Karma Kandara: Bali

Our very first post brought to you by the boutique and luxury hotel experts, Mr & Mrs Smith – read on to find out how you can win a two night stay at Karma Kandara!

Style: Supersized villas
Setting: Dramatic cliffhanger perched, celestially, between the azure Indian Ocean and emerald jungle of south Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, boutique hotel Karma Kandara takes relaxation to a higher plane. Vast villas sporting two to four bedrooms, crowd-pleasing restaurants, a laid-back beach club and a serene spa for chill-out sessions invite you to perfect the art of kicking back with kids in tow.

Need to know

Rooms: 46 pool villas, each with two to four bedrooms, make for the perfect family escape. If your brood’s particularly large, consider plumping for the Grand Cliff-front Residence, which has five bedrooms.

Facilities: Spa, gym, library, gardens, free WiFi throughout. In villas: flatscreen TV, CD/DVD player, iPod dock, SMEG-equipped kitchen with stocked refrigerator, tableware, washer/dryer, microwave, pillow menu, own-label natural toiletries.

In the know

Sleeping: Karma Kandara throws open the doors to kids of all ages, and the multi-bedroom abodes mean families can bunk down together. Villas with a third bedroom include twin beds; cots are free and extra beds cost US$75 a night. It’s worth noting that some villas are split into several buildings. If you’d prefer to be under one roof at night, opt for three-bedroom villas 1, 3, 5 and 7, or four-bedroom villa 2.

Playing: The all-day Karma Kids Club keeps younger guests entertained with treasure hunts, dressing up, beach larks and junior cookery classes, as well as Balinese puppet- and mask-making and dancing. There are also child-friendly movies and plenty of toys and games in the air-conditioned romping room, just off reception. Under-twos are welcome at the club only if accompanied by an adult. Karma’s concierge will happily arrange family activities; including fishing or sailing to neighbouring island Nusa Ceningan to snorkel its kaleidoscopic reef. You’re also near mellow beaches such as Padang-Padang and the monkey temple at Pura Lulur Uluwatu, where you can catch local dances at sunset.

Splashing: Of the two main pools, the lower one is shallow and ideal for little children. A lifeguard is on duty from 9am to 5pm daily. You’ll need to keep a close eye on younger kids around the villa, as the private pools aren’t exactly toddler-friendly.

Feasting: The colourful children’s menu features age-appropriate fare such as Thomas the Tank Engine’s baked chicken nuggets, Incredible Hulk grilled cheese sandwiches, and Harry Potter’s English muffin pizza, as well as local flavour from Little Buddha’s nasi or mee goreng. Nammos Beach Club, down by the sand, is the place to head for tasty Greek grills and kid-friendly pizzas. Young’ uns will love the inclinator, which ferries guests up and down the cliffside from hotel to beach and back.

No need to pack: Play pens, baby cots, high chairs, sand toys and buggies (request one in advance).

Time-out If you’re a Smith member, you’ll be treated to a wine-tasting session for two, so leave the kids in capable hands and book a trained babysitter, with four hours’ notice, from US$9 an hour. The seductive day spa’s ideal for child-free chilling, too.

To book a child-friendly Smith stay visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 800 905 326. What’s more, if you sign up as a Smith member, you can enjoy exclusive offers at more than 800 hand-picked hotels around the world.

Want to win a two night stay for two at Karma Kandara? Just email [email protected] with your name, email address and postal address and you’ll be entered into a prize draw (entries close 21st July). As runner-up prizes Mr & Mrs Smith will also be giving away three copies of their South East Asia Hotel Guide and a complimentary Blacksmith Membership.

The Small Print:

• Prize must be taken within 12 months of being awarded. Subject to availability and blackout dates apply. Meals, flights and transfers are not included.
• Entering this giveaway means Mr & Mrs Smith will receive your email address and details, and may follow up with news of special promotions.