Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa

Samanvaya is a boutique hotel popular with families, couples, and solo travelers. Guests come for relaxation, the exceptional scenery, healthy cuisine, pampering spa treatments, and yoga. This tranquil retreat is set in a peaceful and remote village, which feels worlds away from the island’s tourist hubs of Seminyak and Kuta. Panoramic vistas of tiered rice field terraces and lush tropical greenery can be seen from most common areas and rooms. Hotel structures blend organically into the tropical grounds and feature bamboo, wood, and thatch construction. The area's high elevation and pristine surroundings means cool temperatures, rice field breezes, and a constant soundtrack of cicadas, frogs, and birds. 

Samanvaya is located in the sleepy farming village of Tabola Sidemen in east Bali, nestled in the fertile foothills of Mount Agung Volcano, which looms majestically in the distance. The picturesque village surroundings are great to explore on foot, bicycle, or motorbike. The hotel's immediate area has few dining or nightlife options, but offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Popular adventure excursions on offer nearby include white water rafting, waterfall treks, Mount Agung climbs, and Besakih Temple tours (Bali's mother temple at the base of Mount Agung). The hotel is also a good halfway point for guests looking to continue on to the beach towns of Padangbai and Candidasa, which are both less than 30 minutes away by car. Amed, a popular coastal town with black-sand beaches, a relaxed old Bali feel, and great diving sites is located a 60-minute drive away. Ubud, Kuta, and Ngurah Rai International Airport are all within a 90-minute drive of hotel.

Samananvaya is an intimate all-villa property with 11 one- and two-bedroom dwellings spread along the hotel's lush tropical grounds. Interiors are contemporary and utilize natural materials. They're inspired by local ancient architecture and showcase traditional lumbung design (Balinese rice barn). The hotel’s original wing features wood and glass elements, whereas rooms in the newer wing are constructed almost entirely out of bamboo. 

Villas have an open-plan living concept with folding Venetian glass doors that spill out onto balcony seating areas overlooking the tropical grounds or rice field terraces. Rooms are outfitted with wooden canopy beds and comfy mattresses, upholstered couches, work desks, and wardrobes. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs and DVD players, free Wi-Fi, safes, mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and two bottles of water. Some rooms don’t have air-conditioning but have ceiling fans, and the temperature in the area stays consistently cool most the year.

Semi open-air bathrooms are spacious, and come with natural stone features, colorful cement tiles, and indoor plants. Bathrooms have spacious vanity counters with twin sinks, large mirrors, rainfall showers, and deep terrazzo soaking tubs. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. 

Samanvaya is one of the best equipped hotels in the area. The half-moon shaped swimming pool has an infinity edge, rice field views, and plenty of lounge chairs laid out for guests. There's also a small shallow kids' pool as well as a heated whirlpool. The plush lobby lounge and bar is positioned adjacent to the pool and offers poolside service. Rice Barn Restaurant is housed in a contemporary bamboo structure and serves Balinese, Indonesian, and Western cuisine. Breakfast is served buffet-style and is included in room rates.

Ananda Spa offers a range of beauty, massage, and health treatments and features a private semi open-air couples massage room. The hotel's signature Chakra Massage is performed by a local Balinese Hindu priest. Yoga and meditation teachers available upon request (for a fee) and there's a gorgeous yoga shala with views of the surrounding landscape. A small boutique shop sells traditional handicrafts and clothing. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free.