Former New Zealand detective sergeants open boutique resort in Bali
Bali newsBali9 min read
Tracey Rackliff and her husband Rob, former detective sergeants from the New Zealand Police Force, established Samanvaya, a boutique resort in Sidemen, East Bali. After a two-year deployment in the Solomon Islands, they sought a career and country change, eventually settling on Bali. In 2017, they spent six months in Bali, and in their last month, found Samanvaya, a property with 18 existing villas. The couple expanded the resort by purchasing adjoining land, adding 10 Wellness Villas, a spa, restaurants, a gym, and their own home. The villas feature charcoal-colored stone from Mt Agung and blend traditional Balinese craft with modern design, offering privacy and views of the Telaga Waja river and rice fields. During the pandemic, they initiated Support Sidemen to assist local communities with school supplies and disaster relief. Tracey Rackliff noted that Bali provides a grounding experience and a window into different ways of living.
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