Puri Bagus Candidasa

Puri Bagus Candidasa is a classic Bali hotel featuring stunning ocean views, manicured tropical gardens, and great beachfront facilities. The hotel has a laid back and tranquil ambience and is a popular choice with families and retirees. Although, with a full-service dive center plus a large wooden yoga shala overlooking the tropical gardens, it also attracts a more active crowd. Charming Balinese architecture is featured throughout, with gorgeous hand-carved wooden and stone statues on display in both the facilities and bungalows. There are plenty of quiet nooks to relax in the tropical gardens or beachside. The most popular hangouts are the wooden cabanas that line the hotel's manmade beach. The oceanfront swimming pool is another hub of activity throughout the day, with plenty of lounge chairs, a swim-up bar, and a poolside bar and seafood grill.

The hotel is located in the coastal town of Candidasa on Bali's east coast and is a 10- to 15-minute walk from most downtown bars and restaurants. Candidasa is a sleepy town with limited nightlife and dining options, but there are a few local options. The coast here is mostly rocky and unsuitable for swimming, though there are some beautiful white sand beaches nearby, easily accessible by car. Virgin Beach, in Karangasem, is about a 20-minute drive away through a mountain pass. The beach has mostly calm waters for swimming and is lined with small local warungs serving up simple grilled seafood and cold drinks. In the opposite direction -- about 30 minutes away by car -- there are also a couple of scenic beaches at the port town of Padang Bai, where the ferries and fast boats to the Gili islands and Lombok depart. For sightseers -- the Tirta Ganga water temple and royal palace is worth a visit. It's a 35-minute drive from the hotel along the winding hills of Karangasem. Candidasa has a few dive sites accessible by boat but Amed and Tulamben (an hour away by car) offer the best diving in the area. Budget about two hours or longer for airport transfers, depending on traffic.

The 48 standalone bungalows here come in two room categories -- Deluxe Seaview and Deluxe Garden. Both feature identical interiors and amenities, but offer either garden or ocean views. Exteriors are clad in Balinese details like carved stone features, though inside they have a pleasant style (though are starting to look a bit dated). Everything is well maintained, though. Large glass windows let in plenty of light and airflow, while high woven-bamboo ceilings are complemented by hardwood trim and furniture. Some feature separate living areas, and all include furnished patios. Rooms are equipped with comfy mattresses and wooden bedside tables, large wardrobes, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, telephones, mini-fridges, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. There are no safes and some TVs are a bit old. Extras include fruit baskets and two bottles of mineral water. All units feature bright semi open-air bathrooms with natural stone features, wooden vanities and sunken washbasins, plus open-air showers.

Puri Bagus Candidasa is a well-rounded oceanfront property that's been in operation for over thirty years. On the oceanfront side of the hotel is a large restaurant serving three meals a day, a swimming pool with a swim-up pool bar, an oceanside bar serving grilled seafood and cocktails, a manmade beach with wooden cabanas, and a full-service dive center. Overlooking the gardens are the Yaya Spa, and three semi open-air multipurpose spaces that are used for yoga, weddings, meetings, and other functions. Free yoga classes are held at the hotel twice a week. 

The oceanside swimming pool and the manmade beach area with wooden cabanas are a great addition here, particularly because the shoreline in the area isn't often swimmable. The pool has a shallow kids' section and a swim-up bar. Adjacent to the pool sits the dome shaped Hastra Putra Bar, featuring stylish wood rich interiors, a long bar, a decent alcohol list, and freshly grilled seafood meals cooked at the open kitchen on-site. Geringsing Restaurant is the second dining option on-site. The restaurant serves Western and Asian fare, as well as authentic Balinese specialities. Also, there is a stage centered in the restaurant where dance and gamelan performances are frequently held. Breakfast is included in most room rates and is a buffet with a large spread of homemade bread and pastries, an egg station, fresh fruits, and Indonesian favorites like fried rice and noodles. 

For water sport enthusiasts -- the German run Orca Dive Center located on-site offers SSI and PADI dive certifications and arranges boat trips for diving, snorkeling, and fishing. A free shuttle service operates to Candidasa daily. Parking is available on-site and Wi-Fi is free throughout.