Between the hours of 9am and 5pm, guests will be encouraged to ‘live in the monent’ rather than peer at the mobile phone screen or pose for the perfect poolside shot to send to their fanbase.
Instagrammers please note: The Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali has banned the use of phones and iPads around one of its pools.
Between the hours of 9am and 5pm, guests will be encouraged to ‘live in the monent’ rather than peer at the mobile phone screen or pose for the perfect poolside shot to send to their fanbase.
On the resort’s website, Ayana claims, “The ethos of River Pool is to create a place of tranquillity, where our guests can truly relax and be ‘in the moment’. To ensure River Pool remains a haven for guests we limit the use of mobile phones, cameras, iPads, and any other electronic equipment between 9am-5pm.
“So during your time at River Pool we promise there will be no calls, no text, no pictures, and no social media – just you, River Pool and this moment!”
Guests can store their digital devices in nearby lockers and switch off from the outside world. Traditional games such as chess, cards, sudoku and jenga are available on request instead.
Leslie Patrick Moore, who reviewed the hotel for Telegraph Travel said, "When I was last at the Ayana, everyone around the pool had a phone in hand. Couples sitting next to each other were each staring at screens, and not talking to each other or looking at the gorgeous scenery right in front of them.
"It does seem sad that people spend thousands of pounds to go on vacation, and then sit and stare at their phones instead of living in the moment and making memories.”