High in the cliff tops of Tanah Lot, an hour away from the island’s bustling city center, lies the biggest secret of Indonesia’s tropical paradise. Covering a lush 103 hectares of rice terraces and coconut groves, Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort has the unique distinction of being the largest property in Bali. As I stepped into their lobby, taking in the breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d unlocked the key to a hidden treasure.

We sat down for a quick chat with Le Meridien’s General Manager, Mr. Robert Hogenstijn. With its tenth anniversary coming up in November, the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort is celebrating its unique cultural and historical heritage. Mr. Hogenstijn shared that the vast expanse of Le Meridien’s property was once owned by 230 individual landowners. As part of the deal made in the establishment of the resort, the five-star hotel was required to employ at least two family members of each landowner. Now, a decade later, Le Meridien is awarding a Certificate of Service for every staff member who has been employed with the resort since its founding. He notes, “Out of our 1000 staff, 700 employees were honored with this distinction.”

It is this history that gives Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort its inimitable charm. Mr. Hogenstijn told us that the resort sees their presence as a huge advantage because aside from having a thriving community near the resort, it has created a character that is very different from all other hotels. This character was clearly felt, as the staff warmly welcomed us into the unique atmosphere where everyone knows each other as they would in a village, creating something both genuine and exceptional. It is this charm that invites people to return, such as one man we met who had visited the resort every year since its founding. It is a place where people who return are greeted by familiar faces who have become old friends.

The resort makes the best of these surroundings and acquaintances. If I had more time, I would have liked to try the three-hour bike ride for guests who seek both adventure and cultural immersion. It is a tour unlike any other, as the guide knows everyone along the way. It was an exciting prospect for me to think of a bike ride where I would be given the chance to mingle with the community, talk to the farmers, and be given the opportunity to help plant rice. An interactive and educational insight into the culture and personality of Bali, this will definitely be on my agenda when I return to this resort.

Another interesting activity that tops my list is the Pura Tanah Lot exclusive guided sunset walk through a shortcut to the famous tourist destination. Tanah Lot, meaning “earth” and “sea”, is a temple built atop a rocky island on a beach of black volcanic sand. Accessible by foot only during low tide, Tanah Lot is one of the holiest temples in Bali. It was built to honor the spirits guarding the ocean, and is surrounded by hundreds of sea snakes nestling in the temple’s bedrock, said to protect the holy place from unwelcome guests. From the lobby and the gardens below, we had a spectacular view of the temple. At high tide, Tanah Lot is a fascinating display of pounding waves and dramatic sprays. I gazed longingly at the Cliffside gazebos that overlook the Hindu temple. How amazing would it be to see the ocean from that vantage point, especially when Tanah Lot’s spires set a dramatic silhouette during sunset!

The Spa in Le Meridien is a sanctuary for the mind, body and spirit. I was welcomed into their reception area and served some hot ginger tea. A lady led me to my room, which was one of many that surrounded tranquil pavilions of rock gardens with stone-carved fountains. I was told that The Spa offers its own line of fragrant Balinese massage oils, made with natural herbs and spices that are indigenous to Indonesia. My masseuse invited me to choose my favorite scent for the massage. Their Balinese treatment is a deeply relaxing experience, massaging everything from my feet up to my temples, releasing all tension from my body. After the massage, the lady started with the traditional lulur, an Indonesian exfoliating treatment capped off by a yoghurt rub. It made my skin tingle all over! My skin felt so smooth and soft. It was interesting to learn that these revitalizing treatments have been around for centuries, their technique passed from generation to generation.

In addition to its traditional treatments, The Spa also includes world-class equipment for a unique spa experience. The Bubble Bath treatment is a massage unlike any other. I was asked by the masseuse to ease into a tub of warm water. She poured scented oils into the water to fi ll the room with a hint of lavender, soothing my senses. Jacuzzi jets began to massage my arms, then my legs, and my back. It was the most luxurious treatment, and while I was so relaxed I could have easily fallen asleep, but I also I wanted to stay awake to fully experience the massage, eagerly awaiting the next surprise. I returned to my room completely at ease, and slept like a baby that night.

Apart from its impressive Spa, Le Meridien is also famous for its Nirwana Golf Club. Its golf course is one of the most unique and beautiful in the world. Dubbed Best Golf Resort in Asia three times by Asian Golf Monthly, as well as Asia’s Leading Golf Resort in 2006 by World Travel Award, Nirwana Bali Golf Club is one of the resort’s biggest attractions. It was designed by the internationally acclaimed Australian golfer, Greg Norman, and has since welcomed other world class golfi ng superstars, such as Nick Faldo and Ernie Els.

Although I am not a golfer, it is easy to appreciate the beauty of the course. Nirwana Golf Club is set against a stunning backdrop, which it uses to its full advantage – or perhaps more appropriately, to the disadvantage of its golfers. Its signature hole, Hole #7, overlooks Tanah Lot Temple. Golfers tee off and must clear a large abyss, leading to the jagged cliffs below, to reach the green on the other side of the chasm. I can bet there have been many balls lost to the sea below, but just standing there was simply awe-inspiring.

We also took a golf cart to visit Hole #14, which is equally impressive. I can imagine how challenging it must be to have the ocean bluffs on one side and three Hindu temples on the other – what pressure to have an accurate shot! With spectacular holes such as these, the experience of playing in Nirwana Golf Club is just as much a sightseeing excursion as it is a friendly game of golf.

Despite its relative seclusion, Le Meridien is an ideal haven for families on vacation. With its wide variety of activities, the resort becomes an exciting destination in itself, for both the parents and their young sons and daughters. We visited the Penguin Club, which offers babysitting services so that each member of the family may enjoy their stay to the fullest.

The Penguin Club is a little piece of heaven on earth. We walked up to a giant stone carved dragon that snakes in and out of the grass towards a small circular wading pool. Its lavishly decorated head spurts a stream of water into the pool, which is bedecked with a large green umbrella to protect young bathers from the tropical sun. I rushed to the patio nearby to sit in the tiny replica of the resort’s deck chairs, complete with a side table and mini-umbrella. It was so tiny my legs stuck out! If I were a child I would feel like a little movie star in my own private villa. Complete with its team of warm and professionally trained guardian angels, parents will be at ease knowing their children are well taken care of.

Families also have many opportunities to relax and enjoy the resort together. Le Meridien offers four pools for guests to choose from. I fully immersed myself in a relaxing experience that was made even more calming with the view of the greenery and the ocean’s horizon in the distance. Best of all, Le Meridien has an exhilarating 54-meter water slide! I can bet I was not the only adult raring to try it, and wishing they could spend the entire day speeding down that watery slope. I would strongly recommend this as the ultimate antidote to stress!

Travelers of all kinds can revel in Le Meridien’s sumptuous feasts. When we arrived on Friday, there was a Cultural Night with a buffet of Balinese delicacies like Babi Guling, the local spicy roast pig, and Sate Ikan, or Indonesian fish skewers. They ushered us into a small outdoor amphitheater in Roman style, with each table occupying a different level, converging to a circular stage below. Then the show started! We were entertained by the traditional barong dance, depicting the fi ght between good and evil. It looked to me like an Indonesian version of the Chinese dragon dance, with their elaborate costumes and intricately painted masks. It was a simple dinner, but the way it was presented with the performance and buffet made me feel like I was experiencing a unique fi ne dining meal.

The waiters later explained to us that each night celebrates a culinary theme. There is Asian Barbeque that offers a wide variety of grilled meat and seafood, or Magic Wok where guests choose their ingredients and season it with a variety of specially concocted sauces for a one-of-a-kind stir fry meal. A popular choice is Saturday’s seafood market, with fresh catches from local fishermen in the Indian Ocean fronting the resort.

Cendana Restaurant, located near the hotel’s lobby, also creates appetizing dishes led by Chef Irwan Dian Kurnyawan. We were served the signature appetizer dish of smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus drizzled with Gribiche Sauce, complimented by salad on the side. The salmon was so fresh and absolutely delectable! This was followed by a seared tuna steak with bok choy, seasoned with wasabi and green onion mayonnaise. I loved the contrast of the tuna with the wasabi. It was perfect for me, as his food is light and simply presented. It is neither too rich nor too strong, but with a clean and delightful taste perfectly suited for Le Meridien’s tropical cliffside setting. To cap off our meal, we indulged in the green tea cheesecake topped with a berry ice cream. Each a delightful dessert in itself, the pairing of the two was an interesting match that explores a variety of flavor, the berry adding a touch of sweetness to the smoothness of the cheesecake.

Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort is an amazing destination that kept us constantly entertained. Its multitude of activities gives guests of all ages something new to discover each day. By the end of my stay, I could easily understand why other guests return year after year. Not only is the resort in itself stunning, with its gorgeous scenery and beautifully landscaped gardens, but even more than this, there is a certain magnetism in the resort’s character. Steeped in tradition and community, Le Meridien is authentic and genuine. Culture is infused and celebrated in its every aspect. I can’t wait to return to the place where people welcomed us with open arms into the place they truly call their home.