Bali, Indonesia. I’ll say it again, Bali, Indonesia. If you’re like most, pictures of tropical beaches, serene beauty or Balinese art probably flashed in your mind at the mere mention of the Indonesian province. Personally, I’ve pictured myself there a million times; of course I’m wearing a long white dress and…well, that’s another topic. Among its sandy shores, sits a plethora of four- and five-star hotels that equally compare in beauty and tranquility. Naturally, when we learned the Capella Hotel Group was opening a second property there in September, we were eager to see how the resort would compare to its competitors.
Sister resort of AYANA, the new RIMBA Jimbaran Bali opens on 19 acres of land. Named after the Indonesian word for ‘forest,’ the hotel is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and tropical forests. As trends have shown, today’s designers are placing a great significance on building culturally relevant hotels. Following suit, the team behind RIMBA has created a property that oozes Balinese culture, art and architecture.
Its tree-lined entrance leads paired with the multi-tiered bodies of water creating different levels of slopes give off a sense of being deep in the heart of a national park. RIMBA’s hillside location also provides for sweeping views of the orange and pink sunrise and sunsets. The resort has 297 guest rooms and suites designed by WATG Architects USA and interiors by P49 Deesign. The 229-square-foot Jimbaran Bay Suite is sleek, with many elements that emoting a feeling of being outdoors. The bamboo sketching on the walls add life to the room while the sheer curtains surrounding the tub present the illusion of a waterfall. With an emphasis on sustainable design, the décor is minimal, contemporary.
The best part of any vacation (or at least top on the list) is the spa. RIMBA gives guests access to the World's Best Spa Thermes Marins Bali located at AYANA. The spa’s treatments are inspired by French thalassotherapy and traditional Eastern remedies. Spa on the Rocks treatment villas are available for a more private and exclusive experience. In keeping with its emphasis on nature, therapists use natural herbal concoctions, creams and oils in all their treatments.
But it’s the ease of RIMBA’s Balinese influence incorporated at every turn that really has our attention. Two acres of swimming pools interweave through the center of the property, a secret river of sorts that begs attention. Even the dining options feel open and rustic, especially UNIQUE, the roof-top bar furnished with vibrant blue couches and large wooden-like columns. They also offer wedding services, you know, in case any of you also imagined yourselves on the island in your white dress.
Legendary hotelier Horst Schulze founded the Capella Hotel Group in 2002 and since that time has gone on to establish the brand as one of the premier choices in luxury accommodations. Many of their properties also boast the same kind of local vibe, making sure that the destination is at the forefront of its blueprint. We think this new-kid-on-the-block, RIMBA, will do just fine among the other more seasoned resorts.

Upcoming developments include Capella Bahia Maroma, an 86-room resort in the Caribbean; Capella Niseko on Japan’s outermost island and a top destination for skiing; and Capella Bangkok, part of a mixed use development and will have a strong design focus.