Happy August Loves,
It's the end of summer and as friends, families, solo travelers, and boo'd up couples alike make a last dash to soak up some much needed sun, I wanted to check in with my extended family and share one of my best travel finds to date ... A tropical jungle escape in Bali, Indonesia!
Now if it feels like every traveler on Instagram is heading to Bali right now, there’s a reason ... It’s absolutely beautiful and full of culture. Not only does this place give you the quintessential tropical paradise experience, but there's also an intangible element as well.
While it can totally be my inner buddhist talking here ... Hopping off any flight, one of the first elements you'll encounter in your initial days there is the overwhelming sense of calm and mindfulness. And after escaping the 9-5 and working to cultivate and relaunch the QAC webstore, a mindful escape was just what I was looking for.
Before departing , I knew I wanted to connect my love of nature with a relaxing getaway. Cue endless Google searches for "jungle retreats." After what seemed like the millionth keyword, I stumbled across a hotel that seem completely too good to be true.
A hotel in the middle of the jungle. Carved directly out of a mountain side ..
With great food .. Wellness classes .. A spa .. And individual bungalows with a private infinity pool included? Yeah, something has to be wrong with this place. Only? I was completely wrong. The Royal Pita Maha was all of those things ... And then some!
After a 9 hour direct flight from Doha, Qatar followed by a one hour drive from the airport, I was completely exhausted. And yet, I was promptly greeted with a smile by the friendliest staff one earth ... Even at 11pm. I was offered a seat and given a cool drink while they proceeded to check me. My body began to exhale.
Photo of Melia Bali Resort taken later in my stay
The next coming days, were nothing short of a love story. I woke up to an absolutely incredible view (ask for bungalow 112, you won't be disappointed) .. Ate insanely delicious foods for pennies on the dollar
Swam in holy waters ..
Photo of Melia Bali Resort taken later in my stay
Hopped off the free shuttle to creative mecca, the central Ubud neighborhood ..
Photo of Melia Bali Resort taken later in my stay
And completely disconnected while wandering this massive jungle property. It - was -AMAZING! By the end of my stay, I was already plotting my return.
Tips & The Hotel Package
Looking to travel to Bali, or more specifically interested in the amazing jungle retreat? The following are a few tips which helped make this one of my top three travel locations ever!
1: Book in the Off / Wet Season:
To some this may sound risky. Some might ask, why would you book a trip in what many would consider the "rainy season?" .. In short, do it for the deals! Just like there's tons of ways to get great deals on flights, there's also lots of great ways to save on hotels and this is one of them. The trick I've found, regardless of hotel, is to book just before the high season if you can.
For example, peak season in Bali begins April 1st. I booked this trip at the end of March. Arriving just before the high season, but at the end of the rainy season, ensured I had a minimal chance of my trip being rained out, but guaranteed the opportunity to snag all the "low season" deals.
The Package:
Speaking of deals, booking this property in late March ensured I was able to cash in on all of the incentives this hotel had to offer to attract excited travelers like myself. During my week-long stay, I enjoyed complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning, complete with live stations .. A complementary yoga class near the hotel's on-site river .. And a free (yes free) massage at the on-site spa. Guys, I was living my best life! LOL
Check the Hotel's Official Site
As a final tip before booking? Always take a moment to visit the official site for the hotel of interest. Not only does it give you a better sense of the place .. Beyond a brief description of a travel agent (if you use one) or the sometimes generic ads placed on sites like Expedia .. You can personally investigate the often strategically placed "special offers" page on the site. There you'll find qualifying dates of travel to cash in on promotional deals .. Ways to get room up-grades .. etc.
While I love a good lavish getaway, I'm not ashamed to save a few coins either! Overall, my stay at Royal Pita Maha was so worth every penny. I left feeling both pampered and rejuvenated. Just what every busy boss gyal needs!
Youtube Vlog
Can't get enough of these gorgeous Bali pics? Check out a few of my favorite stops in my visual vlog below!
The Lookbook
Love this look? Get the deets on how to recreate this cool vacation style below!
Till Next Time ... The Journey Continues!
*Please note, this post was not sponsored, xo
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