7 minute read

TULUM MAGIC

Shafts of early morning sunlight reach the still water, surrounding us in dazzling sparkles and muted rainbows. The awed silence is broken only by our gentle splashes and the answering calls of tropical birds awakening in the jungle canopy above. Today we are the first arrivals in this mystical freshwater pool, sharing the wonder of discovery much as the early Mayans must have eons ago. The slight chill of the crystal-clear water as we enter the cenote awakens our senses. The beauty of this cavern, softly lit by gentle rays of sunshine through the opening high above, is slowly revealed, and we are paused in silent moments of reverence. When at last we emerge from our dazed wonder, we begin to explore more deeply, not wanting to disturb our magical reverie. Following our local guide we learn about the secrets of the cenote, the natural pools that are part of a precious underground aquifer lay just beneath the surface of the Riviera Maya. These pools contain a rich geological and human history, and as we meander, we feel gratefully immersed in the moment. This is one of the many magical and mystical phenome to explore in Tulum.

Waking up in the indulgent luxury of a Zorba Beach Villa is truly a dream. The sumptuous white bedding gives the illusion of floating in a cloud, making it nearly impossible to emerge from its sanctuary. Highlighting the Zorba collection are five unique full service contemporary villas and elite Penthouse offering fresh Boho charm with superlative design, first class amenities, and unrivaled location. Imagine the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea just beyond your doorstep, the gentle waves lapping the pristine white sands, nature’s invitation to start your day in perfect harmony. Nearby, the sparkling waters of the Zorba swimming pool with its picture-perfect waterfall wall creates its own melody in tune with its tropical surroundings. A day of exhilaration and relaxation, with tasty temptations from the onsite Taco and Breakfast Bar serving authentic Mexican delights and handcrafted cocktails in carefree pampered luxury.

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Designed for groups of friends or family, the 5-bedroom villa is the optimal Tulum villa experience… perfect location, privacy pool, unequaled connection to the sea, custom designed ensuite with bath and shower, plus two powder rooms. One bedroom has a bunk bed and double bed, ideal for families with children or young at heart friends. The striking high ceilings and curved walls bring a graceful bright airiness to the spacious living area. Floor to ceiling glass doors open to the stunning lanai where lounging is designed to bring everyone together in relaxed comfort beside the private pool. A full kitchen and beautiful dining area with seating for 12 makes this a perfect gathering place.

Each divine villa has a unique character and design, showcasing distinct features to intrigue guests. Your desire may perhaps include starry nights lounging on your private rooftop patio with heated outdoor shower, the signature of 3-bedroom Villas 3+ 4; or a poolside retreat with Zorba’s impeccable style and signature custom kitchens at the 3BR Villa 2. Villa 1 is closest to the sea, a two-bedroom tropical Boho retreat with glass doors open to sea breezes and an intimate connection to the beach. The romantic main bedroom is enchanting with a palapa roof, vaulted ceiling, spacious ensuite, and balcony to capture star filled night skies and Caribbean vistas to the far horizon. The living area has a casual lounge vibe alongside the full kitchen and dining room. A final crescendo is the idyllic Penthouse, a standout 1800 square foot private paradise with incredible vistas of the beach and sea.

Your Zorba villa is the perfect location to launch your discovery of vibrant Tulum, and to return at day’s end to immerse in its private beachfront luxury. Yucatan’s exciting tourist hotspot, Tulum has been an enticing destination since the beginning of time with its timeless beauty and bounty. At the tip of the Yucatan peninsula, caressed by the warm waters of the Caribbean, brimming with life. Its active lifestyle revels in endless sunshine, playful white sand beaches, and mysterious tropical forests. Here we come to explore, to appreciate the sites where the Mayan culture thrived, evidenced by the ruins of amazing temples and towering stone cities they left behind. Tulum has it all.

Zorba Beach Villas and Mahayana Beach

Homes are sister properties along the coveted shoreline of Tulum’s boutique hotel area and offer the ultimate experience in barefoot luxury for families and groups.

It’s Bali magic… Open your heart and let your spirit soar!

Find yourself in awe and wonder, immersed in a fairy tale of palatial elegance resonant in timeless splendour. Present day beauty recalls a treasured piece of Javanese-Hindu history, the ancient mystical Kingdom of Majapahit, magically re-visioned and brought to life at Bali’s stunning Jumeirah Bali.

A sun-drenched vision of sparkling white rises from the verdant green hillside, revealing the picturesque contemporary palace of Jumeirah Bali. Poised within expansive terraced gardens dotted with guest villas and pools extending to the ocean shore, the vision is breathtaking. Jumeirah Bali's uniquely regal architecture is inspired by a tranquil Javanese-Hindu water palace, a place of beauty and joy. Ethereal white marble, stately columns and archways, and stunning interiors welcome guests to relax and enjoy. Historic stones artistically frame walkways, and contemporary porticos incorporate elements of traditional Balinese architecture, a tribute to the history and the unique island culture. Jumeirah Bali presents an assemblage of 123 luxurious all-villa, one-, two- and four-bedroom options, configured within the lush Heritage Majapahit gardens, showcasing Balinese design and spacious comfort. Terraces with private pools, embracing stunning views of this lovely resort kingdom, the Uluwatu coastline, and sunsets over the Indian Ocean. The Jumeirah Bali villa experience highlights natural elements in harmony with a well-appointed contemporary style, where gracious interiors seamlessly blend with the surroundings creating a retreat that we truly love.

Jumeirah Bali is truly magical, a place of serenity and dreams, wellness and restoration, a place for connection and spiritual renewal. Guests are invited to set an intention, a practice that feels so natural in this setting where mystical history together with ancient healing traditions have found relevance in the 21st century. Welcome to the wonders within the Jumeirah Talise luxury spa experience. The Jumeirah Bali philosophy is inspired by the “Negara Kertagama, a 14th century Javanese text in which the collective wisdom of centuries maps out a path to achieving a balance and harmony in life.” Beyond the extensive menu of spa treatments, guests will also experience the exceptional signature Hammam, its cleansing powers divined by ancients to produce health and healing, improved circulation, breathing, the release of environmental toxins, and ultimate muscle relaxation.

There is a special beauty that is Bali’s supreme gift, and Jumeirah Bali brings a connection to that beauty within the serene elegance of your villa stay, replete with all the modern amenities, butler service, and the healthful joys of all-day-dining at the Segaran Dining Terrace. Guests discover daily menus featuring a wealth of fresh organic, sustainably sourced ingredients tantalizing tastebuds with a variety of specialty Southeast Asian dishes. The Maja Sunset Lounge beside the infinity pool brings guests together throughout the day to celebrate the sun’s colorful finale at the day's end. Jumeirah presents an opportunity to recalibrate and reflect, to pause as an individual, a couple, or a family. A time to flow with the rhythms of the ocean waves and discover the meaning of Bali bliss.

Situated on the topmost level of Jumeirah Bali, the newly opened signature restaurant AKASA places diners in the midst of nature, sea and sky with awe-inspiring views across the island’s gin-clear waters and romantic sunset panoramas. Inspired by the Majapahit era, the golden age of Java, the elegant restaurant invites guests to relax over lunch in the sun or an alfresco moonlit dinner to make the most of Bali’s balmy climate. Inside, the chic décor evokes a stately banquet hall where a royal Javanese family would entertain an intimate group of friends amid the splendor and royal ceremony.

AKASA’s Asian fusion menu created by Chef Joan Achour delights with rich, smoky flavors of Bali while referencing Thai, Japanese and Korean cuisines as well. By focusing on dishes that are perfect for sharing, Chef Joan pays tribute to Bali’s time-honored tradition of serving family- style meals on large platters and inviting everyone to help themselves. Starting with a crudo selection that includes flame-grilled tuna tartare with Timut pepper and woodfired veal katsu, Chef Achour’s menu is also an ode to nourishing dishes of Bali cooked over an aromatic, wood-fired flame that uses seasonally-changing local firewood

To experience the Bali adventure in the sublime elegance of the stunning RitzCarlton on the glorious beachfront of Nusa Dua is to take your getaway to a new level. Lush tropical gardens and dramatic water features with an artful flow throughout the property lend a spiritual calming, a presence designed to enhance the connections between the architectural details and the natural environment. For those fortunate enough to be seasoned world travelers and those aspiring to join those ranks, the Ritz-Carlton name is renowned everywhere, welcoming guests with the highest standard of hospitality, service, amenities, location, and cultural connections, along with its coveted reward benefits.

With this in mind, planning a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Bali promises luxurious pampering, accommodations stylishly designed for maximum comfort, and fine dining with inspired international cuisine nuanced with fresh Balinese accents. Designed with a deep appreciation of Bali’s rich cultural heritage highlighted in each aspect of the interiors, the Ritz-Carlton Bali boasts a dramatic clifftop setting with panoramic views of the cerulean Indian Ocean expanse reaching the horizon, photoperfect beautiful white sand shores, and the heights of sacred Mt. Agung in the distance.

Immersed in beauty, indulgent luxuries, the pleasures of fine dining, the 5 Star villas and suites of Ritz-Carlton Bali entice guests with an array of choices that check all the boxes of wishes, needs and desires. The spacious living areas showcase the works of Balinese artisans in fabrics, carvings, art and furnishings that invite dreamy repose from sumptuous beds to seating areas indoors and out. Elegant baths with separate tub and rain shower, gratifying locally sourced premium amenities, sundrenched terraces featuring daybeds and loungers, private pools, every aspect idyllic for romance or perfect family holiday. (And yes, there is a wonderful Kids’ Club with activities and crafts!) Among the many touches great and small that define the Ritz-Carlton, the romance of Bali is celebrated within the iconic glass pavilionstyle wedding chapel that punctuates the beachfront, its awe inspiring beauty resonating throughout all venues.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali reflects Balinese traditions and spirituality in the design of the Spa and philosophy guiding massage and body treatments, aromatherapies, and the soul cleansing traditional Soul Purification Ritual steeped in ancient mysteries.