The Beach at Ayana Resort Bali

"View the entire 2011 Gold List of the world's best places to stay › Also appeared in the Gold List in 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Amenities: Beach, Golf, Pool, Spa, Tennis"

"Note that it's a steep 197 steps down to—and back up from—the private beach"

"One of the platforms is accessed by a natural cave — follow it and find a garden suspended over the beach"

"The resort takes prime advantage of its oceanfront location, and has a private beach, oceanfront pool, infinity pool, and ocean and sunset views from its cliff-top bar and several restaurants"

"Both family-friendly and elegant, this hotel gets high marks, and though poor beach access will annoy many, villa guests are likely to think they have gone to heaven"

"It takes about five minutes by car to get to Jimbaran beach from the resort, a half hour to reach the famous Uluwatu temple and a number of popular beaches and surf breaks, and a half hour in the other direction to get to Seminyak, South Bali’s most popular area for shopping and dining"

"But it’s not just the cliff-top location that sets it apart: the dramatic setting, on more than 196 palm-filled acres, is dotted with tennis courts, an 18-hole putting course, and a dozen restaurants—plus four freshwater pools, a private slice of beach (accessed by an elevator set into the cliff), and 368 traditional rooms and villas"