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Komodo
Varanus komodensis
Endangered

The Komodo dragon is the world's largest living reptile. It is found mainly on the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rintja, Padar, and Flores. There are only an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 of these monitor lizards living today. Reaching lengths of up to 3 m or more, and weighing up to 126 kg, these reptiles are swift runners and climbers with great appetites for deer and wild boar.

This solitary meat-eater is a reptile, a cold-blooded animal. It is diurnal, most active during the day. The Komodo dragon is a fast runner; it can run up to 11 mph (18 kph). It is also a good tree climber and swimmer.

The Komodo dragon's scientific name is Varanus komodoensis (genus and species). It is in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat. Its life span is about 20 years.

Although often regarded as pests, they are not a serious menace to humans. In order to protect the dragon, the Indonesian government has made the islands of Padar and Rintja into nature reserves for both the lizard and its prey. Commercial trade in specimens or skins is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.


Habitat: Komodo dragons live on islands in Indonesia, including the island of Komodo. They live in hot, humid, grassy lowlands and in rainforests. They sun themselves to increase their body temperature.

Anatomy: The Komodo dragon averages almost 9 feet (2.8 m) long, but can get up to 10 feet (3 m) long and weighs up to 300 pounds (135 kg). The Komodo dragon has four short legs and five-toed feet with sharp claws. The tail is longer than the body. It has sharp teeth in large jaws, but it has a weak bite. The Komodo dragon senses chemicals with a long, yellow, forked tongue. There are large venom glands near the mouth.

Diet: The Komodo dragon is a carnivore (meat-eater). It eats almost anything that it can catch or find, including goats, deer, wild boars, other lizards, and carrion (dead meat that it finds). It used to be thought that the Komodo dragon had disease-ridden bacteria in its mouth, and, after biting its prey, the victim sickened and died from blood poisoning within a day or two. In 2008, Australian scientists discovered that the Komodo dragon is venomous -- when it bites prey, the Komodo dragon injects the victim with a venom that prevents blood clotting and widens the blood vessels, causing a drop in blood pressure in the victim, which soon goes into shock and is helpless against the Komodo dragon. Komodo dragons have been known to kill people.

Reproduction: The female digs a hole in the ground, lays 20-40 eggs, and then covers them up with dirt. The eggs hatch in about 7 months. Hatchlings eat mostly insects and live in trees.


Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.

The majority of the people in and around the Park are fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their livelihoods. Descendents of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants.

Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate other than by occasional demand for tribute.

How to Get There

While most visitors enter Komodo National Park (KNP) through the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo in the west of Flores or Bima in eastern Sumbawa, the departure point for your trip is actually Denpasar, Bali.


By Air

Indonesia Air Transport (IAT)
Depart : Everyday
DPS - LBJ : 10.00 – 11.30
LBJ - DPS :

12.00 – 13.30

Price:
Y CLASS : IDR 751.000
H CLASS : IDR 696.000
Q CLASS : IDR 641.000 (NON REFUND TICKET)


Trans Nusa Airlines (TGN)
Depart : Everyday
DPS – LBJ : 10.00 – 11.50 & 13.00 – 14.20
LBJ – DPS VIA BMU (BIMA) : 12.05 - 12.35
BMU-DPS : 12.50 – 13.45
LBJ – DPS :

14.35 – 15.15

Price
Y CLASS : IDR 761.000
L CLASS : IDR 651.000
M CLASS :

IDR 541.000


By Land

The gateway cities of Labuan Bajo and Bima are connected to Denpasar, Bali by overland buses.


By Sea (ferry)

Travel time: approximately 36 hours

The gateway cities of Labuan Bajo and Bima are also connected to Denpasar, Bali by inter-island ferry.

Contact the Indonesia Sea Transportation Company (PELNI) at Jalan Raya Kuta No. 299, Tuban - Bali (Tel: 0361 - 763 963) to reserve a seat on the KM. Tilong Kabila, which departs Benoa Port, Bali bound for Bima and Labuan Bajo

Benoa-Bima-Labuan Bajo
Fortnightly (every two weeks) on Saturdays: 09.00-20.00 (next day).
One-way ticket (as of 10/6/06) from Rp. 143,000.00 - Rp. 435,000.00

Labuan Bajo-Bima-Benoa
Fortnightly (every two weeks) on Thursdays: 08.00-11.00 (next day).
One-way ticket (as of 10/6/06) from Rp. 143,000.00 - Rp. 435,000.00

Note: the ferry schedule and ticket prices may change with or without prior notice


By Sea (live-aboard)

Komodo National Park is serviced by a wide range of live-aboard boats, with return packages to Komodo National Park from a variety of departure points, including Bali, Lombok, Bima and Labuan Bajo

Prices (as of 10/6/06) are ranging from USD 230.00 - USD 295.00 / person / night.

From Gateway Cities to Komodo National Park (KNP)
You can easily organize a shared boat charter by local boat from either ports at Labuan Bajo or Bima (Sape) to the two major points of access in the Park: Loh Liang (on Komodo Island) or Loh Buaya (on Rinca Island)

Charter price (as of 10/6/06) - excluding meals, KNP entrance fee etc:
Labuan Bajo: KNP: Rp. 750,000 - 1,500,000 per boat / day
Bima (Sape): KNP: Rp. 1,500.000 - 2,000.000 per boat / day

In the 8th Century, a Buddhist priest called Rsi Marhandya came to Bali from Java on pilgrimage with a group of followers. He meditated where the East and West Wos Rivers meet in Campuan, on the edge of Ubud, and declared the place holy. Accordingly, a shrine was built, and later expanded by Nirartha, the Javanese priest who is regarded as the father of Bali 's religious institutions and practices. This temple is now known as Pura Gunung Lebah or Pura Campuan.

With the spread of Hindu-Buddhist culture in Bali in the 10th to 12th Centuries, Shivaite holymen established hermitages and teaching monasteries near Ubud, at the bequest of local rulers. The temple-memorial complex at Gunung Kawi and the cave temples at Goa Gajah (east and northeast of Ubud) are undoubtedly the most impressive architectural remains from this period. By this time, the people of the Ubud area already practiced sophisticated wet rice farming, kept a variety of livestock and employed techniques of stone and woodcarving, metalworking and thatching that are still very much alive. Many of the dances, drama, puppet plays and elaborate rituals and superstitions that animate Ubud culture today originated in these early kingdoms nearby.

The Balinese legend of Rangda the witch originated in the Ubud area at this time, when the half-Balinese King Airlangga ruled Java and Bali , with its capital located then in Batuan, southeast of Ubud. The Barong and Calinarong dances which visitors still enjoy derived from the story of Airlangga's struggle against the plagues and evil spells cast by Rangda, who is purportedly buried in a tomb near Kutri, southeast of Ubud.

Airlangga's sons divided his empire, and Bali was ruled by Anak Wungsu, who established a flourishing kingdom between the Petanu and Pakerisan Rivers , east of Ubud.

The Javanese Majapahit dynasty "conquered' Bali in 1343, when its military forces by the great hero, Gajah Mada subjugated the Pejeng Dynasty, based in Bedulu, just east of Ubud. According to Majapahit reports, the "vile, long-haired Balinese princes were wiped out,” and more refined models of Javanese culture were adopted. Indeed, a great flowering of Balinese culture took place under the Majapahit rulers, who were chosen from the military leaders of the Javanese incursion. Balinese genealogies, the babad, written at this time, document the Majapahit ancestry of Bali 's aristocratic families, who still inhabit the palaces of Ubud.

Facing the "Islamisation" of Java and the subsequent decline of the Majapahit Empire in the 16th Century, many scholars, dancers, craftsmen, intellectuals and priest migrated to Bali , bringing along their skills and sacred texts. Many settled in the small kingdoms in and around ubud, among them Nirartha, the "super-priest" who is regarded as the progenitor of all of Bali 's pedanda Siwa high priests and their prominent Brahmana families. The seat of the Majapahit overlord of Bali was moved from Samprangan near Gianyar, to Gelgel, and Bali entered cultural “Golden Age" under the Gelgel kings.

When Gelgel fell, and its remnants regrouped in Klungkung, secondary kingdoms arose throughout the island and engaged in ongoing power struggles. In the early 18th Century, a palace was established in Timbul, south of Ubud, by a descendant of the Gelgel line. His ambition to create a dream kingdom, based on the ideal of Majapahit Java was more of less fulfilled, as he drew to his court the finest musicians, dancers, carvers and artisans, and built a splendid palace filled with lavish garden. As the story goes, his cultural accomplishments were so great that upon witnessing them, people could not help but exclaim, "My heart's delight!" In Balinese, "sukahatine." The word evolved into "Sukawati," which is now the name of this visionary king's line of descendants, and the town where he built his palace.

Throughout the 18th Century, control of the areas around Ubud and Gianyar passed back and forth between the Sukawati Dynasty whose princes are called "Tjokordas" and the Gianyar Dynasty, with its "Anak Agungs" and "Dewas". Ultimately, the region became a patchwork of small dominions ruled by Princes from one faction or the other, or the scion of intermarriage between them. This is still the case, and while Ubud's palaces house a core line of the Sukawati family, other palaces in the region belong to Gelgel Gianyar stock or a separate royal line from Blahbatuh.

During the 19th Century, Ubud became an important court under its Sukawati feudal lord, owing allegiance to Gianyar. In 1884 Gianyar was overthrown by Sukawati princes from the nearby town of Negara , and after ten years of conflict, a Sukawati from the palace in Ubud sided with Gianyar and cooled the conflict. Perhaps the experience of centuries of adept politicking between these two dynasties gave them both the ability to understand the value of diplomacy and compromise when the Dutch asserted their power in Bali .

Bangli
Bali houses Pura Kehen, Bali's second largest temple. The temple has three courtyards connected by steps, and is decorated with carvings and statues. A large banyan tree shades the lowest and second courtyards.

Batubulan
Batubulan is home to a number of stone carvers. Divinities and demons carved from sandstone (Paras) decorate (and protect) houses and temples along the road that takes you from Denpasar. Batubulan also has excellent dance and theatrical performances.

Bedugul
The mountain resort of Bedugul is well known for its golf course and Ulun Danu, a temple which seems to rise out of the lake to present itself beautifully. Boats, water skiing, and para sailing are among the many watersports available in this area.

Besakih
The sanctuary of Besakih on the slopes of Gunung Agung (Mount Holy) is over a thousand years old and is known as the Mother Temple of Bali, the biggest and holiest of all Balinese temples. Steps rise through split gates to the main courtyard where the Trinity shrines, dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Wishnu, are wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings. Around them, stand eighteen separate sanctuaries, belonging to different regencies and castes.

Celuk
Celuk is noted for silver and gold jewelry works. Their works are extremely meticulous and detailed.

Denpasar
The capital city of the Province of Bali, Denpasar houses government offices, banks, and many other offices. Yet it manages to retain its Balinese personality while its temples still mantain their presence and influence. Pura Jagatnatha, a temple dedicated to the Sang Hyang Widi (Supreme God), has been converted into a Musuem. The status of a turtle and two dragons in the temple signify the foundation of the world. The Pura's architecture resembles that of a Balinese palace. It houses a fine variety of early and modern art.
Sanggraha Kriya Hasta is a government-supervised art center, home to a wide variety of handicraft and works of art. Werdi Budaya presents a yearly art festival between June and July, with performances, exhibitions, art contest, and other artistic activities.

Goa Gajah
Dating back to the 11th century, Goa Gajah is a cave temple believed to be built as a monastery. Two statues flank a demon head over the entrance, and a statue of Ganesha (Elephant) sits inside the cave. Further excavations have uncovered a bathing place with six statues of nymphs holding water spouts.

Goa Lawah
Nine kilometers from Klungkung is Goa Lawah (Bat Cave). Thousands of bats make the roof of the cave their homes. Its entrances are guarded by a temple believed to be found by a sage nine centuries ago.

Kintamani
The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan give a view of the active Mount Batur and its lake. Seven miles in diameter and sixty feet deep, the caldera of Batur is pretty impressive. From Penelokan, a road lead to Kediasan on the shores of the lake where boats can be rented to cross over to Trunyan.

Klungkung
The Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, where Balinese royalty draws its blood line, sat in Klungkung. It is the oldest kingdom on the island, and its Raja the most exalted.
The ceiling of Kertha Gosa (Royal Court of Justice), built in the 18th century, displays one of Bali's masterpieces. Much like Michelangelo's The Creation on the Sistine Chapel, the murals portray the punishment of hell and the rewards of heaven, elaborated in thousands of panels of wayang style. The floating pavillion, garden, and lotus ponds are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.

Kuta
Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west.The Sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking.
Accommodations in Kuta range from a modest homestay for a few dollars a night to luxurious, five-star, international hotels costing several hundred to several thousand dollars a night. The street of Legian, situated directly behind the row of hotels that face the beach, is lined with shops of all varieties. You can find any Balinese handicrafts here, from the least expensive to the most exquisite; or unique stores such as the leather store staffed by two young Balinese men that will perfectly sculpt for you a leather jacket. (They are all extremely talented artists, remember?)
At night, Kuta is alive with night life. Western influences create discotheques, dance clubs, and pubs. Gastronomical demands inspire a multitude of restaurants, serving traditional Indonesian and Balinese food to various ethnic meals from Japan, Switzerland, etc. As if these were not enough, various Balinese dance performances are staged in Kuta every night. One of the best Kecak performances is to be found in Kuta.

Klungkung
The village of woodcarvers, Mas is still the house of Bali's old masters. A number of art galleries exhibit some of their best works. Mas is also known for its masks.

Menjangan Island
Located on Terima Bay, off the northwest tip of Bali, Menjangan Island offers beautiful scenery. The water surrounding it is known for beautiful coral reefs and its wealth of tropical fish.

Nusa Dua
Part of the Bukut Peninsula in southern Bali, Nusa Dua has some of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels on this planet, gracefully integrating the beauty of the white beaches and clear water into the landscape of the hotels. Ronald Reagan stayed here when he visited Bali. The beaches of Nusa Dua allow you to gently surf along the northern side of the peninsula. If you care for bigger waves, the southern part of the peninsula can give you a challenge.

Peliatan
Located between Ubud and Mas, Peliatan is the center of traditional music and dance of Bali.

Sangeh
The ten acres of nutmeg trees in the Sangeh forest are considered sacred. Two temples stand in the middle of the forest, and another at the edge. Monkeys heavily inhabit this forest, and are also held sacred. They will come to you when you visit the temples. Make sure you protect your handbags, etc as the monkeys will steal them.

Sanur
Palm-lined beach, curving from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel to the south and facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. I suspect this is where Nehru experienced Bali to utter "Bali is the morning of the world." Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves, and makes it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other water sports.
Sanur is only a short distance from Denpasar, with public transportation readily available. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

Tampak Siring
Pura Tirta Empul is the temple of Tampak Siring, built around a sacred spring. The temple and its two bathing places have been used by the Balinese for over 1000 years for good health and prosperity; the spring water has curative powers. Regular purification ceremonies take place here. Additionally, the people of Tampak Siring produce artistic bone and ivory carvings.

Tanah Lot
One of Bali's most important sea temples, Tanah Lot temple is built atop a huge rock, surrounded by the sea. Build in the 16th century, Tanah Lot's rituals include paying of homage to the guardian spirits of the sea. Poisonous sea snakes found in the little caves at the base of the rocky island are believed to guard the temple from evil spirits and intruders.

Tenganan
The village of Tenganan maintains its ancient pre-Hindu customs through a strong code of nonfraternization with outsiders, helped by the protection of its surrounding walls. Unique offering ritual dances and gladiator-like battles between youths take place. Tenganan develops a unique technique of weaving, called the 'double ikat.' The people believe in the magical power of the fabric.

Trunyan
Trunyan is an ancient village in Bali, inhabited by people who call themselves "Bali Aga" or old Bali. They live in ways that are much different from other Balinese. In Trunyan, the temple Puser Jagat (Navel of the Universe) has an unusual architecture and stands under a massive banyan tree. Instead of cremating their corpses, the Bali Aga simply place them under this banyan tree. The odor of death is mysteriously masked by a special arboreal fragrance emitted by the banyan tree.

Ubud
Ubud is the art center of Bali, which maybe a hard concept to understand, given the artistic nature of the entire living in Bali. But the Raja of Ubud, historically, strongly encouraged artistic development, especially in painting. Ubud's Museum "Puri Lukisan" houses a permanent collection of Balinese paintings, dating from the turn of the century. Dutchborn Hans Snel and American Atonio Blanco, among other internationally prominent artists, had both called Ubud their home. The Neka Museum is another excellent museum, with marvelous collections of traditional Balinese paintings by local artists as well as foreign artists who lived in Bali.
Ubud today expands to other arts. You should not be surprised to run into a foreigner who happens to be living in Ubud, meditating or soul searching for his next book or poetry collection. Most hotels in Ubud are small, homely hotels and homestays that will provide you with a room that faces the ricefields with bird sonatas togently wake you in the morning.

Yeh Saneh
Few people know of this idyllic spot a little further east on the coastal road. A few meters from the splash of the surf is a cool freshwater spring around which a large pool and gardens have been built.

Sanur
On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as you jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resort developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.

Kuta - Legian
Practically on the opposite side of Sanur, the beaches of Kuta and Legian stretch on the southwestern side of Bali, again only about 5 to 10 minute drive from Denpasar or the airport. Surfing is a major activity in these beaches. Shops, Kecak dance performances, pubs, and other facilities make Kuta a tourist mecca.

Jimbaran
Jimbaran is directly south of the airport, on the way from Denpasar towards Nusa Dua. The village of Jimbaran is the narrow neck of the island of Bali, and thus it has two remarkably different beaches. On the west, Jimbaran Beach faces the Jimbaran Bay, recently lined by new luxurious resorts. On the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by Benoa Harbor.

Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is a new luxurious resort area where the world's most sumptuous hotels gracefully integrate into the beautiful white beaches. Crystal clear water provides excellent snorkeling and diving site, and the waves on the northern and the southern part of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity.

Soka Beach
Further northwest from Denpasar, on the way to Gilimanuk, the ferry port town that connects Bali and Java, there is a small quiet beach called Soka Beach.

Medewi Beach
Continuing along the path towards Gilimanuk, near the village of Pulukan, the beach of Medewi is another beautiful beach.

Lovina Beach
Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. It is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Night life activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If you like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd, Lovina Beach is for you.

Overview

Located near the iconic Tanah Lot sea temple, Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort provides superb oceanfront luxury in culturally inspired surroundings. Authentic rice terraces, lushly landscaped gardens, outdoor pools surround the hotel, and the mist of the Indian Ocean surround the hotel. Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort tempts is at the heart of the real Bali, away from the hustle and bustle of Kuta.

The hotel features indoor and outdoor meeting spaces for up to 300 guests, a multi award-winning 18-hole signature golf course, and an indulgent spa.


Guest Rooms

Discover the superbly appointed guest rooms, suites, and private villas at Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort in Bali. Rich timbers, warm earth tones, and comfortable furnishings create a decidedly sophisticated ambiance during your stay.

Be inspired by the natural beauty of Bali, as you enjoy exceptional panoramas of lush, tropical gardens and/or the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean from your private balcony.

Our spacious 44-square meter rooms are divided into four categories:

* Garden View Rooms face a stunning scene of tropical vegetation and coconut groves.
* Pool View Rooms offer a view of expansive pools with a 54-meter waterslide.
* Garden Ocean View Rooms have a combination of spectacular views of the Indian Ocean over pleasant landscaping.
* Sunset Ocean View Rooms overlook a spectacular part of our award-winning golf course out into the ocean and let you enjoy Bali’s spectacular sunsets from the privacy of your balcony.

The 77-square meter Executive Suites offer tasteful repose, with king or twin beds. Interconnecting rooms are available. The one Presidential Suite offers 228 square meters of authentic Balinese décor, allowing you to experience true Balinese living.

Complete with all the luxuries of home and then some, all guest rooms include satellite television, coffee and tea making facilities, and a fully-stocked mini-bar. Slip on your plush robe and slippers, and experience effortless relaxation.

Balinese comfort awaits you in our chic one and two-bedroom villas, complete with a private plunge pool, outdoor shower, and personal butler service. Guests staying in our villas will enjoy a private outdoor living pavilion and a stunning Balinese garden. The 250-square meter one-bedroom villas are ideal for honeymooners and our 400-square meter two-bedroom villas are well-suited for families.

* Connecting Rooms Available
* Balcony
* Family Room
* Separate Bath and Shower Stall
* Free Daily Newspaper
* 24-Hour Room Service
* International Direct Dialing
* Umbrellas
* Handicap Accessible Room
* Hairdryer
* Non-Smoking Room
* Bathrobes & Slippers
* Cable Channels
* Turndown Service
* Cribs
* Satellite Channels
* Voicemail
* Coffee and Tea Maker
* Air-Conditioned Room
* High Speed Internet Access in All Guest Rooms (Charge)
* Mini Bar
* CD Player/Radio
* In-Room Safe


Local Area

Le Méridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort is set in the heart of Bali’s magnificent southwest coast, framed by stunning volcanic mountain backdrops and magnificent views of the Indian Ocean. Congruent with the relaxed atmosphere of the island, the hotel is removed, yet not remote. Dramatic panoramas, spacious gardens, and the stunning golf course make the resort arguably the most unique and spectacular in Bali.

Just 45 minutes from the International Airport, the southwest coast of Bali offers a truly unique experience. Return visitors will recognize the charming grace of an area rich in custom, peaceful in its vibrant natural surroundings. New visitors will discover the renowned culture of Bali, with sloping rice fields, romantic sunsets, and friendly people.

The rich cultural sites of Bali are within easy traveling distance, including exceptional shopping, excellent dining, and lively nightlife areas. Visit the flourishing artist colony of Ubud or explore the sacred Sangeh Monkey Forest. The majestic Mengwi Temple, Lake Brattan, and Bali’s breathtaking scenic forest drives are also just a short distance from the hotel.

Adjacent to the resort’s main lagoon is a venue for the weekly open-air fresh seafood market. Set upon seven-meter cliffs, Le Méridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort immerses guests in warm, misty breezes and the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean.



* Reptile Park 15.0 km/9.3 miles
* Bali Bird Park 15.0 km/9.3 miles
* Kuta for shopping 18.0 km/11.2 miles
* Monkey Forest 18.0 km/11.2 miles
* Taman Ayun Temple Complex 18.0 km/11.2 miles
* Waterbom Park 20.0 km/12.4 miles
* Elephant Safari 20.0 km/12.4 miles
* White Water Rafting 20.0 km/12.4 miles
* Kintamani Volcanic Views 35.0 km/21.8 miles


Features & Activities

The world-class golf and spa facilities of Le Méridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort are unsurpassed anywhLocal Attractionsere else in Bali and truly do enrich the island’s idyllic paradise.

The lush 18-hole Nirwana Bali Golf Club, boasting a course designed by the legendary Greg Norman, has been named the “Best Course in Asia” for the fourth year in a row, and has also won honours such as “Best Course in Indonesia.” Le Méridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort is a runner up for “Best Golf Resort in Asia” by Asian Golf Monthly magazine and winner of World Travel Awards ‘Asia’s Leading Golf Resort’ and many others.

One of four golf courses on the island and the only course attached to a hotel, Nirwana possesses an intricate network of lovely streams, serene ponds and rice terraces to make for a challenging round. Local farmers look after the 30 hectares of rice terraces, and the proceeds are split among the villagers.

Though this elegant resort is renowned for golf, there are activities for every guest, such as a state-of-the-art gymnasium and an array of exciting activities such as cycling in the scenery and sultry Balinese dancing lessons.

Le Méridien Nirwana also houses extensive spa facilities. The basis of all treatments at the Nirwana Spa is a fusion of Western technology and traditional Eastern wisdom in regard to well-being and spiritual serenity – Western products and technology are combined with the Balinese Hindu “Usadha” philosophy for integrated physical and spiritual relaxation. A special series of full body treatments reduces muscle fatigue, cellulite and adipose tissue while detoxifying the body and soothing the mind.

The hotel grounds encompass four magnificent pools including a shallow wading pool for children participating in the Penguin Club. Pools integrate water slides, beautiful cascading waterfalls, and soothing Jacuzzis. The main lagoon pool boasts a 54-metre water slide and hosts water aerobics, water polo and volleyball.
Hotel Services

* Babysitting Service
* Dry Cleaning Services
* Laundry/Valet Service
* Medical Services Available
* Beauty Salon
* Luggage Storage
* Currency Exchange
* Massage Treatments
* Car Rental Service
* Safe Deposit Boxes
* Bellstand/Porters
* Bicycle Rental
* Shoe Shine Service Available
* Multilingual Staff
* Squash Court
* Outdoor Tennis Courts
* Fitness Facility
* Valet Parking Facilities
* Penguin Kids Club
* Gift Shop
* Florist
* Business Center
* Self Parking Facilities
* Golf Course
* Spa Facility/Services
* Outdoor Pools


Dining

Le Méridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort boasts a plethora of culinary styles and cuisines. We have won a number of island-wide cooking competitions and have the great honor of consistent praise and recommendation from the locals who live in the area.




Cendana Restaurant

A sumptuous breakfast buffet is served daily and Cendana is also ideal for early dinners on the terrace, where you can enjoy some international or local favorites, a glass of your preferred beverage and enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
Cuisine: International
hours: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Atmosphere: Smart Casual
Setting: Indoor and Outdoor Seating

Nautilus Pizzeria and Pub

Sit back and relax in this breezy and casual pub. Play a game of darts or snooker, or enliven an evening with karaoke. Or just unwind with a drink as you keep up with worldwide sports on the big screen.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
hours: 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Atmosphere: Smart Casual
Setting: Indoor and Outdoor Seating Available

Nirwana Restaurant

The premier restaurant at Le Méridien Nirwana offers a delectable range of Asian cuisine. The house specialty is the Rijsttafel menu, a traditional Indonesian feast.
Cuisine: Asian
hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Atmosphere: Casual Sophistication
Setting: Indoor and Outdoor Seating available

Pool Grill

During the day, we serve succulent seafood, pizzas and fresh salads prepared in local and international style. Come the twilight, romance fills the air, and with the fading of the golden sun, candlelight takes its place.
Cuisine: Light Fare
hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Atmosphere: Smart Casual
Setting: Pool View with Candlelight at Dinner

Sunset Lounge

The iconic Tanah Lot Sea Temple towers above the shimmering Indian Ocean…take in the astonishing panorama from a comfortable seat in the Sunset Lounge. Watch the fading sunlight as you enjoy a flavorful cocktail and light hors d’oeuvres.
Cuisine: Snacks
hours: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Atmosphere: Relaxing and Cozy
Setting: Sunset View

The Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre is home to lively cultural evenings with shows or Balinese dancers. The show begins as the last streaks of the sunset paint the sky with glorious colour, as you enjoy the performance and savour exotic Indonesian gastronomy.
Cuisine: Regional/Local
hours: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Atmosphere: Traditional Balinese
Setting: Outdoor


Meetings & Events

Le Méridien Nirwana Bali Golf & Spa Resort makes use of its vibrant natural surroundings to create the perfect indoor or outdoor venue for your next occasion. With catering available for 24 to 600 guests, the hotel provides a chicly appointed ambiance in each of the ten sophisticated meeting rooms. Whatever your event, our professionals are ready and waiting to provide you with unparalleled attention to detail.

Indoors, the Grand Ballroom can comfortably seat 300 guests in banquet-style seating and provides the latest technology for large-scale, elaborate events. For delegate convenience, the nearby business center offers a wide variety of professional services, including typing, photocopying, Internet access, and facsimile. Our four smaller meeting rooms are perfect for more intimate gatherings and private board meetings.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Bali when you host your next event at the exceptional outdoor meeting space of Le Méridien Nirwana. The pre-function area Le Patio is available for elegant cocktails, sophisticated morning and afternoon tea breaks, and delicious lunches and dinners for up to 250 guests. The breathtaking Cliff Lawn, and the sparkling poolside lagoon are the perfect venues for cocktails or dinners serving up to 400 guests.

Creating a truly unparalleled setting for your special day, the cliff lawn at Le Méridien Nirwana is unquestionably one of the most beautiful wedding locations on the island of Bali. An area rich in culture, the cliff lawn provides an intimate setting of satin-covered chairs, arches of flower garlands, and the majestic backdrop of the Tanah Lot Temple. As the glowing sun sets over the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean, you’ll know you have truly found a wedding site made in Heaven at Le Méridien Nirwana.

THE HOTEL

Alila Ubud is a tranquil and secluded hillside retreat that sits high up on the edge of the rich green Ayung River valley in Bali’s central foothills. The resort is located just minutes from Ubud, the island’s cultural heart. Blending contemporary design and traditional Balinese architecture, the secluded courtyards, spacious terraces and private gardens create an intimate feeling like none other.


LOCATION

Alila Ubud, in the traditional Balinese hill village of Payangan and on the banks of the mystical and magical Ayung River, is just five kilometers from Bali's artistic centre of Ubud, the place where artists and painters, writers and musicians from around the world find their inspiration. Here guests can visit a number of art galleries and museums, see dramatic and opulent temple festivals and dances, and take in the magic of the real Bali.

The hills and valleys surrounding Alila Ubud contain a number of traditional villages and family compounds as well as some of the most spectacular scenery in Bali. Various tours are available from Alila Ubud featuring treks through the stunning local countryside away from the tourist crowds.

Not-to-be-missed tours include a trip to the island's central volcanoes, the village of Kintamani and the beautiful scenery of Lake Batur; a cultural tour of Ubud and a visit to Gianyar, the home of ikat weaving and the Goa Gajah Elephant Cave.


DESIGN

Located high above the Ayung River, Alila Ubud has been laid out as a Balinese hillside village complete with its own community centre and pedestrian lanes.

The resort’s fifty-four rooms and suite villas stand above a ravine on stilts like tree houses and are set into the banks of the river valley. The world-renowned architectural firm Kerry Hill Architects makes use of traditional Balinese design, but it is transformed into modern geometry. Smooth plaster walls and concrete meet thatched roofs; terrazzo tiles meet gravel or crushed rock; wood meets glass.

In front and at the bottom of a spreading flight of steps against tapering columns of river pebbles, the infinity edge pool area is the hotel's grandest space. Moving from the pool bar into the cool depths, the water’s surface seems to flow endlessly through the terraced jungle and reach up to the sky.


ROOMS

The 56 rooms are housed in 14 two-storey blocks designed to resemble a Balinese village. All rooms have panoramic views of the magical Ayung River and surrounding volcanoes.

The Deluxe Rooms on the ground floor feature individual garden terraces and a back courtyard with an open-air bathroom and shower. The Superior Rooms on the upper floor feature a private balcony and a daybed where you can chill out, read a book or just daydream while enjoying the unobstructed views.

There are also eight villas.Four superb Ayung River Villas offer a spacious walk-around deck and are perched over the valley affording spectacular views of the Ayung River. The four new and luxuriously spacious Pool Villas offer an all-inclusive retreat experience complete with a private pool bordered by landscaped gardens, an open-air bathtub surrounded by a lotus pond, LCD TV and entertainment system, and the exclusive privilege of personalized leisure concierge services and in-villa dining and spa treatments.

Enjoy new bedscapes from "Ploh" in fresh white down comforters and high-thread count soft bed sheets and plump pillows. New Sleep Mints in the form of in-room Apple iPods are now available in the resort's Deluxe rooms and Villas. Guests can also upload their choice of music at the library. Just plug it in, pop in your iPod and play.


FACILITIES

Award-winning Pool
The dramatic emerald-green swimming pool is perched on a terrace and appears to float above the plunging Ayung River valley below. The pool is surrounded by stone-tiled sun decks that feature comfortable sun-beds with attractive Balinese umbrellas.

Spa Alila
Spa Alila comprises one double deluxe Spa Villa, a double Spa Pavilion, a double Spa Suite, a dedicated Massage Suite, two single Spa Suites,a Manicure and Pedicure Salon and Spa Reception. The Spa Pavilion and Suites feature open-air treatment areas and bathrooms with waterfall showers, while the Suite offers air-conditioned comfort.

Leisure Concierge
Tours of the surrounding area can be arranged from Alila Ubud's leisure concierge. They include trips to the mountain village of Kintamani, the spectacular rice terraces at Tegalalang, the natural springs at Tampaksiring, Ubud’s galleries, museums and souvenir shops, and the village of Petulu, home to a large flock of white egrets.

Village Trekking
Alila Ubud's location in a traditional mountain village above the sacred Ayung River lends itself to a series of scenic and cultural treks. Alila Ubud's organised tours include a knowledgeable guide.

Mountain Biking
Alila Ubud has its own 18-speed mountain bikes for guests to explore the surrounding countryside alone or on specially-arranged tours with experienced adventure guides.

The Fine Arts Gallery
The Art Gallery at Alila Ubud provides a showcase for contemporary Indonesian art. Each year, some major exhibitions are held as part of the hotel’s commitment to help promote gifted local artists.

Meeting Facilities
The relaxed and calm environment of Alila Ubud is condusive for small, intimate meetings. A meeting room located on the ground floor of the hotel's central courtyard can host up to 30 participants.

Others
-Library & TV Lounge with broadband internet access
-Alila Living Boutique
-Art Galleries
-24-hour in-room dining
-Complimentary shuttle service to Ubud
-In-room Safe and Music Ipod (Deluxe rooms and Villas)
-Laundry and Dry Cleaning
-Airport Transfer and Car Rental
-Sculpture Garden


DINING

Towering coconut pillars and a traditional thatched roof lend a bright and open feel to the brasserie-open sytle restaurant. Our Executive Chef artfully prepares Balinese and "healthy" natural cuisine as well as some of the finest international dishes available anywhere.

Soaring views are a feature of the welcoming bar. The atmospheric cabana serving Asian specialities overlooks the dramatic emerald-green pool that floats above the plunging valley.


SAY 'I DO' IN ALILA UBUD

Bridal Isle
Draped by a majestic mountain setting this stylish resort is a perfect destination for couples seeking an intimate wedding. Imagine taking your vows on the edge of the enchanting Ayung River valley next to one of the 50 most spectacular pools in the world’, (Travel + Leisure Magazine) as romantic floating candles illuminate the aisle to your ceremonial stage - a beautifully decorated open air traditional ‘bale’ pavilion.

Alila Ubud : Garden of Dreams
The location is superb. Set in the Balinese hillside retreat of Payangan, close to the artistic centre of Ubud, the tranquil and inspirational surroundings and range of indoor and outdoor locations befit the most romantic and unique weddings. Individuality is the essence.

From simple and contemporary wedding whites of crisp linen to a tropical garden setting rich with orchids or the mystical ambience of a Balinese blessing... a designer wedding at Alila Ubud is the difference you have been looking for. Plan to be surprised....