The village of Sanur on Bali’s east coast isn’t as well known to Bali junkies as the trendy areas of Seminyak and Legian but that’s a plus for any couple looking for a relaxed, chic destination away from crowded streets and beaches, yet only 30 minutes from the airport. Sanur offers a relaxed stay with its casual restaurants, bars and cafes, fabulous water sports and a unique Balinese charm. It’s actually been a favourite for European travellers for decades so why should they have all the fun!
Where to Stay
Opened earlier this year, the beachfront Maya Sanur Resort & Spa is already trending as one of the top five resorts in Sanur according to TripAdvisor and we predict it will be #1 by the time you’re reading this – it’s that good! The architect, Budiman Hendropunomo, has made a bold statement with his design aesthetic which honours Balinese tradition. Kul Kul towers, the traditional way of communicating news from one village to the next, stand sentinel over a modern stone building of vast, soaring spaces. A rooftop garden softens the stark sandstone exterior and the long avenue of water abutting the ground floor suites’ relaxation decks adds a magical touch to this luxurious resort’s many charms.
Room for Two
Deliciously romantic and ultra spacious, the deluxe lagoon access rooms are a haven of modern yet elegant style. Beautifully furnished and ultra comfortable, girls will love the marble and glass en-suite with its egg shaped bathtub and guys will love the technology that runs everything with one remote control. A large daybed beckons you outside to your private deck from where you can easily slip into the 158 metre lagoon pool … honeymoon perfection!
Taste Temptations
Reef, Graze, Kuu and the Tree Bar are the four on-site restaurants, each offering a very different and tasty dining experience. If you like Japanese cuisine you will love Kuu with its unique style of Izakaya dining and innovative decor. Graze offers simple cosmopolitan style eating as does Reef while the Treehouse is a great place to kick back with a beer and snacks while enjoying the view over the placid waters to the island of Nusa Pineda.
Venturing Out
Stroll along the beachside promenade and discover great little cafes offering cheap, tasty meals (lots of local, well priced seafood) with seating overlooking the tranquil beach. Drop into the local market stalls for local handicrafts, enjoy a massage on a divan under a shady tree and then make your way to the main street where you will find small boutiques selling a variety of well priced clothing and artefacts (much cheaper than Seminyak) and more great little cafes and restaurants.
Couples Will Love
The Maya Spa. The Ubud Maya Spa is renowned for its spa treatments and luckily the amazing techniques have been passed along to the lovely spa ladies here in Sanur. So although you don’t get the ambient sounds of local birdlife and the gurgle of the Petanu River as it swirls past as you would while enjoying your treatment in Maya Ubud, you do get the same attention and talented, dancing fingers to ease the tension out of your muscles… love, love, love a Maya massage!
For bookings and to discover more, visit Maya Sanur’s website.
