Karma Opens New Luxury Resort in Bali

Karma Resorts has opened the Karma Kandara, Bali, Indonesia. Set on a dramatic cliff overlooking a private beach club at the tip of Bali's elevated southern peninsula, the Karma Kandara is not far from one of the island's most sacred Hindu temples, Uluwatu. It is just 24km from the international airport.

The resort comprises 46 pool residences of mainly 3 and 4 bedrooms. All enjoy spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and are connected by stone steps, bridges and walkways that meander through landscaped tropical gardens and water features.

Internationally acclaimed architects Grounds Kent have created contemporary elaborations on the traditional Balinese garden compound design, with each residence comprising two or three pavilions with roofs of alang alang grass or sirap wood tiles, framing a central lap pool and courtyard. With their high pitched roofs, the open plan living pavilions have an airy, expansive feel and comprise lounge, dining area and a fully equipped kitchen featuring the latest SMEG appliances. All bedrooms are oriented to face the ocean and boast large, semi-outdoor bathrooms with large stand alone tubs, designed to fully embrace the tropical setting.

Created by Lisa Garis of Plum Design, Singapore, interiors evoke a Mediterranean ambience while retaining a clean, modern feel Accented with antique artifacts and the work of local artists, features include delicately carved stonework, deeply varnished teakwood fittings, creamy marble and richly upholstered contemporary furniture in shades of chocolate, cinnamon, copper, bronze and amber. All villas are equipped with top of the line amenities including the latest audiovisual systems, with LCD TV and Bose Sound Systems. Karma Kandara's signature Grand Cliff Front residences offer one of the most privileged locations imaginable, with 17 meter lap pools drawing the eye outwards to a 180˚ degree sweep of ocean and sky.

To complement its opulent residences, Karma Kandara has created a highly select portfolio of public amenities, each with its own unique character. Suspended 150 meters above the surf on a rocky outcrop, Di Mare (Of the Ocean) is a destination restaurant whose semi-circular dining room, covered in light pre-tensile fabric, is built to resemble a yacht, framing a view of sea and sky that extends to the horizon, Award winning New York chef Raymond Saja has designed an ocean inspired menu marrying the best of the Mediterranean with a Pan-Asian flourish - think Spice Crusted Prawns with pea leaves, pods, tendrils and Tahitian vanilla emulsion, or Moroccan Spiced Ahi Tuna with Lentils du Puy, lemon confit and Ligurian olive juice. The Di Mare cellar is stocked with more than 5000 wines from around the world, many of them exclusive to the resort.

A North African ambience is fully realized at the rooftop Temple Bar, where plush, colorful banquettes, Shisha pipes and giant Moroccan stained glass lanterns create a Kasbah-like setting where guests enjoy custom cocktails and Mid –East inspired Tapas style dishes served at a whimsical market stall.

Inspired by the Aegean, the Nammos Beach Club occupies a picturesque beach, sheltered by the cliff face. Accessed by the resort's private inclinator which carries guests effortlessly up and down the vertical drop, it includes a bar and lounge area beneath a circular thatched roof and a broad bamboo platform giving onto a crescent of soft white sand and azure water that once again echo the Mediterranean. A fertile coral reef provides a magical snorkeling experience, exclusive to guests thanks to its privileged inaccessibility. Food options include a Mykonian/Mediterranean Seafood Grill and crispy pizzas from a traditional wood-fired oven, while a range of signature cocktails is on tap to accompany the dazzling sunsets.

The Chakra Spa sits at the pinnacle of the resort and features a floating treatment pavilion, yoga platform and indulgent Jacuzzi set on a solitary ledge high above the sea. Highly trained therapists deliver an extensive portfolio of spa and massage treatments from Ayurvedic and Balinese traditions.

Karma Kandara provides a range of tailored activities to suit all tastes. Guests can take a private speedboat to deserted beaches where they can enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch, or take to the air for a thrilling helicopter tour over the island before taking a luxury catamaran from which they can snorkel coral gardens teeming with marine life or catch a fish for supper. An 18 hole golf course is located nearby and cocktails and canapés are offered at sunset at secluded locations on the cliffs of Uluwatu. Private Balinese cooking classes can be arranged within the private residences while the kids enjoy the activities of the Kids Club, where children of all ages are professionally cared for and entertained from 8am to 11pm daily.

"Karma Kandara is the realization of a long held dream for me," said John Spence, Chairman of Karma Resorts. "In my many travels throughout the world I truly believe its location and offer is second to none. To stay at Karma Kandara is a once in a lifetime experience that we can now offer to our loyal clients time and time again. That was my vision when we began Karma Resorts, and Karma Kandara is the latest project to fulfill this dream."

Karma Kandara is the latest development in the rapidly growing Karma family, joining Karma Samui at Koh Samui in Thailand and Karma Jimbaran at Jimbaran Bay, Bali. In 2009 Karma Resorts will introduce Karma Margaret River in Western Australia and Karma Agung in Bali.

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