Indiana Kenanga Luxury Boutique Villas

The upscale Indiana Kenanga Luxury Boutique Villas was created in 2009 by two French designers, resulting in a mix of modern European design with Balinese touches. There's a consistent decor scheme across rooms and common areas, with ample use of bamboo, pale wood, light wicker, and gray stone, along with traditional thatched roofs and a mix of traditional Balinese artwork and Buddha statues. Both the main restaurant and the poolside creperie follow the same decor scheme as elsewhere in the hotel. Villas are peppered throughout tropical gardens, and the main restaurant and beachfront are accessed via a picturesque bridge that crosses one of the two pools. The serene vibe and excellent spa make this property better suited to couples, though families and groups of friends will likely appreciate the large villas.

Indiana Kenanga is set along Jungutbatu Beach on the small island of Nusa Lembongan, a 30-minute speedboat ride off the southeast coast of Bali. Boats from the hotel to the main island stop at the tourist enclave of Sanur; from here it's about a half-hour drive to the airport. The hotel itself looks out over the pristine waters of the Shipwrecks surf break and is within walking distance of cafes, bars, and dive operators. Tourist attractions -- such as the mangrove forest and the Devil's Tear -- are easily accessible by scooter or pick-up truck. Staff can help organize excursions around Nusa Lembongan and neighboring islands. 

There are a total of 18 units at Indiana Kenanga Luxury Boutique Villas, including 16 430-square-foot (40-square-meter) One-Bedroom Villas with private gardens, and two 1,722-square-foot (160-square-meter) Two-Bedroom Villas with private gardens and swimming pools. All units feature a mix of sleek contemporary decor with traditional Balinese touches -- think slate-gray stone floors paired with tall Balinese bamboo ceilings, light furniture made from pale wicker and nearly white wood, and various little touches such as ornate framed mirrors, throw cushions with geometric patterns, and statuettes of reclining Buddhas. King beds are topped with quality linens but lack mosquito nets. All units, though, have air-conditioning, which should keep most bugs at bay.

Villas are equipped with a similar set of amenities, including flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, DVD players, electric kettles, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The Two-Bedroom Villas add large indoor/outdoor living rooms with kitchenettes equipped with fridges and stovetops. All villas offer sleek and spacious gray-and-tan bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, as well as bathrobes, hairdryers, toiletries, and locally sourced essential oils. Each of the Two-Bedroom Villas has two bathrooms -- one with a deep gray stone soaking tub. 

Given the indoor/outdoor layout of villas, some wear and tear and dust should be expected. Past guests have also complained that noise carries between units and from the outside to the rooms. 

Indiana Kenanga Luxury Boutique Villas has a sandy beachfront with a handful of double daybeds, bean bags, and padded lounge chairs shaded by a mix of parasols and wide coconut trees. There's also a beachfront fine-dining restaurant, helmed by the resort’s French co-founder and chef, Clement Fouquere, who worked at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Europe before coming to Bali. The restaurant serves excellent (albeit pricey) French-infused and Asian fare, and gets rave reviews for its lunch and dinner offerings. However, breakfast is not included in the standard rate and many past guests have complained that the morning offerings are not up to par. There is a poolside creperie and bar for more casual, affordable fare.

Other features here include two small outdoor swimming pools, one of which uses saltwater. Both are fringed by neutral-tone lounge chairs, gazebos, tables, and parasols, and while neither are particularly large, both are long enough for swimming laps. There is a pleasant spa that offers a good range of health and beauty treatments, but the hotel lacks a fitness center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There's also a small boutique selling home decor items, beachwear, jewelry, and accessories.