Our Fabulous September Bali Vacation

A September Escape

Some vacations are memorable because of where you go. Others remain with you because of how they make you feel. Our September escape to Bali gave us both: peaceful days together, wonderful meals, and thoughtful surprises that turned a getaway into something deeply personal.

A Gentle Beginning in Kuta

Our vacation began on September 12. With an evening arrival, we spent our first night at Fairfield by Marriott Bali Kuta Ngurah Rai, close to the airport, before continuing to Nusa Dua the following day.

For dinner, we headed next door to Payakumbah Bali. A generous selection of prepared dishes was brought to our table; we chose what we wanted to eat and paid for those selections. We also ordered freshly cooked ayam goreng and telur dadar crispy—a wonderfully crisp Indonesian omelet.

After dinner, we walked to a nearby mall for a little browsing before calling it a night. It was an easy, enjoyable beginning to our time in Bali.

A Welcome We Never Expected

After a leisurely morning on September 13, our driver took us to Marriott’s Bali Nusa Dua Terrace, our home for the next five nights. The Vacation Club property shares amenities with the adjacent Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort, including its pools, restaurants, and bars.

Before our arrival, the resort had asked whether we were celebrating anything special. Ruky mentioned a belated birthday celebration—her actual birthday was July 13. When we entered our villa, we discovered just how much the team had made of that small piece of information.

Balloons filled the room, a bottle of champagne awaited us, and there were gifts and a small birthday cake. Even the bathroom mirror carried birthday wishes. What a welcome!

Settling Into Our Home for the Week

We unpacked, ordered groceries for the fully equipped kitchen, and relaxed in our private plunge pool. That evening, we headed to R Bar at the adjoining Renaissance for cocktails included in our vacation package. We ended the day still smiling about the welcome.

The Excursion Day

September 14 had been designated “The Excursion Day,” with three experiences planned. The first was morning yoga by the beach, requiring us to be ready by 6:45 a.m. We cheerfully opted out. It was much too early—and neither of us is what anyone would call a “yoga person.”

At noon, we set out for the decidedly more appealing second experience: a romantic lunch at The Beach Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali.

Our table was covered with rose petals, with our names displayed at our seats. Beyond it lay the blue ocean and the beach. We settled in for five courses, attentive service, and the pleasure of simply enjoying each other’s company.

The Ritz-Carlton held a deeper meaning for us: we had stayed there to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Returning brought back wonderful memories, and we decided there and then to come back later in the week on a day pass.

A Birthday Encore at Devdan

After a rest at the villa and a quick bite, we headed out for the final experience of Excursion Day: the Devdan Show, a celebration of Indonesian heritage through music, dance, costumes, and acrobatics.

Our VIP package included access to the lounge and the opportunity to meet and take photographs with the performers. After the show, another surprise awaited us. The performers gathered around Ruky and a little girl who was also celebrating a birthday, and sang “Happy Birthday” to them.

Apparently, Ruky’s July birthday celebration was nowhere near finished.

The Luxury of Doing Very Little

September 15 was deliberately slow. We relaxed beside one of the resort pools while our room was being cleaned, then returned to our own plunge pool and prepared dinner in the villa.

There were no excursions, schedules, or grand plans—and that was precisely what made the day so enjoyable. Sometimes the greatest luxury of a vacation is having absolutely nowhere you need to be.

Back to a Special Place

On September 16, we returned to The Ritz-Carlton on a day pass, just as we had promised ourselves during lunch. We found a shaded spot beneath an umbrella and spent almost the entire day there.

We strolled along the white-sand beach, enjoyed the sea air, and let the hours pass. Being back in a place connected to our 30th anniversary made an already lovely day feel especially personal.

Back at Nusa Dua Terrace that evening, we had dinner and settled in. The next morning would bring something a little less relaxing: a presentation about adding to our Marriott Vacation Club ownership.

The Presentation—and Our Final Full Day

The presentation was part of the arrangement behind many of our vacation incentives, including airport transportation, welcome cocktails, the romantic lunch, and VIP access to Devdan. Our scheduled 60-to-90-minute presentation stretched to two and a half hours.

We received useful information but resisted the temptation to purchase more. We were already content with what we had. We walked in as satisfied owners and walked out with exactly the same ownership—and our resolve intact.

With that behind us, we enjoyed our final full day, September 17. After a few hours at the resort pool, we took the shuttle to its designated beach and stayed until sunset.

For our last evening, we secured a last-minute reservation at Steaksmith, the steakhouse at the adjoining Renaissance. It was a fitting place to linger over an excellent dinner.

Then came one last surprise: another small cake for Ruky, with the staff gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday.” This truly was the birthday that refused to end.

One Last Sunny Afternoon Before Home

September 18 was checkout day. Our trip concierge and advisor, Mr. Sheva, had arranged for us to stay until 1:00 p.m. instead of the usual 10:00 a.m. With our flight to Kuala Lumpur not departing until 7:45 that evening, the extra time was a welcome gift.

After breakfast and packing, we checked out and left our luggage with the bell desk. We spent those last hours lounging beside the pool and soaking up the beautiful sunny day. Later, we used the spa facilities to shower and change before our ride to the airport.

Throughout our stay, Mr. Sheva and his colleague, Ms. Army, had been exceptional. Their warmth, planning, and attention to detail—from the airport arrangements to the notes, flowers, and birthday surprises—helped make the week feel deeply personal.