East Java, which is known for some of the most beautiful highlands scenery in Indonesia has always had very few options for luxury accommodations. It is no surprise that the opening of Plataran Resort in Bromo was one of the most anticipated news. I’ve stayed here before during the first year of their opening and was very pleased with the whole experience. But I‘m curious to see how things have evolved after a while. Good news: it got better! After driving through the winding uphill road, I arrived at its majestic lobby. Impeccable modern structure with clear glasses blends beautifully with i ..read more

Lombok’s quaint west side is characterized by many independent small bays separated by hills. They form many beautiful beaches, which becomes a perfect setup for tropical resorts. Without doubt, Jeeva Klui is my favorite pick. I’ve had more than 10 previous stays at Jeeva Klui. I love this resort very much. She looks very beautiful, bringing the perfect vibe of being tribal and rustic. However, it’s the people who made this place. Everyone at Jeeva is very attentive, full of smile, and is always sincere in trying to give their best. Its price point, at the range of ~150usd / night, is truly a ..read more

Tucked inside its own private bay with Mt. Agung at its northern side, Amankila is arguably Bali’s most beautiful property. It is elegant, marbled floor and frangipani-lined walkways. It is tranquil, stilted suites with traditionally-vaulted ceilings and modern amenities inside. But above all, it is intimate; a perfect sense of seclusion and personalized attention. My stay there started with a warm welcome from Amankila staff, who gave me a quick tour of the resort and whisked me away into my suite. I spent the next few hours gazing at the perfect ocean view in front of my room and reading th ..read more

We went to bed early that day, knowing that our driver would be picking us up early in the morning. It’s still dark outside and the driver was already waiting for us in the lobby. My bag was packed and I was ready to go — as I was bundled up in my jacket, knit cap, scarf and gloves. We got to the car and left our hotel “MesaStila” to catch one of the most spectacular sunrises. After an approximate 3 hours journey, we arrived at the car park which is located at the bottom of Sikunir hill around 4:30 AM, where our local guide was waiting for us. It was still pitch black when we started our trek ..read more

With 3 major islands and at least 26 smaller ones, Komodo National Park is one of the most prized destination of Indonesia. The massive area and distance means that liveaboard (multi nights boat trip) is the best way to explore and enjoy the area. That is what we precisely did back in May on board Leyla Liveaboard. Our trip starts at 9am with a pickup directly in front of our resort where we stayed the night before. The small boat takes us to Leyla, where after a quick tour and welcome drinks, we set sail for the park, some 3 hours away. The national park is dotted by many islands characteriz ..read more

Peace, idyllic and full of character. Belmond Jimbaran Puri is a classic experience that whisks you back in time, as if you are back in the 70s Bali vibe. Located on Jimbaran’s beachfront, our drive gets us through a quaint and shaded alley fringed with several temples. The road ends at a small roundabout, signalling our arrival into the property. A small wooden bridge took us accross a small pond to arrive at the lobby. After a smooth check in, we were escorted into our favorite beachfront room. The room has a small garden and an outdoor shower. To our right was the main entrance into the ro ..read more

Sophisticated. Lavish. Intimate. These are the three words that would best describe our Sunday Brunch at Rumari, the signature restaurant of Raffles Bali. Located at the hill above Jimbaran Bay, Raffles Bali is the go-to property for the most luxurious stay in South Bali. When I learned about their bi-weekly Sunday Brunch, I am curious to find out about the experience. Being personally greeted by the hotel staffs and Katya, the General Manager, we started our gastro journey with the mixologist creation, Loloh, as our welcome drink. We were then whisked away to our table at the indoor section ..read more

I couldn’t lie, my eyes still wished for another 2 hours of sleep. But there I was in the car, being driven on a 1.5 hours journey from Ubud to Bedugul Highlands. My driver, Komang, asked me if I’d prefer sleeping along the way. I told him I had to resist, I don’t want to feel all the ache of suddenly waking up and having to walk to the viewpoint on my arrival. So, he turned on the tape and we just started singing rock songs together while the car cruise through darkness. By 5:15AM, I arrived at Beratan Lake. One of the four major lakes in Bali, this particular lake is home to the floating tem ..read more