With the help of a "rainstopper" to ensure a picture-perfect sunset, RIMBA Jimbaran Bali celebrated its grand launch as another unique 5-star hotel by AYANA Resort and Spa.

The weather forecast on 1 November said thundershowers, but the hotel's events team arranged a traditional  rainstopper to seek the gods' blessings for a 'dry' event to launch the 282-room hotel. It worked; the 700 guests in attendance enjoyed clear blue skies and a stellar Bali sunset from UNIQUE Rooftop Bar before continuing the party poolside at RIMBA Lawn until the early hours. The rain held off until the party ended and then the drops began.

The owner of AYANA and RIMBA, Rudy Suliawan, thanked the team behind RIMBA's birth: "We started building in October last year, so what you see right now was achieved within a year. That makes RIMBA one of the fastest hotels built anywhere in the world. RIMBA was built to complement what we already have at AYANA, to provide a different product and a different experience for guests. It truly is the Best of Both Worlds," said Mr Suliawan in his keynote speech at the event.

The grand launch followed RIMBA's soft opening in September, in time to welcome delegations as an APEC host hotel alongside AYANA. Under the same management of Capella Hotel Group, RIMBA features 282 rooms and suites to expand on AYANA's 368 rooms and villas. The 8 hectare resort, whose name is Indonesian for 'forest', is located within AYANA's 77-hectare grounds overlooking Jimbaran Bay, just 12 kilometers from Bali's airport. Its design is highlighted by sustainable local materials, one hectare of water bodies including six swimming pools, world-class dining concepts and spectacular sunset views.

The event, attended by some 700 travel partners, media, and community VIPs, featured a sensational line-up of international and local performers and a choir of the hotel's employees. There were stiltwalkers, hula dancers, fairies in giant bubbles, mermaids, tribal beauties, Amazonian warriors and moving "human" tables of canapes. The highly-anticipated Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant presented a delectable array of authentic Chinese cuisine, giving guests a taste of what will be on offer when it opens on 10 November.

The high priest arrived on a dancing horse for a Mepatigan Purification Ceremony, which portrayed the ongoing battle between good and evil as humans seek to find the balance between god, man and nature. This was followed by an exclusive collabarative performance by renowned local bands Balawan and Batuan Ethnic Fusion involving a didgeridoo, percussionists and Okokan traditional musicians, before a breathtaking aerial silk performance.

For many, the most touching performance of the night was by the hotel's own employees. Hayley Gene Penner, a Canadian singer-songwriter who composed AYANA Resort and Spa's theme-song, "Until I'm Back to You", performed the track with a choir comprising employees from AYANA and RIMBA. This was followed by the official opening of RIMBA by Yoko Suliawan, and a 5 minute long spectacular fireworks show with missiles that set alight a giant "RIMBA" sign above the main stage.

To celebrate its opening, RIMBA Jimbaran Bali has launched an introductory offer for all bookings received before 22 December 2013. Book direct to save up to 36% on with special benefits including daily buffet breakfast, Balinese massage for two people and US$50 Resort Credit per room. For more information and reservations, contact bookings@rimbajimbaran.com. 
 

About RIMBA Jimbaran Bali

Named after 'forest' in Indonesian, RIMBAJimbaran Bali offers eight hectares of lush gardens to explore within the 77-hectare grounds of AYANA Resort and Spa overlooking Jimbaran Bay, just 12 kilometers from Bali's airport. The 282 well-appointed guest rooms and suites are contemporary, elegant and chic, with an emphasis on sustainable design.

Hotel facilities include Chinese restaurant Ah Yat Abalone Seafood Restaurant; ultra-glam roof-top bar UNIQUE; To'ge all day dining and gourmet bakery; Cooking School; swim-up pool bar; Kids Club and children's pool; six rooftop spa treatment rooms; Ballroom and meeting rooms; jogging trails around AYANA; resort shuttle; and complimentary WiFi.

About AYANA Resort and Spa

Named after a 'place of refuge' in Sanskrit, AYANA Resort and Spa enjoys majestic ocean views along its 1.3km coastline on cliffs above Jimbaran Bay, just 12km from Bali's airport. Guests enjoy unrivaled sanctuary within the 77-hectare resort, which is also home to RIMBA Jimbaran Bali, a 282-room hotel in a tranquil forest setting.

AYANA's 368 guestrooms comprise 78 private pool villas and a 290-room hotel. Resort highlights include the 22,000sqm Thermes Marins Thalasso spa with one of the world's largest Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pools and the
Spa on the Rocks villas set amidst the Indian Ocean. There are five purpose-built wedding venues; the avant-garde Champa Garden for grand-scale events; four freshwater swimming pools including a children's pool; a salt-water,
infinity-edged Ocean Beach Pool at the cliff's base, accessed via an inclinator; 12 dining venues; 18-hole golf putting course; tennis pavilion; jogging/cycling path; fitness center; children's center; perfume-making studio and boutiques; comprehensive meeting facilities and business center; and resort-wide WIFI.

Awards for AYANA Resort and Spa include:

                                TRAVEL + LEISURE READERS' AWARDS

2013                        World's Best Hotels

2012                      Asia's Best Resorts

                                CONDE NAST TRAVELER

2012                        Gold List: World's Best Hotels and Resorts

2011                        Readers' Choice Awards: #1 Best Resort in Asia

2010                        Readers' Choice Awards:#1 Spa Resort in the World

                              destinasian readers' choice awards

2012                      #1 Resort Spa in Asia-Pacific 
                               #1Best Hotel in Bali

About Capella Hotel Group

Capella Hotel Group based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. was founded in 2002 by legendary hotelier Horst Schulze. The principals of the company leverage unparalleled hospitality experience and a diverse track record of operating world-class hotels and resorts to create value through superior service at luxury, world-class properties and conference centers in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world. Capella Hotel Group has successfully launched two hotel brands, Capella and Solis, and manages leading independent brands including AYANA. They have helped reshape concepts of luxury service throughout the hospitality and service industries and created the unparalleled Canon service standards introduced at AYANA, underpinning the resort's commitment to excellence and guest satisfaction. For more information, visit www.capellahotelgroup.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Milojevic
jmilojevic@insightpr.com.au
+61 0 2 44551572