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. 

Hamptons Hot Spots: A Handy Pocket Guide

Scenic Trails and Lobster Tails: A Weekend in Maine

After a recent trip to Portland, Maine to see my cousin graduate from Bates College, I was left wondering how I'd gotten this far in life without visiting before.  Not only is Maine a mere hour flight from the city, but it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.  Seriously, sell one of your Hamptons share weekends and do Maine instead.  When you bite into your first lobster roll, you'll thank me! 

Here's how to do Maine in one weekend:

1.  Fly into Portland on Friday after work.  Rent a car and drive straight to Port Elizabeth and watch the sun set around the iconic Portland Head Light as you stroll along the water. 

2.  Have dinner in Portland at Street & Co. and consume massive amounts of deliciously fresh seafood.  After dinner, stroll through the cobblestone streets of downtown Portland and grab a beer at a local brewery along the water.   At the end of the night, head home to your lovely rented house along the water in Freeport (a pretty area and centrally located for all of your weekend adventures).  

3.  On Saturday morning, drive to the Freeport Farmer's  Market.  Sample cheeses and pet people's dogs while listening to the folk band play.  From here, head to Harpswell and hike the Cliff Trail.  You'll start with a scenic walk through the forest along a river, and slowly ascend the mountain.  Don't spend the entire time on your phone Googling what to do if you see a bear...just enjoy your walk.  When you get to the top, you're rewarded with stunning water views.  This is a good time to eat some trail mix and just admire the views.   

4.  By this point you'll be craving more lobster, so head to Estes Lobster House, right on the water in downtown Harpswell.  Everything is really cheap and you just burned a thousand calories, so don't be afraid to go big.  I suggest the Lobster Roll, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and Lobster and Crab Dip.  Afterwards, check out the adorable town of Brunswick, which is on your way home to Freeport.  If you have room for more seafood, eat dinner at Eventide, a new oyster bar in Portland.  There's also a fancy burger place called Duck Fat, and for sushi, try Yosaku (which involves sitting on the ground on pillows!).   After dinner, take in some tunes at country music bar Bonfire. 

5.  On Sunday morning, drive north about 45 minutes to Nezinscot Farm in Turner and have a delicious, locally-sourced brunch while petting animals.  If you don't have time for that, grab brunch in Portland at Silly's.  

6.  Drive back to the airport and fly home in time to pull your life together before Monday.  Hopefully, it won't be as traumatic as usual because you'll be so invigorated by all the fresh air and lobster.   

Portland Head Light

Cape Elizabeth

Portland Head Light

Cape Elizabeth

Portland Head Light

Cape Elizabeth

Brewery

Portland

Harpswell

Freeport Farmers Market

Freeport

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Cliff Trail

Harpswell

Estes Lobster House

Harpswell

Estes Lobster House

Harspwell

Estes Lobster House

Harpswell