This is Bali as it once was. Away from the crowds, noise, and traffic. A hideout on the meeting point of a jungle and a beach

Menjangan in English means – ‘deer’. This old Indonesian word for the species of wild deer inhabiting the area of the West Bali National Park is borrowed both for the neighboring island the animals swim to every year, as well as for the hotel spreading strong roots in the national park, just like the mangroves surrounding it.

The Menjangan, a member of Lifestyle Retreats, is a boutique property on the northwestern corner of the most popular Indonesian island. But this is Bali as it once was. Away from the crowds, noise, and traffic. A hideout on the meeting point of a jungle and a beach.

The unspoiled forests and the tranquil undersea provide a rich holiday arena for nature-inspired travelers. At the same time, one doesn’t have to follow Robinson Crusoe; The Menjangan is a jungle resort with all the luxury one would expect from the 4-star Bali hotel!

The wilderness of Bali will continue to be an appealing invitation card in post-pandemic times as well! In The Menjangan Resort review, find out all the benefits of staying in the heart of a national park! And then add it to your travel plans!

The Menjangan – National Park’s alluring outpost

Taman Nasional Bali Barat (West Bali National Park) covers 190 square kilometers of Buleleng Regency that follows the island’s northern shores.

Encircling the extinct volcanoes, there is a variety of habitats here. Montane forests, rainforests, lowland forests, mangrove forests, acacia scrubs, dry savannas… The rest of the park includes a kilometer-long beach, coral reefs, and several sanctuary islands.

The largest of these sanctuaries, Menjangan, was named after large populations of deer that migrate to and from the island every year. Javan Rusa and Indian Muntjac deer need to swim 2 kilometers between Prapat Agung Peninsula and this practically uninhabited paradise. The only humans who have permission for staying overnight are Hindu monks. Their temples are the only artificial structures on Menjangan Island.

Deer also love temples in Japan. Check Nara Deer Park, a place where more than a thousand deer congregate inside the city!

At the beginning of the 20^th century, there were also Bali tigers living in West Bali. The last one was documented in 1937, just four years before the nature park was upgraded as a national park.

In this millennium, another species was facing extinction. In 2001, there were only six Bali starlings living in the wild, all in West Bali National Park. But thanks to the breeding program of Surabaya Zoo and Taman Safari Indonesia, the endemic white bird was saved. Reintroduced to nature, Bali Starling, also known as Bali myna, is now “only” critically endangered.

With over a hundred wildlife species, the neighborhood of The Menjangan Resort remains a lively ecosystem. The fauna includes banteng cattle, wild boars, large flying foxes, leopard cats, hawksbill sea turtles, water monitor lizards, numerous birds and coral species.

Staying at The Menjangan requires purchasing a ticket for West Bali National Park. The entrance fee for foreigners is 200.000 IDR (12 Euros). Indonesians pay less than 1 Euro. Quite cheap for such bio-diversity at your doorstep!

Menjangan beach villas

In Menjangan beach villas, one wakes up in a peaceful setting. As the morning sunlight slowly spills into your room through large sliding doors, the first thing you notice are discrete stickers of stags and geckos on the glass. After all, birds could mistake your four-poster king-size bed with a perfect place to build a nest.

Outside, a daybed and beanbags on the wooden deck, and sunbeds and chairs with parasol-equipped café table on the sand. In a small jungle of outdoor furniture, someone is already enjoying the morning views. Sitting on your sun lounger, a macaque monkey is observing the low tide.

A deer on its way to the tree buffet breakfast walks into a scene. Cautiously following mama’s shadow, a playful Bambi explores the white sandy beach of The Menjangan.

This is how mornings on the water’s edge of the Bali Sea look like.

There are seven beachfront villas at The Menjangan Resort. Joglo-style architecture, traditionally associated with Javanese aristocracy, is a shell for a minimalist but modern interior. It includes an iPod dock and flat-screen TV that doubles as a 2D fireplace for romantic evenings behind the bed canopy.

Another cozy part of the spacious 105 square-meter villa is a secluded outdoor bathroom zone. Here, one can soak in a bathtub or enjoy the rainfall shower, all enhanced with fragrant soaps Lifestyle Retreats are known for.

Besides the beach villas, the coastal part of The Menjangan offers accommodation in a large 1000 square-meter Residence. This private estate offers three bedrooms, an infinity pool perched on a cliff, and a personal butler.

There is also The Menjangan Monsoon Lodge further from the beach and deeper in the forest. Fifteen minutes away by the resort’s always available double-decker minibuses, this complex of deluxe rooms and suites embraces the communal pool.

While on my most recent visit I stayed in a beach villa, in 2017 I reviewed The Menjangan Monsoon Lodge. If you want to know a bit more about it, read the article on top Bali resorts for recharging your batteries!

Things to do at The Menjangan

For those who would find chilling by a pool or lazing on a beach boring, a variety of options for active holidays will never leave you wondering what to do at The Menjangan.

Already the surrounding forest provides amazing grounds for exploring spirits. Just walking the trails will get you close to the wildlife. Face-to-face encounters with deer and monkeys, spotting monitor lizards among the mangroves, birdwatching with more than 120 species of feathered forest inhabitants, are all rewarding experiences.

If you want to pump more muscles while exploring nature, you can jog and train in the forest gym! Over a kilometer of a dedicated trail, different exercise points have been set, with well-explained instructions. This peculiar version of a street workout is not only placed in nature but also inspired by it. The exercises invoke the movement of birds, squirrels, monkeys, and monitor lizards.

The safari-style shuttle is always ready to transport you from point A to point B. But bushwalking over the 4 square kilometers of The Menjangan resort is more authentic. You can upgrade the experience by riding a bike (even a tandem bicycle is available!) or – a horse!

Horse riding is probably my favorite among the available on-land Menjangan activities. Bruce and Chippy are just two of many trusty Australian horses in the resort’s stables. Under the guidance of the trainer Semara, riding through these lush forests seems to be a piece of cake, even for perfect beginners. I’d recommend a late afternoon ride to the beach. Seeing the sun setting behind the volcanoes of Java, while your horse walks through shallow water, will be carved into your memory.

Menjangan Island – snorkeling and diving top destination

When staying at The Menjangan, reducing the sea activities to just an occasional swim would be a pity.

Word of advice: if you love swimming, beware that extreme tidal changes at Sentigi Beach happen as a consequence of its shallowness. The ocean floor is rocky here. While deer deftly navigate through this environment, it is not exactly the best entrance point. And you could even damage the corals! Instead, follow the boardwalk to the Beach Club, and access the water via a jetty.

Here, a plethora of activities awaits for you! Kayaking and paddleboarding are great ways to explore the mangrove maze in the Bajul Bay, and even visit the Banyuwedang Hot Spring.

But to fully enjoy the coral gardens of Menjangan, one needs to go under the surface. Already snorkeling in the resort area will open up worlds of abundant marine life.

For an even more outstanding experience, one needs to take a boat to Menjangan Island that offers excellent diving conditions. What Gili islands represent for Lombok, Menjangan Island is the same for Bali. And The Menjangan resort’s very own PADI-certified diving center has all the equipment you would need for exploring the undersea!

There are dozen world-class dive sites just off the coast of Menjangan Island. They include a 19^th-century shipwreck, eel garden, underwater caves, and spectacular reef walls teeming with life.

There are more than 50 coral species living in the Menjangan coral reef, sharing space with fish, sponges, and pygmy seahorses.

The life of corals around the Menjangan is greatly dependent on the rise of the water temperature. In global warming, the westernmost part of the Coral Triangle represents an important cornerstone of the threatened biodiversity.

Sustainable tourism efforts

With its privileged position in the center of a jungle and protected marine area, The Menjangan is logically focused on the practice of eco-tourism. Sustainable tourism is the only responsible approach to development here.

Guests need to adapt to the rules of the national park. These are directly linked to the protection of the area, but also to the richness of our experiences.

Feeding the animals is strictly forbidden. Because they live on their own, macaque monkeys in West Bali National Park are not as aggressive as those in Ubud Monkey Forest, for instance. If humans stop behaving like a source of food, animals learn to ignore us, and certainly don’t steal our sunglasses or purses, hoping to exchange them for a banana. This is the secret of getting close to wildlife and observing their natural behavior.

From “welcome” letters written with twigs on the bed, to “plant a tree” programs, we are constantly reminded how easy responsible choices are.

Metal straws in our cocktails, lack of single-use plastic bottles in toiletry, refillable water bottles made of stainless steel, are simple eco steps that immediately catch the eye.

Ecological solutions do not jeopardize the guests’ comfort at The Menjangan. From the already mentioned TV-fireplace to the Bamboustics loudspeakers made of bamboo, green solutions show that we can still enjoy modern life and reduce an environmental footprint while we do that.

Staying at The Menjangan eco-resort requires awareness that we are just visitors of the land that belonged to other species long before us. So if we do need to leave a trace, it better be a positive one.

A bowl of water filled with colorful flowers as a landing site for thirsty jungle bees is another example of how, instead of exploiting natural resources, tourism can easily support them.

For Lifestyle Retreats in other parts of Bali, check The Santai or The Balé!

The Menjangan restaurant offer

There are two restaurants at The Menjangan. Pantai Restaurant specializes in seafood and barbecue, while Bali Tower is a bistro-style restaurant. They include both Indonesian and international dishes.

Pantai Restaurant, literally a beach restaurant, is a pleasant place to start a day. Breakfasting on a wooden deck, with scenic mangroves and sea in the background, is a picture-perfect experience. But, most importantly, it will satisfy both your taste buds and stomach.

The breakfast menu is extensive, offering everything from homemade bakery products and yogurt with locally sourced muesli to Indonesian rice porridge or fried noodles. Vitamin boosters add another healthy note to the royal spectacle on the plate.

Watching the sunset by the ocean, with Frozen Strawberry Margarita in your hand, sounds like a great alternative to previously mentioned horse riding. But Bali Tower also has its sundown advantages.

This restaurant above the Menjangan’s open-air reception brings you literally to the treetops, with jungle panorama everywhere you look.

None of the trees had to be cut for the construction of this spectacular building. The owners transferred the 30-meter long logs from Borneo. They literally engaged workers to bring them in arms so that they wouldn’t have to clear the land for the trucks.

Bali Tower, besides offering an unobstructed Menjangan view, proudly defends its fast and simple dishes. Seafood curry with tiger prawns, barramundi and cuttlefish, served with crispy vegetables and homemade squid-ink noodles, is one of their newest favorites.

Next to your fork and knife, you will find a sling with stones, supposedly so you can defend your meal from the hungry monkeys. While it is a joke, it also reminds us that eating in the center of Bali’s only national park is a true privilege.

If you are still looking for post-pandemic holiday ideas, check the luxury escapes on Bali’s southern shores!

Reflection at the spa

Active holidays should always have some counter-action measures. The Menjangan’s spa has an answer for reducing all that tension that built up during our kayaking, diving, and horseback riding.

The Mangrove Spa is literally that – a spa at the waterfront, in the shades of the mangrove trees. One could think that open-air gazebos provide little privacy. But actually, it is a silent and rather intimate setting. Nature only elevates the experience of high-quality massage therapies.

The treatment becomes a multisensory experience fueled by nature. The ocean scents, the sound of the waves, the view is always there… That’s right, even when you are laying on your massage bed face-down! An ingenious add-on in a form of a mirror lets you observe the seascape while your back is being healed by a traditional massage.

In a sequence of treatments that can develop from footbath ritual to soothing and detoxifying body massage inspired by traditional techniques of Bali and Japan, only natural local ingredients are being used.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pampering at this discrete wellness nest! It doesn’t just give your body a moment to switch off and recharge. Just like with a massage-table mirror turned towards the blue sea, the treatment allows open space for reflections in your mind. I found this spa concept well-thought-out and exceptionally smart!

Check how that looks on Pipeaway’s Youtube channel!

How to get there?

Due to its remote location on the northwestern corner of Bali island, West Bali National Park is the furthest one can go from Denpasar.

The drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport to The Menjangan Resort takes up to 4 hours. I strongly recommend booking this transfer through the hotel. It’s not just a practical pick-up from door to door. It’s also the most pleasant way to travel the winding roads to the north. Just relax in your back seat, nibble on provided complimentary peanuts and fruits, hydrate with water, put your music on via Bluetooth, or even fall asleep with the help of provided travel pillows.

When I visited Kawah Ijen Volcano in Java, I also managed to easily travel to The Menjangan by ferry. The two islands are connected through Ketapang and Gilimanuk ferry ports. The Menjangan driver can pick you up at Gilimanuk. Just be aware of the 1-hour time zone difference between the two islands, something I totally forgot about on my first visit. Well, I even miscalculated the date I should get there, but that’s another story.

If you also easily get confused when traveling, don’t feel alone and bad about yourself. In order to understand why these things happen, I did personal research. I even named the phenomenon a travel fogginess, so we can all blame our brain for “behaving on its own”. Read more about traveler’s confusion here!    

The Menjangan Resort Review – Conclusion

With 382 hectares, The Menjangan is the largest resort within the boundaries of the West Bali National Park. As it has no immediate neighbors in this protected landscape (which also means no commercial restaurants you can easily walk to), this secluded hotel brings the advantage of the accommodation synchronized with nature.

The experience of staying here resembles entering a time machine. It catapults you to Bali before radical touristic exploitation, when trees were sacred and monkeys did not steal bags from humans.

As long as you behave as a silent and grateful observer, staying at The Menjangan opens a window into an unfiltered and unedited National Geographic Live

Protected by the national park rules, this part of Bali remains different than the rest of the island. It brings rewarding expeditions in its forests, fantastic undersea explorations, and amazing wildlife encounters.

At The Menjangan, shy deer, self-reliant macaques, giant lizards and rare birds will eventually say “hi”. As long as you behave as a silent and grateful observer, staying here opens a window into an unfiltered and unedited National Geographic Live. And without that tiger from the 1930s, it’s perfectly safe!

On the other hand, The Menjangan is still a hospitality project. It will not deprive you of modern luxuries. From the welcome spring rolls to the good-night message delivered at turndown service, the resort staff seems to be always available in supporting the upscale vacations that are both active and relaxing.

The ability to enjoy the benefits of modern civilization and the simultaneous awareness that negative effects on the environment are actively minimized bring another layer to your peace of mind.

Tourists come to exotic places with overweight luggage in the stress department. It is reassuring to know that there is a cure for these overpacked issues and that we can actually give something back in that healing process. Something beyond the loud parties and disrespectful temple selfies. Something that doesn’t end up as “Eat, pray, love, destroy”.

If you want to consider staying in the West Bali National Park, check the best available prices at The Menjangan here!

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Disclosure: My stay at The Menjangan Resort was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post The Menjangan Resort Review: Beach Villas in Wilderness of West Bali appeared first on Pipeaway.

Great both for introverts and extroverts, The Santai provides the feeling of a cozy holiday home

With 11 villas only, this property in Umalas, the quiet village in Southwest Bali, is the perfect hideout! Close enough to the popular areas of Seminyak and Canggu, but far enough from their noise, The Santai gives you free hand in designing your Bali holidays.

Great both for introverts and extroverts, it provides the feeling of a cozy holiday home. Therefore, it’s not strange the owners named it The Santai, which is the Indonesian word for relaxing.

When traveling to Bali, consider staying at this precious member of the Lifestyle Retreats! If you do not plan traveling to Indonesia any time soon, read on! The Santai Bali review might make you change your travel plans!

Monumental entrance to memorable welcome

The entrance to The Santai Bali resort is marked by an arc of monumental columns. Several dozen cuboids, erected like some Stonehenge of the modern age, bear the Balinese inscriptions celebrating calmness. These six-meters high totems are especially impressive when the sunset rays start playing with their shadows.

The whole reception area is communicating the same sense of airiness! The open-air lobby is spacious, dressed in wood, with modern furniture incorporating the traditional elements, such as the woven chandeliers. With a natural breeze instead of air-condition, and ever changing play of light throughout the day, the front desk is an inviting place to relax with a magazine in hand.

Indonesian snacks and fruits are available in jars displayed in buffet-style. Imagine peanuts coated in garlic, deep-fried savory Javanese crackers, mini spring rolls filled with fish, celery chips or a variety of homemade cookies! You’ll find the daily replenished cookie jar in your villa too!

As if this would not be enough, the check-in itself includes a plate with savory and sweet bites. This unexpected appetizer will make you ask questions about the working hours of the resort restaurant!

Tranquil oases dressed in hanging vines

If you developed an appetite for relaxing, the lobby opens up to a patio with an artificial water stream and Balinese gazebo. The high walls of the villas, abundantly covered with hanging vines, smartly hide the architecture of the compound.

Our personal butler Rini, a lovable young woman, brings us to our little nest for the next few days. Did I say “little”? The villa spreads on 600 square meters! The friendly staff will make an introduction to the villa’s perks. Available 24/7, they will answer any questions one might have about the stay in this area.

The centerpiece of each villa is a private swimming pool of an impressive size. Beside a decent space for swimming, it even offers a little lagoon, with a frangipani tree growing on an island. One can lay down in the shallow water, on one of Santai’s pool floats, or suntan on the deck equipped with daybed and beanbags.

If you’re looking for something even more cozy, you can find the extraordinary private pool villas at The Balé Resort, Bali’s perfect honeymoon hideout!

Concrete islands lead your way over the water to an open-air kitchen and living room. This is an area where one can enjoy a variety of delicious breakfasts, but also cook! We went through a Balinese cooking class with chef Gede, which was a fun and educational experience. It even left us with an official certificate of participation! You don’t only learn how to make the local meal (in carnivore and/or vegetarian version). You also get a fulfilling lunch that will certainly not leave you hungry!

The positive extras of the outdoor space are a water dispenser, espresso machine and large refrigerator. A smaller minus for the place obviously designed for spending days outdoor is a lack of exterior electrical plugs. Modern travelers need to connect their laptops and recharge their phones! Especially if you offer them so many tempting motives to photograph!

Rooms blending nature and technology

Each villa in this exclusive resort comes with two or three bedrooms, so it can easily accommodate an entire family or a group of friends.

Behind the gigantic sliding glass doors, the outdoor space naturally flows into the spacious rooms. A towel shaped into a form of Buddha sitting in a lotus pose, invites for meditation (by the way, you can learn the art of towel origami at the resort!). With a comfy mattress and calming essential oils, the room at Santai becomes the center of a good sleep! Iin case you didn’t doze off already by the pool!

Smart TV, iPod docking station, Playstation, DVDs… Try to use any of these in offer while an inviting swimming pool is at your doorstep!

The bathroom area remains the place of privacy, even if it practically functions as open-air. The master bedroom has both spacious indoor and outdoor shower, as well as the soaking bath. If that’s not enough, there is even a direct pool access! You’ll be able to pamper yourself with various-scented homemade soaps (cinnamon-passion fruit, ginger-honey, spiced citrus), practice your own asanas on a provided yoga mat, or prepare yourself for the beach. The Santai villas offers the use of beach bags produced by the pregnant ladies of the remote villages in East Flores. You can fill it with snacks if you decide to explore the local rice fields on a bike provided by the resort for free.

For those who cannot do without being connected to the world, besides free wifi, each room (even the outdoor living room!) comes with its own smart television providing satellite programs. There is also an iPod docking station, and Playstation and DVDs are available upon request!

With a selection of fruit and mini bar replenished with soft drinks on a daily basis, one cannot dehydrate while watching movies or playing games.

For more images of the resort, check The Santai Instagram!

Asia fusing in the plate

As mentioned earlier, meals at The Santai can be consumed in the privacy of the villa or in the in-house Gong Restaurant.

Start your breakfast with anything from natural granola to miso soup, from tropical fruit to hot & sour pork soup! For the main course, try eggs in various styles, teriyaki chicken bowl, nasi/mie goreng, or bento box with delicious grilled butter fish fillet, pickles and steamed rice! The menu offers a variety of Asian flavors, from Indonesia to China, from Korea to Japan! Add to this a morning booster with fresh ingredients, and your day can begin filled with energy!

The Gong Restaurant, sunken to the ground, which paradoxically enlarges its roominess, is open both for hotel guests and visitors. They serve Asian fusion cuisine, and the menu is more than solid. Imagine starting your dinner with spicy papaya salad or Japanese dumplings, diving into the tofu burger, Tasmanian salmon or Ayutthaya’s hot red curry with roasted duck breasts and lychee, and sweetening it all up with a chocolate fondant or orange parfait!

If this doesn’t make you drool, Seminyak restaurants are just a short drive away. And The Santai Umalas will provide a complimentary shuttle service!

Space designed in cooperation with nature

When the Indonesian architects Antony Liu and Ferry Ridwan from Studio TonTon designed The Santai space in 2014, they were aiming for a cutting-edge architecture that would provide an urban tropical retreat for families with a calming vibe.

While they obviously focused on motivating the guest spending time al fresco, they also did their best to do the reverse: let the nature into the rooms! The funnels in the roof bring the natural light inside, and the sidewalls are made of glass. So even if one is laying on a daybed in the room, one can still enjoy the feeling of bathing in abundant natural light flowing in over the vegetation-covered walls.

However, nature here is not just an inspiration for decoration. The Santai engages in actual initiatives that aim to preserve the environment, from solar panels and reclaimed water irrigation to biodegradable products, including glass water bottles. It also reminds its guests on the effects of detergent use; your bed linen will be changed only if you place an artistic stone on the bed!

The Santai Bali – the retreat for complete indulging

Just 40 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (and return transfer for guests in complimentary!), The Santai resort is a practical base for exploring Bali’s buzzing neighborhoods, but without being forced to constantly expose yourself to them.

If your idea of an Asian holiday includes in-villa massages and pampering, chilling-out by an enormous pool, tasting a variety of flavors, and having the luxury of proximity to nature and temples, then The Santai Umalas may be the serene corner of Bali to consider! You can isolate yourself from the world here, but also start to explore it from this tranquil base!

If Santai’s special massage deals “pay 1, get 2” is not enough for you, and you want to experience the additional spa treatments, you can visit The Amala Seminyak, Santai’s sister property we wrote about on the list of Bali’s ultimate luxury escapes!

Release your prejudices of traveling to Asia, and find your safe heaven on the island known for its hospitality. The Santai hotel is definitely an ambassador of that hospitality. One of those luxury escapes that will not only restore your body and mind, but also the faith in people bringing the smile to tourism.

For the best available prices at this resort, book your stay at The Santai on Booking.com!

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Disclosure: My stay at the The Santai Bali was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post The Santai Bali Review: <br />The Indonesian Word for Relaxing appeared first on Pipeaway.

Well… If you end up in the south of the island (and this is very likely due to the position of Denpasar Airport), the convenient yet trendy neighborhoods on its western coast are – Seminyak and Canggu.

This blog post will introduce you to some of the best places to stay in Bali! If you choose these luxurious villas that will spoil both you and your partner, you will hardly even want to step out of the resort. Here are some great suggestions for your one-of-a-kind Bali holidays!

Hip, happening, and – pricy?

The hip and happening part of Bali is constantly shifting north of the mass tourism of Kuta. Seminyak already caught hold of popularity among tourists. On the other hand, Canggu, even further north, promises to be an upcoming hub for young, relaxed, and creative people.

The atmosphere in Bali’s most thrilling and vibrant districts may be laidback, but the accommodation can hit your wallet

Less crowded than Kuta, which is notorious for its nightlife, the upscale beach resort area of Seminyak is famous for its large number of upmarket spas, sleek boutiques, sophisticated fine-dining restaurants, chic beach bars, cafes, and clubs. The hip hangout spots and cool lifestyle shops, next to the traditional craft markets, made Seminyak an intriguing mixture of old and new.

However, this high-end lifestyle in Bali’s most thrilling and vibrant districts comes at a price! The atmosphere may be laidback, but the accommodation can hit your wallet in this quite fashionable area.

If the options of where to stay in Seminyak and Canggu overwhelm you, do not despair. Our luxury escapes reviews reveal some great options for your Bali trip. The Amala Estate, Origin Seminyak and Tugu Bali are among the best luxury escapes in Bali. These resorts in Seminyak and Canggu are worth affording!

1. The Amala Estate
Price per night: 370 Euros (two-bedroom villa)

The Amala Estate is the newest member of Lifestyle Retreats, the family of premium boutique resorts and hotels setting high quality standards of accommodation in Bali.

Developed just next door to The Amala, from its “residence with private pool” concept, The Amala Estate might not yet have reviews on Booking.com, but that’s only because they added it to the platform in the second half of 2019. Trust me; it will soon reach, if not outstrip the superb review score of The Amala Hotel (9,2/10, at the time of the writing). So you better claim your spot in one of the eight fantastic pool villas as soon as you can!

Butlers and chauffeurs at your service

The Amala Estate is located in a peaceful corner, yet close to the very heart of the Seminyak district. Restaurants, bars, shops and beaches are all within walking distance.

While all Seminyak hotels in this selection will organize a private airport transfer for their guests, Amala’s chauffeur will be at your service even during the stay! The resort provided all rides in Seminyak on a complimentary basis.

Additionally, butlers speak excellent English, and even some non-expected languages, such as Japanese! They are at your disposal around the clock, discretely catering to anything a guest may need. From cutting fruits or shining shoes to organizing private excursions.

Do you want to stay in the Seminyak area, but need to save some money? Not far from The Amala, just across the Jalan Sunset Road, there is Kosta Hostel we covered in our article on chill & cheap getaways in Southeast Asia!

Rest your body, mind, and spirit

I stayed in the two-bedroom villa, sometimes also referred to as The Amala residence with a private pool. This spacious unit of 375 square meters has a master bedroom with a king-size bed. There is another room, with two single beds.

The three-bedroom pool villa has even more square footage, and the third bedroom can alter as a yoga room.

One can also count on using the Wellness Studio at The Amala for yoga practice. Here, the resident wellness master Leona Chen, who specialized in traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, and Ayurvedic self-healing skills, leads complimentary morning yoga sessions with mindful breathing, as well as sunset meditation with the enchanting Tibetan singing bowl. Additional programs for balancing body, mind, and spirit, such as ancient meridian energy work or Indian fusion dance classes, are always available.

The Amala Spa menu is very comprehensive. The range of body massage and care treatments, facials, and rituals, as well as holistic and life enrichment programs, is wide indeed. The resort’s name is Amala for a reason; the word means ‘clean’ or ‘pure’ in Sanskrit!

Just opposite the front desk, at Pure Boutique by Lifestyle Retreats, one can buy a selection of organic body oils, lotions, scrubs, or bath salts. If one can’t wait to enjoy a DIY spa treatment at home, the villa’s ensuite bathroom, besides the usual amenities collection (such as adorable ginger-green tea soaps), also offers aromatic herbs. A relaxing evening in a bathtub or a quick semi-open-air shower; the choice is yours!

Chill-out garden with a pool

The villa’s open living area is the most impressive. The luxurious living room centers around the large, but hidable flat-screen TV with satellite channels. I have hardly used this sort of entertainment during my stay. It would’ve been a sin to ignore the verdant surroundings abundant with tropical plants and trees.

In the center of this private chill-out garden, the decent-sized swimming pool with an inviting sundeck felt like a much better version of the Bali holidays.

The resort has a central swimming pool with its Jacuzzi and a little library. But reading a book in one’s own serene corner, without anyone’s interruption or gaze, is blissful!

The pools in the Amala Estate are atypically deep, so they allow safe jumping.

The Amala recognizes that the pools of today are not just swimming places, but also – Instagrammable brunch areas. So it joined those hotels in Seminyak that serve floating breakfast if desired by guests.

Decadent food in a tranquil hideaway

One can consume lunch or dinner in the privacy and comfort of the villa as well. The massive teak dining table is a beautiful piece of furniture that is stealing gazes as soon as one enters the Amala villa. Probably, only its size prevented me from catching hold of it and bringing it home! In the end, its design mainly added to the temptation of the seductive food that Amala’s Bamboo Restaurant, just a phone call away, readily delivered.

The villa also has a fully equipped kitchen for your own cooking. But resisting a pan-Asian/international menu with yummy salads, tofu burgers, red duck curry, or steamed fish in banana leaf (to name just a few of the all-day-dining choices) is not an option.

For those who want to have hands-on experience in preparing meals, the Amala cooking class can be a useful introduction to learning Balinese culinary secrets.

The butler explained the no-limits breakfast options as soon as I checked in. Every day at The Amala Estate starts with a feast! Besides daily specials (from egg frittata to burrito, from pan bagnat to salmon guacamole), the menu includes bakery products and pancakes with gluten-free options, miso soups, smoothie bowls… There is also a typical Bali cuisine, such as mie/bihun goreng, nasi goreng, or bubur ayam. Still, less-expected options of tamagoyaki, scrambled tofu, or egg whites are also available.

Add to this a welcome skewer with marshmallow, brownie, and strawberry, a complimentary tropical fruit basket, cookies, and soft drinks in a free mini-bar, with a possible order of some sunset cocktail, and the definition of indulging in this tranquil hideaway can hardly get more decadent.

Electric dreams in the oasis of nature

Amala’s shaded walkways dressed in greenery, its celebration of life at every corner, and its policy of not accommodating children at the resort, just like in its sister property The Balé Nusa Dua, really contribute to the feeling of an exquisite sanctuary.

They promise a revival experience during your holidays. And they will indeed bring you back to nature but never let you down with technology. Villas have multifunctional electrical sockets and even Bluetooth speakers, so you can connect your devices as you like.

Is there any downside to staying at The Amala Estate? Naturally, with so many plants and water at this lush resort, there is an increased interest of insects. That does include butterflies, but also – mosquitos! However, the resort staff does their best to treat the air regularly and safely.

Strong ACs protect both sleeping rooms. Also, mosquito nets encircle the plush white beddings like a baldachin on the throne of dreams.

During the regular evening turndown service, the housekeeping staff would leave a “sweet dreams” poetical message on the bed. Good sleeping at one of the best hotels in Bali was guaranteed.

For the best accommodation deal, check the prices of The Amala Estate on Booking.com!

2. Origin Seminyak Hotel
Price per night: 165-273 Euros (one-bedroom villa)

Are you looking for something with a more urban feel to it? Then Origin Seminyak villa can become your favorite Bali vacation spot!

Villas for keeping you fit and relaxed

Located in the very heart of Seminyak, a short walk away from Petitenget Beach and the iconic Seminyak Eat Street, Origin Seminyak Hotel is a collection of eight newly renovated pool villas and studios.

Managed by In Situ, the cutting-edge hospitality developer, also responsible for other members of the same family Origin Ubud and Origin Uluwatu, this stunning property opened at the beginning of 2019.

Its contemporary look got the signature of Arkana Architects. Bali’s top design studio interpreted architecture as an integral part of a lifestyle.

Here, the portrayed lifestyle put a spotlight on fitness enthusiasts. They also took care of those who just wanted to find a peaceful relaxation corner, away from the crowds. Possibly in the company of a lover or good friends.

While I stayed in a one-bedroom pool villa, they also had versions with two, three, or four bedrooms. These could also easily interconnect, for larger families or groups.

There were rooftop studios as well, with no pool, but with a bathtub and a shaded daybed.

Spacious and spa-licious

As soon as one walks in, it is clear that these are some of the most spacious villas one can find in Seminyak.

My pool villa had a surface of 188 square meters. The ceiling was high too, which meant there were quite some stairs to climb. This can get annoying if you are prone to forgetting something on the upper floor.

At the same time, the open-plan design layout is giving the whole unit a feeling of spacious airiness. Immediately it is clear: this place is meant for – breathing.

Blossoming frangipani, one of those sacred trees of Southeast Asia, is rooting this private garden with local traditions.

On the other side, a modern, large pool (8,5 x 3 meters) dominates the open-air area. The stone frogs spurting water are giving that spa-sound background that quickly activates one’s relaxation mode.

Next to the soft grass, there are two sun loungers. If you desire, the concierge service quickly brings a pool floatie to your timber deck, be it a pink flamingo or an orca whale.

Training in nature

Completely opened on one side, the living and the dining area naturally rely on the outdoor space.

Furniture materials such as wood or rattan, a stump for a tabouret, or tropical imprints on cushions such as fronds or banana leaves, are discretely overflowing this stylish villa with nature.

The living space even has a pond with golden fish swimming around the giant stepping stones, which eventually transform into stairs for the upper floor.

Natural elements are blending into the black-and-white geometric design. It is consistently present throughout the house, from pillows and blankets to storage boxes and tiles.

However, the biggest surprise on the ground floor is the cross-fit corner with a large mirror. It has some excellent training equipment you do not normally expect to find in a hotel room. I’m talking dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX, battle rope, pilates balls, yoga mats…

If you are a newbie to fitness, there is a display with workout ideas on the wall, with images.

For your convenience, there is a handy shower in the small bathroom on the ground floor. A powerful fan is also helping you withstand exercising in the tropical climate.

If you are a fitness junkie, The Samata in Sanur can be a great Bali accommodation choice too! I’ve never seen such a gym in any hotel! Check it out in our selection of top Bali resorts for recharging your batteries!

Keeping you hydrated and satiated

In the other corner, one can find a kitchenette/pantry with snacks and refreshments. The mini bar is stocked with soft drinks, but also chips, dry fruits, flavored cashews, and chocolates.

While most of the hotels would still be serving you bottled water, Origin Seminyak villas opted for an environment-friendly water station. You can use it to fill up your glass at your convenience.

Green apples give an additional nature touch to the modern seating area in front of the TV with Netflix content.

If you don’t feel like exploring an array of eating options in the neighborhood, Origin Seminyak offers simple lunches you can consume in the privacy of your villa.

Wayan & Gede designed the Western and Indonesian meals, but the grazing menu was still in the making during my “recently opened resort” visit. Therefore, I only tried the decent samosas and the beef burger from the “under construction” lunch menu.

A la carte breakfast had more elaborate choices, and options were changing daily. They delivered it in tasting portions. One could combine the offer of bakery products, tropical fruit, muesli, French omelet, nasi goreng ayam, French toast, and so on.

While the content is satisfying and focuses on healthy organic ingredients, the only problematic part of the concept is that one needs to select the items the night before, as well as choose the exact delivery time. For guests who prefer less planning during their laidback Bali holidays, this may represent an unnecessary complication. Hopefully, meal planning will get less formalistic when the hotel gets in full swing. Putting an alarm clock to enjoy your breakfast while it’s warm, is not the best way of spending the relaxed time that is promised by the rest of the resort concept.

Upper floor for sleeping and pampering

On the top floor of the villa, there is a large master bedroom with a comfortable bed, an open closet with sarongs for visiting local temples, discrete décor, another minibar, and a TV set.

The equally spacious ensuite bathroom has a double washstand adorned with a chic black chandelier. The bathroom products have the fragrance of amber, honey, and black tea.

For an authentic Bali feeling, there is a relaxing swing on the large balcony.

The metal shutters, as some post-industrial remnants, are accentuating the villa’s black-and-white stripe design. They are throwing shade in a similar pattern on the inner side and giving the same contrast from the outside.

Vast activity offer, from surfing to scuba diving

Origin Seminyak has a wide range of in-house services that cater for active holidays one can design according to one’s own needs.

For instance, I enjoyed a great massage by a local therapist who arrived at the resort and provided the service on a massage table installed in the villa. I didn’t need to look through the numerous spa options in Seminyak. The recommended one came over, and I could enjoy post-massage time in the privacy of the villa, without hitting the busy Seminyak roads.

On the other occasion, the concierge organized a private surfing lesson for me at Wayan Tembok surfing school on Double Six Beach. This 500-meter stretch of sand on Seminyak Beach was perfect for surfing beginners. And, to be honest, that was an incredible experience! It even made me reflect on the idea of moving to Bali for some extended period, and just – surfing!

If you want to have the same exhilarating vacation time, it is good to know that Origin Villas Seminyak offer free use of not only bicycles and skateboards but also surfboards!

If you desire a private lesson in yoga, aerial yoga, or even scuba diving, all of that is possible.

Origin Seminyak can organize your excursion that can include hiking in Bali hinterlands, snorkeling on some great beaches, rafting in rivers, or sightseeing with a private helicopter.

Even when giving suggestions on where to eat or drink, or which Seminyak beach club to visit, I find their staff very knowledgeable and helpful.

All itineraries could be personalized, so Origin can indeed make your stay in Bali island original, one of a kind.

For the best accommodation deal, check the prices of Origin Seminyak on Booking.com!

3. Hotel Tugu Bali
Price per night: 241-311 Euros (Rejang or Dedari Suite)

Unlike the first two 4-star properties in this selection of the best hotels in Bali for luxury escapes, Hotel Tugu Bali has a 5-star classification.

Located in Canggu, which is slowly taking over the hip gloriole of Seminyak, this unique accommodation is well worth the extra miles if you are coming from the south of the island.

Monument to heritage and romance

In the Indonesian language, tugu means ‘monument’. And indeed, if monuments have the function to honor and memorize, the legacy of Indonesia has extraordinary recognition in the project of Tugu Hotels. They are a very peculiar compound of accommodation and museum.

The founder of Tugu Group was Anhar Setjadibrata. In the 1970s, this dreamer couldn’t look at how his countrymen were discarding the antiques and artifacts, the silent witnesses of the Indonesian past.

In the times when Indonesians regarded being ‘modern’ as fashionable, a poor medical student turned into a passionate art collector. He became the owner of an impressive collection. Later, he decided to share it with the world through the projects of hotels, restaurants, and spas.

Set just next to the surf paradise of Batu Bolong, the most popular part of Canggu Beach, Hotel Tugu Bali is built by blending the architectural traditions of Bali and Java.

There are ten thatched pavilions connected by a maze of narrow walkways and koi-fish-rich waterways.

In the setting of a lush tropical garden, including the natural lotus pond of 700 square meters (see featured image), the art & antiquity collection is adding to the overall nostalgic atmosphere.

Tugu Bali Hotel is a monument to the romance of yesteryear.

Authentic luxury

The low doorways, discretely opened if the villas are not occupied, are giving a glimpse of the luxury that Dedari Suites with private pools are providing to the guests.

During my stay at the Tugu Hotel in Canggu, Rejang Suite was the one I called home. This type of unit is on the upper floor of a Javanese house, reachable by a wooden spiral staircase.

While it doesn’t have its private pool, this suite is a much better viewing point. Your gaze can travel freely over the resort’s flora, all the way to the blue Indian Ocean hitting Bali shores.

With its 75 square meters, the suite dressed in luxurious timber is large enough to accommodate a big bed and several seating areas, including a working desk (if you felt like working).

The TV set is smartly hidden under a white cover, as it would draw attention away from this authentic interior that spoke history.

The suite has a separate shower, toilet, and washbasin areas with a handcrafting touch of the local artisans.

The terrace (closed by both transparent and mat windows from all sides) is a perfect place to enjoy breakfast.

It also has an extraordinary surprise. With a large massage bed that could function as a daybed, and a unique round sunken bathtub filled with flower petals, this part of the suite resembles a private spa!

The chanting masseuse

While the room provides incentives to switch off at any moment of one’s stay, Tugu Bali Spa enriches the journey to a relaxed state of mind, soul, and body, in a very special way.

The spa is named Waroeng Djamoe, after an ancient apothecary producing healing jamu drinks. But there is much more to this concept than just providing traditional herbal medicines.

The ancient rituals of mystic healing triumph in Kamar Mantra. In this massage therapy, therapists chant hypnotic Hindu mantras while applying heating herbal oils onto one’s body.

In the old times, this “magic” process, believed to penetrate the soul, was reserved exclusively for the higher caste. At Tugu Bali, the doors to the state of inner peace, bliss, and harmony, are opened to anyone.

Well, anyone who can afford it. The most extensive treatment on offer costs more than 3 million Indonesian Rupiah (200 Euros). But it also lasts 8 hours!

Gastronomic events for various tastes

Hotel Tugu Bali digs into the forgotten, not only in its museum-type décor or ancient Oriental healing secrets. In the gastronomy department, old recipes come to life. They make the heritage of Indonesian cuisine, with various influences of the Asian neighborhood, triumph on the plates served in one of Tugu Bali’s three in-house restaurants. Not bad for the hotel that has 21 guestrooms only!

Do you dream of the imperial dining in the royal chamber of Bale Puputan, while sitting in the antique armchairs around the country’s largest 19th-century whole marble table? Possible.

Do you prefer experiencing dining as a theater? Then eating in the super high Bale Agung hall, next to the oldest 5-meter Garuda statue carved out of one tree trunk, while gamelan orchestra and dancers delivered a century-old choreography, can be your thing!

How about stepping into Bale Sutra 1706, a 313-year-old Kang Xi temple? This place is now housing a Tugu Bali restaurant focused on Japanese fusion, with fine wines and a sake bar.

If you want to feel the Indian Ocean breeze, JI Terrace by the Sea will deliver food from Indonesia, Japan, India, and Thailand with a view.

For a romantic dinner at Hotel Tugu Bali, eating in the candlelit hut at the lotus pond, in the bed on a torch-lit beach, or basically at any other intimate corner of the resort is possible.

Do you want to cook your own meal? Joining the Tugu Bali cooking class can be the best way to dig deep into the culinary secrets of Indonesia.

Eating well, anywhere, and at any time!

You can have a hard time choosing from the Tugu Bali restaurant menu. For a good overview of various Indonesian textures and flavors, try Tugu Rijsttafel! This famous dish includes a rice platter of Javanese chicken curry, beef in coconut sauce, prawn croquette, shredded beef, ‘tempe’ soybean cake, crisp grated coconut, yellow pickles, peanut crackers, garden vegetables in garlic and red pepper, and Javanese chicken satay. Vegetarian guests will find some fantastic dishes too, made after recipes inherited from famous cooks.

Besides the elaborated cultural dining experiences inspired by history, such as the eunuch dinner or almost forgotten satay parade, even the breakfast at Tugu Bali is an authentic culinary event.

Tons of gourmet dishes to choose from, from power breakfast bowls to Indonesian sweet and savory treats, can be enjoyed at ANY time of the day. That’s right! At Tugu Bali, one is not pressed to get up early to not miss the feast.

Another special moment would be the hotel’s Jajan Pasar afternoon tea session near the main pool. However, your complimentary selection of Indonesian delicacies, with a quality coffee or simply delicious chai latte on the side, can be delivered anywhere you liked.

Past treasures worth preserving

As the very first hotel in Canggu, Tugu Bali is raising the quality of accommodation in the whole Badung Regency.

In the market where Seminyak high-end hotels are competing in delivering new urban trends, Tugu consistently relies on the power of history and its secrets. Maybe this is the reason why the rooms at Tugu Bali have the biggest keyrings I’ve ever seen! Carrying a decorated wooden dagger around may be impractical. But it is a constant reminder of a treasure this unique boutique museum hotel is celebrating.

Can charming historic houses win the battle with beach clubs whose decibels hit them back with thousands of noise daggers until 2 am? I don’t know. I wish to believe that places such as Tugu Bali can find the solution to facing modern challenges if they want to continue delivering the romance of the past times.

From the very first moment at the reception desk with a shadow theater background, when they ornated my forehead with rice and tucked the frangipani flower behind my ear, until leaving the hotel when they gave me some souvenirs, water, and fruit for the road, all adorned with a smile, I believe it was indeed a ritual of making me Balinese.

Tugu Bali encapsulates the soul of Indonesia and thus deserves a sturdy spot among the best luxury escapes in Bali.

For the best accommodation deal, check the prices of staying at Tugu Bali resort on Booking.com!

Best hotels in Bali – conclusion

The accommodation market in Bali is exceptionally dynamic. New establishments are popping up all the time.

Sometimes, they are taking over existing spaces (as in the case of Origin Seminyak or The Amala Estate). They redevelop the property and elevate previous unsuccessful entrepreneur experiments into resorts that can answer the expectations of the tourists of today.

Then there are specific projects such as Tugu Hotels, which advocate for tradition. They take over even older houses and temples for a touristic make-over that nobody ever imagined.

While Origin focuses on modern urban travelers, Tugu targets those with more traditional expectations of what luxury is. The Amala finds its place in the market somewhere in between.

All of these 4 and 5-star hotels readily support the image of Bali island as a place where one can restore the body, mind, and soul.

Finding the best hotel on the island of gods is an ambitious task. As long as one can handle that Bali luxury escapes come in different forms, and with a variety of content, the quest itself can be an adventure.

If you have stayed at a place that deserves to be mentioned among the best hotels in Bali, please recommend it in the comments section!

But now… While you have some ideas about the high-end hotels in Bali, what are the places to eat some heavenly good food when visiting the island of gods?

Where to eat in Seminyak, Bali?

Seminyak has a great quantity of sophisticated fine-dining restaurants

Staying in one of the recommended hotels in Seminyak (and Canggu) typically means that they will cater to all your needs, including the need for good food. However, eating out in Seminyak can be a significant part of experiencing this area of Bali island.

Already mentioned, Seminyak Eat Street is a place with a high concentration of restaurants. If you are looking for buffet-style eating that could save some bucks and fill your stomach, all-you-can-eat establishments are easy to find.

For an elevated experience of eating in Seminyak, you should give a chance to the following restaurants!

1. Kilo Kitchen Bali

Kilo Bali restaurant opened in 2014 as the first overseas branch of the Singaporean Kilo concept. However, Kilo Kitchen’s founder is a Puerto Rican. Javier Perez moved to Asia and started opening restaurants where people would feel at home.

The architecture at Kilo Kitchen Bali is modern, concrete, and not pretentious. It goes green from the little hill in the garden to the plants on the rooftop.

Groups of young people, as well as older romantic couples, enjoy this comfy atmosphere. It’s smart to make a reservation before coming to Kilo Bali!

Drawing from its owner’s life experiences, the Kilo Bali menu is a fusion of tastes from Southeast Asia and Latin America. Portions are meant for sharing, so feel free to order more choices!

Definitely include the crispy tempura eggplant with balado sambal, prawn ravioli in sake buttercream and parmesan, homemade ricotta gnocchi with grilled mushrooms in miso sauce, and the most delicious grilled avocado in ponzu!

Kilo cocktails, as well as their homemade kombucha tea, are worth trying.

Side note: if you’re into unusual interior design, definitely pay a visit to the Kilo Bali restroom!

2. Merah Putih

Located in the heart of Petitenget, Merah Putih does not only look like a cathedral of fine dining. With high solar-filtered glass walls and a translucent ceiling that collects rainwater, this sustainable and functional architecture provides a roof for both tropical plants and Michelin-starred food.

Merah Putih, as proudly suggested in its name (‘red’ and ‘white’ are the colors of the national flag), serves Indonesian food, both traditional and modern.

It also suggests family-style eating, with plates typically set in the middle of the table and encouraging a social atmosphere.

I enjoyed mie udang (homemade noodles with sea urchin and yabbies), kembang kol (fried cauliflower salad), and sayur sayuran (local organic veggies that came with citrus & kemangi iced tea).

Their signature cocktails looked promising, and the Balinese white chocolate martini (vodka, chocolate liqueur, Balinese white chocolate) did not disappoint.

Cup holders with imprints of the kitchen staff portraits leave a friendly, human touch.

3. Sea Circus Restaurant & Bar

Sea Circus defends the less pretentious Seminyak restaurant scene. It was Melbournians who started it, after quitting their jobs in the advertising industry, moving to Bali, and deciding they needed a “restaurant, cocktail bar and coffee den”.

This colorful and artsy interior is full of little details evoking circus and seaside memorabilia as part of the interior. They also exhibit works by guest artists.

Sea Circus’ menu is a simple “fish & chips” type of offer, with a variety of burgers, smoothie bowls, and tacos.

I enjoyed my nourish bowl with grilled barramundi, that came with organic kale, baby spinach, chickpeas, red quinoa, beetroot, carrot, sprouts, cherry tomatoes, purple cabbage, roasted pumpkin, toasted seeds, cashews, and lemon agave dressing. I started drooling over the content description, so I wasn’t surprised the dish was equally mouthwatering.

Side note: to see another unusual washbasin, visit the loo at Sea Circus café too!

Did you like this article on the best hotels in Bali and Seminyak’s finest restaurants? Pin it for later!

Disclosure: My stay at The Amala, Origin Seminyak and Tugu Bali, as well as a dinner at Kilo Kitchen, were complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

The post Luxury Escapes in Bali: The Best Hotels on the Island’s Southern Shores appeared first on Pipeaway.

Munduk Moding Plantation offers infinity pools and infinity coffee cups

If you’re looking for a 4-star hotel in Bali, consider plantation villas in Gobleg village as your choice. They will stun you with natural surroundings and infinity pools, fill your days with loads of possible activities, and your cup with fine organic coffee. Read the Munduk Moding Plantation review and learn all the pros and cons of this unique mountain accommodation in Bali, Indonesia!

History of battlefields and coffee fields

The first Dutch explorer stepped on the island in 1597. Cornelis de Houtman called Bali “the young Holland”. He began the Dutch spice trade with Indonesia. In the following centuries, the trade focus moved to opium and slaves.

Dutch military expedition against Buleleng in Northern Bali in 1849 made the local king and his followers undertake a mass ritual suicide (puputan). Such an expression of revolt against the humiliation of surrender in front of the Dutch invasion was not the last one. Events became quite bloody at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Stationed in Singaraja, the colonial center of Bali, the Dutch colonists were looking to escape the tropical heat. In Munduk mountains, about 1.100 meters above sea level, they didn’t find just a perfect climate for themselves. They also discovered that the volcanic soil provided the ideal conditions to develop coffee production. They brought the trees from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

From the 1880s until the 1980s, Munduk hill stations were prospering as Bali’s most productive coffee plant growing area. But in the 1990s, the prices fell dramatically. Many farmers switched to oranges, cloves, flowers, and other cash crops that were bringing higher revenues. This caused soil erosion and falling water tables.

Roozen family found this Munduk plantation as one such failure site in 2007. They mortgaged their house in Europe, bought the land, cleared the old growth, and planted the shadow trees. The wildlife returned, and the coffee plantation was back as well.

If you love exploring the world through coffee, these are the coffee destinations you should visit!

From calm nature resort to an Instagram sensation

In two years, they built the resort from scratch. Munduk Moding Plantation owner employed the prominent Bali architect Popo Danes (the creative mind behind the Lelewatu Resort and Ubud Hanging Gardens). Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort and Spa opened in 2009.

The idea was to build a very low-density resort. That way, the guests could enjoy the natural environment but also have unobstructed privacy. Today, this Bali plantation hotel has only 21 rooms.

The buildings blend into the surrounding nature. Bali nature also blends into some of the buildings! The use of bamboo in constructing the unique elliptical activity hall, the spa, and the front office, pays respect to the ancient traditions in a modern context.

Many villas in Munduk Moding Plantation have private rim-flow swimming pools. But the main infinity pool quickly became the perfect backdrop for Instagram storylines that couldn’t go unnoticed.

The infinity pool at Munduk Moding Plantation

Munduk Moding Plantation infinity pool turned into the resort’s most excellent ambassador on social media! With some clouds in the background, the iconic pool looks surreal. As if it would be floating between the skies and the earth.

The panoramic view of the green hills and mountains, distant brown volcanoes of Java, and the blue Java Sea becomes magical, especially when the orange and pink colors of sunset and sunrise join the palette.

Golden hours are the most popular for shooting the reflective infinity pool, so be prepared for queuing! Instagram influencers and influencer wannabes wait for that “perfect” picture since the youngest minutes of the dawn. Stylists run around, yelling instructions. Cameras are on the stands. It all looks like a professional shooting set! Here, people check in prepared.

During the daytime, the pressure on the pool is much lesser. Most of the early risers are probably sleeping or editing photos (as if they truly need any filter). So if you just want to enjoy the pool’s 18 meters in length, you can take a swim when you don’t intrude on anyone’s shot, and nobody imposes on your swimming joy either. With often floating clouds in the mountains, the views get equally enchanting as in the first minutes of the day.

Just several steps downhill, Jacuzzi-deck offers another point to enjoy the spectacular landscape. Alternatively, you can consume your luxury hotel escape while resting in the sun lounger and reading one of the many available magazines and books.

While we can still claim that breathtaking views from the photogenic Munduk Moding Plantation infinity pool are unique, soon this will not be the case! Just a dozen meters downhill, the resort is building ANOTHER infinity pool that will blend the sky and the water!

If you are a swimming pool addict, check the unique silver pool at Jaya House RiverPark in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

Munduk Moding Plantation rooms

Only nine villas (1-4 bedrooms) and three suites are available to guests. With similar decoration, they mainly differ in size. The more luxurious ones can come with a private infinity pool, Jacuzzi, and always available butler, or even free minibar and laundry.

We stayed in one of the Garden Suites (precisely, Garden Suite number 5), which was the smallest available option. I can imagine that the oversized furniture looks very imposing in the more spacious villas. But in these 35 square meters, the organization of space felt a bit strange.

The room comes with a vast bathroom made of Sulawesi cream marble, with a large terrazzo bathtub in one corner, a partially walled toilet in the other corner, and a central open shower that can be curtained off. Above the shower, there is a skylight providing natural light.

Next to the small stone sink, there are luxurious bathroom amenities. They include mosquito spray, which I thought one wouldn’t need in the mountains, but surprisingly, it came in handy.

The poster bed comes with a canopy, which was also not just decorative. The fantastic views from the balcony are inviting you to keep colossal glass panel doors open all day long, and mosquitos feel invited.

The king-size bed seems gigantic in this room. While a small family could certainly snuggle up in it, that family wouldn’t have much space out of the bed. An additional massive couch made of tropical hardwood, facing the landscape views, looks lovely. But it is clear proof that one size does not fit all.

Equally, the balcony is unusually narrow. There is not much more space than to sit straight in the chair. Luckily, those sliding glass doors extend the balcony visually and functionally, so one can enjoy the view while eating welcome fruit on the couch.

Munduk Moding Plantation activities

There are plenty of available activities at Munduk Moding Plantation Hotel so your room hours can stay reserved just for the nighttime. Many of these are a part of the complimentary Munduk Moding Plantation Experience program.

I’d suggest you start your visit with a guided coffee plantation tour. A member of the resort staff leads you through the property, shows you the garden with fruit and vegetables, and teaches you the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee that grew on the plantation. Traditional coffee processing demonstrations give a great insight into how it was all done before the advanced machinery era. It ends with the coffee tasting!

If you want to learn more about Bali culture, the MMP Experience program will teach you how to wear Balinese attire, how to make and fly a kite, how to make an offering, or how to play traditional music with bamboo gamelan. There are also kids’ activities on the plantation; they can watch movies, join the dance class, or learn how to play the spinning top game (gangsing). From bird watching to massage demonstrations, daily activities at Munduk Moding Plantation are numerous.

There are many exciting things to do in Munduk and North Bali too. The resort provides a free daily shuttle service to Bedugul, where you can visit the famous “floating” Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Candikuning Market, and Botanical Garden. Another complimentary shuttle brings you to Tamblingan Lake and the magnificent Munduk Waterfall, where I recommend taking a dip. MMP also secures a car that brings you to Brahmavihara-Arama Buddhist temple (with scenic gates), Banjar Hot Spring (the water with supposedly healing minerals), and Lovina Beach (the black sand beach I personally don’t find that attractive, but it is a departure point for dolphin-watching if you’re into that).

What to do in Munduk for active Bali holidays

Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa can organize other tours for your active holidays in Northern Bali. Various treks will make you explore the rainforest. Waterfalls are always a good excuse for hiking with a refreshing mountain swim waiting for you at the end. Besides Munduk, the trek can lead you to Golden Valley Waterfalls, Melanting, Empelan, Banyumala, or Sekumpul mystery waterfall.

One can discover the area on foot, but also by riding a bicycle or a horse, canoeing on the lakes, diving in the sea, or even playing golf in the crater of an extinct volcano.

You can also hop on the tours that include trekking through the rice paddies, orchid or orange plantations. You can visit the remote villages whose inhabitants still practice animism. Or join the tours that bring you to the iconic selfie spots for that perfect holiday Instagram flow!

If you prefer to sweat ‘at home’, MMP has its own tennis/badminton court (one-hour use is free for all guests). There is also a small gym with weights, a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, and similar basic exercise equipment. For the playful and competitive guests, there are darts, billiards, table football, and table tennis.

If you are looking for more ideas on where to stay in Bali, check these resorts that will recharge your batteries!

Regain strength in the plantation spa

Munduk Moding Plantation resort spa has a modernist interior but is built mostly from bamboo, with alang alang (palm frond) roof.

In one of the two spacious massage rooms, various treatments with Indonesian herbs and spices as key ingredients are available. The homemade coffee body scrub sounds unmissable when visiting the coffee plantation resort. The scrub’s antioxidants supposedly soften the skin and remove its impurities. I wanted to try this two-hour treatment, but sadly, the spa was busy! There was no chunk of two hours available during my stay.

Instead, I opted for MMP Signature Massage, a one-hour combo of aromatherapy, hot stone, and traditional Balinese massage. The treatment cost me 30 USD (28 Euros), with tax and service charges excluded.

No aromatherapy could have covered the pungent smell invading my nose

My Munduk massage sadly didn’t start right. After laying on the massage table, I buried my head into a sweat-soaked headrest. I couldn’t blame anyone, as the towels were clean. But it seemed nobody was checking the equipment which over time took over the whole sensation. No aromatherapy could have covered the pungent smell invading my nose. I had to stop the treatment at the very beginning, as I couldn’t ignore the unpleasant odor. The masseuse was very professional and offered to move to the other table. The situation there was causing a bit less discomfort. This thing just didn’t fit the excellence of service MMP was aiming for. Luckily, it was fixable! I was sure they would pay more attention to these elements of the experience in the future.

The massage itself was very good and relaxing. So relaxing that I even fell asleep, which is always a good sign.

If you’re up for something different, MMP can provide a healing massage by a local healer who uses traditional medicines and holy water with a “mantra”.

Mountain resort blending ecology and luxury

Munduk Moding Plantation implements the idea of an eco-lodge in Bali, the island that banned single-use plastic in 2019. The resort led the way in replacing plastic straws with bamboo ones. Guests can even learn how to make them! It provides glass bottles of water in the rooms, uses natural water sources for bathing, and recycles waste. They also promote nature topics through movie screenings for kids and adults. The hotel practices sustainable agriculture on the plantation. Munduk plantation restaurant offers the organic Bali meal experience as much as it can.

If you want to check another mountain eco-luxury resort, read about the Limalimo Lodge in Ethiopia!

The responsibility towards the surroundings does not stop at maintaining the lush gardens in an environment-friendly way. The owners have also set up the Munduk Foundation, to support local schools, provide dance and English classes for Munduk children, as well as scholarships to talented but poor students.

At the same time, Munduk Moding Plantation is not just an idyllic hideaway behind the sights of the plant tunnels and sounds of the birdsongs deprived of modern traveler needs. The rooms have a CD, iPod, and DVD player (a large selection of DVDs is available). All guests receive a mobile phone for communication with the reception. The Internet connection was not always stable in my experience, but it does cover all areas of this award-winning eco-luxury resort.

Munduk Moding Plantation menu

MiMPi Restaurant is set just in front of the iconic infinity pool. It delivers beautiful views, both from the first-floor dining room and second-floor verandah. One can also enjoy the meal under the frangipani trees on the terrace. Private bale bengong (gazebo) is most popular among couples, where the heart-form-displayed candles lighten up their romantic dinner.

The coffee plantation menu offers Balinese, Indonesian, Asian, and some Western Fusion food. However, I feel that there is a discrepancy between Asian and non-Asian dish quality. Chocolate brownie so hard that one cannot cut it with a knife, or a truly oversized portion of spaghetti give an impression that someone is tapping into unknown territory, even if with the best intentions. On the other side, local dishes, and especially vegetarian and vegan selections are surprisingly excellent.

I like their Mimpi breakfast in particular! Try it if you want to have an overview of various local breakfast options, including the tropical fresh fruits, Jaffle with strawberry, tomato, banana, or cheese, Nasi Goreng or Bakmie Goreng with fried egg, toasted bread with onion, avocado, and tomato, Lak Lak, Biu Mekukus, and a pot of tea or coffee, of course!

Coffee – the resort’s darkest pleasure

Being the only Bali resort set on a working coffee plantation, Munduk Moding Plantation is an ideal destination for those who cannot start a day without a good cup of the dark booster.

If you want to immerse yourself in Bali coffee culture completely, you should visit this Indonesian hill station in July or August, when you can participate in the coffee harvest! For all other visitors, rooms come with Munduk coffee packs, so you can still enjoy drinking coffee in nature at your leisure.

For those who love afternoon rituals, every day, the hotel serves complimentary ginger tea or Bali coffee with homemade cookies by the pool.

If you are willing to experiment, you can try the pricy kopi luwak. The famous luxury coffee beverage comes from beans eaten and digested by Luwak fox (civet). Unlike in other facilities which cage and often force-feed this nocturnal animal, Luwak here is free and wild. The resort can barely harvest 2 kilos a year, in comparison to 1,5 tons of other processed beans.

Munduk Moding Plantation review – conclusion

From the flower leis with a welcome drink (coffee with lemongrass) to the evening chocolates with a bedtime story (well, one that ends with the king running around the palace and killing everyone was an unusual way to wish a sweet night), Munduk Moding Plantation overflows with attention.

The pampering starts with a golf cart-type vehicle for the short ride between the entrance and the reception. It does not end with any of the experience programs generously offered to the in-house guests. Sometimes, six employees stand behind the small reception desk, all eager to help, which may make communication confusing. The intention here is excellent; it just needs some polishing to make the resort staff equally relaxed as the guests they are taking care of.

The most rewarding part of staying at this remote Bali mountain resort is its design for privacy. Even if one building can house several suites, they will still have the preserved feeling of seclusion, all the way from the entrance to the balcony views. This makes Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort and Spa the perfect honeymoon or wedding place in Bali, away from the crowds. Private dinner or just a warm hug by the bonfire under the night skies of the Southern Hemisphere can indeed be romantic.

Finally, this Munduk hotel offers impressive panoramic views, but also hidden photogenic treasures at the plantation, with its infinity pool reaching the greatest Instagram stardom. It can be cloudy above you, and it can be cloudy beneath you. The visual setting will instantly catapult you into the dreamlike atmosphere that will fill your social media and your own memory feed with countless moments to cherish.

MMP essential info

Munduk Moding Plantation location

Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort and Spa is located in the hilly countryside of Northern Bali. It is the authentic corner of one of the most popular islands in Indonesia (and there are 18.000 of them!).

The resort site is just on the edge of the plateau at more than 1.000 meters above sea level, and close to the three central lakes of the island (Beratan, and the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan).

Even if administratively belonging to Gobleg, the resort got its name from the neighboring Munduk village which offers excellent trekking, if you ever get bored with 5 kilometers of walking path through the plantation.

Lovina Beach is half an hour’s drive away, and going from Ubud to Munduk can take up to two hours by car.

How to get to Munduk Moding Plantation from the airport

Most of the tourists arrive in Bali through Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, in Southern Bali. The ride from Bali Airport to Munduk Moding Plantation should not take more than two and a half hours.

Taking public transport between the two locations is not easy, so your best options are renting a vehicle, or asking the resort to organize the pick-up/drop-off. The airport transport fee will be 50 USD (45 Euros).

The best time to visit Munduk, Bali

The proximity to the equator makes Bali’s year-round temperatures high. Munduk has its own microclimate. Even if you can expect warm weather during the day (22-26 degrees Celsius), prepare for the fact that nights can be chilly here (14-19 degrees). Bring an extra sweater!

Munduk weather is characterized by more rain than the rest of the island, especially in the wet season between November and March. August is the driest month, but October is the warmest one.

Munduk Moding Plantation day pass

If you are not staying in Munduk Moding Plantation, but would still like to visit it, the resort provides non-staying guests with day passes. Their availability depends on the occupancy. The priority to enjoy the resort and the spa is given to the overnight guests.

In case a day pass is available, an external guest will have to pay 500.000 Indonesian Rupiah (32 Euros) for the Blue Voucher. It will entitle you to a welcome drink, two-course lunch, and access to all facilities and activities, except the infinity pool and Jacuzzi. Those two are often the main reason for a day visit, so if you want to include them, you will need to purchase a Green Voucher for 900.000 Rupiah (57 Euros). Children younger than 11 have a 50 % discount on these prices.

Munduk Moding Plantation contact: sales@mundukmodingplantation.com or +62 (0)81 138 5059 (Whatsapp)
Website: www.mundukmodingplantation.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mundukmodingplantation
Munduk Moding Plantation booking: for the best prices, check Munduk Moding Plantation on booking.com

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Disclosure: My stay at the Munduk Moding Plantation was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

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The giant dream

The mind behind the idea of building the biggest statue of Lord Vishnu ever was Joop Ave, Indonesian minister of tourism in the 1990s. He was dreaming of a monument that would symbolize humankind’s journey into the new millennium, but also become the iconic landmark of Indonesia. The new millennium has arrived and Mr. Ave has passed away. But his vision, after two decades of construction, financial crisis, and political changes, finally hits the finish line. The gigantic Vishnu statue should be dominating the Bali landscape in autumn 2018 or spring 2019, depending on if you ask optimists or realists.

The famous Indonesian sculptor Nyoman Nuarta is working hard in his Bandung workshop to meet the deadline. Hundreds of associates are involved in constructing the statue in copper and brass, cutting it in pieces, transporting those to GWK Bali, and reassembling them again.

Designed as a visual spectacle, Garuda Wisnu will present Lord Vishnu, the source of wisdom and the preserver in the Hindu trinity, riding on the back of his faithful mount Garuda, the divine eagle-like creature. The statue will stand more than 121 meters high, with its wings span of 64 meters! It will weigh more than 3.000 tonnes!

Vietnam is the least religious place in the world, yet they have one of the largest Jesus statues! Indonesia is the most Muslim place in the world, yet they are sculpting the largest Vishnu ever for 1,7 percent of Hindus living in the country

Religious or non-religious, size matters!

When we think of massive religious monuments, many will first recall the iconic Rio de Janeiro statue – Christ the Redeemer. Brazil is almost 90 percent Christian, which makes it perfectly logical to celebrate the Christian god. But in Southeast Asia, the laws of logic don’t work the same. The Vietnamese, one of the world’s least religious nations, have built Christ the King in Vung Tau, even bigger than his Rio counterpart! In the country where Catholics make 6,2 percent!

In Indonesia, the majority of citizens are Muslim, but we know that the depiction of Muhammad is a controversial issue. The tallest sculptures in Indonesia at the moment are those of the Virgin Mary in Semarang, Central Java (with its 42 meters, it is the world’s tallest Virgin Mary statue), Jesus in Makale, South Sulawesi (40 meters), and another Jesus in Manado, North Sulawesi (30 meters).

The tallest statues in the world are those of Buddha. When Indonesians, with barely 1,7 % of Hindus living in the country, finish Garuda Wisnu, the world’s top three will be richer for the first Hinduistic deity!

If you want to read more about one of the tallest Christ monuments in the world, check out the article Vietnamese Jesus Statue: Climbing the Christ of Vung Tau. 

Garuda Wishnu – tall, broad, and spiritually disturbing?

Dominating the GWK Cultural Park, Garuda Wishnu will be nearly 40 stories high, visible not only from Ngurah Rai International Airport but also from places such as Tanah Lot, the ancient Hindu temple on the rock, 30 kilometers away!

In the original vision, the enormous sculpture was supposed to be 146 meters tall! Balinese religious authorities complained that the statue’s immense size would disturb the spiritual balance of the island of gods. So the compromise was made to reduce it for 20 meters.

Even if GWK Bali stimulates the commercial development of the southern tip of Bali island as well, the team behind it claims that their intentions were always mainly cultural. Borobudur was built in the 9^th century, and they thought that Indonesia needed a new masterpiece.

Nyoman Nuarta – the master for the job

Nyoman Nuarta is one of Indonesia’s finest modern sculptors. His works displayed in the homonymous gallery in the northern part of Bandung, in West Java, astonish with craftsmanship. NuArt Sculpture Park opened to the public in 2000, and while it primarily exhibits Nuarta’s work, it also welcomes guest artists, especially the young ones.

The gallery’s Craft Boutique offers a series of Nuarta’s miniature artworks. But, walking through the 1.000 square meters of indoor space, and roaming through the three hectares of the park itself, it becomes clear that this man thinks big!

He placed one of his largest sculptures on the building in Surabaya’s naval base. The 30-meters high Jalesveva Jayamahe represents the navy officer greeting the ships passing by. It shares third place with Jesus on the top list of the tallest Indonesian statues.

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Bali icon born in patience

Two decades later and with a hundred million dollars spent, pieces of Garuda Wishnu are slowly being transported from Bandung to Badung, from Java to Bali. The trucks have to bring the parts 1.000 kilometers east so that they can install them at GWK Cultural Park.

Leaving the mark in Indonesia’s history is not an easy accomplishment. The process took longer, but the peaceful Vishnu’s face resting in Nuarta’s workshop, with his eyes half-closed, almost reassures. Gods can wait.

Java is home to another unusual monument - the Indonesian Chicken Church. Check it out!

GWK Bali history

• Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park opened in 1997.
• Park’s final purpose is to house the colossal sculpture in the making. Until now, visitors were able to see the separate statues of Garuda, Vishnu’s bust, or hands.
• Park’s scenic plazas, gardens, amphitheater, and cut-out limestone rock landscape have served for many private and public events. From weddings via Miss World contest to Iron Maiden concert, GWK is already building the identity of the icon of Bali.

GWK Bali location

• Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park spreads over 60 hectares in Ungasan, Badung Regency of Southern Bali.
• Park is easily reachable from Ngurah Rai International Airport. The car drive will take about 30 minutes.

GWK Bali opening hours

• The park is open daily, from 8 am to 10 pm.

GWK Bali entrance fee

• The ticket to GWK Cultural Park costs 100.000 Rupiahs (6 Euros), which makes it one of the priciest attractions on the island, even if Westerners should not complain. It is not known if the ticket prices will go up after one of the largest world monuments finds its permanent home here.

Searching for a place to stay close to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park?
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The Balé is a place to get spoiled! Located on the paradise island of Bali, this 5-star resort is an excellent retreat for those looking for a getaway, whether alone or with their significant other! Balé is managed by Lifestyle Retreats, a Singapore-based company specializing in premium boutique properties. It would be an understatement to say that the Balé is only that! This luxury property exceeds expectations, whether you are planning a Bali honeymoon or a retreat on your own!

Zen experience is implemented throughout the resort

Nusa Dua is a tourist enclave that was constructed in the 1970s on the eastern tip of the Bukit Peninsula. In 2000, the Balé became a reality as a design brainchild of one of the leading Indonesian architects. On three hectares of land, Antony Liu (Studio TonTon) has imagined the contemporary white space with clean lines, simple yet refined, minimalist but elegant. From the futuristic entrance through the winding passage surrounded by water (is it a bridge then?) and metal tubes (is it an industrial version of the bamboo forest?) to the cascading rows of 29 independent villas in the most discreet layout, the serenity overtakes it. Space is urban, yet not pretentious, luxurious, but harmonious. The use of stone, greenery, and abundant calming water shows respect for Balé’s environment. The landscape designer was Karl W. Princic, and the zen-kind of experience is implemented throughout.

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Water heaven at The Balé

Each stylish villa comes in the form of a thatched pavilion, with its own walled garden that is fitted with a large bengong-style daybed for lazy afternoons, and a private swimming pool one can enter by stairs directly from the bathroom. Bathtub, indoor and outdoor shower, twin sinks equipped with excellent quality signature soaps (based on coffee or sandalwood, for instance), bath salt, bath oil… Even candles are provided! This is a water heaven for anyone enjoying pampering!

The room is sleekly designed, very spacious, and bright. All wall surfaces are glass, which means there are a lot of blinds to pull down in the evening. But don’t worry! The Balé provides turndown service, which means your mosquito-protective baldachin will be set, and the complimentary supply of delicious cookies, fruit, water, and soft drinks will be replenished, in the most thoughtful way!

In and out of room entertainment

The bed is very comfy and, even if one is alone, there is an in-room entertainment provided with satellite TV, CD, VCD, DVD, and MP3 player! The only thing I actually missed in the Balé room was – an electrical outlet! Having only one free outlet in the whole room is not enough for the modern traveler, and hopefully, this can be improved. Electrical appliances aside, in the hotel library board games and books can be borrowed! If you lack anything else, there is a round-the-clock butler service. Your personal butler will cater to all your needs, even if it is just unpacking your suitcase or shining your shoes!

The pavilions are incredibly comfortable and quickly bring you into a tranquil state where you just don’t want to leave them. However, if it happens that you get bored of your private pool (how on earth could that happen?), the hotel has its own beach club at Geger Beach (which is just a 10-minute walk away, or a 2-minute drive by complimentary shuttle car). Additionally, in the heart of the Balé resort, you can enjoy two tiers of the central swimming pool!

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Bali honeymoon delight – honey massage!

This stylish sanctuary couldn’t provide the perfect relaxing getaway without spa premises! There is a range of massages, body and facial treatments, holistic programs, yoga, and meditation options! Sometimes, even great Masters are around! The gym is quite small but well-equipped for the size. With the possibility of booking a private sauna time, there are so many things to try!

I enjoyed the combination of long-stroke lomi-lomi and Balinese massage, with the aromatherapy oil of my choice. In addition to my 1-hour body treatment, the hotel threw in the 15-minute foot bath, which was a truly caring and relaxing ritual. Of course, you can go more experimental, and try the massage with seashells or crystals, body scrub with organic rice or exotic fruit, champagne bath, or green tea jacuzzi! If you are a couple on a Bali honeymoon, supposedly honey treatment is a very romantic experience!

Happy faces in the restaurant

While I was being pampered, the Faces restaurant was already preparing my dinner from its healthy menu option.

Rice paper mushroom ravioli in saffron-pumpkin broth for a starter and steamed miso-crusted barramundi with sea vegetables and soba noodles for the main course turned out to be truly delicious.

Healthy and detoxifying smoothies are served with paper straws, which is a commendable ecological approach.

It is not all raw, vegan, and strictly healthy here! Besides Indonesian & Thai specialties, one can order more classic fish and chips, pasta, salad, burger, or pizza. However, this gourmet restaurant promises one will get a balanced menu with fresh locally-grown organic produce, no matter which dish one chooses.

French toast – Balé way

The contemporary cuisine approach can be seen at à la carte breakfast too. Whether you eat it at the open-sided pavilion next to the main pool, or in the privacy of your own villa, the choices are plentiful: freshly baked pastries, yogurts and cereals, smoothie bowls, fruit, Asian specialties, various egg versions, and my favorite sweet signature dish of the Balé – French toast with strawberries, mascarpone, and maple syrup. It’s a delicacy you want to drown in!

The Balé hospitality

I must say I actually preferred in-room dining. For my taste, too many waiters are serving each table in the restaurant, which slightly depersonalizes the service, while in the room pavilion, I have experienced the full extent of hospitality that is obviously incorporated in the philosophy of the Balé. One can even opt for a candlelit dinner or private barbeque under the frangipani trees in the garden, which will undoubtedly secure a more romantic evening! Learning to make some seafood dish or soufflé at the restaurant’s cooking class, could be another great bonding experience for a couple on Bali honeymoon!

Bliss offers spa cuisine, Tapa Bistro serves tapas with music as a side dish, and Fluid Bar provides cocktails and wine. One could easily spend a very diverse holiday time in the Balé, never leaving its ground. However, the resort offers free chauffeur service, if you want to explore Nusa Dua. Turtle Conversation and Education Center, Bali National Golf Club, or water sports in Tanjung Benoa are also great ideas for a day out! It is worth knowing that the 30-minute drive to and from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport is complimentary, with water, fruit, and wet towels included! So stressless!

Adult-only paradise

Bali is called the island of gods. The treatment one gets at an upscale resort such as the Balé is often a divine experience, adequate to the reputation of the so-called paradise destinations. With a no-children-allowed policy, the intimate and soothing atmosphere of this charming relaxation oasis for adults is genuinely seductive! This is what the Bali honeymoon should look like!

My main regret is that I have experienced this resort on my own because special moments are always better when shared with people we find special. Hopefully, I will return to this extraordinary place soon and share the escape experience with someone, hands-on!

Disclosure: My stay at the the Balé was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway might make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!

Special thank you: HotelieriQ - for the assistance in connecting Pipeaway with Lifestyle Retreats.

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1. The Samata, Sanur
Price per night: 128-597 Euros

Nestled in Sanur, the seaside town in southeastern Bali and the oldest upscale resort area of the island, The Samata is an exquisite destination for those searching for revitalization! Just 20 kilometers away from Ngurah Rai International Airport, this resort caters for 10 Suites and Pool Villas only, which guarantees personalized and dedicated service for every guest. If we add the holistic approach to health and the life balance concepts rooted in this resort’s idea, it is possible to leave Samata only with an upgrade in personal strength, physical and spiritual health, and peace of mind.

The swimming pools are bountifully scattered around the resort (three in the common area: Energy Pool, Chill Pool, and Lap Pool, the last two being the infinity pools with majestic views over the rice fields). I stayed in the Pool Villa, which came with a decent-sized private bathing area, just for me to enjoy it! Besides the pool, the villa provided an outdoor bathtub and a shower surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Just laying outside in the bath scented with Samata’s own herbal mixture, was a soothing experience in itself! Of course, one can also enjoy the professional pampering treatment in the resort’s spa area!

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Where to box in Bali?

Probably the most incredible asset of the whole Samata’s property is its unearthly gym! It provides high-class exercise equipment both for cardio and strength, signed by Life Fitness, the global leader in the field. Many props are provided in double, which is pure luxury, having in mind the size of the resort. The gym has even two scales (!), so you would not be waiting to weigh yourself, in case another guest wants to use it at the same time. Each piece of equipment has a drawing on the correct use and anatomical focus of the exercise, which makes it easy for beginners as well.

Surrounded by the pictures of the boxing legends, the central area of this extremely well-equipped gymnasium is reserved for the boxing ring. Six punching bags and a dozen boxing gloves again provide over-the-top luxury! With various fitness and holistic programs, CrossFit studio, yoga & meditation studio, tennis court, billiards, table tennis, tai chi, or water pilates opportunities, this is the sportiest one luxury resort can get! And if that is not enough, the Bali Beach Golf Course is not far.

Where to stay healthy in Bali?

In my whole Southeast Asian exploration, I haven’t found the healthiest menu than the one provided by The Samata. Even if you are, for instance, on a gluten-free diet, there will be a whole page of dishes for you to choose from! Zenso Restaurant provides all-day dining, with delicacies including the 28 days dry-aged ribeye steak from Barham Estate or pappardelle pasta with grilled king prawn. I enjoyed the risotto with grilled enoki, shimeji, shiitake, oyster, and portobello mushrooms on a parmesan foam. Candlelight dinners and private barbeques are also available at request, which may be an excellent choice for those choosing Samata as a honeymoon (or even wedding?) destination.

They serve breakfast until 11 am. I enjoyed mine in the privacy of the villa. The combination of pitta bread with hummus dip, onsen tamago (the egg slowly poached in its shell with dashi broth and spring onions), and the sweet quinoa porridge with caramelized banana, goji berry, pistachio, and natural yogurt, provided the energy for an active sporty day! One can order the comfort food throughout the day, but stock-free minibar in the room, with crunchy cookies and tropical fruit selection (signature of Lifestyle Retreats), might keep you going!

Butlers fulfilling your most peculiar wishes

Samata’s villas come with plenty of natural and decorative light and furniture designed for relaxation! It is effortless to feel comfortable, whether you lay in the plush baldachin-covered bed or enjoy your tangerines on the terrace sofa. The resort team might be small, but the butlers will quickly fulfill your wishes, even if you want to order a float for your pool or Playstation for your room.

If you are an early riser, you could be escorted for a Sunrise Walk at 05:30, which is a unique opportunity to get to know the traditional Balinese culture, see hardworking villagers in the rice fields and enjoy traditional cakes and a hot drink while the first sunrays awake the local beach. This ambitious resort is not just an answer to the question “where to stay in Bali?”. Besides finding the near-to-perfect accommodation, staying in Samata might help you find yourself as well.

TIP: Obviously, it is very easy to never want to leave your villa, with an accommodating service that Samata provides! However, it would be a shame not to explore the black sand beaches nearby, where locals have fun by burying themselves in the sand or playing with kites (Sanur is the home of Bali Kite Festival in summer months). For adventurous travelers, this is a watersports paradise! One can enjoy diving, kayaking, wind surfing, you name it!

2. The Menjangan, Banyuwedang
Price per night: 109-1.330 Euros

Named after the unique species of deer that lives in the resort’s closest surroundings, The Menjangan is a hidden secret in the heart of the Bali Barat National Park. You will need to pay for the national park ticket on top of your accommodation costs (200.000 Rupiah, or 13 Euros), but what you will get, the money cannot buy anyway! With all the luxuries of modern resorts, Menjangan is still a journey into deep nature!

Resort facilities are scattered in the area of 382 hectares, which makes it difficult to explore it entirely on foot. However, local transportation between sites functions correctly; double-decker safari-style minibusses will come to pick you up in no time, whether you wish to go to the beach, to the restaurant, or to any other part of the resort. Expect meeting families of monkeys on the road, but have no fear! These are different than the ones in Ubud Monkey Forest or elsewhere on the island – as it is forbidden to feed them in the national park, they are pretty much self-dependant, and therefore not aggressive.

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Exploring the national park on the back of an animal

There are even more environment-friendly ways to go around the park. One can borrow bicycles or take some horseback riding lessons. A stable is full of Australian horses, and I spent an afternoon on the back of Bruce! This was my first riding experience, and I loved it, even if Bruce did not listen to me much. Or maybe I am just not talented for riding! However, with always present instructor Made Sulatra, my horse-riding adventure through the woods and the beach of the national park was an exciting experience!

I stayed in the lovely Monsoon Lodge, just a stone throw away from the stables, so my trembling knees did not have to go far before jumping onto the large and comfortable bed for some downtime. Sure, I could have enjoyed a Balinese massage or some other body ritual at the beach, but sometimes you just need to get horizontal for a reward (especially if you have climbed the volcano the day before!).

My suite was spacious and decorated in the appealing traditional Balinese style. Carved wood, soft pillows, big glass surfaces letting in a lot of light… Great space to regenerate energy! Some furniture in the kitchen and the bathroom could certainly use some uplifting, but it doesn’t affect the overall impression much. With free water and eco bottles provided under the hotel’s less-plastic philosophy, you can behave responsibly, even when consuming the luxury! The television offers movies instead of satellite programs, but I especially liked the screensaver showing the faces of the resort employees – it gives such a human face to The Menjangan!

Marine life – from the sea to the plate

Beach villas come with an advantage of the sea at your doorstep, while the Residence offers its own private pool. At Monsoon Lodge the pool is shared between the guests of the other suites and comes with a jacuzzi too. I decided to try out the temperature of the sea and opted for the morning in a kayak! For the proper scuba diving, one should go a bit further, and coral gardens will be blooming with marine life, from seahorses to sharks, but even my little kayaking adventure by the beautiful mangroves brought sights of jellyfish and eel snakes!

Seafood can also be found on the plate of the Bali Tower Bistro. I ordered my satisfying Mie Goreng, but the Ukrainian chef (some excited British tourists praised him as Croatian by mistake) offers from western pizzas and burgers to local specialties such as Beef Rendang (West Sumatran coconut and cinnamon beef curry) and Bersih’s Betutu (slow-braised chicken in hot Balinese spice).

Next to the beach, there is another restaurant (Pantai), and this is where I had my breakfast. In the proximity of mangroves, with lovely beach views, eating on the floating deck was an Instagram-worthy moment. Freshly baked pastries, natural granola with Greek-style yogurt, tropical fruit platter, eggs in the Western way, or rice porridge in Indonesian… Looking at the choices without mouthwatering was hard. Also, I thought, if I started the breakfast with a vitamin booster shot, is it really a sin to finish it with pineapple pancake with palm sugar syrup on top? Call me a sweet tooth, but I compensated with kayaking!

A hidden gem of Northern Bali

The Menjangan is located in the least visited part of Bali, its northwest. Not yet discovered by the hordes of tourists, this boutique resort is Lifestyle Retreats’ precious gem! When confronted with the dilemma “where to stay in Bali”, Menjangan’s relative remoteness is certainly not its disadvantage. Its proximity to Java and attractions such as Ijen Volcano, but also the fact that the resort can provide the return transfer to practically anywhere in Bali, make it suddenly the center of your Bali retreat!

The resort cars offer wifi, water and snacks for the road trip (the comfort even includes the neck pillow!), but Menjangan’s drivers are not just people behind the wheel! I have to mention Radi Wayan, whose knowledge of Bali is comparable with those of tourist guides, so my trip from Menjangan to Ubud, with some fantastic stops such as Munduk Waterfall, Twin Lakes or the floating temple of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, was an attractive added value!

TIP: Besides deer and monkeys, at Bali Barat National Park you will be able to encounter at least some of the 160 species of birds living there! Many are endangered, and Menjangan resort is engaged in different breeding and conservation programs. You can support it by joining their birdwatching tour!

3. Sankara Ubud Resort, Ubud
Price per night: 104-366 Euros

Often called the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud is a place in which one usually finds comfort after participating in the infamous nightlife in Kuta and Seminyak, or equally exhausting surfing and bathing daytime activities somewhere along the island’s coast. A retreat in itself, Ubud is a town made of fourteen villages, and in the traditional village of Mas one can find our next answer to the question „where to stay in Bali?“ – Sankara Ubud Resort, managed by Pramana Experience, should appear on your radar if you are visiting Bali inland.

Surrounded by and immersed in lush vegetation, this boutique property offers 30 rooms and villas built in Balinese style. The resort’s wish to preserve nature is omnipresent; the buildings have been constructed in respect of the existing landscape and rare trees have been conserved in the process. Winding paths through this little forest of villas and moss-covered walls of natural stones might even lead you to the small rice paddy in the middle of the resort, and some villagers are still taking care of it!

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Villas interior also respects the tradition of local craftsmanship. Furniture in teak wood, a washstand made of stone, traditional ornaments on the walls, and daily fresh flower arrangement and fruits are small details that make the stay in these spacious Deluxe rooms an enjoyable Balinese experience. A comfortable mosquito-net covered king-size bed takes the central position of the chamber, with a view of the private green terrace, which makes morning wake-up something to look forward to. My main objection would be the lack of the electricity plugs next to the bed – connecting one’s laptop or mobile phone at wall outlets and relaxing at the centrally placed bed don’t go hand in hand! Then again, maybe it’s a secret message to disconnect oneself from the technological addictions.

Free yoga, dance, and wood carving lessons

Named after the scallop shell (traditionally used during the purification ceremony to neutralize the bad energy and produce a peaceful atmosphere), Sankara offers free morning and afternoon yoga classes. Under the coned style grass roof of Yoga Pavilion, in the sessions led by local yoga instructor, even beginners can participate. The advanced practitioners can always ask for private classes if they need an upgraded experience. Even if it was sometimes hard following the instructor’s accent, she dedicated herself to each person in our group of five, corrected and supported every effort invested by the students. The whole experience was enriching!

No time to lose, the resort offers an additional Balinese activity every day – you can learn local customs, dancing, or even wood carving! On Saturdays, one can try the traditional sarong-style clothes, and this was a great Bali Holiday photo opportunity I couldn’t resist. Sankara’s conduction in immersing its guests into the Bali experience is evident from the welcome greeting, when you are given a flower behind your ear and a card with useful phrases in Indonesian and Balinese, via afternoon teatime with homemade cakes, to specially created dinners that are sometimes accompanied by live performances of the local bands or dance groups!

Balinese specialties with a modern twist

Kumbuh Restaurant serves both Balinese specialties and Western dishes. But, if you came all the way to Bali, you should really try something from the signature menu! For instance, Pramana Nasi Ungu is a dish of Tumpeng red rice, with side dishes of vegetables and meat. Balinese usually eat it at weddings, but you can enjoy it at Sankara without getting married, and everything is reasonably priced!

A la carte breakfast could also make you fall in love with the cook – Indonesian, Continental, American, Healthy one, or the one called Experience Breakfast. You choose! I strongly advocate for the unusual ones! When will you be able to try Salak Rebus (snake fruit compote) or Pisang Gulung (caramelized bananas in egg crepes with palm sugar sauce and grated coconut)? Just ditch those scrambled eggs and bacon, and go local!

The best thing about the food in Sankara? The restaurant overlooks a fantastic infinity pool spilling over its edge. You might have a hard time finding an unoccupied sunbed at the wooden deck, as it seems this artistic pool delight makes the guests not want to leave the resort ever! If you add to this the possibility of getting various massages and body treatments at the resort spa, I can imagine many guests don’t even think about the free hourly shuttle service to Ubud center – which you should not avoid, no matter how seductive Sankara might be!

TIP: To learn more about the real life of the locals in Ubud, I strongly suggest joining Sankara Resort’s guided morning walk through the rice fields, which usually ends at the local coffee producer! If you would like an unconventional start of the morning, your coffee can be served by luwak itself! Yep, that’s the famous “most expensive coffee in the world” that first needs to pass through the digestive system of the civet, the Asian cat-like wild creature!

Still not sure where to stay in Bali?
Check these hot deals! Various dates available! 

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Searching for amazing Indonesian places to stay, but want to save some bucks?
Check out our selection of the best hostels of Java, Bali’s neighboring island!

Disclosure: My stay at the establishments mentioned in this text was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

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Special thank you: HotelieriQ - for the assistance in connecting Pipeaway with some of the hotel industry leaders in Bali.

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