Nirwana Resort and Spa

Nirwana Resort is a boutique hotel set within a charming tropical garden with sprawling grass lawns, tall trees, and flowing lotus ponds. The main draws here are the expansive ocean views and the high sense of privacy and space. It's well-suited for couples looking for a romantic getaway or single travelers who want to stay somewhere that is quiet and serene, with the constant sounds of the ocean as a soundtrack. The facilities are limited and there isn't all that much to do at the hotel, except get some pampering at the spa, dine at the oceanfront restaurant, swim in the pool, take in the views, or sit back with a good book. All facilities and rooms are semi open-air, with bright and airy interiors and a blend of contemporary and traditional architecture and decor. 

The hotel is located on the outskirts of the main Candidasa strip, about a 20-minute walk from downtown. Candidasa is a small sleepy coastal town in East Bali. Candidasa's coastline is rocky and unsuitable for swimming, though there are some great beaches farther afield like Virgin Beach in Karangasem, around a 25-minute drive form the hotel along winding mountain roads. Or in the opposite direction, also a 25-minute drive away, are some nice beaches in the port town of Padang Bai (from where Gili island speedboats and Lombok ferries depart). For sightseers, the ancient Tirta Gangga Water Temple in the hills of Karangasem is worth checking out, it's around a 40-minute drive from the hotel. There are a couple of decent dives sites in the Candidasa area and giant Mola Mola fish can be seen here from July to mid-November. Those looking for more scenic dive spots should head up to Amed and Tulamben (an hour- and 15-minute drive away) where the famous Liberty Wreck dive site is located. Ubud is an hour-drive from the hotel. The airport takes about an hour-and-a-half to reach, depending on traffic.

Bungalows feature spacious, elegant interiors with hardwood furniture and trim, thatched roofs, light-orange colored walls, and large glass sliding balcony doors that let in plenty of light and airflow. One of the best features of the bungalows are the large outdoor spaces with comfortable wooden lounge chairs to relax on overlooking the garden or ocean. Rooms are outfitted with comfy beds and canopy mosquito nets, work tables and chairs, and spacious wardrobes. Each room also comes equipped with modern amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safes, plus extras like toiletry kits and bottled water. The bathrooms are modern and fresh, with dark tiled floors, white walls, and checkered black-and-white vanity counters and shower walls. Features include long vanities with porcelain sinks and huge mirrors, walk-in showers with rainfall shower heads, and deep soaking tubs. All room types are nearly identical and the defining difference are the views. Only the Deluxe Ocean View Bungalows feature ocean views, and these can be obscured by the pool. All other room types overlook the tropical gardens. Superior Garden View rooms are slightly smaller. 

During our tour we noticed that the rooms were well cleaned and maintained, but did show signs of wear and tear. Though the decor is natural and warm, it's a little dated. 

The features on offer at Nirwana Resort are fairly limited and the main draw is the serene tropical garden setting with endless ocean views. There's a medium-sized pool that overlooks the ocean and gets great sun, plus it has plenty of lounge chairs. Nirwana Restaurant is also positioned oceanside; it has indoor and alfresco dining areas, and an affordable menu with Indonesian and western favorites. Breakfast is included in most room rates and is served la carte, with a selection of American, continental, and Indonesian options. Nirwana Spa is somewhat dated, but is affordably priced and offers a large selection of massage and beauty treatments. Parking is available on-site and Wi-Fi is free throughout.