An Insider's Guide to Bali

After booking a much-anticipated vacation to Bali for this August, my first call was to my college friend Sahiba.  Aside from being generally awesome and the sweetest person ever, Sahiba just so happens to own and manage an award-winning hotel in Ubud, Bali..all from the comfort of her home in LA.  We spoke about how she came to own a hotel in Bali, what it's like running a hotel from across the world, and her tips for a fabulous vacation in Bali.  

Sahiba, at the Viceroy, Ubud

How did you come to run a hotel in Bali?  My father was born in Indonesia, and my grandfather in the 1950's was the first exporter of Indonesian handicrafts. They eventually moved to the United States many years later, and in early 2008, my father decided to purchase a vacation home in his old home of Bali. After leaving the investment banking world in September 2008, I convinced my father to convert the vacation home into a 7-villa hotel.  After a series of renovations, Villa Sarna was officially in business by mid-1009. The property is set about 15 minutes from the center of Ubud, among lush greenery and rice paddies. It is truly one of the most peaceful places in the world. 

 What was it like getting the hotel started?  Getting the hotel off the ground took a lot of patience and virtual meetings and contracts with the online booking agents such as Expedia, Orbitz, Agoda, and Wotif.  In the beginning, I would have to work at all hours of the night to ensure there would be no over-bookings, but a few years later, I was able to automate the system across all outlets using a channel manager.  In 2011 and 2013, Expedia honored  Villa Sarna with the Insiders' Select Award, which means their users considered us one of the top 650 hotels in the world.

Is it difficult to run a hotel in Bali from LA?  The internet makes handling the customer service, accounting, and marketing very seamless from Los Angeles (or anywhere), although I do wish I could make it to Bali more often.

What do you do when not running a hotel on the other side of the world?  The hotel's existence inspired my family to start an eco-friendly candle company called Volcanica Candles in Ubud in 2010, specializing in unique hand-crafted candles.  We now employ over 200 Balinese craftspeople - many of whom have family members who are employed at the hotel as well. The people of Bali are among the warmest in the world, and I'm lucky to be immersed in such a wonderful culture.

Sahiba's Recommendations

Ubud

About:  Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali.   I would plan to stay 2-3 days here.

What to do:  I recommend hiking Mt. Batur Volcano at sunrise, cycling along the rice paddies, white water rafting, and taking a yoga class at Yoga Barn.  There are really nice temples here and the biggest attraction is the Monkey Forest in the center of Ubud (just beware of feisty monkeys).  Another popular attraction is the cultural Bali Kecak Fire Dance.  You can ride an elephant in Ubud at the Elephant Safari Park.  My favorite thing to do would be to take a cooking class.  They take you on a tour of the local market before teaching you how to prepare a full Indonesian meal.  After the class, you enjoy lunch or dinner with other vacationers from all over the world. I took a class at Casa Luna, but Paon Bali also has great reviews.

Hotels: Viceroy Bali, Four Seasons at Sayan, and Ubud Hanging Gardens.  Ubud Hanging Gardens has one of the most stunning pools in the world.  You are taken through the hotel in a cable car.  

Restaurants:   Bridges (request to sit near the waterfall for dinner); Melting Wok (very casual, great food for lunch); Ibu Rai (also casual); Kafe (for lunch, juices); Pica South American Kitchen (for dinner - amazing food);  Locavore (for dinner.. make sure you book well in advance.. a fancier meal - rated #1 on TripAdvisor); Dirty Duck Cafe (you sit among the rice paddies (known for their crispy duck); Ibu Oka was made famous by Anthony Bourdain for its roasted pig;  Cascades at the Viceroy (or you can just go for a drink before sunset at the bar...stunning rice paddies).  You will read about Mozaic, but it is absurdly expensive/not worth it. 

Nusa Dua

This separated beach area of Bali is very quiet.  The hotel resorts are very large and lavish.  It is a bit quiet for my taste, but people like it.  I've stayed at the Ayodya, but you really can't go wrong with any of the big hotels.  I only ate at the hotel...things are very far apart. 

Seminyak

This is the hip area of Bali in the south.  I would spend about 3-4 days in Seminyak.  It is beachfront and only about 20 minutes from the airport, which makes it the most popular area in Bali to stay in.  The stores, restaurants, night life, and spas are all excellent.  Up-and-coming Indonesian and Australian designers have their boutiques here.   The best place to see the sunset is at Ku De Ta.  Potato Head has a very relaxed atmosphere as well.   Both Ku De Ta and Potato Head are essentially outdoor lounges. 

Hotels: The W Seminyak, The Legian, or the Oberoi. 

Restaurants: Mamasan, Chandi, Sarong, Sisterfields (for a healthy lunch), Naughty Nuri's (for ribs). 

Jimbaran Bay

About:  This is a very nice area of Bali, near Seminyak and Nusa Dua.  One of the coolest parts is that you can pick out your seafood from stands lined up on the beach.  They will cook it for you and you dine just steps from the ocean.

Hotels:  The Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort is stunning. You take an elevator down the cliff and the bar is at the edge of the cliff looking into the ocean.  Fun fact: Julia Roberts stayed at the Four Seasons Jimbaran while filming Eat Pray Love...you can't go wrong with either hotel.  If you really want to splurge, the Bvlgari in Uluwatu is incredible.  The rooms are individual villas and you are shuttled around the resort by a private golf cart.  Monkeys camp out on your terrace.  Even if you don't stay there, I would go there for a drink. Uluwatu is a place known for big wave surfing and beautiful cliff views.  

Gili Islands

A lot of travelers have recently been going to the Gili Islands as well for snorkeling and diving.  It is about a 2-hour ferry ride from Bali.  I've heard it's really peaceful (no cars), but it is a bit of a trek. 

Notes 

Hiring a private driver is essential to truly explore Bali.  All of the hotels arrange them and most are about $50-$100 per day.  As of early June, Americans are no longer required to purchase a Visa on Arrival. The maximum length of time you can stay in Indonesia is 30 days.  

Confessions of a PR Queen: Kiara Horwitz Talks Hamptons

Meet Kiara!  After six years in the agency world, this South Africa native took the plunge and started her own PR company, Kiara Horwitz PR.  I had no idea what that meant, but after sitting down with Kiara, I realized she basically gets paid to party with celebrities.  After spending the first half of our meeting begging Kiara to put me on the list for a celebrity party, I was able to calm down enough to ask her some questions about what we can all look forward to this summer in the Hamptons.  

What does it mean to run your own PR company?  I represent an artist, Jeremy Penn, two restaurants in the Hamptons, Shagwong and the Salt Box, a retailer, Mixology, and a men's custom suiting brand, Steed & Wall.  I present clients to magazines, websites, TV and media channels, and plan events around different brands and venues and invite top-tier celebrities and influencers to attend. 

What celebrities have you worked with? Alessandra Ambrosio, Usher, AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Stam, Taylor Swift, Kelly Bensimon, Victoria Beckham,  and Eva Longoria.  Usher was really cool.  He met up with me and Jeremy in the city for drinks and Jeremy gave him a hand-painted commission painting of him. 

What parties are you throwing this summer in the Hamptons?  Jeremy Penn did an entire collection of paintings for the Montauk Beach House and this Friday is the exhibition launch.  There will be a DJ, drinks, and a soft serve ice cream truck.  E-mail me to RSVP!  On July 11, I am doing the opening of Mixology clothing store in Westhampton, which will have a DJ and rose. 

Can you put me on a list for a cool party?  Because it’s my job to be social, I'm always either running a party or know someone running a party, so I’ve gotten used to people asking me to put them on lists.  I’m always happy to help when I can. 

Have you ever snuck into a party?  I snuck into a Beach Party in Miami during Art Basel once.  The key is to be creative, adventurous, and always just go for it. 

 What are the best new hot spots this summer? My clients, the Montauk Salt Box, and Shagwong, both owned by Jon Krasner.  Salt Box is a new go-to fish shack and bar located in the heart of Montauk, which encompasses everything Montauk-made.  The Shagwong is the oldest most iconic bar in Montauk that has just switched hands and will be your go-to local hangout, whether during the day or after hours.  Also Harbor, which is the after party spot to dance it up. 

 How can I keep up with the hot new places? You should read Hamptons Magazine, check out Montauk’s newest local publication, Whalebone, and follow my Instagram!

Email Kiara at Kiara@kiarahorwitz.com; Instagram: tiarawithak

Where to Party this Summer: Host Committee's Carli Roth Shares Her Tips for an Epic Summer Out East

As co-founder of Host Committee, the ground-breaking start-up that helps friends turn professional sporting, live music and theater events into incredible group experiences, Carli Roth certainly qualifies as an expert in partying.  Recently named one of the most powerful women in the Hamptons by Hamptons Magazine, and one of the most eligible women in New York City by Business Insider, this San Diego native has become a fixture in the New York social scene.  I was lucky enough to catch up with Carli about this summer's hot spots and get her advice on how to organize an epic get-together out east. 

Where will you be staying?  Either my favorite, the Atlantic Terrace, a motel in Montauk, or Sole East.

Getting there: drive, Jitney, train or Blade?  Generally I take the train there, but will do Jitney home if it’s a Monday morning or if I want to sleep.  Last summer, after too many bottles of rose on Sunday, we picked up a large pizza from Pizza Village, jumped in an Uber and drove back.  That was the best return ever.

Where are the hot spots this summer?  Definitely the Salt Box in Montauk, which just opened, by Jon Krasner, and obviously the original favorite, Surf Lodge. 

Any tips for surviving the Surf Lodge bathroom line?  Make friends with someone who has a hotel room...or utilize the secret bathrooms.

Where are you most looking forward to getting dinner?  Jon’s other restaurant, the Shagwong Restaurant in Montauk, and La Brisa, the Tacombi of Montauk.

What's the best place for a big group dinner?  Moby's in East Hampton.  Peaceful and gorgeous ambiance! They have these big communal picnic tables outside, live music and the food is delicious.

What’s the most fun group activity you've done in the Hamptons?  Spent the day cruising the bays, with pit stops in Shelter Island and Navy Beach.  Wine tasting in the North Fork is also fun. 

What's your perfect schedule for a day in the Hamptons?  Morning yoga at Love Studio in Montauk, followed by plenty of sunshine at Ditch Plains Beach, finishing off with a boozy day and boogie somewhere.

Let's talk about some of the classics.  How do you typically get into Ruschmeyer's? Say "hi" to Marcus.  Great guy.

Weirdest story from inside the Ruschmeyer's teepee:  A really funny game of spin the bottle.

Favorite memory from the Memory Motel:  My friend Julia and I jumped on stage with the band at four in the morning.  Swigs of Fireball, jamming out...we added a lot of extra spice to that performance to say the least.

Where will you be when you're not in the Hamptons?  Exploring new places in New York like Brooklyn Crab. 

Classic Cars and Cigars: A Weekend in Cuba

New Jersey native Clayton Orrigo has made a name for himself as one of New York City's most formidable forces in luxury residential real estate.  We couldn't help but notice his gorgeous Instagram photos from a recent weekend in Cuba, and were lucky enough to catch up with him about his enviable trip to one of our Top 5 Emerging Hot Spots for Spring, 2015.   

What inspired the trip to Cuba?

It was my close friend's 30th birthday and he planned the trip for a group of eight of us.  We all wanted to check out Cuba before everything starts changing given the upcoming political changes with the U.S.

How did you get there?

Legally.  That’s the first thing to note!  We used a tour group to set it up and then we flew to Miami, spent a night at Soho Beach House, and flew to Cuba the next day. 

How did you get your visa?

The Cuba Exchange Program from Cuba Educational Travel. 

What's the best thing you packed?

Cash, because credit cards don’t work there. 

What were the best tips you got before you left?

To be prepared for the hot weather and to make sure your hotel has internet, since only a few do.  We stayed at Hotel Sevilla, which had wifi. 

What was the best meal you had there?

On our last night, we went to Dona Eutimia, which made Newsweek Magazine’s top 100 restaurants in the world in 2012.  They are known for their "ropa vieja," an amazing pork dish.  There is very little red meat in Cuba because it’s too expensive to get.  Even chicken needs to be imported from Canada.  So pork is their primary meat source.  Since almost everything is run by the government, you're best off making reservations at private restaurants which are effectively in people’s homes, usually offering a more upscale dining experience.

Favorite thing you did:

I visited a gallery of Hector Frank, a famous Cuban artist.  The gallery is in his private home, and we had a chance to meet his entire family as well as purchase a number of his pieces from his most recent collection.  He’s an up-and-coming artist starting to pick up a lot of steam in the U.S.   

Tell me about your best day there.

 One day we met a group of Croatians and got a chance to spend time with them as they were also exploring Old Havana.  We walked around and ate in bars where Hemingway used to hang out, which is big deal there (he is a huge figure in their culture and his books are being sold everywhere on the streets) and then we all went out partying that evening.  We bounced around to a couple fun clubs, including the "Art Factory" which is essentially a gigantic warehouse that is part club / part gallery.  We all ended up back at our hotel swimming under the stars until 6am.

What's one place you didn't get to visit but wanted to? 

Varadero Beach.  We ended changing a lot on our itinerary to focus on less "touristy" pursuits and more a natural exploration of the city. We wanted to find the Nolita of Cuba, not Broadway and it's tourist traps. We had our guide point us in the right direction and we roamed around for hours stopping in random bars, and street markets.

What was the most interesting thing you learned?

Brain surgeons make $30 per month. The healthcare system and the educational system is actually quite strong, but as the government pays for everything, wages are extremely low. The government provides food and shelter subsidies in addition, but some of the smartest people in the country make a fraction of our minimum wage employees in the U.S.

What did you bring back?

Everyone wanted rum and cigars and we were able to bring a limited amount back of each.  I also brought back a humidor.

What’s the #1 tip you'd give a friend who wanted to go?  

Get a tour guide and a car.  We had a driver the whole time and that was instrumental to us getting around.  Since there's no internet or Googlemaps, it's very challenging to get around.  Also, ditch the aforementioned Sprinter van for some amazing classic car taxis. We occasionally had our driver follow us as we drove around in classic American 1958 convertibles in all sorts of Crayola colors.  

Would you go back?

Yes.  What is so interesting about Cuba is that it’s only 90 miles off of Miami, but has a very Parisian, European feel to it.  The city is architecturally stunning, so for those based in Florida, they can have a completely new experience only 30 minutes away. 

Sunset at Hotel Sevilla

Taxi stand

Renting a classic car is a must!

View of Havana

Rolling Cuban cigars

Taxi Driver

"Her husband renovates classic cars.  Cuba is known for its classic cars, but renovating them is difficult because Cuba does not have access to many of necessary parts.  Renovators often have to make the parts by scratch, so in many ways, these people are artists." - Clayton   

Sunset over Havana

Stay: Hotel Sevilla;  Hotel Nacional.

Do: Stroll through the Old City, visiting Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza de la Catedral, and Plaza de Armas; visit the Rum Museum; take a day trip to Vinales Valley; hike the tobacco fields; visit the arts and crafts market in Old Havana; take a group picture at La Plaza de Revolucion.

Eat: Hotel Nacional; Dona Eutimia; El Cocinero. 

New York, I Love You: An Instagram Tour of the City

When Peyton Carr isn't running the wealth management firm Keystone Global Partners, this St. Louis native spends his time taking breathtaking photographs of the city.  In fact, one of his photographs was recently featured on NY Instagram.  Last week, I caught up with Peyton to discuss life, photography, and of course, New York.

What do you do in New York?

I work with affluent individuals and do three things: investing, tax minimization, and asset protection. Think of me as a personal CFO for wealthy families and individuals.  I love my job because we are always solving problems and thinking of creative ways to improve our clients’ lives.  Last week I was working on a project to sell an art collection tax-efficiently and this week I’m helping a family pre-plan for the sale of their business. 

Describe your perfect day in the city.

Saturday workout; brunch with friends; see some art; shoot some pictures; watch the sunset; have some cocktails!

Where’s the best place to catch the sunset?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, Battery Park, West side of Manhattan.

What restaurant are you dying to try but haven't yet?

I have not been to Santina, that Italian spot in meatpacking created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. It’s a big glass box right under the Highline, and the food is supposed to be very good! I think they just opened for brunch too, so I plan to check that out soon.

Where do you take a date to impress her?

Driving on the beach in the Hamptons during the sunset followed by beach grilling. Works every time!

What’s the best season to visit New York?

Late Spring or December. Spring is beautiful, not too hot, the park is open and everything is green. December is fun because the social season is in high gear and the city is completely lit up with holiday lights. It’s magical during the holiday season. During the summer, a lot of locals leave the city during the weekends, so beware of that if you’re coming to visit your friends in NYC.

What are your favorite weekend trips from the city?

The Hamptons. It’s easy to get there, has great outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, and phenomenal sunsets.  East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk are my favorite spots. Outside the Hamptons, Newport and Nantucket are great, but they take longer to get to.

What weekend trip are you dying to try?

I really would like to spend more time in the Hudson River Valley. It has a majestic beauty, with quaint towns, great outdoors activities and wonderful hiking. 

Taxi, subway or Uber?

All of them! I also Citi-Bike which is a great way to explore the city. 

Any crazy taxicab stories?

My second year in the city, I was riding in a taxi up 6th Avenue somewhere in the 50’s and we stopped in the middle of the street. A guy walked up to ask the taxi driver for directions. The driver rolled down his window, then the guy stuck his hand in, grabbed some cash, and ran off. The driver leaped out and ran after the guy. Meanwhile, I’m sitting in the back of the taxi in the intersection all by myself and the light turns green. I got into the driver’s seat and moved the taxi to the side of the road. I called the police and waited there. The driver came back about twenty minutes later while I was speaking with the police and had somehow gotten his money back. Don’t mess with taxi drivers!

If you could tell one thing to the tourists of New York, what would that be?

Make reservations and plan well in advance. Be specific about your preferences and get ideas about what to do from friends who live here. There are so many amazing restaurants in the city.  Don’t buy those cheap $5 umbrellas that hawkers sell on the street, they fall apart after two minutes.

FAST FAVES

Neighborhood: Nolita.

Restaurant: Cosme, but make reservations well in advance. Get the uni-tostadas, the octopus and the duck. I love tequila and they some great anejos if you are into that. The husk meringue for desert is also top notch.

Brunch: The Lion in the West Village.

Museum: Dia-beacon. This is a day trip—it’s in Beacon, New York, right on the Hudson River in an old Nabisco Box factory. They have an amazing collection of art from the 1960s to present - huge installations that couldn’t fit anywhere else. In the city, my favorite museum is the Moma.

Date spot: Bell Book and Candle; The Daily.

Party: Yorkville Ball at the Union Club

Hotel: Standard in Meatpacking because the views are so great. There are newer and “hipper” hotels, but nothing beats a cocktail at the top of the Standard while listening to jazz, then checking out the view of the city from the rooftop.