January 2011 - Nusa Dua, Throughout the history of man, every nation has created its own uniqueness through their culture, traditions, art and even cuisine. Each country features different tastes, colors, presentations that are easily recognized through sight, smell and flavor. Known to the world as a country with the best technique and presentation culinary skills, is the land of the rising sun, Japan. Every single dish made in Japan features a great harmony through the selected ingredients, amounts, texture and presented as an edible art.

2011 marks a beginning for Benkay Japanese Restaurant. Through the talent of its newly appointed chef, Maeda Kenji, this 5-star resort has pledged to feature the best of Japan all year long. To begin, Nikko Bali Resort and Spa has imported one of the world's best sea critters; Snow Crabs from Hokkaido Sea. This sweet, succulent crab will be presented in a selection of a la carte menus, a set menu and as teppan-yaki menu; for dinner from January 21 - January 30. Try the set menu which features the crab in a fresh starter with cold egg custard and somen (cold noodles), sushi, steamed with bonito vinegar, a hot pot dish, tempura and fried rice. If you have never tried Snow Crab before then this is one promotion that should not be missed as its sweet tasting meat will make you crave for more.

Mark the dates, call your friends and make a reservation immediately as this promotion will soon end. But fear not, as every month for the next 11 months Nikko Bali Resort and Spa will feature different premium ingredients such as the yellow fin tuna, oysters, sweet shrimp, kobe beef, king crab and puffer fish. Another year, another STEP UP, another uniquely Nikko feature.

January 2011 - Nusa Dua, People go on holidays to get away from their daily lives - routines, work, hustle and bustle of the city; or even just to find inner peace. It may be cliché to again mention the message from "Eat, Pray, Love" that has been used throughout 2010, but there's no other place better than Bali to actually discover yourself.

Located on the southern tip of the island, Nikko Bali Resort and Spa offers you the beautiful harmony of the Island of the Gods with its facilities and service. Ideal for everyone, you can find that ‘perfect’ holiday whether you're traveling alone, with your loved one or even with the whole family. Built on the face of a 40-meter cliff the view from this resort is unmatched; it can be said that the resort offers the best ocean view in Bali.

Opt to stay in any of the 73 Nikko Club rooms when you decide to book a room in this 389 room resort. The rooms come with additional club benefit from an exclusive entry to the Club Lounge located at the third floor of the resort. You will have access to two options of breakfast venue, either at the Brasserie des Celebrites or enjoy breakfast like a king at the lounge (which offers different sets of breakfasts along with a choice of premium items).

The lounge offers you that additional benefit of all day snacks, internet access, books, movies and a private pool with sun loungers and cabanas. The cabanas are the perfect setting should you wish to spend your day lounging out with some quality reading and tropical refreshments. Set facing the ocean - and the main pool of the resort - you will see why we recommend this to you.

In the afternoon, take a stroll along the resort's secluded beach with its coarse sand - which feels great as they're easy to dust off - and you will find a section of the resort that’s away from the 'busy' main pool area called the Serenity Beach. The name speaks for itself as it offers just that, serenity. Cabanas and loungers dot the beach for your engagement.

Next to the beach and the main pools are several spa villas for you to fully pamper yourself with the selection of treatments from Mandara Spa. Our recommendation is the Ultimate Indulgence, a 2-hour-plus pampering session with a floral footbath, body wash, scrub, massage and a facial - the whole nine yard. If you wish to splurge a little, choose their latest addition for facial treatments using the organic products known worldwide, Pevonia Botanica. This selection even offers a caviar - yes, caviar - facial.

Refreshed? Pampered? We're only halfway there. Head down to The Shore Restaurant and Bar by the beach, sit on the deck sofas overlooking the ocean. Indulge yourself with a nice afternoon cocktail and a selection of tapas. If you prefer non-alcoholic drinks, try the smoothies - they're to die for. Now, it's time for dinner.

The Shore offers a continental fusion for dinner in an elegant evening setting, lunch is more laid back and offers soul-satisfying food. You can expect the best from this award winning restaurant that honored 2 years in a row by a prestigious lifestyle magazine. Have the degustation menu if you wish to just sit and be pampered with a 7-course dinner prepared by the chef or select from the extensive menus each offering premium local ingredients or imported, air flown to Bali.

Go a little authentic with Japanese cuisine at Benkay Japanese Restaurant. Here you can find fresh sushi and sashimi, cook your own yakiniku, sukiyaki or shabu-shabu or sit by the teppan-yaki counter and be impressed with the skillful display of the teppan chefs. If you feel like 'reliving' Elizabeth Gilbert's book with some Italian, go to La Terrazza where you can find good Italian food and a selection of fine wines.

You can watch a live cultural performance at the Kupu Kupu Amphitheater where you can also taste Balinese authentic cuisine in the open air setting of the venue. Admire the magnificent cliff face relief depicting Dewi Sri, the Balinese goddess of fertility, successful harvest, and family prosperity and harmony.

Before ending your night, go to Oolooloos for a night cap, a game of pool or just go wild with Nintendo Wii. You can also watch live sport feeds here or connect with your friends and family back home with the hi-speed wi-fi connection.

In the end, there are no better words than "A Beautiful Harmony" to describe the entire Nikko Bali Resort and Spa experience. A full pampered stay from head to toe. Why choose the ordinary?

December 2010, Nusa Dua - Bali being such a melting pot like Bali where all cultures and traditions come together, it's no wonder that many different cultural / traditional celebrations of other nations are being celebrated on the island too. From Thanksgiving, Halloween to others that you may or may not have heard of.

True to these traditions, Nikko Bali Resort and Spa is going to hold a Russian Christmas celebration on January 6th, on the eve of the actual celebration on January 7th. Based on the Russian Orthodox Church, Russia celebrates its Christmas in accordance with the old Julian calendar. It's a day of both solemn ritual and joyous celebration.

This year's celebration will take place at Oolooloos Entertainment Center at the lower lobby of the resort featuring Nikko's authentic barbeque along with entertainments by a DJ, bartender flair and an exotic belly dance. Guests will be able to enjoy this extended festivity at only USD 50.00++ per person.