps all.

Classically trained chef and owner Nicolas “Doudou” Tourneville has been a part of this conception from the start along with partner Said Alem. Guiding plates of flavourful dishes from kitchen to table has been their combination of success and continues again at MÉTIS.

The high-profiled team of chefs that Chef Tourneville has assembled offer a variety of original cuisine with starters like King Crab and Seaweed Ravioli with White Truffle Beurre Blanc and Grilled Fresh Japanese Scallops with Gratined Sea Urchin Sauce. Main courses feature dishes such as the Moroccan Lamb Rack Mechoui served with Pumpkin Couscous or Fresh Scallops and Prawns Provençal with Baby Roasted Potato, Asparagus, and Shimeji Mushrooms. Desserts include different pastries and inventions but none as heavenly as the Chocolate Soufflé, quite honestly the best on the island.

Private dining and wine celebration is unveiled with a new private cellar dining room as well that is literally walled with hundreds of various bottle selections from around the world. Tasting the fanfare of MÉTIS’ culinary choices while indulging in a multitude of wine options is complete with a personal butler and wine sommelier, a true fine dining experience.

MÉTIS is opened for lunch, dinner seating at 5PM, while the bar and lounge stays opened till 2AM. Also in the plans is their new daily high tea time, brunch on Sundays, and for New Years Eve, a set menu to ring in 2010 with style and grace that only MÉTIS knows how to deliver…let the festival of senses commence.

MÉTIS
Kerobokan Kelod – Bali
Jl. Petitenget No. 6
T: +62 361 737 888
E: info@metisbali.com
www.metisbali.com

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Ayana Resort & Spa

Already making a name for itself with a sprawling complex consisting of some of the world’s best resort and spa facilities, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali continues a step ahead of the rest since being launched as an independent hotel back in April 2009. With immaculate sunset destinations, opulent spa menus, and a vast array of cuisine from around the world, AYANA is a hard place to match on the “Island of the Gods”.

April 1st 2009 brought on a scenario of changes that have only cemented their status as leaders in the tourism industry not just in Bali, and not just in Indonesia, but also around the world. US-based West Paces Hotel Group was appointed to replace the former management company and AYANA has been on the rise ever since. New appointments within the senior management team have also come into play bringing fresh ideas and expertise such as the newly appointed Executive Chef Giordano Faggioli. Giordano brings with him more than 20 years’ experience in the luxury hotels and restaurants business and will begin to oversee AYANA Resort and Spa Bali’s 13 dining and lounge venues, in-room dining, and banqueting services.

Supervising this task may seem daunting, but not at AYANA, as their myriad of options turn it into a joy. The first of course would be The Rock Bar, which has taken Bali’s must-go destination by storm. This open-top bar perched 14 meters above the ocean is literally “on the rocks” at the base of the resort’s towering cliffs and is as an impressive sight as the Bali sunsets one can watch from it. Accessed from an inclinator that traverses the cliff-face, the view is inspiring as the architectural clean-line design of the Rock Bar blends with its natural surroundings to perfection. Including a DJ booth and impromptu performances from local and visiting artists, the ultra-modern vibe brings chic socialites from all over for uninterrupted sunset soirees till late night debauchery.

AYANA’s cuisine counterparts have also taken notice to this wind of change. The DAVA restaurant has also launched a new menu following the appointment of a new Chef de Cuisine, Chef William Gumport, to maintain its status of one of Bali’s most spectacular dining venues. Padi Restaurant, which previously was Thai oriented, has been transformed to a Pan Asian food venue offering an expansive dinner menu of Indian, Thai, and Indonesian cuisine while the international breakfast buffet allows gourmet dining at 6 different food stations. Even more recently, AYANA has reopened the Damar Terrace restaurant following an extensive renovation by Yasuhiro Koichi, the creative mastermind behind the Rock Bar’s magnificent design.

All of this hard work and effort has paid off handsomely as the awards and accolades are now pouring in for AYANA Resort and Spa Bali. AYANA was the only hotel in all of Indonesia to make the list of Asia’s Top 15 Resorts in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards reader’s survey. They also were ranked number one resort in Bali by leading Japanese travel website AB-Road and were voted Asia’s number 3 Spa Resort by SmartTravelAsia readers.

But nothing is sweeter than their most recent award; The World Travel Awards, tagged by the Wall Street Journal as “the Oscars of the travel industry”, have named AYANA as Asia’s leading luxury resort. An honour with high expectations and prestigious commitment to service and luxury, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali is sitting high on their perch and ensures they will stay there…

Ayana Resort and Spa
Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera
Jimbaran – Bali 80364
T +62 361 702 222
F. +62 361 701 555
www.ayanaresort.com

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Banyan Tree Ungasan

Located on the vibrant island of Bali, Banyan Tree Ungasan promises panoramic ocean views, effortless rejuvenation and unforgettable cultural discoveries. Perched 70 metres above sea level on the cliff-top of the island’s southernmost peninsula, the resort offers stunning vistas of the Indian Ocean from its in-villa infinity pools, which are arguably the most expansive in Bali. Banyan Tree Ungasan features 73 individual pool villas and is scheduled to welcome its first guests by the end of 2009.

Be the first to enjoy the Ungasan Unveils package, a delightful sojourn which offers one complimentary night with minimum two consecutive nights’ stay. The package includes breakfast at Bambu Restaurant and return airport limousine transfers for two people. For stays of four nights and above, guests will also enjoy a complimentary four-course set dinner at Ju-Ma-Na restaurant. This introductory offer starts at US$620++ per night for a Pool Villa and is valid for reservations and stays from 15 December 2009 to 31 March 2010 (dates inclusive).

Resort Lifestyle for the Discerning

Banyan Tree Ungasan is 35 minutes by car from Ngurah Rai International Airport and the thriving beaches of Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur. Designed to offer absolute privacy and seclusion, its lofty perch on Bali’s serene southern coast over a unique coral beach allows guests to experience Bali at their own pace, while cocooned with the luxuries of time and space in their own private villas.

All 73 spacious pool villas are set in their own lush landscaped garden with outdoor jet pool, marble bathroom with sunken baths, and a Balinese balé (outdoor pavilion). The highlight of each villa is the generously-sized private infinity pool, which starts from 10 metres in length and is perched on the cliff-edge overlooking the horizon. Carefully selected furnishings combine contemporary design with touches of Balinese artistry.

Ideal for couples, families and friends, each of the 11 Two-bedroom Villas and three triple-bedroom Presidential Villas features a 12-metre and 25-metre-long infinity pool respectively. Featuring expansive living areas and landscape garden, guests can enjoy private celebrations within the intimate surrounds of the Sanctuary Villas and Presidential Villas; the Presidential Villa also comes with a dedicated spa treatment room and dedicated fitness area.

Dining takes centre stage at Banyan Tree Ungasan, thanks to the bounty of fresh produce and melting pot of flavours and techniques that tropical Bali is blessed with. Guests will be able to take their pick from three stellar restaurants. Ju-Ma-Na restaurant, which means ‘silver pearl’ in Arabic, will offer gourmet menus specialising in seafood. Observe the chefs at work in the display kitchen, or opt for the dramatic cliff-edge scenery, a superb setting for the excellent cuisine. The adjacent Ju-Ma-Na Bar offers sundowners along with Arabic finger food and Moroccan shishas (water pipes). Tamarind, set in the tranquil surroundings of the Banyan Tree Spa, will serve a variety of organic dishes, alongside a menu of Jamu herbal drinks, and Bambu will present popular international and local specialties.

Complement this idyllic retreat with an indulgent spa experience at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa. Guests can experience signature treatments delivered by professional spa therapists, trained at the exclusive Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand. Designed to reflect Indonesian healing traditions and incorporating the use of natural, indigenous ingredients unique to Indonesia, signature treatments at Banyan Tree Spa Ungasan include traditional Indonesian treatments, Ayurvedic treatments and Rainmist therapies.
Practiced in the palaces of Central Java since the 17th century, the 180-minute Javanese Lulur treatment package includes imperial treatments used by Javanese brides as a purifying ritual before marriage, and includes the Serenity Massage, Lulur Scrub, and Honey Avocado Conditioner. Aching muscles are soothed and skin restored to its natural balance with the 180-minute Balinese Boreh treatment session designed for gentlemen. Featuring the Balinese Massage, a deep tissue massage which stimulates blood circulation, improves energy flow and relieves tension, guests will also enjoy a relaxing face and head massage, the Boreh Wrap and the Carrot Body Scrub which nourish and cleanse the skin.

Complete the spa experience with a refreshing yoga session, guided by a trained yoga instructor within an indoor yoga pavilion or outdoors, amidst the panoramic views of the ocean.

Executive meeting groups are hosted in style, with flexible function rooms that allow for seating and table arrangements, from banquets for up to 120 persons, and cocktail receptions for up to 200.

Balinese Renaissance

Banyan Tree Ungasan can also arrange small-group cultural tours for guests around Bali. One of the highlights is a fully immersive cultural tour, with options to embark on unforgettable excursions to handicraft villages, painters’ homes, museums, ancient Hindu temples, and pastoral sights such as rice paddy terraces and plantations growing vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cloves and even wine grapes.

Nearby attractions include the sacred Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple and Ungasan Village, which will be the site of delightful cultural excursions exclusively available for resort guests to immerse themselves in the ways and traditions of the Balinese. The chauffeured drive from the airport to the resort is the beginning of the journey, as traditional village scenery sets the ambiance for a magical stay.

Banyan Tree Ungasan’s best available rates start from USD$535++ per night in a Pool Villa, inclusive of daily breakfast for two people. For stays of three nights and above, guests will enjoy one complimentary 90-minute Banyan Tree Spa massage session. Please call the resort directly at +62 361 300 7000, email ungasan@banyantree.com or log on to banyantree.com for reservations and inquiries.

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