Kayumanis Sanur

Bali boasts a number of well-known towns and tourist spots, all of which are known for something different. Travellers in search of themselves and a spiritual experience flock to Ubud; Seminyak attracts those looking for a stylish and sophisticated stay on the Island of Gods. Surfers wanting to ride endless crashing waves head for the shores of Uluwatu, while those looking for a chilled vibe and cafes aplenty head for trendy Canggu. Yet one lesser-known place is the coastal town of Sanur, where I was lucky enough to stay at one of the most beautiful Sanur accommodation offerings, Kayumanis Sanur, a boutique Sanur villa and spa resort.

Lucy Pearson

Dream interiors in the open-air living room at Kayumanis Private Villas, Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

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Boasting four resorts across Bali, including spots in Ubud, Jimbaran and Nusa Dusa, Kayumanis Sanur offers travellers a bespoke and personalised stay away from the trodden tourist path. The selling points that make Kayumanis Sanur special are endless; the service was impeccable, our villa was spacious and stunning, the food was delicious; the staff could not have been nicer, but what really sets Kayumanis apart from their competitors is the total flawlessness of the whole experience.

Soft, warm interiors invite guests to relax at Kayumanis Private Villas, Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

The bathroom in our villa at Kasumanis Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

One Bedroom Private Pool Villa

We were greeted like old friends on arrival, and shown to our Sanur villa almost immediately, before being checked in to the hotel in the comfort of our own private, poolside space.

The villa itself was big enough for a family; spread across two floors it had a beautiful big pool, an outdoor living area, a spacious double bedroom that led through to a stylish and oversized bathroom, and an upstairs study looking over the pool.

Fresh fruit was laid out for our arrival and the minibar in our room was stocked with soft drinks and Bintangs (when in Bali) and replenished daily at no extra cost.

Our one bedroom villa at Kayumanis Private Villas and Spa, Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Guest bikes for exploring sleepy Sanur at Kayumanis Private Villas, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Five Star Service at Kayumanis Sanur

Throughout our stay at Kayumanis Sanur the staff happily drove us around the local area, and so when on our first night we decided to explore Sanur Beach, we were dropped off and collected an hour later by the endlessly friendly staff. On returning from our suk beach walk, we were treated to half-hour welcome massages in the spa and opted for the leg and foot massage (a neck and back massage was also on offer). Listening to the sound of night falling around us while being treated to a blissful massage was the perfect end to our first night at Kayumanis Sanur.

The vine-covered walls and green gardens at Kayumanis Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Sunrise Breakfast on Sanur Beach

As part of our stay, we were treated to a sunrise breakfast on Sanur Beach, a short drive from Sanur Port where to boats leave for Nusa Penida. Starting at the break of dawn, we were driven to Kayumanis Sanur’s private stretch of beach as Sanur’s quiet streets as they came to life. Two sun loungers were laid out for us on the dawn-drenched beach, and the breakfast we had chosen the night before was served; a selection of pastries alongside a cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, melon juice and a piping hot flask of local tea. Taking advantage of the nearly deserted beach we went for a post-breakfast stroll, enjoying the tranquillity often not afforded to travellers in more popular spots in Bali.

Delicious, tasty spread for a sunset breakfast at Sanur Beach. Image © Lucy Pearson

Visiting the Jimbaran Fish Market

After being driven back to our villa we enjoyed a couple of hours in the sun, before being taken to Jimbaran Fish Market where we were shopping for fresh produce ahead of a cooking lesson back at our villa. It was a wonderful experience, seeing first hand the hustle, bustle and hard work that goes into the daily task of fishing for many of the local Balinese fishermen.

While it certainly wasn’t for the faint-hearted (we watched numerous fish-gutting while perusing the market and there was certainly a potent smell) it’s the type of happening that stays with you long after the endless sunrises and beach walks will.

It’s very easy when in Bali, an island so rich in westerners, to forget you’re in a foreign land; one that at its core is a world away from the one many of us grew up in. Visiting the fish market; experiencing every day; the Balinese at such close proximity is a truly unforgettable experience.

Exploring the beautiful lesser-known parts of Bali was an enriching part of our stay at Kayumanis Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Private Balinese Cooking Class

We drove home laden with goods for our Balinese cooking class, to find our villa was already set up ready for us to roll up our sleeves and learn how to cook like a Balinese pro. One thing that struck me during the class was the number of ingredients that go into some of the dishes we become so accustomed to eating when in Bali. The Balinese paste we made had over eighteen ingredients alone, from garlic to ginger and beyond, and I was certainly left with a new-found respect for the flavoursome dishes so synonymous with the culture.

As well as the Balinese paste, we made chicken satay, marinated fish and pumpkin sweet treats that tasted like a doughy dream. The cooking lesson itself took a couple of hours and was as informative as it was enjoyable, and was a brilliant way of getting to learn more about the Balinese cultures and traditions; where food is an intrinsic part of familial life. We feasted on our spread for lunch and saved the leftovers for dinner; while everything was quietly cleared away.

The gorgeous fresh, local ingredients we used in our private villa cooking class at Kayumanis, Sanur, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Farewelling Kayumanis Sanur

We had a lazy breakfast the next day consisting of pancakes and fruit before making a final visit to Kayumanis’s beautiful beach where we bathed in the morning sun before returning to the hotel to check out. For the first time in a long while, I felt a real and genuine sadness that our stay was over; and saying goodbye to the hotel staff was harder than I anticipated. Their endlessly enthusiastic smiles, sincerity and eagerness to ensure your stay at Kayumanis is an unforgettable one was certainly one of the highlights of our time there, and really adds an invaluable element to the whole experience. So, if you too want to experience Bali at its most peaceful, away from the crowded tourist spots, beautiful Kayumanis, is a luxury Sanur accommodation you should consider. It is a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left.

The Fit Traveller was a guest of Kayumanis Sanur for this stay. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.