AYANA Resort and Spa Bali has been awarded Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort at the World Travel Awards 2009, just months after rebranding under management of the world’s top hoteliers.

Formerly Ritz-Carlton Bali, AYANA rebranded on 1 April after a management change initiated by the owner, who’s invested millions of dollars to strengthen the property’s position as Southeast Asia’s premier destination resort. Recent enhancements include the new Rock Bar, located on natural rocks abutting the ocean; renovation of Padi restaurant and AYANA Ballroom; and appointment of William Gumport as Chef de Cuisine at Dava.

The 77-hectare property retained the vast majority of its 950 staff and selected West Paces Hotel Group led by Horst Schulze, former president and founder of Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, to provide management expertise. General Manager Charles de Foucault brings more than 30 years’ experience, including 17 with Ritz-Carlton hotels, while Food & Beverage EAM Marc Dobbels is a Michelin-star chef with extensive hotel management experience.

The property offers 78 villas and a 290-room hotel perched on cliffs along a 1.3 kilometer coastline. The island’s largest spa, Thermes Marins Bali, features the Spa on the Rocks treatment villas amidst the ocean, and one of the world’s largest Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pools. There are six wedding venues including two glass chapels, 13 F&B outlets, and extensive recreational and conference facilities.

Tagged ‘the Oscars of the travel industry’ by the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Award validates AYANA’s successful rebranding.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized as Asia’s best luxury resort, when you see the competition in today’s luxury market,” said Charles after receiving the award at a Gala Ceremony in London. “There’s no shortage of beautifully designed or luxuriously-appointed resorts, and the Rock Bar opening has put AYANA on the map for every visitor to Bali. But we go beyond the ‘hardware’ of our facilities, to welcome guests with the warm hospitality, rich culture and dedicated yet discreet service of our ‘software’, our people.”

The WTA accolade follows several other awards since AYANA’s rebranding. It was the only hotel in Indonesia ranked amongst Asia’s Top 15 Resorts - and the World’s Top 100 - in Travel + Leisure’s 2009 survey, was ranked Bali’s #1 resort by AB-Road Japan, and voted Asia’s #3 Spa Resort by SmartTravelAsia.