Sayan, Bali, is a small village located in Central Bali, located just three miles west of the larger town of Ubud. Perched along a ridge above the Ayung River, Sayan's main claim to fame is its luxurious, five-star Four Seasons resort hotel.
A Base for Exploring Bali
Sayan itself is a fairly quiet and secluded place, with not much to see or do, but perfect for relaxation in its purest form. However, its central location makes it the perfect place for an adventurous spirit wishing to explore the whole island of Bali. From Sayan, you'll be only:
* Fifteen minutes from Ubud, often described as one of Bali's magical cultural centres, filled with artists' galleries and gorgeous architecture. Ubud is also home to the Bali Bird Park, a two-hectare aviary park that's home to more than 250 species of birds. Also close to Ubud is Goa Gajah, or Elephant Cave, which was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Thirty minutes from Sanur, a beach resort town that caters to a more mature audience than destinations further south, such as Kuta.
* Forty minutes from Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. Filled with great shopping and many cultural and historical attractions, you'll want to plan to spend at least a day exploring Denpasar.
* One hour from Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, two upscale beach resort areas in southern Bali.
Other Attractions Near Sayan
Besides proximity to the towns listed above, Sayan is also relatively close to a number of other exciting sites. Here are a few you might want to check out:
* Gunung Kawi Temple: Located northeast of Ubud, about forty-five minutes from the Four Seasons, the temple complex includes ten shrines carved directly into the cliff face. Each shrine stands more than twenty feet high. In the temple complex, you'll find Buddhist artifacts, places to meditate, and gurgling springs.
* Monkey Forest: Also in the Ubud area is the Sacred Monkey Forest. Home to plenty of monkeys and a very precious Balinese Hindu temple, the forest is a favourite destination for holidaymakers visiting central Bali.
* Mas and Kemenuh Villages: Although there's plenty of shopping to do within Ubud, on your way there you might want to stop at Mas and Kemenuh Villages. These villages are home to Bali's most prominent wood carvers, and still the place where these ancient skills are passed along to the next generation. You might want to stop in at the Njana Tilem Gallery, where you'll find a big collection of high-quality wood carvings.
* Waterbom Park: Located an hour from Sayan in Kuta, the Waterbom Park offers fun water slides and other water games that will offer hours of entertainment for the kids. Adults will enjoy the spa, the tropical garden, and the relaxing ride down a lazy river.
Four Seasons Resort
The Four Seasons Resort in Sayan itself has been called “an architectural marvel, built beneath a huge, man-made lotus pool that seems to float among the treetops” (The Sunday Telegraph). Indeed, if it's luxury you're seeking, you'll find it at the Four Seasons, where you can get up for some dawn yoga at the edge of the aforementioned lotus pool, rejuvenate at the spa, or take a refreshing dip in the two-level swimming pool that follows the Ayung River's contours.
Children, too, will feel welcome at the Four Seasons, with everything from children's menus in the restaurants, child-sized bathrobes, and on-site babysitting services. On-site, the whole family can enjoy traditional Balinese dance performances and garden tours; off-site, the Four Seasons will treat you and your family to a visit to the nearby Puri Lukisan museum.
If you want to visit Bali, but the beach resort towns are too intense, crowded, and wild for your taste, consider making your base of operations Sayan. You can choose to stay in and just relax, or you can take a half-day or full-day trip to any of the nearby attractions.