SimplyAbuDhabi XLVII

Dining The Indonesian and fusion cuisine at Desa Hay is honest, inventive, and distinctly Balinese. The IJO restaurant, reserved for in-house guests, sits beneath a breezy Joglo-style ceiling, with rattan lampshades casting soft light and jungle creepers tumbling from the rafters. Breakfast is a highlight: mornings begin with a spectacular floating feast, delivered to your private plunge pool—fresh pastries, tropical fruit, avocado toast crowned with perfectly poached eggs, banana pancakes, and smoothie bowls make every morning a luxuriant ritual. The menu is customisable and dietary needs are swiftly accommodated. Lunch and dinner range from Indonesian comfort classics—nasi goreng, aromatic curries, nasi uduk—to Mediterranean-inspired plates and hearty pasta. Chef Ari Widyanto, teaming up with Jeremy Bleszynski, crafts each dish from produce sourced within arm’s reach; flavours are robust, unpretentious, and beautifully balanced. The bar is a showcase for local creativity. Mixologist Kadek Putra stirs up both classics and imaginative house cocktails with nascent Balinese botanicals—try the Purple Haze with Clitorea flower gin, or the zesty Gotu Kola with chili-infused tequila and piduh leaves. Room service is equally flexible, available from early morning until late evening, so that even the most introverted traveller can indulge in culinary delights from the privacy of their villa. Wellness & Leisure Though compact in scale, Desa Hay’s commitment to well-being is robust. Yoga each morning invites peace and presence as the day begins and the pool is ringed with canopied daybeds and fringed with palm trees—a soothing spot for languid sunbathing or a post-breakfast dip. While there is no on-site spa, the hotel offers seamless access to Spring Spa, a design-driven sanctuary just minutes away, renowned for its replenishing massages and beauty therapies. For those craving a more intense workout, sessions at the Body Factory gym—complete with high-end equipment and daily group classes—can also be organised. Desa Hay actively champions wellness beyond its walls: guests are encouraged to explore Canggu’s vibrant yoga scene, smoothie cafes, and nearby healing retreats. Back on property, the gentle pace and enveloping privacy create ample space for rest, reflection, and renewal. 242 | Simply Abu Dhabi