Bali comes up tops – again
Hot off the heels of being voted the ‘world’s best island’ in the international ‘Travel & Leisure’ magazine, Bali has now been ranked as ‘Best Holiday Destination in Asia’ in Smart Traveller Asia’s website poll.
The poll, which was conducted over three months, targetted serious, affluent travellers who ‘know the difference between boutique and brash, between class and crass’. The discerning voters were also frequent travellers, taking on average 19.83 air trips over the past 12 months.
Bali received some 18 percent of the vote against a wide spectrum of potential candidates. The popular Thai island of Phuket came in second, with just 11 percent of the vote.
Bali’s hotels, resorts and spas also fared well in the survey, being recognised as some of the best in Asia.
Bali’s Amandari resort took out one of the most romantic and coveted awards in the ‘Best Leisure Hotel & Resort’ category, against a field of over 500 options.
Located in the cultural heart of Bali and the setting for this weekend’s Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, the Amandari resort’s private villa compounds spill down manicured green acres past a cliff-edge emerald pool towards the waters of the river below, which the Balinese revere as sacred.
Ranked second was another Bali resort, the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. This larger property is perched atop a breezy hillside overlooking a long coastal stretch, offering elegant villas and panoramic views.
Overall, six Bali Hotels and Resorts were named amongst the top 25, and similarly, six Bali Spas ranked in the top 25 spas.
Graham Muldoon
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